Panthers Blueprint: Draft

[carpanfan96]

Rumors are the team is in fact done with Ikem. So it was going to be a LT, just depended on which one got to them at 19. 

[The Third Reich]

13 minutes ago, carpanfan96 said:

Rumors are the team is in fact done with Ikem. So it was going to be a LT, just depended on which one got to them at 19. 

I was wondering if they have made the decision to move him inside, to the other side (timing bad), or move on. They can wait to see his development before coming to that conclusion.  But to your point, with Walker on a one-year deal and the knowledge that Ickey should be back during the season, I was surprised that we seemed so focused on Freeling (in particular) and the LOT position in this draft. I don't think it was going to be "which one," but I think they were contemplating a trade up to get ahead of Detroit to take Freeling when they saw him there mid draft.  I dunno. They seemed to be targeting him--even to the point where they asked, "If Freeling is gone, what are you going to do?" So I think they are (at the very least) proceeding as if he is done, and that sure makes it seem as if they might be done with him. 

Depth at OT:  We signed a starting LT (Walker) and we signed a veteran swing OT in Stone Forsythe.  Morgan says his knee is not a huge concern and talks of playing a few more years.  Ickey could return mid season, some say. 

To see this clearly, you have to consider what Morgan said in the Blueprint video about how signing free agents helped in the draft.  They claimed that the OT draft class was strong.  It is my view that ILB and Edge were bigger needs, so by signing Phillips and Lloyd, we eliminated those needs so we could focus on LT in this draft.  They wanted Freeling, it seems, and that is not necessarily based on anything concerning Ickey's injury or recovery.  They see him as an upgrade.  They mentioned his athleticism and feel that he can protect Bryce better than Ickey did.   Does that mean Ickey is done?  Good question.  WHat do they know?

[PanthersATL]

42 minutes ago, The Third Reich said:

1. Morgan wrote down (before day 3) the first three day 3 picks.  (Lee, Hecht, and Wheatley).  I was never fond of the Morgan hiring as GM.  I thought he was a lazy selection and I questioned his ability to match wits with some of the best GMs in the NFL.  Not any more. Morgan OWNED this draft.  He knew which players were good fits and when they would be bargains, and he got bargains.  I am thoroughly excited about every player.

5. Tepper was a bit more involved than I would like, but he seems to be very confident in Morgan.  If I were the owner, I would be doing the same thing.  Canales was also somewhat of a background character--everyone understood his role and stayed in his lane.  

6.  I am also very interested in the quantitative analytics aspect of the draft room.  (something like, "He has a 94% chance of being there at pick 55, and a 38% chance of being there at 87). I would like to know their formula, because it seemed to be spot on.

a) That they made it a point in the room to point at the paper and say, "hope the camera got that" suggests we really did target the players we wanted and got them. While there is a ton of editing happening to cut out conversations not related to the players we picked, there didn't seem to be a lot of panic about who/what was going on

b) Tepper appreciates the analytics. Now that he has a few years to see how the front office team works together to do the analysis, it still looks like he's hands-off (he's learned his lesson??). He seemed less vocal than in previous years' Blueprints (at least, in the edit).  I wouldn't expect Canales to be overly vocal in the draft room - he's likely already made his opinions known behind the scenes about certain players. Draft day is Morgan and Tilis and Eager's day. Loved seeing their interactions/conversations 

c) that's all Eager. There's a great piece somewhere about the analytics engine he built floating around somewhere (maybe it was just after the draft?), and how he's constantly tweaking it with info about the players and input from the coaching staff. 

That the post-draft press - for the most part - all seem to be overly positive about the draft actions we had compared to other teams makes it seem like we've gotten the ship moving in the right direction. Whether it translates to on-field results, well, that's a different topic for hundreds of other threads

[UnluckyforSome]

55 minutes ago, The Third Reich said:

I have not read the entire thread, and I realize this is fluff to a degree, but it was recorded in real time.  Here are 10 things that stood out to me:

1. Morgan wrote down (before day 3) the first three day 3 picks.  (Lee, Hecht, and Wheatley).  I was never fond of the Morgan hiring as GM.  I thought he was a lazy selection and I questioned his ability to match wits with some of the best GMs in the NFL.  Not any more. Morgan OWNED this draft.  He knew which players were good fits and when they would be bargains, and he got bargains.  I am thoroughly excited about every player.

2. Canales said (about Hecht, a 5th rounder):  "He has a real chance to start."   Morgan said the same thing about Freeling. While I do not expect either to start day 1, it looks to me like we drafted 40% of our starting OL in 2026.  I think we will sign Ickey to a deal and play him at RG, allowing us to escape the Robert Hunt contract in 2027.  Of course that is conditional, and Ickey could replace Moton instead, but if he fully recovers, we are looking at a better RG/RT than he was a LT--which was average. 

3. When Morgan said to second-round DT Hunter, "Ready to play beside Derrick Brown?"  Based on personalities, one calm and soft spoken (for the Most part, Brown is) and the other talkative and openly enthusiastic, it reminded me of Brentson Buckner and Kris Jenkins.  

4.  Perhaps the steal of the draft was Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II.  Clearly the Panthers felt that they passed on him when they took Hunter in round 2.  They mentioned his skill set (able to attack on "all three levels.")  This sent me back to watching film. He has speed, hands, and he produced without a great QB. I think he could be great in the NFL.  When 

5. Tepper was a bit more involved than I would like, but he seems to be very confident in Morgan.  If I were the owner, I would be doing the same thing.  Canales was also somewhat of a background character--everyone understood his role and stayed in his lane.  

