Reading the Tea Leaves: What Did Morgan Just Tell Us?

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, mrcompletely11 said:

 

 

Having said that Campbell is not going past NEd

Really?  You think New England is going Campbell?  I have not really seen that-but OT is their biggest need.  I am thinking this through as a I am typing, and whatever comes out at the end, I will hit send because I live on the edge.  Tennessee will take Ward when the dust settles, and Carter and Sanders will go to the Browns and Giants.  That would leave Hunter available at pick 4.  I think they would go with Hunter or move back a bit and get a T.  I just looked at a few Pats sites and I was a bit surprised to see Jeanty in a few mocks.  Hunter was the common choice.  However, if I have a young QB, I find a way to get a T.  Right Now, Free Agent Morgan Moses (RT, 34) and Layden Robinson (LT but listed as a G--43 PFF score) are all they have.  So I see your point.

[pantherclaw]

I'd be willing to bet receiver won't be our first pick. 

[Verge]

On 3/14/2025 at 4:00 PM, MHS831 said:

Interesting.  Here is what I saw and never questioned:

However, NFL Network calls him a free safety, and he has spent 3 years as the deep safety.  That makes me feel better about the signing.

He will be our box safety. 

[Aussie Tank]

55 minutes ago, Verge said:

He will be our box safety. 

Indeed some people need to be sacked if they play him predominantly high 

[MHS831]

7 hours ago, pantherclaw said:

I'd be willing to bet receiver won't be our first pick. 

the odds are in your favor, but making a prediction is always tough.

[TheSpecialJuan]

On 3/14/2025 at 12:39 PM, MHS831 said:

First of all, this link of meetings and visits is pretty awesome--hope it is maintained:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_BTyWxt0xO8V4iye0omWMD879YJdnJdO0i6j8mT6htc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

The tea leaves, without further ado: 

In free agency, we addressed the following positions (it does not mean we are finished, but I will offer my take which is valued wisdom on this board--you are welcome.  My theory is not based on what the Panthers did in free agency, it is based on what they did NOT do.  After reviewing how we addressed positions of need, I will, through the process of elimination, take you toward a mind blowing conclusion that will alter the way you look at the Panthers, their front office, their coaches, and women in tights who apparently are proud of things that others do not find appealing.

WE ADDRESSED--

The Defensive Line

• Signed: DE Tershawn Wharton (three years, over $54 million)
• Signed: DT Bobby Brown III (three years, $21 million)
• Tendered offer to exclusive rights free agent defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (I was not a fan of this move)

The Panthers were very aggressive out of the gates going after Milton Williams and then pivoting to plan B that landed them a pass rushing DE (probably to rotate with Robinson and Brown) and an undervalued NT in Bobby Brown.  Tea Leaves:  The Panthers saw DL as their biggest need and they probably wanted veterans in that role.  Graham is perhaps the only DL they'd take at 8, and he is likely to be gone.  I am not a fan of Ray, but we shall see.

The Offensive Line

• Re-signed: C Austin Corbett (one year)
• Tendered offer:  restricted free agent center Cade Mays
• Re-signed: OL Brady Christensen (one year, $2.8 million)

Securing Corbett was a financial decision that gives us either an adequate starter or depth.  I am high on Cade Mays, and with BC on the roster, we are three deep at C and he gives us depth as a swing T as well.  Will we draft Moton's successor?  I am guessing not on day 1.

Defensive Backs

• Extended: CB Jaycee Horn (four years, $100 million)
• Re-signed: CB Michael Jackson (two years, $14.5 million)
• Signed: S Tre'von Moehrig (three years, $51 million)

Locking down Jackson for the next two seasons was a huge signing at a good value.  Horn?  He better stay healthy.  Moehrig is a physical, run stuffing S that should influence who we start at Free Safety, based on the style of play he brings to the defense.  All of these DBs are good tacklers, a common theme.  One could argue that we have our starters in Moehrig and Richardson, who played well as an UDFA last season, but a Free Safety could be on the menu.

Linebackers

• Signed: EDGE Patrick Jones II (two years, up to $20 million)
• Signed: ILB Christian Rozeboom (one year, $2.5 million)

Edge is still a need, but with Clowney, Wonnum, and Jones as locks on the roster, I imagine that edge will be a priority in the draft.  However, I am not sure they will look first round, when it is more likely that the Panthers target a second round edge, perhaps using a fourth and fifth rounder to move up. I think Rozeboom was a bigger signing than most realize now. They have met with quite a few day 1 or 2 edge players, but I think they will, with Clowney on the roster, a more developmental edge with upside.  Princely Umanmielen, Donovan Ezeiruaku, or Josaiah Stewart should be there in the second round.  They have met with Jalon Walker (not shown on the link I shared--combine) and Shemer Stewart, so the first round is not out.

