Reviewing the Panthers Roster Prior to the Draft.

[KB_fan]

1 minute ago, Nails said:

Then we don't need to choose one at 8 overall then, especially at a devalued position.

This is perhaps one of the arguments in favor of drafting McCaffrey over Fournette.   Fournette & Stew would split playing time, whereas Stew & McCaffrey would more likely be on the field together...

[LinvilleGorge]

I have little doubt that Fournette would be a better runner of the football from day one compared to Stew. The two things that could limit his playing time are pass protection and coach loyalty to Stew. But, I think as the season went on and Fournette got more comfortable in pass protection and simply showed he's the more effective RB we'd see more and more Fournette and less and less of Stew. Stew could keep starting as far as I'm concerned, but I think over the course of the season you'd see Fournette getting the majority of the carries.

Just my opinion.

[UpstatePanther]

2 hours ago, Untouchable said:

2016 was the exception

And remember that we triple dipped at our position of need after the 1st round

[UpstatePanther]

@KB_fan you and @Saca312 have combined today to make me think McCaffery will be the pick. It makes too much sense. As KB pointed out, we have an ungodly amount of offense players already on the roster. With Saca's analysis, it just makes sense that we would want to get the most value out of our 1st round pick. What better way than to select a player that can take over for JStew and immediately impact our passing game in a huge way too?

[KB_fan]

15 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

@KB_fan you and @Saca312 have combined today to make me think McCaffery will be the pick. It makes too much sense.

Joe Person has a good article today on the Fournette vs. McCaffrey debate.  Fournette is an easier fit in our offense, and it does suggest that if both Fournette & McCaffrey are on the board at our pick we go Fournette, no brainer.  Even though I'm a bit more excited with the idea of McCaffrey (just from the standpoint of helping force our offense to evolve.... the versatility McCaf brings...), I'm pretty sure I agree with Person that if BOTH LF & CMc are on the board, the team will choose Fournette.

The McC scenario really hinges on Fournette, Thomas & Adams being gone. 

[Craig Pruitt]

2 hours ago, panther4life said:

@KB_fan Great post! Based on history it's safe to say Gettleman will trade 2-3 of our later round picks to move up and downsize to 5-6 picks, which aligns with your hopes.

In 14: he gave up 168 and 214 for 148 (Vikings)-To draft Bene

In 15 he gave up 50 ,89 and 201 for 41(Rams)- To draft Funchess

In 15 he also gave up 124,161 and 242 for 102(Raiders)- To draft Daryl Wiliams

In 16 he gave up 93,129 and 168 for 77 and 141. -To Draft Worley mainly, but the 2nd acquired pick was used on Zanchez.

Also Gettleman has never came out of a draft with more than 6 players. 

2013  5 drafted players

2014 6 drafted players

2015 5 drafted players

2016 5 drafted players.

One thing I like about Gettleman is he does not give a poo about late round picks.

Traded 4 out of 5 possible 7 rounders. Last year was the exception but 252 probably couldn't net us anything.

Traded 2 out 4 possible 6th rounders.

Traded 3 out of 7 possible 5th rounders

and in the last 2 years he's gotten even more aggressive trading our original 3rd and 4th's to move up

 

 

 

 

 

I've enjoyed all of the post in this thread. KB fan did a great job compiling this data. This actually ties into the question I've asked in a couple of posts lately. How many draft picks do we really think have shot at making the team, and what would their positions be?

I really can't see more than 4-5 guys making the team out of the 2017 draft. I wouldn't blame G-Man at all if he get's agressive and starts trading away picks to move up and grab the guy(s) he wants. It's also going to be really hard for an UDFA to make the practice squad let alone the team. 

[shaqattaq]

4 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Seriously, look at that defensive roster and realize that for ANY new draft pick on defense to make the 53 man roster, one of the 26 players in blue or yellow is going to have to go.  WOW.  TOUGH TOUGH choices ahead in building the roster on defense.

Nope...cut Teddy Williams. decision made.

[KB_fan]

14 minutes ago, Craig Pruitt said:

This actually ties into the question I've asked in a couple of posts lately. How many draft picks do we really think have shot at making the team, and what would their positions be?

Exactly, great question.  It's hard looking at some of the guys in yellow we'll have to cut to make room for draft picks.  But competition is a good thing.  We didn't have nearly enough last year, though Dave did cut some of his draft picks for the first time (Sandland, and Sanchez, though he bounced back on roster eventually.).

