The First Round Tight End

[Highlandfire]

How many years have we seen that prediction?

Ridiculous under John Fox, of course. Ridiculous still at the #1 overall spot.

If, however, the Panthers were to trade down a time or two looking for extra picks, and let's say someone like Kyle Rudolph were available at a mid-to-late first round spot, could it then happen under those circumstances?

Quite possibly :sosp:

I don't think it will happen - at least not this season mind you - but it's worth remembering that the notion is not so unthinkable as it used to be.

I want to see the Panthers do a New England and trade down Twice. I really want a complete, impactful TE. I feel the TE is the most important player for young QB's and for great offenses period. Maybe I am just old school that way.

History note: The KGun offense Buffalo ran to get to 4 straight superbowls was NOT named after Jim Kelly. It was named after Keith McKellar the TE (metzellars made more of an impact later, but I digress...). Jim had always said (and still does) that the TE is the first, most important and best read for a young QB. He also feels it is a vial position anyway.

I have felt for many years that was THE position that was holding this offense back even in our Superbowl year.

[Panther53521]

in my opinion if the panthers trade down twice to the middle of the first round in this draft, they can pick whoever the hell they want there and i'll view it as a win for starting the transition to chicoball off right with a plethora of prospects gained from additional picks.

Honestly I like that plan, but I still believe that we have to stay above Atlanta. Even though Atlanta needs Defense, I think they will take Rudolph, with Tony G talking about retiring.

[davos]

To Scott's OP:

I wouldn't be opposed to the Panthers trading down

I think it would put us in good position to draft 2 players before mid-round 2. This way, we could actually go after more prospects and fill the major voids through studs in the draft. Names I like: Locker, Rudolph, Fua, Kendrick Ellis

[Seamonk]

A good TE is the best option when your current starter just uses dumpoffs and doesn't read the secondary. Much better to have a TE who can exploit the middle and Linebackers with a young QB.

We did use Rosario in said role at times in the season, but teams caught onto that. The TE routes were short though and depended on Rosario getting the YAC.. Teams just made sure he didn't get a first down. Also worked for King a couple of times.. but he's not the fastest guy.. Would be nice to get someone with some decent wheels. (Zach Miller, i mean seriously.. would YOU want to play for Oakland?)

[Dro]

what about Chris Cooley for next years 2nd rounder.. (before you berate me look at the last few trades for TEs and then comment)

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

a TE would be great. It would give Clausen someone new to check down too.

[Mr. Scot]

TE is not even close to our biggest need.

Linebacker wasn't our biggest need when we took Beason, though.

And in fairness, just by virtue of Rivera and Chudzinski taking over, it's a bigger need than it was before.

[Montsta]

If you are drafting a tight end with your first pick, your team is in pretty decent shape IMO.

[Mr. Scot]

First round tight ends tend to be drafted around the twenties or high teens. Vernon Davis was a freak so he got picked at five.

[monstercat]

Linebacker wasn't our biggest need when we took Beason, though.

And in fairness, just by virtue of Rivera and Chudzinski taking over, it's a bigger need than it was before.

We weren't coming off a 2-14 season and we didn't own the #1 pick when we drafted Beason either. Also, all these trade down scererios are nothing but pure fantasy unless or until we find somebody willing to do it, which is a huge long shot, IMO.

[Mr. Scot]

We weren't coming off a 2-14 season and we didn't own the #1 pick when we drafted Beason either. Also, all these trade down scererios are nothing but pure fantasy unless or until we find somebody willing to do it, which is a huge long shot, IMO.

Right now, I'd agree.

Lotta time between now and draft day, though.

[Panther53521]

If we could trade down to high teens or low 20's we would be looking at Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State, or Julio Jones. That would also give us a high second round pick that we could also have a shot at Rudolph.

[vorbis]

Honestly I like that plan, but I still believe that we have to stay above Atlanta. Even though Atlanta needs Defense, I think they will take Rudolph, with Tony G talking about retiring.

this is the time when you hear teams talk generically about lots and lots of players and wait to see how the draft plays out. Atlanta might get excited about someone falling and make a move on a different player, and Rudolph fall. you never know until the draft starts.