It is time to Consider the Likelihood of WR at #19

[strato]

43 minutes ago, flagfootballcoach28 said:

So you’re ok having a rookie LT ride the bench? I’d rather just wait and see how Walker plays and how Icky progresses. Icky would most likely sign a 1 year “prove it” deal in 2027. Drafting a safety or WR in the late first is not the worst decision in this particular draft.  

We are in a unique situation here. Just my opinion. Three things:

Moton’s playing health has been gradually declining as he is aging, while his contract is a drag on the payroll.  Something will give with him sooner than later but I think 2026 could be it. 
So.. need a right tackle by 2027. At the latest. 
 

Icky’s individual situation is unique as well. They would have had an extension done by now if not for the injury. We only have him for this year. With no assurance he will ever be the same player.  It would be reckless just to assume. Now we have Walker for one year. And that is a major relief. Maybe he is the answer, but the team that knows him best let him go and it was cheap for us to sign him. So how much did they value him? 
 

We look to be needing two tackles by 2027.  And have poo for depth this year as well. So anyway we could draft a guy for 2027 RT and groom him this year, and see how Icky does, and act as needed in 2027. Spread out filling the two holes over 2 years. 
 

Then I remember, hey if Bryce doesn’t get a Lot more consistent do they extend him? Hoping not, if he isn’t really good. 
 

So then we are looking at the 2027 draft which people say is gonna be loaded with QBs. If we need a LT and a QB what is the pick gonna get spent on? 
 Taking into account the recovery success rates cited here on the Icky surgery, you might want to plan for him to not be the same player. rather than assume he will be and get caught with your pants down. 
It is a tough situation. 
 

And factor in that it is critically important to protect this QB, always, but especially this year where it is said to be make or break. And how you might feel about that. 
 

All of it points to a real possibility that these things converge in the negative, like Bruce sucks and Icky is not the same. In that case if you want to be assured of getting LT secured, the only place you can do that through the draft could be very well be 2026 1st round.  
 

For me, I would like to err on the side of caution.  Cover for these outcomes. It wouldn’t be fun. Added benefit is if we do have a tackle go down this year we will have a guy there. Because I don’t know what we have now.  

Edited April 12 by strato

[rebelrouser]

On 4/11/2026 at 9:28 PM, strato said:

Icky’s individual situation is unique as well. They would have had an extension done by now if not for the injury. We only have him for this year. With no assurance he will ever be the same player.  It would be reckless just to assume. Now we have Walker for one year. And that is a major relief. Maybe he is the answer, but the team that knows him best let him go and it was cheap for us to sign him. So how much did they value him? 

Signing Walker to just one year (at only 4M???) is a head scratcher to me.  The guy was a seventh round pick, but he took over the starting LT spot and held it for three straight seasons on a good football team.  Finding a legit LT is tough. Just look at this year's draft where people are saying that the top two prospects (Mauigoa and Fano) are actually RT's and the LT list is full of guys that need a year to develop.  Waiting around for Icky to shock the world and return to form as a LT is not going to work out.  Free Agent A+

[mrcompletely11]

2 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

Signing Walker to just one year (at only 4M???) is a head scratcher to me.  The guy was a seventh round pick, but he took over the starting LT spot and held it for three straight seasons on a good football team.  Finding a legit LT is tough. Just look at this year's draft where people are saying that the top two prospects (Mauigoa and Fano) are actually RT's and the LT list is full of guys that need a year to develop.  Waiting around for Icky to shock the world and return to form as a LT is not going to work out.  Free Agent A+

There is a reason GB let him walk

[DeAngelo Beason]

On 4/10/2026 at 7:12 PM, tukafan21 said:

And you think teams can build the best possible roster every season without thinking about financial implications into the future?

It's precisely what the good franchises do, they make decisions that combine what is best for the upcoming season as well as the long term implications.

The other problem with this post is that you say it only is an issue if they all become stars.  But that is exactly what you should be hoping/expecting for every 1st round pick you make, they are supposed to turn into players you sign to multiple contracts and are the cornerstone players for your franchise.

You shouldn't be drafting a player in the 1st round that you don't think should be getting a big contract in 3 or 4 years, if you don't think that's the case, then you're making the wrong selection in the 1st round (especially in the Top 20, maybe 25-32 is more questionable, but not by much).

