The Athletic: Explaining the trade and what it means for Carolina

[WarPanthers89]

Part of the article from Jourdan Rodrigue and Joseph Person of The Athletic:

 

“Okung, 31, has been pretty steady in his nine years in the league, rarely missing time until last season, when he suffered a pulmonary embolism and a groin injury. The former first-round pick out of Oklahoma State is expected to immediately start for the Panthers in 2020 despite their returning last year’s second-round pick, Greg Little.

This agreed-upon trade is interesting for several reasons:

• It may signal a little bit of worry about Little’s long-term health. Little suffered two concussions and a high ankle sprain last season, all of which held him out for most of the year. He hardly got a chance to develop, with just four games played in 2019. But it’s hard to believe the Panthers will totally give up on Little, because general manager Marty Hurney traded up for him in the second round last year. It might just be that he needs more time to develop than initially predicted.

• So, how does getting a guy who’s five years older than Turner and has been to three fewer Pro Bowls help the Panthers? In the short term, it solidifies a position at which it’s harder to find quality players than at guard. Exhibit A: Matt Kalil, whom the Panthers signed in 2017 to a disastrous deal (some of which they are still paying off) when Okung was also a free agent. Looking down the road, Okung is basically a one-year rental who gives Little another season to grow into the position and allows Dennis Daley to slide inside to guard. It also reunites Okung with Pat Meyer, his offensive line coach in San Diego (er, Los Angeles) and one of only a handful of Panthers assistants with significant NFL experience. It also rids the Panthers of Turner’s $15.3 million cap hit in 2021. Okung will make $13 million in 2020, in the final year of his contract, per Spotrac.

• The Panthers have some pretty serious needs on defense, and early perception of new head coach Matt Rhule and his staff as they focus on the draft is that early picks can be well used to fill those holes with young talent — particularly under the guidance of defensive coordinator Phil Snow, whom Rhule trusts wholly. Carolina picks at No. 7 this April, and at that pick point there would be some outstanding offensive tackle talent available — yet the talent pool is considered top-heavy. An important consideration is the several top-tier defensive players available at that pick point, and signing Okung might signal the draft priorities for Carolina. Drafting a young left tackle — again — would also mean taking the time to develop him.

• In light of public statements from Rhule about wanting franchise quarterback Cam Newton on his roster in 2020, could this be the Panthers’ last shot to get a solid left tackle protecting Newton’s blind side after three surgeries and in a “prove-it” year of sorts? Alternately, Okung could also be a solid guiding presence for a young quarterback should the Panthers go that route in the draft. It means they’re passing up on an elite offensive tackle prospect, sure, but on the other hand, it leaves them safer to focus their attention on defense.

• That leads us to a little confusion about the idea of a “rebuild”— like, how does a 31-year-old tackle factor into the idea of a “rebuild” — and we’re not alone. Sources told The Athletic at the combinethat there are mixed views inside the building about whether Carolina is truly in a rebuild or if some decision-makers believe, with a little creativity, the roster can be built to win in 2020. It’s hard to imagine — with Newton still rehabbing and limited in football activities through the spring, plus the departure of many veteran players like tight end Greg Olsen and linebacker Luke Kuechly, plus a first-time NFL head coach and first-time NFL offensive coordinator, plus a defense that literally needs to go from “worst to first” and will not retain starters at several positions — that the Panthers can win in 2020.“

-the athletic.com

[Jared Patterson]

Isaiah Simmons round 1 or trade back with the Raiders and get Brown/Kinlaw 

[WarPanthers89]

13 minutes ago, Jared Patterson said:

Isaiah Simmons round 1 or trade back with the Raiders and get Brown/Kinlaw 

It definitely seems like we are goijg heavy defense. I hope we do pick up a C/G in round 2 or 3

[Peon Awesome]

My favorite part of the trade to be honest is it will finally put to rest the possibility that the Panthers would pass over a potential perennial all-pro defensive talent that will inevitably be available at 7 for another offensive tackle.

[WarPanthers89]

10 minutes ago, Peon Awesome said:

My favorite part of the trade to be honest is it will finally put to rest the possibility that the Panthers would pass over a potential perennial all-pro defensive talent that will inevitably be available at 7 for another offensive tackle.

Yeah it is early to write off Little being that we used a 2nd round pick on him. No way you could go into next season expecting him to last an entire season as your depended blind side protector after what he showed last year. We will have a choice of multiple studs on defense round one.

[Harbingers]

It means Hurney is an idiot and going to draft a QB with our first pick. 

[panthers55]

This is similar to what I said earlier in another thread. Turner doesn't fit our system and with Okung's line coach here, you can assume they think he does. And this doesn't look like a complete rebuild on offense but it looks to be on defense. Given how poor we were, that isn't a bad idea. And that Turner can be replaced with a guy like Daley who will likely play better as a guard than a tackle. Little is too much of an unknown to trust him protecting Cam this year. First he has to be healthy and then he has to play enough to learn the game. He only played in 4 games his rookie year I think.

 

[WarPanthers89]

3 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

It means Hurney is an idiot and going to draft a QB with our first pick. 

No way. I see defense at 7 or possibly a trade down...for more defense.

[OneBadCat]

I think it’s a pretty solid move. Helps make us be competitive and give Little a chance to grow.

[Shocker]

1 minute ago, WarPanthers89 said:

No way. I see defense at 7 or possibly a trade down...for more defense.

I have this weird feeling they are targeting Herbert.  

[WarPanthers89]

3 minutes ago, Shocker said:

I have this weird feeling they are targeting Herbert.  

Nothing would shock me but hey at least it will make for an interesting offseason. I still think they go Simmons/Brown/Okudah/Kinlaw at #7 or trade down 

[Shocker]

Just now, WarPanthers89 said:

Nothing would shock me but hey at least it will make for an interesting offseason. I still think they go Simmons/Brown/Okudah/Kinlaw at #7 or trade down 

Agree, I would prefer defense as well. 

[Soul Rebel]

Really hoping for Simmons at 7, but either he, Okudah or Brown should be our selection.

I do also assume that a guy like LSU's Lloyd Cushenberry could be a selection for us given our long-term need at center. He played guard in HS, so maybe his rookie campaign he slots at LG and then take over for Paradis in '21. 

Other names like Ruiz & Biadsadz would also be good selections on day 2 as well. 

[steven8989]

4 minutes ago, WarPanthers89 said:

Nothing would shock me but hey at least it will make for an interesting offseason. I still think they go Simmons/Brown/Okudah/Kinlaw at #7 or trade down 

If u take Kinlaw at 7 ur crazy. U have to take BPA, that's not him at 7