Here's another look at the roster - a side by side comparison of Offense (left) and Defense (right).  Defense is going to be much harder to make the team.  I really think we go quite heavy on Offense (at least 4 picks out of 5 or 6 total).  I'm QUITE sure Dave WILL draft a DE.  But beyond that on defense, I'm not so sure...

 

Remember the blue & yellow would conceivably be our 53 man roster if we were starting the season today without any draft picks.

Here's who I expect would go to make room for 5 draft picks: [DE, RB., TE, WR, S]

1) Ryan Delaire

2) CAP or Fozzy  (depends on what style of running back we draft)

3) Ed Dickson or Scott Simonson

4) Damiere Byrd (sorry to all his fans...!) and/or Brenton Bersin (note I don't even have Bersin making the current 53).  Ginn's departure means we need SPEED and a returner.  Gives Byrd a slight edge right now if he were healthy.

5) Dean Marlowe or Colin Jones

.....

If we were to draft an OT it might signal that Oher will likely NOT be able to play and he could be released

At CB, None of Sanchez / Young / Teddy Williams are really safe in my book.  Any of these could be upgraded.

[KB_fan]

11 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

Nope...cut Teddy Williams. decision made.

No problem with cutting Williams.  I'm not a fan.  But if the 53 were to be announced today, I'm certain he'd still be on it.  But if we draft a CB, he could well be gone.  Depends on how much we feel we need his speed.

[shaqattaq]

4 hours ago, KB_fan said:

All told, I want to see us come away with about 6 players out of our 8 picks in the draft:

• 2 or 3 high picks going to Offensive Weapons: (RB / TE / WR)  (rounds 1 - 3)
• 2 or 3 mid - high picks (rounds 2 - 4) for DE & S or OT
• 1 mid to late pick BPA at any position where we could strengthen our depth:  (CB, LB, QB)

Rounds 1-4 in this order:

McCaffery, Garcia, Kupp, Josh Jones, Butt

[Cpt slay a ho]

Great job as always op, I agree with majority of you assessment. I think cb priority should be bumped up a bit, a injury at that position currently could spell disaster. I do believe rb can wait until next year or maybe even bring in one of the current fa rb would hold us over until next years draft(barring fournette being there at 8, or trading back for cmc, or drafting a rb in the later rounds). Wr has been concerning since smith was released as well as ot, perfect draft to sure up both positions or at least grab an ot for the future.

As the defense stands right now I think it's top 10 without any additions, can't say the same for the offense.


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[shaqattaq]

5 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

No problem with cutting Williams.  I'm not a fan.  But if the 53 were to be announced today, I'm certain he'd still be on it.  But if we draft a CB, he could well be gone.  Depends on how much we feel we need his speed.

Obviously you're right or we wouldn't have resigned him. I just doubt he's on the final 53.

[KB_fan]

17 minutes ago, Cpt slay a ho said:

I think cb priority should be bumped up a bit, a injury at that position currently could spell disaster.

Very true.  We saw it happen last year when both Bradberry & Worley were out.  Heaven help us.  And given that I consider 3 CBs fairly easy to cut (T. Williams, Sanchez, Young), it does suggest we don't have enough depth at that position.  So, yes, I'd like one.  It's just hard to know at the expense of what other position if DG only drafts 5 or 6 guys.

OT - whether we need one depends on Oher's health.  Hopefully DG & co really know the score on that (as much is humanly possible!) and can draft accordingly.

RB / TE: neither of them drop dead needs, but I do think we need a new STAR CALIBER player on offense to inject some swagger into our O.  It was missing badly last year..  We could really use upgrade / better depth at BOTH.

 

I confess I've let the list of draft prospects we've met with sway my opinion as to what the team values this draft.  They are doing incredible due diligence at OT & WR (something like 2 dozen visits & workouts for these 2 positions alone!).  Not as much at CB  (4 visits/workouts).  Frankly the mad effort to meet with something like 16 OTs has me concerned about Oher.

[KB_fan]

BY the way, in case people have missed this link in other threads, here's the source I've been using to follow the news of all Panthers contacts with potential draft prospects:

https://panthergf.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/2017-draft-prospect-visit-workout-meeting-list/

I think it has 28 confirmed private visits, but I've not verified if any new contacts have been added in past 24 hours.