Other depth offensive players:  Running Back, Tight End, Quarterback

• Signed: RB Rico Dowdle (one year, $3 million)
• Re-signed: TE Tommy Tremble (two years, up to $16 million)
• Re-signed: QB Andy Dalton (two years, $8 million)

Dowdle was a steal for that price, and it indicates a commitment to the run, as does the signing of blocking TE Tommy Tremble.  Dalton is paid to be Bryce's BFF; good work if you can get it.  Aside from UDFA candidates, the Panthers have only met with 1 TE, Mason Taylor, at the combine.  As of this writing with the info I have, there is no interest in first round TEs--Mason had a great Combine. 

Special Teams:  Punter and Gunner

• Signed: P Sam Martin (one year, up to $3 million)
• Re-Signed: WR Dan Chisena (one year)

Here, I put Chisena in as a gunner because he would fill that role primarily and serve as an emergency WR.  And that brings me to my point. 

Wide Receivers:  Group Photo

I find it quite odd that Wide Receiver was not seriously addressed in free agency.  I find it VERY INTERESTING that they gave Adam Thielen a raise (probably to keep him from retiring).  Why might they do that?  They knew they were going to ignore WRs in free agency and they were going to focus on a player in the draft.  AT might have reacted when he saw the lack of attention in the free agency--I dunno--but if he retired, it would leave them with Coker and XL and no free agents, save a special team WR who has not been an offensive player.  

GOING INTO FREE AGENCY, WIDE RECEIVER WAS A HUGE NEED--we needed a true #1.  Most do not think there is one in the draft, and it seems the Panthers did not think they could pay a free agent who wanted to play #1 here--especially when they weren't #1 WRs elsewhere.

Now take a look at the WRs on the Panther's meeting/visit list.  Bech at the Sr Bowl.  A third round slot WR.  The rest are UDFA candidates.  Are we hoping to find a Coker again?  Is that the plan?

THE THEORY:  Of course, this can change with the next Newsbreak on NFL Network, but it is my gut feeling that there is a WR in this draft that the Panthers see as a true #1 WR that meets the deep threat criteria.  In my view, it is not TMac. 

The evidence:  The Panthers are obviously hiding their interest in wide receivers, based on the information we have.  Why would a team have 2 needs at such a tremendously important position for your young QB and not meet with any legitimate top WR?  In fact, they have not re-signed Thompkins or Moore. And all we know is the Panthers have contacted perspective UDFAs and a third round prospect from the SR Bowl?   The silence is deafening.

The Panthers are going to draft a WR in round 1.  That WR, based on what the Panthers say they need, is Matthew Golden, a 5'11" burner (4.29 40) from Texas that will back the safeties off the LOS and give the defense fits and concerns.  He aced the 2025 NFL pre-draft process. The Longhorns standout was downright electric at the NFL Combine. Golden ran a position-best 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest overall result of any prospect in attendance. He also ran the fastest 10-yard split (1.49) among wideouts.  

 

Hey man, you were spot on, incorrect WR but you nailed it. All the Panthers moves prior to the draft were telling us they were targeting WR.

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Hey man, you were spot on, incorrect WR but you nailed it. All the Panthers moves prior to the draft were telling us they were targeting WR.

Thanks.  Morgan sorta reinforced this when he said he had McMillan targeted in January. Later he downplayed WR by saying something like, "We will get one at some point..."  which made it seem as if it was not a priority. To me, that tells me this--Morgan is not showing his cards again.  He will bluff.  If everyone knew he was targeting TMac--and a few other teams were as well--they would have leapfrogged him, possibly. 

[pantherclaw]

On 3/16/2025 at 10:26 PM, pantherclaw said:

I'd be willing to bet receiver won't be our first pick. 

And I was wrong! 

That being said... Morgan better hope this defense comes together and be a top half of the league rating. 

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

And I was wrong! 

That being said... Morgan better hope this defense comes together and be a top half of the league rating. 

Wrong is what we do--no shame in it.  You are right--it was a bold move. 

[pantherclaw]

20 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Wrong is what we do--no shame in it.  You are right--it was a bold move. 

I don't mind being wrong.  Is part of being human.