Finally! Draft day is here. (NFL Draft Live thread)

[carpanfan96]

3 minutes ago, t96 said:

Well Ickey could easily miss the start of the season or more and if he is able to come back he could start with Freeling. Packers guy’s contract is fine for a swing tackle and good insurance if Ickey doesn’t come back this year, which is very possible

I doubt Ikem plays this year at all. That said, for Freeling to start and play well means the oline staff needs a raise, medals, and statues outside the stadium. 

[Cpt slay a ho]

20 minutes ago, strato said:

Okay there is a difference there: I view it as if the job is to catch up to what we were. Which is what you say. Struggle. When this Icky injury happened it set us back from that level. Right there. I feel like without at the least being at the OL level we were at with Icky, it’s certain regression. We have questions about the RBs too (and we Must be able to run it).   
We definitely could not fix the offense to the level we want if they go backwards up front. 

It looks like that is handled pretty well and okay let’s move forward now with a solid base. So now find Temo Lemon and make lemonade. 
FWIW you could find post upon post of me saying no 1st round WR but also one post saying I would waive that if he fell. We do need someone like him.  Hard to find, I know. But he might be out there. 

The other part about Bryce should not limit us, well that was hat the team signed up for drafting a historically small QB that lacked any physical traits you would call plus at the NFL level. We’re just stuck with it. Reality. 

 

Ok I understand from your point of view now. Which is not bad and I understand that angle, plus we still have the remainder of the draft, I’m really playing devils advocate, I have no problem with freeling as a player and the $ he could save.

but if you asked me the one position the panthers could upgrade to repeat as division champs, ot is low, especially with the walker signing, but i can’t knock them for being extra careful and sure, but I’ll be playing close attention to lemon and Dillion’s journey.

 

 

 

[csx]

42 minutes ago, t96 said:

Well Ickey could easily miss the start of the season or more and if he is able to come back he could start with Freeling. Packers guy’s contract is fine for a swing tackle and good insurance if Ickey doesn’t come back this year, which is very possible

Icky isnt coming back this year. That would be quicker than anyone else by a good amount.

Edited 5 hours ago by csx

[Navy_football]

4 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

How is a top 15 player not BPA? HE may not be the absolute BPA but clearly BPA on a position of the need. 

Lemon and possibly Thieneman were higher rated and at positions of need also. And... they would start or get significant playing time this season. Monroe is a high ceiling project player that likely won't start a game this season. Just hope they have plans for using him this season, even if they're unconventional roles. For the record, I don't see this as a bad pick. They have a plan for the future. But this pick is not the most impactful for 2026.

[csx]

13 minutes ago, Navy_football said:

Lemon and possibly Thieneman were higher rated and at positions of need also. And... they would start or get significant playing time this season. Monroe is a high ceiling project player that likely won't start a game this season. Just hope they have plans for using him this season, even if they're unconventional roles. For the record, I don't see this as a bad pick. They have a plan for the future. But this pick is not the most impactful for 2026.

Freeling had higher grades than Thieneman most everywhere.  There were a few that didnt. But we're talking OT vs safety and the team doesn't use lists made by media outlets. They make their own.

Edited 3 hours ago by csx

[Navy_football]

19 minutes ago, csx said:

Freeling had higher grades than Thieneman most everywhere.  There were a few that didnt. But we're talking OT vs safety and the team doesn't use lists made by media outlets. They make their own.

If he was their BPA, then he was the right pick. I just don't agree that he was BPA or would have the most impact this season. 

[carpanfan96]

The other reason I like the pick is this is a weak draft first round talent wise. "What I mean is actual prospects with a true first round grade, it's usually around 14-16, this draft is closer to 10-12."

 

There probably wasn't another player on the Panthers board that any where close to a first round grade besides for Freeling. 

[jb2288]

3 hours ago, csx said:

Icky isnt coming back this year. That would be quicker than anyone else by a good amount.

It’s an 11 month median for athletes with some as back as 7 months so it isn’t impossible to see him this year even though I agree he takes a full redshirt for 2026 

[TD alt]

6 hours ago, carpanfan96 said:

Who the hell thinks he's pro ready???? I can't think of a single person who thinks that legitimately. Everyone who does mocks and scouts thinks he needs to sit one or two years with good oline coaches 

This is based on a curve. He is the most pro-ready to be an LT out of the whole draft class. Yes, he'll need to refine his game, but all of the upside is there. He's going to compete right away. 

Two years? Nah. Utwont take him that long to become the elite LT that is in him. 

 

[TD alt]

6 hours ago, carpanfan96 said:

What this taught me is that if Dan Morgan says he's not going to do something in the draft when asked, expect him to do exactly what he said he wouldn't do. Lmfao

I mean, it appears that way, but positional value and potential will always be taken into account. For me, OT (especially LT) just naturally has that time built into it. One day we'll look up and Freeling will be doing his job to great effect. Morgan and Canales were full of sh¡t a little bit, but no one's gonna care once Freeling really gets going. 

[TD alt]

OT is not the "sexy" pick for a reason, but it's necessary and still gets you to where you want to go.

[csx]

1 hour ago, jb2288 said:

It’s an 11 month median for athletes with some as back as 7 months so it isn’t impossible to see him this year even though I agree he takes a full redshirt for 2026 

The two recent examples returned to play 13 to 14 months later. That does not put Ikem on the field this year