"What are we doing in the draft" 2022 edition.

[Verge]

Hi again! Time for another one of these. This is the only type of statement I will make on the draft and I'll answer questions in here so I don't get accused of "throwing junk at the wall" again . So what are we doing in the draft? What is the plan going in? This year seems a little more obvious than last year but we can still walk through it based on information I have gotten over the last few months, and I think I have been fairly consistent with that and not much has changed. 

 

Option 1 (Ideal): 

Ideally, one of these two tackles will land at 6 and Carolina will happily run the card up and be set at left tackle for the next decade. They want to fix that position and these are the top rated guys on their board. They would not entertain trade talks if these two were there. 

 

Option 2: 

Charles Cross is their third graded tackle, they will be happy to have them and would still select him at 6. However, I think they would be more open to trade talks if it was just Cross on the board. Likely would be the pick if he was there, but wiggle room if a desperate team wants the slot for whatever reason (I'll explain the more later) 

Option 3: 


Here is where things get a little unpredictable. Obviously if they do manage a trade down with two or three of the tackles being off the board it would be a little hard to predict the target because we would have to know how far down they go. However, a few targets I know they have their eyes on with first round grades are: 
Matt Corral 
Kenny Pickett 
Trevor Penning 
Cole Strange 

Ultimately I think they would go QB with this pick, and I think they would hope Corral was the guy that made it to them, as he fits what McAdoo's offense best and has a certain grit about him that fits whatever culture they are tying to conjure up. 

 

 

"But Verge! What about Malik Willis?"
Our scouts definitely like him, I just think there is a certain feeling in the building that they are not the right team to develop him, nor can they afford to sit and wait for him to get where he needs to be. Rhule's job is on the line. 

"But Verge! Who will be our QB if we take a tackle?"
I have maintained after the Watson failure that Jimmy G is our preferred option. It comes down to him and Baker Mayfield, whichever teams bends first on taking on part of their contract or outright cutting them. We will not be giving a draft haul for either one, and we will not be starting Sam Darnold in 2022. 


One of the more complicated things about a trade down that people have been talking about wanting to do, is that the Panthers have put themselves in a precarious position by selling themselves as buyers of this QB class as well as not hiding their intent on liking the tackles. Teams want to move AHEAD of the Panthers to nab a tackle/quarterback, and the Giants are willing movers out of that 5th spot. Teams like New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and LA are looking to move ahead of us and nab one of those tackles or quarterbacks (I think, I don't officially know for NO) and put us in a position where a team trading up with us is not an attractive option. 


So there is what I know in regards to our draft. Feel free to fire down some questions at me and I will be more than happy to answer with whatever information I have.

Edited April 18, 2022 by Verge

[Jon Snow]

Can't argue with any of that. That's been my read on the FO up to this point.  

[LinvilleGorge]

I look forward to watching people bitch and moan when Panthers Jimmy G looks indistinguishable from Sam Darnold.

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I look forward to watching people bitch and moan when Panthers Jimmy G looks indistinguishable from Sam Darnold.

I'm not going to bitch. He will be replaced next season along with  Rhule.  We still are on track for a top 10 pick next year. 

[MHS831]

thanks--Here is the question:  If we decide to go OT, will we make the QB free agency move before the draft?  Hmmm.

[Evil Hurney]

@VergeThanks for the writeup. I find it interesting that Cross is in a different tier.

I think our best hope to trade out of #6 for a decent haul is to have one of the EDGE guys fall (e.g. Thibodeaux or Walker). As mentioned, no one is swapping picks with us to get a QB or LT.

[section543]

Cole Strange is new name on here….1st round?

[ForJimmy]

3 minutes ago, section543 said:

Cole Strange is new name on here….1st round?

I found that interesting too. Isn’t he a OG more than OT and small school…

[45catfan]

Darnold starting in 2022 is an option, but the last option.  There is a very real scenario that happens.  We take a LT at #6 and SF & Cleveland play hardball.  Fitts WILL NOT make the same mistake twice on overpaying for a stopgap QB.  I don't care how hard Rhule pounds the table for it to happen. 

I'm thinking it's Baker, BUT  has to Cleveland eat a portion of his contract and we DO NOT pick up his 5th year option.

[Panthera onca]

17 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I look forward to watching people bitch and moan when Panthers Jimmy G looks indistinguishable from Sam Darnold.

I'm no fan of Jimmy G but he is universally held in much higher regard in league circles than Sammy D. 

[TLGPanthersFan]

If we get Jimmy G-string or Baker Mayfold I hope the team is smart enough to make either a one year deal. 

[MechaZain]

This validates what I’ve been feeling so it must be true!

In all seriousness it’s a relief to hear they’re high on Ikem. If it comes down to Cross I hope they don’t get cute. 

Edited April 18, 2022 by MechaZain

[MHS831]

7 minutes ago, section543 said:

Cole Strange is new name on here….1st round?

Same page.

[ForJimmy]

1 minute ago, 45catfan said:

Darnold starting in 2022 is an option, but the last option.  There is a very real scenario that happens.  We take a LT at #6 and SF & Cleveland play hardball.  Fitts WILL NOT make the same mistake twice on overpaying for a stopgap QB.  I don't care how hard Rhule pounds the table for it to happen. 

I'm thinking it's Baker, BUT  has to Cleveland eat a portion of his contract and we DO NOT pick up his 5th year option.

I think his 5th is already picked up and that’s what he is playing on. I believe he was in Darnold’s draft class.