6.  I am also very interested in the quantitative analytics aspect of the draft room.  (something like, "He has a 94% chance of being there at pick 55, and a 38% chance of being there at 87). I would like to know their formula, because it seemed to be spot on.

7.  BPA?  Not really.  They had a shopping list and seemed to be targeting the players they selected. I realize other players were edited out, but I was impressed how they knew, by round, who they wanted and if there were multiple options sitting there, they traded back.

8.  Evero (I think) called Lee a candidate that would serve as the "#3 CB."  Morgan describes his size as a plus (Long). Strong praise for a 4th rounder.  If so, we have Thornton coming off injury who played well as an UDFA rookie and they will battle it out to become Jackson's replacement after the 2026 season, assuming the Panthers do not extend him (he turns 30 in 7 months.O

9.  I think we could realistically see every one of these draft picks play this season, and I believe most could start by next year--Realistically, Freeling, Hunter, Hecht, and Brazzell could all be starting or key rotational pieces this year.  I see Lee and Wheatley getting special teams reps and both could be used this season more than expected.  

10.  Kuwatch seemed to be predetermined with the final pick, probably because he can add something special to special teams.   He and Bam Martin Scott will fight it out for the 4th ILB position, so it will probably come down to special teams--and Kuwatch stands out there.  Imagine an ILB with a 46.5 vertical (not a typo) on the FG block team.  Kuwatch has an 8.85 RAS score vs. Martin-Scott's 7.5.  

Pretty good summation, although I would caution just a bit that there might be a little of over-enhanced expectations.

I do agree with the assessment on BPA. It was exceedingly clear they had a specific shopping list. Early on when there was some discussion about the tackles available, Morgan was asked if he was willing to give up a 5th to get Freeling, if it came to that. I think the only way it wasn't a left tackle with that 1st pick is if none that were valued as a 1st were still available.

[The Third Reich]

8 minutes ago, PanthersATL said:

a) That they made it a point in the room to point at the paper and say, "hope the camera got that" suggests we really did target the players we wanted and got them. While there is a ton of editing happening to cut out conversations not related to the players we picked, there didn't seem to be a lot of panic about who/what was going on

b) Tepper appreciates the analytics. Now that he has a few years to see how the front office team works together to do the analysis, it still looks like he's hands-off (he's learned his lesson??). He seemed less vocal than in previous years' Blueprints (at least, in the edit).  I wouldn't expect Canales to be overly vocal in the draft room - he's likely already made his opinions known behind the scenes about certain players. Draft day is Morgan and Tilis and Eager's day. Loved seeing their interactions/conversations 

c) that's all Eager. There's a great piece somewhere about the analytics engine he built floating around somewhere (maybe it was just after the draft?), and how he's constantly tweaking it with info about the players and input from the coaching staff. 

That the post-draft press - for the most part - all seem to be overly positive about the draft actions we had compared to other teams makes it seem like we've gotten the ship moving in the right direction. Whether it translates to on-field results, well, that's a different topic for hundreds of other threads

excellent points and insights.  I agree on Tepper.  I guess I worry that his questions and comments might influence the thinking of his employees, that his presence in the room might add pressure to an already stressful situation, but after watching it again, it does not appear to be like that.  Morgan was in charge.  Canales mentioned needing a center, but beyond that, he was there to serve as a consultant, more or less, if asked.  I suppose my point was this--everyone knew their roles, I did not see egos--I saw empowerment.  As for Morgan--I saw a leader that listened to others, made wise decisions, and never lost control.  I was VERY IMPRESSED with Dan Morgan. 

[The Third Reich]

4 minutes ago, UnluckyforSome said:

Pretty good summation, although I would caution just a bit that there might be a little of over-enhanced expectations.

I do agree with the assessment on BPA. It was exceedingly clear they had a specific shopping list. Early on when there was some discussion about the tackles available, Morgan was asked if he was willing to give up a 5th to get Freeling, if it came to that. I think the only way it wasn't a left tackle with that 1st pick is if none that were valued as a 1st were still available.

I realize it about the expectations, but on paper, we drafted players who would have a chance to compete at positions where any could realistically step in and take the job---Freeling?  Yup.  Hunter?  Yup.  Brazzell?  Yup.  It is likely that all three see the field early and often.  Day 3:  Lee?  I see him as the #3 CB and the job is his when they are ready for him--and it is his to lose.  Hecht?  I loved him in mock research and called him the best C in the draft.  He might play a year behind Fortson or he could take the job--regardless, he is the obvious front runner for the 2027 season.  Wheatley?  I see Ransom and Moehrig as basically the same "in the box" type S.  If Wheatley can learn for a season behind Scott, he has the tools to be a serviceable FS, something this team needs.  Finally, Kuwatch seemed to be a PS pick, and he could be--but to win the 4th ILB job, he needs to beat out Bam Morris-Scott and with a 46.5 vertical (I can't do that on the triple jump) and a superior RAS rating, he looks like a special teamer and depth piece.....I forgot about Morgan's comment about giving up the 5th--probably to get ahead of Detroit.  Freeling has the athleticism and the tools to be the best OT in this draft.  The others lacked arm length or something like that--Freeling simply lacks a ton of experience. 

[CanadianCat]

I also didnt think that Tepper was too involved. I think he liked to be engaged in the process but never did he seem to influence anything. 

If Im an owner Im in the draft room as well. Hell I get excited about draft season in Madden if I can do it in real life.... 

[Tr3ach]

21 hours ago, TD alt said:

Two things:

1. Dr. Eric Eager is central to the draft process

2. I know that it was edited, but we didn't hear "Thieneman" one time, not even before the Vikings pick.

Yep, I think if you liked this draft or last draft you pretty much love Eager.  His fingerprints are entirely everywhere on the past 2 drafts.