Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

ESPN's Barnwell Early Offseason Grades

kungfoodude

By kungfoodude,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

kungfoodude Grand Master

kungfoodude

Posted
Posted

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46683459/2025-nfl-offseason-tiers-32-teams-best-worst-signings-trades-draft-barnwell

Slightly above expectations

Highlights: Trading WR Adam Thielen, signing RB Rico Dowdle (one year, $2.8 million), drafting fifth-round TE Mitchell Evans

 

Disappointments: Re-signing CB Mike Jackson (two years, $10.5 million)

 

The Panthers chose the right time to move on from Thielen, who had been productive in Carolina before being dealt to Minnesota just before the season. He has been lost in the shuffle there. While the Panthers won't see the fourth-round pick that forms the bulk of the return for Thielen until 2027, getting out from what was owed to a player who has 47 receiving yards in Minnesota is an easy victory.

Dowdle has been a revelation since moving into the starting lineup after Chuba Hubbard's injury, becoming one of a handful of players in NFL history to produce consecutive 200-yard scrimmage games. The former Cowboys back was averaging 3 yards per carry before the opportunity, so I'm not sure I would count on him playing like Jim Brown the rest of the way in a rotational role alongside Hubbard. But it's hard to argue that Carolina hasn't already gotten its $2.8 million worth out of the 27-year-old back.

Most of Carolina's biggest moves are either tracking to be right around expectation (drafting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan) or have been impacted by unexpected injuries (signing defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton). Jackson was a pleasant surprise as a starter in 2024, and he hasn't been terrible this season, but most of the big plays against Carolina have come on throws against the former Seahawks cornerback. Overall, though, this has been a very reasonable offseason for the Panthers

  • Pie 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PNW_PantherMan Grand Master

PNW_PantherMan

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, strato said:

I would imagine that with a choice between going after Horn or Jackson, people are gonna go Jackson. So him having the most burns tracks with that.  
 

Two words: Pass rush.  

Jackson over performed last year so some of this might just be regression to the mean.

  • Pie 1
  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Khaki Lackey Mentor

Khaki Lackey

Posted
Posted
18 minutes ago, strato said:

I would imagine that with a choice between going after Horn or Jackson, people are gonna go Jackson. So him having the most burns tracks with that.  
 

Two words: Pass rush.  

 

13 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Jackson over performed last year so some of this might just be regression to the mean.

Yeah The King of Pop is a serviceable #2. Better than JAG level IMO, but playing across from a no-fly zone, he's going to get picked on

  • Pie 4
  • Flames 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
PappyMay Mentor

PappyMay

Posted
Posted

Jackson is playing what I think is expected of a 5million dollar corner. Unless we use our first rd pick on a corner next year I somewhat expect him to be on the roster again next year. Upgrading Nick Scott could help him aswell.

  • Pie 1
  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
strato Grand Master

strato

Posted
Posted

Yeah and also there are random matchups that maybe he did t get last year that are not as favorable for him. I ain’t gonna try and look at all that.
I have learned that people have slumps and often a slump or rut will happen before a step forward. Who knows? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
L-TownCat Grand Master

L-TownCat

Posted
Posted

Last year teams didn’t have to throw against us.  Jackson is strong in run support and can cover average WRs.  Asking him to pick up the other teams number 1 WR is the height of stupidity when you have Horn.  Again Evero and his retarded system puts us at a disadvantage before the snap.  Good teams will exploit this over and over again.

  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
strato Grand Master

strato

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, OldhamA said:

Slightly above expectations?!

If we keep stacking offseasons like this one we'll be running the NFC South for a long time.

If those edge rooks develop and have a good offseason program that could really help. I want to say we need more pass rush but we might just have to wait a little bit for some help. I mean, maybe it won’t be a dire need in a year. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
strato Grand Master

strato

Posted
Posted
Just now, L-TownCat said:

Last year teams didn’t have to throw against us.  Jackson is strong in run support and can cover average WRs.  Asking him to pick up the other teams number 1 WR is the height of stupidity when you have Horn.  Again Evero and his retarded system puts us at a disadvantage before the snap.  Good teams will exploit this over and over again.

Good point. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LinvilleGorge Grand Master

LinvilleGorge

Posted
Posted

I honestly disagree. Based on the last decade or so of expectations, I'd say this off-season has wildly exceeded expectations thus far. Sure, that's grading on a steep curve but yeah, so far it looks like our best off-season since Gettleman's first year that unfortunately proved to be fool's gold.

  • Pie 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Doc LRB Collaborator

Doc LRB

Posted
Posted

I've seen it written that our draft class last year was the best in NFL from top to bottom.  Evans is a great breathe of fresh air in the TE department  T-Mac is as advertised then Nick Sc he putting a little presure in def..  Well the season is half over,after this week, and still have a little hope for a change that in itself is a Little Breathe of Fresh Air!!   Go Panthers!!!!

  • Pie 1
  • Beer 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
electro's horse Grand Master

electro's horse

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Jackson over performed last year so some of this might just be regression to the mean.

Teams have a year of tape on him. 

however I think he’s been good in general outside of one game against George Pickens who low key might be a top five receiver in the nfl. 

watching one game against Dallas and making a whole opinion on his season is pretty much what national reporters do tho 

  • Pie 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Basbear
      Classless

      By Basbear · Posted

      Thanks for bringing out the truth!
    • frankw
      Terry Rozier Arrested

      By frankw · Posted

      It's very foolish on Rozier's part considering the money he was already making. But something like this isn't going to go away as the biggest sports leagues continue to directly do business with sports betting companies. It's just layers and layers of hypocrisy.
    • SCO96
      AI Analysis on ideal round to draft certain positions.

      By SCO96 · Posted

      Quick Summary Table Position Ideal Round Range Notes Safety (S) 2nd–3rd Best value and depth here Center (C) 3rd–4th Often overlooked; steady starter range Guard (G) 2nd–4th High floor in 2nd–3rd rounds Linebacker (LB) 1st–3rd Scheme-dependent; 2nd–3rd best value   -- I was playing around on Chat GTP today and asked them to find the ideal round to draft the above positions. We're pretty good at guard so I know we aren't too concerned with those spots. I did pay attention to the S, C, and LB data. We picked 2 LB's in those rounds in 2025, but prior to that had we drafted LB on Day 1 or Day 2 since 2020 besides Tevin Wallace? We haven't picked a Safety as high as round 2 since Mike Minter. But what about the 3rd round? I can't think of any. We got Ryan Kalil in Round 2. I'm pretty sure we haven't picked one on Day 2 since. Am I right on this? I'd love to see us use are top 3 picks in 2026 to grab a LB (or 2), a Safety, and may be even a Center. Although, I think Cade Mays has done ok for a 6th rounder and could improve with more playing time and a D-lineman might be a better prospect for team overall.    
×
×
  • Create New...