$anders Drama just got More Interesting for Panthers

[MHS831]

A lot of this is new information that is recycled old information added to some inferences based on tweets and a reaction to tweets that involve the #2, #3, and #9 picks.  Since there are not many new topics on this board, I thought I would start a thread that considers all reasonable possibilities.  I think this is a pre-draft soap opera that is worthy of popcorn.

1.  First, it began before the college season had ended, when Prime announced that Shedeur Sanders ($$ from now on) should not be drafted by some organizations, basically throwing an Eli/Archie Manning threat out to the world.  Then after free agency, he changed his tune, probably when he realized Cam Ward was going #1 and the Browns and Giants liked the two best players in the draft--Carter and Hunter.  The Raiders signed Geno, the Jets signed Fields, the Saints re-signed Carr to silly money, and suddenly, the only team without a QB was Pittsburgh--and we all know that is where Rodgers is going to end up unless he decides to spelunk his way into retirement. The Rams are another team that might want Sanders, but they do not pick until the end of the draft.  So it seems that the Saints is the only real opportunity to start if you ignore Cleveland (just signed Flacco) and the Giants (who have Russell and Winston now).  It is almost like a game of musical chairs, and it seems telling the Browns to FO may have been a mistake. 

2. $$ has a mediocre pro day.  Some were not impacted; some were underwhelmed. Meanwhile, analysts are moving $$ down their boards, out of the top five, then some moved $$ out of the top 10.  It started to look as though Pittsburgh would take him at #21, and possibly the Rams at #26. 

3.  Then a miracle happened, sorta.  Derek Carr announced that he is considering shoulder surgery that would/could impact the 2025 season rather profoundly.  Louis Riddick, a close friend of the Sanders family, tweeted the news that the #9 pick just got interesting.  Prime responded with an eyeballs emoji. 

4.  Meanwhile, Prime seems to be in "shut up" mode about it, fearing that his involvement is probably not helping--and it was not.   That same close friend, Louis Riddick, said the following on ESPN two days prior to the Carr news breaking.  It is safe to assume that he is speaking on behalf of Prime.   Note that the screen indicates that Kiper was already projecting $$ to the Saints: 

5.  It is also noteworthy that the Raiders also brought in $$ for a visit, along with Graham and a few others. However, I think Jeanty is already in silver and black---just due diligence.  Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is sitting there waiting for flower-child Rodgers to emerge from his cave of tranquility to let them know what his spirit animal has told him about playing football in 2025.

6.  And then there is the minor (probably) issue of Milroe being invited to the Green Room.  NFL Network reports that they have actually decreased the number of invites because players sitting in the Green Room is a negative distraction to what they promote as a celebratory event.  So the fact that he got an invitation suggests that there is some first round interest in him because they ask GMs who they should invite (confidentially, of course). 

7.  Prime seems to be using this opportunity to keep his Colorado Buffalo program in the spotlight--and it is smart, especially with today's transfer portal.  Has this hurt $$?

8.  After showing no interest in Sanders at the combine (did not meet with him), the Steelers suddenly bring him in for a visit.  The city of Pittsburgh becomes electric.  (This, of course, before the Carr news broke).  Tired of waiting on Moondust Rodgers and frustrated with the Watt situation, Pittsburgh is not forgetting about the Jaxxon Dart rumors and focusing on Sanders.  In fact, one local writer in the Steel City predicted a blockbuster trade, now that Omar Kahn is the new GM: 

9.  While some podcast crack and crystal meth users in New Orleans are suggesting that the Saints' solution to this issue is to sign Rodgers (referencing their WRs and suggesting that they draft an OL) on a one-year deal, giving Carr a chance to recover and waiting for the 2026 NFL draft.  Good plan, except your cap situation is rivaled only by the National Debt. 

10.  And let's not forget the Rams.  I am sure they would like to bring in their QB of the future for a year to play behind Stafford--and for him at times--so they too are in play.  However, I wonder if they are the team that wants to see if they can develop Milroe.  It just sounds Ramsy.

