The Athletic Presents: Joseph Person's Panthers mock draft 1.0 extravaganza

[jfra78]

I doubt Hill will be there in RD 2, but I like the draft

[mrcompletely11]

Just now, jfra78 said:

I doubt Hill will be there in RD 2, but I like the draft

This draft is really deep at the linebacker spot.  We should walk away with a stud either in round 1 or 2.   

[TheSpecialJuan]

Field Yates giving us the same guy as well

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47840791/2026-nfl-mock-draft-field-yates-first-round-predictions-32-picks

[strato]

30 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

This draft is really deep at the linebacker spot.  We should walk away with a stud either in round 1 or 2.   

We effing need to. I know where the holes are and edge and LOT are for sure two.

But I really have missed having good LB play. That is my guilty pleasure pick all day.

They only thing I would be good giving it up for is a really solid LOT. 

Edited 54 minutes ago by strato

[csx]

1 hour ago, Aussie Tank said:

Nah just watching the highlights Bain makes his life alot easier we don't need another second fiddle 

Its a team sport. We need thd fiddle section.

[DaveThePanther2008]

21 minutes ago, strato said:

But I really have missed having good LB play. That is my guilty pleasure pick all day.

This IMO should be our #1 pick. Every time we have had a STUD at ILB we've gone to the NFC Championship or the Super Bowl.  Mills, Morgan and Luke.  

My only concern is that EVero, for whatever reason, doesn't like starting rookies.  I would hope that a 1st round defender would start. 

[OldhamA]

I'm a Canes fan and even I wouldn't draft Mesidor in the first round.

[Panthero]

2 hours ago, Swaggasaurus said:

I’m of the school of thought that we need an instant starter. He’d start instantly, needs no physical changes, already refined technique and plays the run and pass at high level. You’ve got young Princely developing, and really Scourton too. We need a PLAY NOW edge. It’s hard to sign a free agent worth a damn at edge, aged 25 or 30, lord knows we’ve tried.

A play now edge but a draft pick is a long term investment. My thought was they ultimately want Princely to seize the role but are using bridges until the light goes on. Also being 25 doesnt mean you are adapted to the NFL. That could still take a year or two. 

I wouldnt hate it but there are reasons why its not ideal. 

[strato]

19 minutes ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

This IMO should be our #1 pick. Every time we have had a STUD at ILB we've gone to the NFC Championship or the Super Bowl.  Mills, Morgan and Luke.  

My only concern is that EVero, for whatever reason, doesn't like starting rookies.  I would hope that a 1st round defender would start. 

I feel like we need LOT so bad now that we would be duty bound if a qualified prospect was sitting there.

My other desire would be trading down to get the right value in the first, if possible, and have some ammo to move up for a LB in the second. 

[Panthero]

2 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

This would be nice.  It addresses most of our needs.  I think we will add Free Agents in each of the top three picks to allow these players the chance to get used to the NFL.  

Yeah, there are a lot of vet edges available this year, so the prices will be somewhat reasonable. Think we get a starter at C (linderbaum), Edge (old dude on a 1 year deal) , and LB in free agency (chanel). 

[MHS831]

3 hours ago, Panthero said:

Highly doubt Morgan drafts a guy that age for the first pick.

That was my first thought.  However--and hear me out.  If a good Edge takes 2 years or more to develop, and they are in "win now" mode, a 25-year old, mature player could reach his full potential earlier--let's say at 26.  Then you have an edge on a rookie contract with 5th year option during his prime--25-30 years of age.  Instead of spending 2-3 years developing an Edge and then paying him a huge contract with only one or two years of high performance on a rookie deal....Of course, I am assuming he will be, at 25, better than others at 21 or so....

Edited 1 minute ago by MHS831