Position Group Strength Rankings

[MHS831]

I usually do not start threads (I end them), but when things get a bit dry, I try to find something to stir it up a bit.  This article is about 4 weeks old, but since we are starved for new content during this "calm before the storm" period, I thought we would revisit/visit it for the first time.  It sure seems like a good year to be us. 

First, any year you have 4 QBs going in the top 10 (likely) with the possibility of 2 more creeping into round 1, that is a good QB class and it deserves to be the top position group.  So you might be thinking with your brains, "Why are the Panthers not all up in that QB frenzy in round 1?  Why did they trade for a player that seems to be on the cusp of bustdom?"  Well, they think they can change Darnold's fate and at #8, you are hoping for the 4th best QB who may not be the best fit for your system.  The Tanneyhill effect was huge, and I am sure they heard from a lot of folks who understand what it was like to play in NY.  So we get our young QB prospect for 1 second rounder next year and some day 3 picks.  Some say we paid too much.  That remains to be seen, but if he does what I think he can do, we stole him.

2. OFFENSIVE TACKLE:  I disagree, however, that QBs are the top position group because they have 4 top 10 players. If you stretch the scope to the first 2 rounds, the best position group is unquestionably Offensive Tackle.  

"As things stand, PFF has a first-round grade on seven offensive tackles and Day 2 grades on six more. That’s a LOADED class. While last year’s group was top-heavy, this year’s has serious depth. There’s a chance you’ll be able to find immediate starters leaking into the second round, which is something that rarely happens at the position."

So what does that mean, if you are the GM trying to meet as many needs as you can during the draft?  We can wait and grab a T at 39?  Maybe. 

3. WIDE RECEIVER: I know some of you are against a first round WR, but if you look at the fact that we could get a starting T in the second round and we would love to give Darnold all the weapons possible, how does Fitterer not start frothing at the mouth when he sees what might be sitting there at #8? I imagine the Panthers are looking beyond 2021 when they make a pick, and our WR corps will be getting expensive soon, when Moore decides his payday is here.  Anderson and Moore are not locked into long-term deals, and we did very little to replace Samuel.  Regardless of what we think--what will the panthers think?  We can give Darnold and LT and a weapon of starting quality if we draft a WR then a LT in round 2.   If we take a LT in round 1, what round 2 WRs are ready to start?  I dunno, just spitballing, but if we draft a WR in round 1, understand that we are getting a super talent AND we will probably take a T in round 2 who can play this game.

"If you want that game-changing wide receiver, this is the year to do it. Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith all rank inside PFF’s top 10 players."

4. INTERIOR OL:  The fourth most stacked position group is interior OL.  That may mean a good C/G is there on day 3.

5. CORNERBACK:  Remember that Fitterer was determined to keep the first 3 picks of the draft when he dealt with the Jets to get Darnold.  That trade was not about what we gave up, it was about what we did NOT give up.  If the Panthers agree with PFF, they may feel that they are in position to pull a Chinn and trade back up (or let a CB fall) and get that CB with the third Panther selection.

"The cornerback group features 16 guys in PFF’s top 100, although there are not too many true blue-chippers at the position in the class. The strength is quite clearly throughout Day 2, where there are a ton of intriguing skill sets."

Enjoy the article if you have not already seen it, but it may be a hint towards our draft strategy:

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-best-position-groups

 

[pantherclaw]

I understand the logic of a top receiver when our guys are signed long term, but I still want one of the top 2 tackles. 

Then again, what I want, and what the team ends up doing draft day are normally 2 different things. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Good post

I think we can get a 3rd/4th WR on day 3 but if Kyle Pitts isn't there at #8 I don't believe we will draft a TE this year.

Very poor class overall and there won't be a clear upgrade over what we have on the roster now in the latter rounds. 

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, pantherclaw said:

I understand the logic of a top receiver when our guys are signed long term, but I still want one of the top 2 tackles. 

Then again, what I want, and what the team ends up doing draft day are normally 2 different things. 

That is my point too.  If Sewell is there?  No thinking required.  If Slater and Waddle are on the board?  It could get interesting.

[MHS831]

57 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Good post

I think we can get a 3rd/4th WR on day 3 but if Kyle Pitts isn't there at #8 I don't believe we will draft a TE this year.

Very poor class overall and there won't be a clear upgrade over what we have on the roster now in the latter rounds. 

I agree and thank you.  I guess the question is:  Are Waddle, Smith, and Chase THAT good?  Would they make this offense unstoppable?  I read a post on another site about Darnold and the need for a slot:  He has never been able to change plays at the LOS or call hot routes.  If the Panthers want to turn him loose, we need a slot that is a game breaker.  A slot that can run the slant, a slot that the defense gives a 10-yard cushion.  A hot route runner that keeps the S honest and works the middle as well as the sidelines-a player that stretches the secondary...."  (paraphrasing). 

I dunno.  I am like everyone else--get the elite T.  If you wait for round 2 and there has been a run on OTs, we could be in the Greg Little situation again.

[Captain Morgan]

If Pitts and Sewell are gone, but Slater and Chase are there....that's a tough choice.  I don't think Chase will be, but he has better than All Pro level talent...good chance of Hall of Fame.  Tough call.

[Aussie Tank]

Always draft to a drafts strength don’t get cute. FA and trades can fill in the rest 

[trueblade]

6 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Good post

I think we can get a 3rd/4th WR on day 3 but if Kyle Pitts isn't there at #8 I don't believe we will draft a TE this year.

Very poor class overall and there won't be a clear upgrade over what we have on the roster now in the latter rounds. 

NFL Network replayed the 2020 Arizona versus Philly game this afternoon. I came away impressed with Dan Arnold (and Hassan Reddick). I don't think TE is nearly the issue it was last session after signing him.

[Agent Blue]

5 hours ago, Captain Morgan said:

If Pitts and Sewell are gone, but Slater and Chase are there....that's a tough choice.  I don't think Chase will be, but he has better than All Pro level talent...good chance of Hall of Fame.  Tough call.

An above average competent OT/C/OG (esp OT) is more valuable than a good / great WR. 

We literally have ONE competent OL player on our roster.......

[Black&BlueBubba]

7 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Good post

I think we can get a 3rd/4th WR on day 3 but if Kyle Pitts isn't there at #8 I don't believe we will draft a TE this year.

Very poor class overall and there won't be a clear upgrade over what we have on the roster now in the latter rounds. 

If Pitts isn’t there I think they are looking at Jacob Harris out of UCF in the late rounds. He is like Dan Arnold 

[@bonafidebanter]

BPA > Need, in the top ten. Period. 

[MHS831]

3 hours ago, trueblade said:

NFL Network replayed the 2020 Arizona versus Philly game this afternoon. I came away impressed with Dan Arnold (and Hassan Reddick). I don't think TE is nearly the issue it was last session after signing him.

That is good news.  I really have not looked to see about him---did not know what we have.

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

If Pitts isn’t there I think they are looking at Jacob Harris out of UCF in the late rounds. He is like Dan Arnold 

Harris has met with:  #Titans, #Patriots, #Cardinals, #49ers, #Texans, #Panthers, #Giants, #Jets, #Rams & #RaidersNot surprising to see the Cards on the list

[micnificent28]

A lot of you want to bargin bin hunt on wrs which i get, but I dont want to pass on a hof caliber talent like Chase for a maybe good LT like Slater... He played well vs Chase young is all i hear but what else...Give me the more talent players and i will bargin on the position with a deeper base pool after that.