COMMENTARY: I do not think the Steelers are going to trade the top edge rusher in football and a first and second so they can move from 21 to 5 to overdraft an above average QB.  I think they are more likely, however, to trade with the Panthers, sitting right before New Orleans.  New Orleans, on the other hand, could trade up if they think the Steelers or Rams might try to trade with Carolina. If Sanders gets past the Jets, I imagine the phones will be active.  On the other hand, $$ is a lot of hype.  Maybe they know what we do not--that his value is at the end of the round. On the other hand, the Panthers are in a very good spot if Sanders falls to #8.

 

 

[mrcompletely11]

 

Didnt we already do this?

[MHS831]

8 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

 

Didnt we already do this?

Read the introduction again.  Not since the Carr news and Riddick comments.  You have the option of not clicking or commenting.

[CPF4LIFE]

You sure have an unusual obsession with the Sanders. 

[Waldo]

The only part of this that is surprising post Carr is anyone wanting Rogers with the totality of what he showed in NJ. Dude is nothing but a name and a bag of cancer he brings with him.

I'm glad Sanders is heating up. It increases the chances of a trade back and that's absolutely what I am still wishing for.

Edited April 13, 2025 by Waldo

[MHS831]

12 minutes ago, CPF4LIFE said:

You sure have an unusual obsession with the Sanders. 

You have an unusual obsession with me.

[MHS831]

5 minutes ago, Waldo said:

The only part of this that is surprising post Carr is anyone wanting Rogers with the totality of what he showed in NJ. Dude is nothing but a name and a bag of cancer he brings with him.

I'm glad Sanders is heating up. It increases the chances of a trade back and that's absolutely what I am still wishing for.

That is the point.  Every day, something new is happening that could impact our trade value.  The Sanders situation could impact what we do, and it gets crazier every day.

[LinvilleGorge]

The hang up and repeating ad nauseum of the $$ thing didn't help your post.

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

The hang up and repeating ad nauseum of the $$ thing didn't help your post.

 Enough with the personal criticisms. I don't care, frankly, and if I wanted writing advice from someone, I am pretty sure you would not be contacted.  What you seem to not understand is that early I stated that I would refer to Shedeur as $$--to avoid confusion with his dad and to shorten it.  It is common when you use an acronym, because the acronym represents something that is going to be repeated. 

Edited April 13, 2025 by MHS831

[LinvilleGorge]

5 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Was your opinion solicited?  Enough with the personal criticisms. I don't care, frankly.

You posted an opinion to in your own words "start a thread" of discussion on a public forum, so yeah kinda.

I'm not criticizing your personally. I'm just saying that when you type in an obviously intentional inflammatory way you're pretty much derailing your own thread right from the jump. Why?

[MHS831]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

You posted an opinion to in your own words "start a thread" of discussion on a public forum, so yeah kinda.

I'm not criticizing your personally. I'm just saying that when you type in an obviously intentional inflammatory way you're pretty much derailing your own thread right from the jump. Why?

  The opinion should be the focus, not the method of delivery.  I don't care what you think is obvious or that I repeated an acronym too much for you--don't care.  Do not know what you are trying to prove, only that what you are proving is far from it.

Edited April 13, 2025 by MHS831

[LinvilleGorge]

Just now, MHS831 said:

  The opinion should be the focus, not the method of delivery.  I don't care what you think is obvious or that I repeated an acronym too much for you--don't care.  Do not know what you are trying to prove, only that what you are proving is far from it.

Im trying to prove that you're a poor and pugnacious communicator but you're doing a more effective job of that than me so thanks. LOL

[Lurk21]

Another thing, if somebody trades ahead of us to get Sanders,  there is a possibility  of a panic run. Dart or Milroe chatter could make someone show their hand since it'd put a spotlight on the Saints taking the next qb available. 

[jb2288]

I don’t think Sanders is good enough where teams are going to be willing to give up when it takes to get our spot but the Carr news only helps us. Best case scenario I think is the Saints swap with us because they think someone else is getting 8 and we get an extra 3 and take the same player we would have at 8. I’d love to pick up future 1sts but the Steelers and Rams are perennial playoff teams so most likely will be mid 20s next year.