ESPN showing some love for our draft class!!

[Doc LRB]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/half-panthers-draft-class-listed-010051402.html

[Doc LRB]

New to me but found a new or maybe not to many folks but was panthers mail gag. Some good stuff . https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/panthers-wire-mailbag-julian-blackmon-100509434.html

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, Doc LRB said:

New to me but found a new or maybe not to many folks but was panthers mail gag. Some good stuff . https://www.yahoo.com/sports/article/panthers-wire-mailbag-julian-blackmon-100509434.html

ILB is a concern of mine- but if the IDL does the job I think they will, our LBs should be better.

[TheSpecialJuan]

The kiss of death 

[DaveThePanther2008]

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

ILB is a concern of mine- but if the IDL does the job I think they will, our LBs should be better.

He makes a good point about Wallace.  In fairness to Wallace it is hard to play your position as freely as you need to when your defensive line is getting pushed around like ragdolls.  One of the greatest attributes a defensive line has is sucking up blocks, freeing up your linebackers.  Our defensive line couldn't suck up a lollipop more or less blocks. 

I think Evans, Sanders and Tremble are going to be a really nice TE group.  I can see all three getting time on the field.  If Sanders can improve as a blocker teams won't be so inclined to believe it is a pass play whenever Sanders is on the field. 

Ryan Fitzgerald, I think was an awesome pick-up. Hopefully he can fill our kicker void.

Luke Kandra many turn out to be our next Norwell.  Everything I have heard about him says he's a beast.  He needs some refinement, but the good news is he's got Hunt and Lewis (arguably the best guard tandem in the league) to learn from. 

[rebelrouser]

Is it love when they say you reached for pick number 22 at 8? 

[countryboi]

Is it weird to say "ESPN is showing us some love" and then link to a Yahoo article? I mean, I know they are referencing ESPN, but it threw me off at first.

[MHS831]

10 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

He makes a good point about Wallace.  In fairness to Wallace it is hard to play your position as freely as you need to when your defensive line is getting pushed around like ragdolls.  One of the greatest attributes a defensive line has is sucking up blocks, freeing up your linebackers.  Our defensive line couldn't suck up a lollipop more or less blocks. 

I think Evans, Sanders and Tremble are going to be a really nice TE group.  I can see all three getting time on the field.  If Sanders can improve as a blocker teams won't be so inclined to believe it is a pass play whenever Sanders is on the field. 

Ryan Fitzgerald, I think was an awesome pick-up. Hopefully he can fill our kicker void.

Luke Kandra many turn out to be our next Norwell.  Everything I have heard about him says he's a beast.  He needs some refinement, but the good news is he's got Hunt and Lewis (arguably the best guard tandem in the league) to learn from. 

Yeah, Fitzgerald was smart to sign with the panthers--not sure how many NFL teams were in the Market....I was surprised to see Morgan re-sign Tuttle and Ray--even if Ray's contract is completely unguaranteed--but with Brown, Wharton, Brown III, Robinson, Cam Jackson--maybe Crumedy--Tuttle could be excellent depth--but at DE, not DT, imo. 

Once again, it appears that Morgan may have found UDFAs who have a shot making the team--last year, there were 2 who contributed in a meaningful way.  This year, I see CBs Thornton and Reid with a legitimate shot to make the roster.  I also think LB Nomura has a legit shot (Morgan has to love this guy) as well as LB Bam Martin Smith from USC.  Finally, I think one of the safeties will stick.

In all, I expect 1-2 CBs, 1 LB, 1 S, 1 OL, 1 K to make this team.

Predictions:  

CBs Thornton and Reid make the 53-man roster. 

LB Tuasivi Nomura makes the 53-man roster as a ST ace and ILB depth

OL Michael Tarquin may make the roster to groom as a potential RT replacement for Moton.  Moton, BC, and Nijman are on expiring contracts.  While I like what I am hearing about Kandra, the OG room is very crowded.  Lewis, Hunt, Zavala, Kingston--but he could compete for the 4th G job.

S:  Trevian Thomas, Isaac Gifford are probably the front runners, but Jack Henderson from Minnesota might be able to win a S spot as well.  I expect all three will not make the 53, but the darkhorse name to watch is Henderson.

Henderson's Pro day:

Minnesota DB Jack Henderson had arguably the BEST overall workout of any Safety in this entire draft:

• 40yd. 4.47
• vertical. 40”
• Broad. 10’8”
• Shuttle. 4.15
• 3cone. 6.70
• Bench. 12

[WhoKnows]

On 5/7/2025 at 9:39 AM, rebelrouser said:

Is it love when they say you reached for pick number 22 at 8? 

I thought the same thing. It was a really weird list. I thought it was going to be top values but it wasn’t. Basically, they are saying we made a bad 1st round pick and our 2nd round pick wasn’t even in the top 100. That doesn’t feel like love. It feels like someone perused the list and saw 4 of our picks in the top 100 and skipped the content for each player.

[NorthTryon]

On 5/6/2025 at 11:45 PM, DaveThePanther2008 said:

He makes a good point about Wallace.  In fairness to Wallace it is hard to play your position as freely as you need to when your defensive line is getting pushed around like ragdolls.  One of the greatest attributes a defensive line has is sucking up blocks, freeing up your linebackers.  Our defensive line couldn't suck up a lollipop more or less blocks. 

Exactly, its like people forget about Ray Lewis arguably the best MLB of all time becoming ineffective for a brief stint after losing Haloti Ngata and calling out the Ravens' front office for hanging him out to dry. Also reference when Rivera switched defenses his last year and Luke struggling.