Jeremy Igo

He isn't a first rounder on the Panthers radar. If he was selected it would be a reach over guys they like in the first round. Pipe down or you are deleted, junior.

He has a long term plan. Defensive money is spent on the line and linebackers, lesser paid corners and safeties reap the benefits for a while and move on. Not moving away from that plan isn't a bad thing. It is why the Panthers will be competitive for many many years.

Maybe Fuller in the second. Gettleman will not pass up on a first round talent he likes for a second round corner.

Now that the Josh Norman situation has been settled for the Panthers, don't expect any drastic moves to replace him. There won't be an immediate trade. There won't be a high dollar free agent brought in tomorrow. There won't be any of that. There may be a mid round draft selection at cornerback, but that would have probably happened anyways. Dave Gettleman does not change his draft strategy because of one player or position. That is just not his way. How do I know? Well, we only need to look back less than a year ago to find a precedent. When Kelvin Benjamin went down in camp with a torn ACL, it was arguably a more dire situation than this current Josh Norman dilemma. The Panthers were suddenly without an impact player for the year. What did Gettleman do? Not much. He relied on the men already on his roster to step up and fill the void. The team stayed on course and did not deviate from the plan. The result? A Superbowl appearance, which completely validated Gettleman's approach to team building and problem solving. The Panthers corner situation is not as bad off as the wide receiver situation a year ago. Bene Benwikere and Brandon Boykin are two talented players. Some will call Benwikere "injury prone" which is silly. One broken bone is no indication of such. Boykin, who signed as a nickel, could slide to the outside to help. He has experience there as well. So what will the Panthers do? Firstly, the 5 corners currently on the roster not named Bene will be given the opportunity to earn a starting spot across from him. Lou Young showed promise last season. Robert McClain is also someone to keep an eye on. The Panthers will likely be signing a low to mid level corner in the coming days in addition to drafting one. With OTAs and training camp on the horizon, another couple of corners are needed just to fill out the practice schedule. Any real impact move the Panthers could make would likely be well into the preseason. Once teams are required to cut down their roster, depth or potentially a starter could be found. Also, Gettleman has shown in the past that, at that point, he is willing to trade for upgrades. In short, don't look for much to be done right away... and that is a good thing. The Carolina Panthers are a stable organization that methodically goes about doing their business no matter which individual player is no longer available. You should be happy about that. View full article

I honestly don't think today has any bearing on the draft. Gettleman has known this would potentially happen for quite some time.

Still won't be a CB in round one. Gettleman won't reach because of a need.

I know you like Cravens, but there is literally 0% chance he is the first pick. Don't get your hopes up.

Have you watched a NFL draft before?

Yesterday I laid out for you four Carolina Panthers first round prospects, one of which will be chosen. Today I give you four prospects for round two. But.... There is a possibility Dave Gettleman trades up in the second to grab a guy like Hunter Henry or Derrick Henry, as both are first round talents. We saw him do this exact thing last year with Devin Funchess. Gettleman knows how difficult it will be for rookies to even make this team. Therefore, trade up, have fewer but higher quality rookies. Many other teams need 7 draft picks to build their teams. At the moment, the Panthers do not. The chance that Gettleman is forced to cut a current year draft pick this season is high. That said.... here are four guys I like for the Carolina Panthers in round two... Sterling Shepard Wide Receiver - Oklahoma 5'10 194lbs In a perfect world, Shepard is there for the Panthers to select without the need to trade up. I doubt that happens, but Shepard could last until the mid second round and lessen the cost of moving up to get him. Shepard represents the final piece of what the Panthers passing offense has needed, namely a shifty sure handed slot receiver. The combination of Benjamin, Funchess, and Shepard would suddenly give the Panthers one of the better starting WR corps in the division. Amazing, considering where they were two years ago. Von Bell Strong Safety - Ohio State 5-11 199 Another position that a second round rookie can step in and make an immediate impact is at strong safety. With the departure of Roman Harper, Tre Boston is the starter and depth after him is lacking. Bell's experience at Ohio State and playing in big games has prepared him to play immediately in the NFL. Bell would immediately compete for that starting position. Bell also has the ability to move to nickel, which has to be enticing to Ron Rivera. Bell is stronger in run support than coverage, but is no slouch either when covering the deep ball. Think of him as a faster Roman Harper. Su'a Cravens Linebacker/Safety USC 6'1 226lbs Some folks have Cravens as a first rounder, but I don't see it. Guys that don't fit perfectly into a NFL mold rarely are a first round pick. These tweeners are a higher risk. Some will point to Shaq Thompson last season, but Thompson fit the linebacker mold much more clearly than Cravens does. That said, Cravens would be a good value in the second round. The Panthers would likely plug him in at strong safety where he would play on running downs. Bonus: Cravens would instantly bolster the Panthers special teams unit, we all know how much Gettleman would love that. Germain Ifedi Offensive Tackle / Guard - Texas A&M 6'6 324 No, Ifedi probably won't be there at pick 62. But, again, I see Gettleman moving up in the second round again this season. There is a significant drop off in talent at around the mid second round mark. If Gettleman wants two rookies that are locks to make this team and contribute, he will need to move up in the second. Ifedi would add depth at right tackle for the Panthers, and could also fill in as a backup guard. But what about left tackle you ask? I predict Daryl Williams, already on the Panthers roster, to be the eventual replacement for Michael Oher. There you have it, four guys I like in round two... some coming at a higher cost. View full article

Do you realize that telling us you know better than Gettleman is absolutely hilarious?

