REPORT: Cade Mays will hit the free-agent market

[LinvilleGorge]

8 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Based on the research I just did this AM in my lab which is in my man cave in my secret lair--The OL market in free agency is terrible.  Mays will get top dollar--they are predicting about $12m.

I would love Linderbaum, but I am a realist.  first, the ravens will try to lock him down and he will get $20m or close to it.  

To me, we can get a rookie to do as well for about $2-3m by round 2 or 3.  

Due to the free agent Market, our draft should be focused on the offensive line and edge.  We need to sign a S, ILB, and maybe a TE in free agency.

Draft a T, C, WR, and Edge.  

We shall see. Mays would be a fool to stay--we cut him.  We played Corbett in front of him.

I fear that they will re-sign Corbett to a 1-year deal--maybe that would be smart.  
 

I'm a little concerned about this year's center draft. The top 4-5 are all undersized. Sub-300 pounds. I know our best center of all-time was too but he was athletic as hell to make up for it. We have an OL of maulers right now. Just not sure how an undersized guy at center would fit into the roster and overall scheme at the moment. 

[pantherclaw]

4 hours ago, frankw said:

I have no idea why you are so irrationally upset about the notion that going out and spending $150 million free agency dollars on two interior offensive linemen could be construed as a panic response after our #1 pick we traded a fortune for had one of the worst rookie seasons of the last 25 years. It is objectively what transpired.

Dan Morgan as of right now is a mixed bag. Some really good some so so some not so good some bad some really bad. You take any rational criticism personally like you are related to him or something. That's something you'll have to figure out for yourself.

Anyways. The predicament Dan Morgan finds himself in for this year will define his future as GM. I sincerely hope he navigates it to perfection. But the circumstances are largely of his own creation. And not just in his stint as GM but going back to his time as assistant GM. Which conveniently people like yourself don't like to talk about. That is the reality of the situation.

I like how you will carry water for Dan Morgan to the point of getting into random spats with people but make no mention of Bryce Young's glaring limitations and shortcomings as a starting QB yet go out of your way to put the onus of our struggles squarely on Canales. I mean I've been quite critical of Canales too but he sure isn't the only one to blame for our problems.

 

fug you can't read. 

 

[frankw]

3 hours ago, pantherclaw said:

 

fug you can't read. 

 

Very illuminating rebuttal. Thank you for gracing us with your insights.

[Khyber53]

15 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Based on the research I just did this AM in my lab which is in my man cave in my secret lair--The OL market in free agency is terrible.  Mays will get top dollar--they are predicting about $12m.

I would love Linderbaum, but I am a realist.  first, the ravens will try to lock him down and he will get $20m or close to it.  

To me, we can get a rookie to do as well for about $2-3m by round 2 or 3.  

Due to the free agent Market, our draft should be focused on the offensive line and edge.  We need to sign a S, ILB, and maybe a TE in free agency.

Draft a T, C, WR, and Edge.  

We shall see. Mays would be a fool to stay--we cut him.  We played Corbett in front of him.

I fear that they will re-sign Corbett to a 1-year deal--maybe that would be smart.  
 

Yeah, this is where we get a bit younger on the O-line.

I think, though, if there is a great ILB prospect still there in the draft, we grab him and don't look back.

Second round take the best center on the board.

[UnluckyforSome]

Historically, good centers can be had in round 3 and later. It's not usually a position that a 1st or 2nd round pick has to be spent to draft an effective player.

That said, we do usually reserve those 3rd and later picks to draft slow linebackers, incapable tight ends, and secondary with coverage concerns.

[OneBadCat]

Would rather keep him. We're going to lose stability on the line at this point. I'm assuming this means Corbett is safe?

[45catfan]

Mayes can be replaced.  He's played well, but hardy an All-Pro type. I'd rather not overpay him.

[kungfoodude]

17 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Based on the research I just did this AM in my lab which is in my man cave in my secret lair--The OL market in free agency is terrible.  Mays will get top dollar--they are predicting about $12m.

I would love Linderbaum, but I am a realist.  first, the ravens will try to lock him down and he will get $20m or close to it.  

To me, we can get a rookie to do as well for about $2-3m by round 2 or 3.  

Due to the free agent Market, our draft should be focused on the offensive line and edge.  We need to sign a S, ILB, and maybe a TE in free agency.

Draft a T, C, WR, and Edge.  

We shall see. Mays would be a fool to stay--we cut him.  We played Corbett in front of him.

I fear that they will re-sign Corbett to a 1-year deal--maybe that would be smart.  
 

Sadly, not a good center draft.

Once again, in typical Panthers fashion. we passed on good center drafts to be in a panic on a weak one.

I am also going to say that don't be surprised to see some insane, illogical move like we made with Corbett and sign/draft some guy that has very little center experience and attempt to make him a center.

[45catfan]

We've got too many needs to being taking a C high anyway.  A day 3 guy should suffice if we retain Corbett or bring in another mid-tier FA C.

[strato]

If they aren’t willing to pay Mayes I would think they have something in mind. Just not telling us about it yet. 

[CPcavedweller]

19 hours ago, WarPanthers89 said:

I would like to have him back (he was solid) but by no means should we consider paying him larger money. We have too much tied up in the line already and need to draft someone 

There is never “too much” tied into the offensive or defensive line. Did you see the receivers and DB’s that Miami made it to the National Championship Game with? 
 

come on son. 

[frankw]

18 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

There is never “too much” tied into the offensive or defensive line. Did you see the receivers and DB’s that Miami made it to the National Championship Game with? 
 

come on son. 

Most people will agree with this in principle. But it's situational and also depends on the results you're getting. We were middle of the league in sacks given up. Had the 27th passing offense. And if a few instances that went our way turned out differently we very likely could have been staring at another 5 win season. For the highest salary cap percentage to the OL in the entire league. While we had basically nothing at linebacker and not much at all consistent pass rush to speak of as we were leaning on two rookies. And despite all that our defense which has been on a lopsided end of investment compared to the offense managed to go from league worst and giving up historic single season points in 2024 to middle of the league in 2025 which is quite impressive all things considered. So yes the investment in the OL versus the results certainly matters or at least to should to anyone that would like to continue to improve and also maybe finally win another playoff game.

Edited 5 minutes ago by frankw