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2026 NFL Combine Thread: 2.26.26 - 3.1.26


Soul Rebel
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3 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

Thats just Jeremiah pumping the thought that the Rams will take him in the 1st round. He also has him ranked as a late second round prospect. DJ is the only mock that predicts him a day 1 pick.

I think Kiper has talked about Simpson to the Steelers (around 21).  However, I think everyone is saying this based on the dearth of QB talent and that Simpson, who is throwing, knocks off some socks.  I could see him going to a Pittsburgh or LAR in the first round---

I could see teams grabbing him a round before he should go--we are talking about QBs.  Is he better than Kenny Pickett?  I think he went around 20.

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16 hours ago, strato said:

since I agree with him I will jump in and say we don’t use the TE enough to value one as a 1st. One of these threads just today people are posting pointing out that Bryce can’t see the middle of the field which is where a lot of TE eat. He likes to throw picks there too, I wonder why (can’t see). It just doesn’t help us that much. 

I don't believe Bryce "can't see the middle of the field".  If that's true, then Canales, Morgan and Tepper are even bigger dipshits than I already think they are.

We don't use the TE enough because every one of them on our roster would be the 3rd string TE on any other roster.  They all suck beyond belief.

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And personally, just my opinion, Bryce has had enough top level investment dedicated to the pass game. Get a speedy WR later? I am fine with it and think that is all we really need anyway. Another 1st round pick? Hell no if I get to say. Which I don’t but no one else does either  

What investments?  T-Mac was a great pick (who I was wrong on), but other than that, we've not really done anything other than getting lucky that Rico Dowdle turned into Barry Sanders for 4 or 5 games running and catching the ball out of the backfield.

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 As far as a TE, a pass catching RB would be of more use than a TE I think. We visited with one I think maybe Sr Bowl, that was a WR in school until just this year when they switched him to RB full time. A guy like that could be put to a lot of use on these little 5 yard passes Bryce is so fond of throwing, 

There is nothing that says you can't line up Sadiq in the backfield and use him as an outlet for Bryce.  Look how the Colts used Warren a lot this year.

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It is just past time to put some real talent into the defense for once and I want our top picks to focus there, personally. I would say unless we have a situation like last year where the difference in pure value is stark, I am pissed if we pass on a quality defensive player for another pass catcher.

One player on defense isn't going to make a difference on the score board, especially with Evero coaching.  This team is going to need to maintain possessions and score points to stay in games with a first-place tilt (Seahawks, Eagles, and Bears), plus the Ravens, Bengals, Lions, and Packers on the 2026 schedule.  

Your post was solid though, good points by you and could be totally right, and I could be wrong.  But that's my $0.02 which is about what it's worth.

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36 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think Kiper has talked about Simpson to the Steelers (around 21).  However, I think everyone is saying this based on the dearth of QB talent and that Simpson, who is throwing, knocks off some socks.  I could see him going to a Pittsburgh or LAR in the first round---

I could see teams grabbing him a round before he should go--we are talking about QBs.  Is he better than Kenny Pickett?  I think he went around 20.

I don't consider him anything more than a day 2 pick. The Rams can easily get him in the 2nd round.

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15 minutes ago, HeelsPanthersCanes said:

I don't believe Bryce "can't see the middle of the field".  If that's true, then Canales, Morgan and Tepper are even bigger dipshits than I already think they are.

We don't use the TE enough because every one of them on our roster would be the 3rd string TE on any other roster.  They all suck beyond belief.

What investments?  T-Mac was a great pick (who I was wrong on), but other than that, we've not really done anything other than getting lucky that Rico Dowdle turned into Barry Sanders for 4 or 5 games running and catching the ball out of the backfield.

There is nothing that says you can't line up Sadiq in the backfield and use him as an outlet for Bryce.  Look how the Colts used Warren a lot this year.

One player on defense isn't going to make a difference on the score board, especially with Evero coaching.  This team is going to need to maintain possessions and score points to stay in games with a first-place tilt (Seahawks, Eagles, and Bears), plus the Ravens, Bengals, Lions, and Packers on the 2026 schedule.  

Your post was solid though, good points by you and could be totally right, and I could be wrong.  But that's my $0.02 which is about what it's worth.

Cool. I am not wanting to debate or argue it. It is mostly my preferences. But a couple of things:

 I just don’t think he sees the middle of the field well. But besides that I would rather spend a 1st round pick at different offensive positions if we went offense, otherwise we have neglected defense something fierce the last few years. Last 1st rounder was Horn. That’s like 5 years ago now. 

 Investments… gee the last 4 drafts we have used a 2, a 2, a low 1st and a top ten pick on WR. Bryce has been here three years, three of those picks were specifically for him. 
And assets, I don’t think you are counting the haul we gave for the QB position. That counts and it was huge.
 

