Analysis & Review of 2017 Draft Prospects Visits to date

[TheSpecialJuan]

That was great, thanks

[KB_fan]

Can't sleep.  Too much coffee today.  Browsing Twitter I just saw an attempt at a horizontal draft board for rounds 1 & 2 by a good Panthers analyst, Billy M.

 

I then used the list of prospects we've met / visited with to annotate that horizontal draft board to X out those players with whom we've not (yet) had any reported contact.  Obviously some players like Garrett, or perhaps even Lattimore or Ramczyk we might take without meeting if they were BPA at our pick, but usually we meet with round 1 players we draft.

So.... here's my annotated version of BillyM's table:

 

The three players circled in white (Garrett, Ramczyk, Lattimore) are not among those we are known to have met with, but I hope they WILL make our list of visited players.  I'd be pleased to draft any of them!

Personally I disagree with Billy's ranking Fournette & McCaffrey as 2nd round picks, well below TEs Howard, Njoku & Engram.  BillyM just doesn't like the idea of us drafting a RB at #8...

But anyway, if you include Fournette & McCaf in round 1 as most analysts do, then it looks pretty clear that using player visits as a guide, and barring big trade shake ups, our round 1 pick at #8 is almost certain to be on offense, quite probably a RB or TE.  OT could be in play in round 1, especially if we trade down, OR pick at #8 and then trade back up into the late 1st.

Round 2 picks could likely be a WR; Edge rusher, Safety or perhaps OT.

[Marguide]

So it looks like we have only used 19 of our 30 private visits.

[KB_fan]

Just now, Marguide said:

So it looks like we have only used 19 of our 30 private visits.

Yes, that's my count too.  Every year there are some that fly under the radar, but it usually seems we know about 24 or 25 of the 30, IIRC from prior years. So maybe a few are still in the works.  I'd like to see:

Lattimore. Ramcyzk, a few more TEs,..

[Nails]

Barnett says here he met with over 20 teams at the combine 

 

yet here not even one of them are listed and only 7 teams are associated in this list http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect

yet mock after mock has him a Panther, CBS finally having some sound logic today http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-mock-draft-garoppolo-to-browns-sherman-to-patriots-in-wild-three-way-trade/

[aussiePanther]

8 hours ago, Nails said:

Barnett 

Barnett visiting Charlotte today:

These three new visits (Jones was known previously?) take the total to 22 of 30?

[CarolinaNCSU]

OP's thoughts on RB, OT, WR in that order is my trade down pipe dream scenario...

Trade 8 to the Browns, grab McCaffrey at 12, pick up a 2nd.

Package two 2nd rounders to get back into the 1st for Ramcyzk or Bolles (though Bolles has some issues I think)

Use our other 2nd for Zay Jones or Chris Godwin, call it a day. 

 

Obviously a lot could flip and change here, should Ross or Barnett or one of the supposed top 15 guys drops into the 20s...but would love RB, OT, WR, then take some chances on defensive guys later in the draft. That said...don't think we'll go straight offense at the top of the draft. 

[UpstatePanther]

13 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Wide Receivers - 18 player contacts and 12 visits/ workouts

Offensive Tackles - 16 player contacts and 10 visits/workouts

On offense, I'm confident we're going to draft a RB; OT & WR, probably in that order of priority. 

Re: Tight Ends, if Howard or Njoku are BPA at one of our picks, we'll probably draft one of them, but I'm surprised we've not had reported contact with more mid-round TEs - players like Butt; Kittle; Leggett.   It seems a bit similar to last year:  if we don't take a TE VERY high, we might not take one at all until late on day 3.

I havent agreed more on any draft analysis this offseason.

13 hours ago, Saca312 said:

You kidding? We've met with TE prospects that are probably some of the biggest gems of the class. That shows you the diligence our scouts are taking with this draft. I was very pleasantly surprised to see who we scouted, and two prospects jumped out immediately.

As she ended up saying, her point is not that we arent doing our due diligence, its that our TE interests seem to be focused on the bookends of the draft. We dont seem impressed with the middle round TEs.

13 hours ago, Saca312 said:

Would love if we nab McCaffrey in the first and Perine/Conner later on. Would pretty much make our running game near unstoppable with how many looks we could employ. Even so, we could use Perine as a fullback option as well, so don't sleep on that idea if we still get Fournette.

this i totally agree with though. Steward, McCaffrey, Perine/Conner, Cam and Darrell Young/Rock Johnson? 5-headed running game monster?! YES DADDY. lol.

Not to mention that an improved running game would do wonders for our passing game (which i am not as worried about as other people seem to be), especially if we pick up a speedster in the draft.

[Catufb85]

KB this is great work I've been looking for this.

[yasuhara2241]

10 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Yes, that's my count too.  Every year there are some that fly under the radar, but it usually seems we know about 24 or 25 of the 30, IIRC from prior years. So maybe a few are still in the works.  I'd like to see:

Lattimore. Ramcyzk, a few more TEs,..

@KB_fan I know I said it earlier but the breakdown was very easy to read for graphs and charts. So I have a few questions for you because I know you like data. 

1. Even though data suggests that you have just as good of chance of finding a good RB later in the draft, why would you like to have a Fournette or CM in the 1st round? 

2. Based on our offenses weaknesses, what position would make the biggest impact to improving our offense? Is there a player you love but don't think the Panthers would necessarily draft? 

3. I've seen you mention CB. Do you feel after taking 3 CBs that DG would be open to a high round CB? My feeling is that 3rd and after may be the earliest unless someone like Teez drops to our 2nd 2nd pick. 

Thanks again! 

[Saca312]

 

[grimesgoat]

We've shown serious interest lately of several players in the 15-20 range (McCaff, Njoku, McKinley, Lamp, etc.).  We've also shown a lot of interest lately in players in the 70-80 range (Zay, Godwin, Willis, Tabor, Melifonwu).  I think there might be a plan in place with the Ravens.  The Ravens have 16, 47, 74, 78 and I think they want one of the big WRs, which may not last to 16 (Williams or Davis). 

I could see us trading 8 for 16, 74, and 78.

 

[KB_fan]

2 hours ago, yasuhara2241 said:

@KB_fan I know I said it earlier but the breakdown was very easy to read for graphs and charts. So I have a few questions for you because I know you like data. 

Will try to reply in more depth tomorrow.  I'm mostly staying off the computer today for Good Friday reflection, but did just want to pop in here to see if there were any questions.  Didn't want to ignore people....   So, I'll think about your questions and respond more tomorrow.

[yasuhara2241]

Will try to reply in more depth tomorrow.  I'm mostly staying off the computer today for Good Friday reflection, but did just want to pop in here to see if there were any questions.  Didn't want to ignore people....   So, I'll think about your questions and respond more tomorrow.

Don't eat meat!

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