2026 DRAFT

[Captroop]

56 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think a premier ILB in the Panther's tradition (Beason, Mills, Luke, Morgan) would be the best pick and the best way to improve this team.  Edge, you ask?  Well, I think we addressed it and they are developing now.  With Scourton and Princely, we got 2 with real potential.  

Here me out---those of you screaming for QB need to realistically approach the situation.  We are not drafting a QB early barring a late season Young meltdown.  Bryce is getting a fifth year--and he will start in 2026 and probably in 2027 barring some major meltdown.  This season has a ton of "fallen angels" or QBs with the skill set to develop into an NFL starter.  

In the second or third round, you draft your possible qb of the future.  Scratch these probable first rounders:  (Comments are not from me--screen shots)

however, the next six or seven have tremendous potential, and if you draft a QB like the Packers do and develop him for 2-3 seasons, these QBs would give us an upgrade at #2 QB and 2 years to groom him in the event Bryce does not earn a huge second contract.

About WR:  Coker is a solid #3 and Horn gives us a thrilling option on STs and in the slot.  He was a nice pick.  TMac needs a strong #2.  XL does not seem that interested in the job, and he seems a bit over his head in the NFL.  Yes, we could use a solid WR, but I am not sure a rookie.  I think we pinch some pennies and redo some OL contracts and make WR our biggest priority in free agency.  Draft a sleeper late.

Tight End:  Do we have enough there?  I really like Mitchell, but I am not sure about Sanders and Tremble is who he is.  Do we have a threat?  I think Bryce loves his checkdowns and underneath routes--he's not had a Stud TE.  I want one.  (platonic)  They are usually still available in round 3.

Safety:  Not sure we have the center fielder we need at FS.  Moehrig and Ransom might be the same thing.  And if it were not for Doc in "Back to the Future," nobody in Charlotte would ever say "Great Scott!"  We need a smart, defensive QB at S, in my opinion.

Of course, OL (center, T) could be in play, but I like Mays as the starter at C and Moton could play another season or two.  We need to start grooming guards, but we have depth there now.

My draft day order, by position:

Linebacker  Have we ever been good without the best ILB in the NFL?  I don't think so. (3-4 now, but we run some 4-3 looks)

QB #2 with long-term starting potential  (I like so many second-tier QBs.  one or two of them will become NFL starters.  Mark my words)

Tight End  (lotta folks might disagree here, but a big-time, viable option to go with Mitchell, Sanders, and Tremble)

Safety  (we need a QB for the D--Moehrig and Ransom are similar)

Tackle (Moton is getting old and we need to start grooming a potential replacement)

WR  (this late IF we sign a free agent)

Center (I like Mays, but his contract status and the depth at C needs to be addressed)

 

 

I really like what I see from LaNorris Sellers. Dual-Threat QBs seem to be a commonality among the best teams in the league. He's got a big body, and I'm not saying I got shades of Cam watching his highlights, but I'm not NOT saying that.

And honestly, I don't think you need to throw out the baby with the bathwater once we ditch Bryce. We've got a pretty solid and cohesive O-Line that is build to protect a mobile, scrambling quarterback. Might as well pick a QB who plays that way, rather than try to retrain them to protect a statue in the pocket.

[PNW_PantherMan]

8 minutes ago, Captroop said:

I really like what I see from LaNorris Sellers. Dual-Threat QBs seem to be a commonality among the best teams in the league. He's got a big body, and I'm not saying I got shades of Cam watching his highlights, but I'm not NOT saying that.

And honestly, I don't think you need to throw out the baby with the bathwater once we ditch Bryce. We've got a pretty solid and cohesive O-Line that is build to protect a mobile, scrambling quarterback. Might as well pick a QB who plays that way, rather than try to retrain them to protect a statue in the pocket.

Gotta throw to be dual threat.  Not saying he can't, but I wouldn't call Justin Fields dual threat.  He's one threat.  His legs.

[Shotgun]

Just now, PNW_PantherMan said:

Gotta throw to be dual threat.  Not saying he can't, but I wouldn't call Justin Fields dual threat.  He's one threat.  His legs.

I saw him complete a pass once.

[LinvilleGorge]

Sellers was super intriguing but he's taken a big step back this year. 

[Panthering]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Sellers was super intriguing but he's taken a big step back this year. 

He's been pretty bad I cannot lie, I've been watching the games. They just fired Mike Shula this week so lets see how the rest of the season goes. He can certainly be there mid first round after this season shakes out and he decides to declare. People are scarred from the Anthony Richardson experience even though I think they're different players. 

[PleaseCutStewart]

Intrigued by these prospects, but haven't really looked much at the draft class for 2026:

Arvell Reese (I can see him dropping because he is a LB)

Peter Woods

David Bailey

 

[PleaseCutStewart]

20 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Sellers was super intriguing but he's taken a big step back this year. 

In his defense, South Carolina's oline has to be one of the worst among power conference teams

[scratched]

The most intriguing player in the draft, and someone I think we will need to consider, is 6'6" 275LB Edge, Quincy Rhodes Jr out of Arkansas.. The potential of this freak is off the charts!

[LinvilleGorge]

10 minutes ago, PleaseCutStewart said:

In his defense, South Carolina's oline has to be one of the worst among power conference teams

It is. That's why I honestly hope he hits the portal. I'd like to see him in a different (hopefully better) situation.

[MHS831]

5 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Picking up Bryce's option would be brutal. But yeah, it feels like a very Tepper's Panthers thing to do. You just can't pay the guy another $26M+ guaranteed. Not when you can reasonably get his level of play from a journeyman vet FA for a lot less. Bryce is a replacement level QB. You don't sign up to give a replacement level QB another $26M+. You just replace him.

It is, to me, like paying millions to assure, at best, mediocrity.  A player is worth the $50m if he puts blue/black jerseys in the seats.  Does Bryce?  From the business perspective, that would be my concern.  I want stadium full of Panther fans.  

Edited 54 minutes ago by MHS831

[MHS831]

4 hours ago, Captroop said:

I really like what I see from LaNorris Sellers. Dual-Threat QBs seem to be a commonality among the best teams in the league. He's got a big body, and I'm not saying I got shades of Cam watching his highlights, but I'm not NOT saying that.

And honestly, I don't think you need to throw out the baby with the bathwater once we ditch Bryce. We've got a pretty solid and cohesive O-Line that is build to protect a mobile, scrambling quarterback. Might as well pick a QB who plays that way, rather than try to retrain them to protect a statue in the pocket.

I see it.  I just dont see us grabbing the NEXT Qb-I think we draft developmental.  It will be interesting to see what Morgan does, however, if Sellers is on the board...We like the Gamecocks in round 1.

[MHS831]

5 hours ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

linebacker or FS at 32

I see what you did there.