Add that up and add the Burns cap space we freed up when we traded him. We bought two guards and used the savings on them. Not on the defense.  I mean, that is a lot of investment in the offense when you put all that in a sack and weigh it. 
 

peace. Appreciate your post. 
 

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    • Here’s a summary of the JJ and Luke podcast transcript. Opening / Bryce Young Fifth-Year Option     •    JJ: Breaking news — Panthers picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option at $25.9M, guaranteed, coming in 2027. Combined with his 2025 salary of ~$6M, that’s $31M over two years — called it a “no-brainer.”     •    Luke: Enthusiastic about the move. Highlighted Bryce’s improving TD/INT ratios (11/10 → 15/9 → 23/11) and the value of entering year three with Dave Canales. Noted $25M is a bargain relative to the $60M top of market. Luke’s Personal Update — Charlotte Christian Football     •    Luke: Working with Charlotte Christian school football program, which hired a new head coach. Coaches include Greg Olsen, Luke, and Greg’s dad Chris Olsen (a New Jersey State coaching Hall of Famer).     •    JJ: Jokingly quipped that Charlotte Christian’s coaching staff is “the world’s greatest” — a Fox analyst, a Hall of Famer, and the best Panthers RB ever — all coaching middle school football.     •    Luke: Praised Chris Olsen’s deep football knowledge spanning decades and his ability to connect with kids. Round 1, Pick 19 — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia     •    JJ: Panthers were on the clock and submitted their pick almost immediately — a sign of confidence and preparation. Freeling is 6’7”, 320 lbs, played in the SEC in a pro-style system.     •    Luke: Loved the pick. Emphasized you can never have too many quality offensive linemen. Noted Freeling’s size, athleticism, and arm length as key traits. Said the pick also reflects team’s philosophy of drafting great people, not just great players.     •    JJ: Noted reporter Darren Gantt compared Freeling favorably to Jordan Gross — bigger, heavier, and faster — as a potential franchise left tackle.     •    Luke: Pointed out that young players like Freeling still have physical development ahead of them, comparing the trajectory to Christian McCaffrey’s growth from age 20 onward. Round 2, Pick 49 — Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech     •    JJ: Panthers traded up from 51 to 49 (pick swap with Minnesota) to grab Hunter. Played audio from Panthers area scout Kaden McLuhan, who scouted Hunter.     •    Scout Kaden McLuhan (audio): Said Hunter’s size is immediately striking, and that everyone around him spoke glowingly about his character, energy, and love for the game.     •    Luke: Praised Hunter as a massive (6’3”, 320 lbs, ~34” arms) two-gap nose tackle who fits perfectly in the Evero defense. Compared his prospect profile to Akiem Hicks. Said having Derek Brown, Bobby Brown, Derrick Brown, Terson Wharton, and now Hunter creates varied body types that stress offensive linemen.     •    JJ: Noted Hunter ranked third among all prospects in run-stuff rate and sixth in interior pass-rush win rate — addressing a perception that he couldn’t rush the passer. Rounds 3–7 Highlights     •    Luke: Highlighted WR Brazle (3rd round, 6’4”, 437 speed, 1,000+ yards at Tennessee) as the vertical threat the offense needed. Also praised OL Sam Heck (5th round) as a technically sound player whose “short arms” caused him to fall but who has proven himself.     •    Luke: Mentioned CB Will Lee (6’1”, 33” arms) fits the Panthers’ DB prototype — big, long corners.     •    Luke: Praised S/LB hybrid Zaki Wheatley (5th round, 6’3”) as a big nickel similar to Trayvon Merek.     •    Luke: Excited about the linebacker competition between Devin Lloyd, Trevvin Wallace, and Claudin Cherless.     •    JJ: Noted Panthers had the #1 “steal/overreach” rating in the entire draft — drafting players lower than consensus big boards projected. Around the League     •    Luke: Admitted being “a little jealous” that the Miami Dolphins drafted LB Jacob Rodriguez (Luke’s favorite LB in the draft). Has personal connections to Miami’s coaching staff (Jeff Hafley, DC Shawn Dugen — a childhood teammate).     •    Luke: Also noted Miami’s selection of OT/G Kaden Proctor out of Alabama, who will likely move to guard. League Trends — Bigger Tight Ends / 12 & 13 Personnel     •    JJ: Observed the NFL saw its highest run rate in ~11 years (~52%) and a notable pivot toward big blocking tight ends in this draft.     •    Luke: Explained the cyclical nature of NFL offense/defense evolution — as defenses get smaller to match spread offenses, teams counter with bigger personnel (12/13 formations), which then forces defenses to get bigger at the nickel/“big nickel” spot. Called it an ongoing arms race.
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