2026 NFL Combine Thread: 2.26.26 - 3.1.26

[Jon Snow]

9 hours ago, 45catfan said:

Styles.  If he lasts until Tampa and they take him, I will be livid.

He's not generational.  He's just athletic. He was good in college but so we're others.

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

Nothing against it other than meh feeling. If it’s best for the team  it’s the rational and correct  approach. No disputing that. 

I want a high impact player, but a true FS who could qb the secondary might be more effective than we realize.  I don't think Moehrig is that guy (I think he is overpaid, however).  I want a flashy, high impact player, but we could use defensive qbs at ILB  and FS.  By upgrading skill AND adding vision and leadership, could we get better than if we added an edge or OT?

I am not sure that I believe this myself, but I try to look at things from all perspectives.  Here is some devil's advocacy stuff:

1. EDGE-We are freaking out about the pressure we put on the qb from the edge position.  However, Jones II and Wonnum missed a total of 22 games. Scourton was a rookie and Princely was a third rounder.  Wharton sucked (not sure if he was used properly--a hybrid who can rush from the 5 tech or 3, etc), and this put more pressure on Scourton and the other edge players.  This year, we get Jones II, Scourton should continue to evolve with Princely.  Perhaps another rookie is not what we need.  Maybe a veteran situational pass rusher. 

2. OFFENSIVE TACKLE:  Of course, we need an OT, but the draft is loaded with OTs that can pass block but struggle in run blocking--so a rookie at LT might not be the answer for a team that wants to run first.  What to do?  I am not sure.  I see Nijman returning after testing the market, but who knows?

3.  INSIDE LB:  A huge need, regardless of how you spin it.  However, I see a few free agents who would be solid here, and I see the second round having a few ILBs with starting potential.  I do not see an ILB worth the first round pick unless a freak falls to us.

4.  With veteran defensive backs, a young, intelligent FS could fit in nicely. Intelligence is key--like the way Luke made the front 7 better. "A good, intelligent free safety (FS) acts as the "quarterback of the defense" transforming a unit from good to great by acting as the last line of defense, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating plays before they happen. By reading the quarterback's eyes and diagnosing offensive schemes, an intelligent FS acts as a "centerfielder" who can neutralize deep threats and mitigate errors made by cornerbacks or linebackers."

 

Edited February 28 by MHS831

[MHS831]

21 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

He's not generational.  He's just athletic. He was good in college but so we're others.

Vernon Gholston vibes?  had 14 sacks at Ohio State in 2007; 45 games in the NFL:  0 sacks.  

Edited February 28 by MHS831

[Khyber53]

7 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

 

3.  INSIDE LB:  A huge need, regardless of how you spin it.  However, I see a few free agents who would be solid here, and I see the second round having a few ILBs with starting potential.  I do not see an ILB worth the first round pick unless a freak falls to us.

4.  With veteran defensive backs, a young, intelligent FS could fit in nicely. Intelligence is key--like the way Luke made the front 7 better. "A good, intelligent free safety (FS) acts as the "quarterback of the defense" transforming a unit from good to great by acting as the last line of defense, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating plays before they happen. By reading the quarterback's eyes and diagnosing offensive schemes, an intelligent FS acts as a "centerfielder" who can neutralize deep threats and mitigate errors made by cornerbacks or linebackers."

 

I think you've nailed what we need right here.  Rodriguez and Thieneman would be my choices, Thieneman in the first and Rodriguez in the second.

Let everyone else eat up their picks on the crop of WRs and linemen.

Then make a push in free agency for the top center.

[Jon Snow]

6 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Vernon Gholston vibes?  had 14 sacks at Ohio State in 2007; 45 games in the NFL:  0 sacks.  

Folks fall in love with Combine warriors. There's not a generational player in this draft.

[Pazhoosier89]

I know D'angelo Ponds is shorter than Bryce but give me him in the 2nd round as an elite nickel corner. He had the highest vertical jump among CBs in the combine and plays much bigger than his size. Watch his tape he is an elite cornerback even at 5'8.

Edited February 28 by Pazhoosier89

[firefox1234]

 

[LinvilleGorge]

27 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Folks fall in love with Combine warriors. There's not a generational player in this draft.

We'll see. Literally no one would've pegged Tom Brady as generational.

Caleb Downs is the best safety prospect I've seen in... well, probably a generation.

[MHS831]

3 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

I think you've nailed what we need right here.  Rodriguez and Thieneman would be my choices, Thieneman in the first and Rodriguez in the second.

Let everyone else eat up their picks on the crop of WRs and linemen.

Then make a push in free agency for the top center.

It seems the needs for the Panthers are at positions that tend to require intelligence to lift others--going from "good to great"--FS, ILB, and C--as you say.

While i like Rodriguez a lot (can see the Hurricanes [Jarvis] and Panthers with a mustache player to get the fans into it)--I also like Golday (WLB?).  However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt).  He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower.  But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them.  I see him as a sleeper.  So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB.  

So what if we grab a free agent edge specialist (veteran) for pass situations and help develop Princely.  We draft FS (Oregon) first--maybe trading back to do so--I dunno.  We sign a free agent ILB and draft a rookie like Rodriguez or Louis.  In the third, we could probably find a center, like (former OT Parker from Duke) or Slaughter or Pew (may have to trade up).  

So, as you say, others are fighting for Edge players, WRs, and OTs early like seagulls on the beach fighting over spilled corn chips, We sit back, grab intelligent players that make others better.  FS, ILB, and C.

OT scares me more that Edge if we do this--but for those screaming for an edge--we have edge players--2 with starting experience who have had some degree of success.  JC Davis can play either T spot and he is good at pass blocking--a bit raw--but could be developmental depth that could play in a pinch. Or you could draft a solid OT with shorter arms that are driving them down into day 3--and convert them to G or C later.  Nijman and BC being re-signed could provide enough to hold down the job until a developmental OT (World, Oregon?) prepares for a shot at it.  Wagner (ND) could play LT but is probably a future RT--he is expected to be drafted early day 3.  My favorite day 3 OT sleeper?  Keagan Trost, Missouri. Great run blocker, soild pass blocker in SEC--just shorter arms.  Maybe a guard down the road, but for the time being, a T.  Not ideal, but at least you are building for the future.  

[firefox1234]

 

[firefox1234]

 

[firefox1234]

 

[Khyber53]

1 hour ago, MHS831 said:

 

 However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt).  He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower.  But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them.  I see him as a sleeper.  So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB.  

 

Great info overall.

This part, though, I had missed this guy. Could we go with another smaller, smarter LB? I mean, we had the best one of all time once before... Could lightning strike twice? Sure would be nice. Could we grab ILB in the second and third rounds? We really, really could use some strength and smarts there.

[firefox1234]