Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Luke Kuechly - The Right Choice

Zod

By Zod,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Zod Grand Master

Zod

Posted
Posted

Two Words... Phillip Dillard

Who is that you ask? Most casual Panthers fans don't know. He was the backup middle linebacker to Jon Beason. Phillip Dillard, the 6'0 4th round draft pick of 2010 waived by the Giants and signed to the Panthers practice squad. If Beason went down this season again, Dillard was our guy. Yikes.

Put yourself in Hurney and Rivera's shoes. Yes, your interior DL is hurting, but you have two young prospects already taken in the third round last season. You also have a veteran coming back who did not play a down last season to rotate in and out with the young guys.

Now look at your LB needs. You have three terrific linebackers. Davis probably won't play a full season again due to three ACL injuries, I'm sorry to say. Beason is an all pro but coming off a torn achilles. His prognosis is good, but there are no guarantees. James Anderson is the only player on the squad that is a high level pro linebacker who stands a good chance of starting and finishing the season.

So on draft day this kid Luke Kuechly drops in your lap. He is the best LB in the draft. He played in a very similar LB scheme at Boston College. He is smart, very smart. He is also probably automatically the best cover LB on the squad in a division full of talented TE's. He can play in the middle, he can play in the outside. Hell, I bet he could play fullback. He can shore up a ton of questions marks going into the season.

In short, he gives the Panthers the most value at #9 than any other player on the board and we are lucky to have him.

They got it right.

Click here to view the article

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JawnyBlaze Grand Master

JawnyBlaze

Posted
Posted

Well, I still believe you don't pick a player at #9 "in case one of your starters goes down" unless you're set at all your other position groups. I'm slowly but surely making myself appreciate this pick though. I've never doubted Kuechly's talent level, and if the defensive guru Rivera thinks we need three 1st round picks and a 3rd round pick in our LB corps, then I'm on board. Long live Rivera.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

Posted
Posted

I think that this is right in line with what Hurney said they would do and with his history in the first round. Pick a guy that is as sure fire as he can find, even if it's not at a position of greatest need.

I would also be willing to bet they've got their eyes on DT and CB prospects lower in the draft to fill those holes. Good players are out there you just have to find them. Not all the stars in the league were first round picks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pimpdaddy Grand Master

Pimpdaddy

Posted
Posted

This was definitely the right choice to head off a disaster brewing with the linebacking core. Its not the glamours pick we had hoped for but the defence will be better. What is it with Panther LB's? Guess they're jinxed. Hopefully with a full year to prepare, Mcdermott and Rivera can get some solid production out of our defence with implementing their scheme.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • frankw
      Grading the Panthers' 2026 Draft Class

      By frankw · Posted

      I like what Freeling brings to the table all around. If he is willing to put in the work he has an opportunity to be one of the better Tackles in the league down the line. Hunter Brazzell and Hecht are all premium additions but development from our staff are the key to unlocking them. Hopefully Lee and Wheatley will provide much needed additional depth to our secondary. Beyond that it's important not to get too caught up in draft grades. Many drafts over the years that turned out to be really good were not fawned over with praise. While some that were ended up being historical duds. Panthers fans ought to know this as well as anyone. In conclusion...
    • DaveThePanther2008
      Grading the Panthers' 2026 Draft Class

      By DaveThePanther2008 · Posted

      Maybe a bit of a homer take but I can't give us a grade lower than A.   Freeling was arguably the best LT prospect in the draft.  His athletic ability is off the chart and at 6'7" that can move.  It was a no brainer pick.   Hunter's key word is Violence. Putting him next to Brown should scare an offensive coordinator. These two give Scourton and Phillips plenty of chances to get one on one opportunities. Brazzell, another tall receiver with sprinter speed.  Our WR room is filled with tall talented WR.  Brazzell is going to give us a WR that can take to roof off the defense.  Basically Jimmy Horn with size. W. Lee III has a nickname of the Blanket. (heard this on the Beleav podcast with J. Stewart)  What a great name.  A great value in the 5th round. Hecht A strong, fast and extremely smart center. Many had him listed as the best center in the draft.  He's most likely a starter sooner than later. Wheatley A good safety in round 5.  Someone who could see playing time.   Kuwatch  I love this pick.  At minimum he will be a key piece on special teams and with some good coaching he'll see some packages where he'll play.  His down piece is he doesn't stay up in the running game.  Good coaching will fix this.  He reminds me a bit of A.J. Klein.   All these picks were great value.  I believe everyone of them were graded higher than the pick we took them.   Dan Morgan is IMO doing a great job turning this team into a good team with great depth.
    • MHS831
      Moton Meets the Press

      By MHS831 · Posted

      Moton is a class act.  
×
×
  • Create New...