We know T-Mac is going to be a star, if the expectation is for a WR drafted in the 1st this year is also expected to be as much, that's two huge contracts to give out in back to back years.  While at the same time, Coker has already proven to be at minimum, a great #3 in this league IMO.  It's not going to be a far leap to see him become a bona fide #2, if not even a high end #2 this upcoming season with some improvement and sustained health.

We "knew" Keary Colbert was going to be a star too....  

[strato]

35 minutes ago, rebelrouser said:

Signing Walker to just one year (at only 4M???) is a head scratcher to me.  The guy was a seventh round pick, but he took over the starting LT spot and held it for three straight seasons on a good football team.  Finding a legit LT is tough. Just look at this year's draft where people are saying that the top two prospects (Mauigoa and Fano) are actually RT's and the LT list is full of guys that need a year to develop.  Waiting around for Icky to shock the world and return to form as a LT is not going to work out.  Free Agent A+

Well, he wants to get paid. I am sure we could have signed him more years for more money. 

[Davidson Deac II]

On 4/10/2026 at 12:35 PM, firefox1234 said:

Panthers have met with all these potential 1st rounders to my knowledge: Faulk, McCoy, McDonald, Fano, Lomu, Proctor, KC, Cooper Jr., and Boston. I don’t think it’s a given that WR is the pick. I know we met with Faulk extensively at the combine, I won’t be surprised if we run to the podium if he’s at 19.

At 19, nothing is a given.  

[Navy_football]

Dan and Dave have both said they want to draft an impact player in the first round. The most impactful rookie positions are WR and RB. On defense it's Edge and CB. Can't see a RB at 19. So Edge rusher, CB or WR are the likely options. Oline and DT absolutely are needs. But they wouldn't be impactful this season. 

[XClown1986]

17 minutes ago, Navy_football said:

Dan and Dave have both said they want to draft an impact player in the first round. The most impactful rookie positions are WR and RB. On defense it's Edge and CB. Can't see a RB at 19. So Edge rusher, CB or WR are the likely options. Oline and DT absolutely are needs. But they wouldn't be impactful this season. 

I mostly agree with the assessment of impact players this year, but I do think Kayden McDonald would be the exception for DT. He would plug the run Day 1. Pass rush would need time though.

Edited April 13 by XClown1986

[mrcompletely11]

5 minutes ago, XClown1986 said:

I mostly agree with the assessment of impact players this year, but I do think Kayden McDonald would be the exception for DT. He would plug the run Day 1. Pass rush would need time though.

Dillion T as well (although its probably a long shot he is there)

[TD alt]

On 4/11/2026 at 9:28 PM, strato said:

Moton’s playing health has been gradually declining as he is aging, while his contract is a drag on the payroll.  Something will give with him sooner than later but I think 2026 could be it. 
So.. need a right tackle by 2027. At the latest. 
 

I just don't get the Moton thing. He played in 16 games last season (and the playoff game). He's had worse seasons from that perspective. His health hasn't really been an issue, and his actual play is still solid. Why are you throwing dirt on him? Some tackles play well into their thirties. 

[Shocker]

People aren’t talking about Denzel Boston.  Probably a 4.5+ guy but 6’4 215 and great hands.  Ball skills and route running are very good.  Would not mind grabbing him.

[strato]

25 minutes ago, TD alt said:

I just don't get the Moton thing. He played in 16 games last season (and the playoff game). He's had worse seasons from that perspective. His health hasn't really been an issue, and his actual play is still solid. Why are you throwing dirt on him? Some tackles play well into their thirties. 

A lot of it is the salary but that knee brace is a whopper, and I just think the decline has started with him, watching him the last two or three seasons. 

Not throwing dirt on him, It’s business.  I said last week it feels like we are riding on bald tires with him. We can keep on riding and eventually we are going to need to change it out. After a wreck, or before a wreck? 
 

 

[csx]

32 minutes ago, TD alt said:

I just don't get the Moton thing. He played in 16 games last season (and the playoff game). He's had worse seasons from that perspective. His health hasn't really been an issue, and his actual play is still solid. Why are you throwing dirt on him? Some tackles play well into their thirties. 

Its about economics. 

[mrcompletely11]

11 minutes ago, csx said:

Its about economics. 

He doesn't understand the nuances of things like.  Hes a fantasy football type follower