Maybe the third round if he is there and DH was not the pick.

This quote will be my new signature if DH is the pick.

So, who will the Carolina Panthers select in the first round of the NFL draft? Last year I named Shaq Thompson as one of four first round possibilities. This year, I believe it comes down to these four players, and I will explain why.... First, I believe both Clemson defensive ends will be off the board by pick thirty. If either are still there for some strange reason, they are in play. Second, I believe any wide receiver prospects the Panthers would consider in the first will also be off the board. But again, if a guy like Baylor's Corey Coleman somehow drops to 30.... he is the BPA and would not be passed up. So who does that leave? Here are the four guys I feel could be available and fit the Gettleman mold. Two on defense, two on offense. Vernon Butler Defensive Tackle - Louisiana Tech 6'4 323lbs With a first round run made on receivers and defensive ends, Butler could possibly fall to 30, and if so may be far too enticing for Dave Gettleman to pass up. Afterall, big men allow you to compete, and Butler is a big big man. Butler's availability would truly put Gettleman's "Best Player Available" convictions to the test. Defensive tackle is not a pressing need for 2016, but could be seasons to come. It is unclear if the Panthers can afford to keep the KK Short / Star Lotulelei combo in tact long term. Additionally, the Carolina Panthers know that their pass rush must improve this season, and Butler would be one way to help that happen. Vernon Butler lined up next to KK Short on third and long would be an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses. The Panthers defensive ends would also benefit from such a pairing, reducing the likelihood of double teams. I like it. I like it alot. Emmanuel Ogbah Defensive End - Oklahoma St 6'4 273lbs Here is a case where the BPA could also be in a huge area of need, ala Kelvin Benjamin a couple of seasons ago. Ogbah has been mocked anywhere from early twenties to early second round, landing him squarely in the Panthers draft territory. The Panthers are in desperate need of a pass rush from the defensive ends this season. Ogbah would make an immediate impact, exactly what Dave Gettleman likes to see from a round one selection. Derrick Henry Running Back - Alabama 6'3 247lbs I don't recall a more controversial draft prospect than Derrick Henry. Some love the idea, others loath it. What I can tell you is that Henry would fit in very well on the Panthers offense. Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert are on the later end of their Panthers careers. The need is absolutely there for a bigger bodied runner, and you don't get any bigger bodied in a runningback than Derrick Henry. Recently, the Panthers have been unable to "impose their will" at times on short yardage situations. Often, they resort to incomplete passes or being stuffed at the line on 3rd or 4th and one. Derrick Henry could help remedy those ills. Hunter Henry Tight End - Arkansas 6'5 250lbs I have been preaching Hunter Henry for a while now. He is a first round talent that may not be taken in the first round. If not, I have a feeling a second round trade up could happen to grab him as the Panthers did for Devin Funchess. Still, there is a chance the Panthers do not risk losing him and pull the trigger at 30 where he would still be a good value. Henry would finally give the Panthers the personnel to have an intimidating two tight end package, something fans have missed since the Olsen - Shockey 2011 season. Sure would be nice to see that again, wouldn't it? So there you have it. One of the above players is your next Carolina Panthers first round draft pick. View full article

By now most, if not all, of Panthers nation has seen the 2016 season schedule. If not, here it be.... General Thoughts and Musings.... REVENGE Obviously, the first game is huge. Not in terms of playoff potential as it is an AFC opponent, but in terms of starting fresh after a Superbowl loss. Everyone is talking about this, and rightfully so. But what happens next is interesting... HOME COOKING Four... count them again, FOUR home games in a row. I know, I know, in Atlanta is technically an away game. But now in the Cam Newton era there is no friendlier place to be in terms of tone and proximity. Half of that place will be black and blue once again. Keep an eye on that Vikings game though... could be a surprise upset against the Panthers. That is the only one I am slightly concerned about in that stretch. Bottom line... The Panthers really need to cushion their lead in the NFC South during this period. Halloween in the Big Easy Last year Panthers weekend in New Orleans was pretty nuts. I met up with the Roaring Riot crew, had a few cocktails, and I couldn't tell you what happened after that if I wanted to. This year I envision the same thing, only with a Halloween theme as it is mid October. Things could get even crazier. Oh, and the Panthers play the Saints. That is a mark in the win column. At the Bye.... Week 7 brings the Panthers bye week. Not too shabby, almost in the middle of the season. Time for the Panthers to lick their wounds and refocus. Best case scenario the Panthers are 6-0... which would be great because there are some really rough waters ahead. Candy to Turkey From Halloween to Thanksgiving things get more difficult, but still manageable. Three home games and one west coast game against the Rams who will be starting a rookie QB. Go ahead and mark that a win. Two of the home games could be problematic... Cardinals and Chiefs. Both playoff caliber teams. The good news is that these are home games and the Panthers should have the edge. It would not shock me to see the Panthers lose one of these games, the first home loss in quite some time. Efff you, Santa Next brings us the holiday season. This is the roughest patch of turf the Panthers have seen on a schedule in many seasons. Four away games. Two home games. The Panthers won't even be coming back to Charlotte for the entire week between the Raiders and Seahawks games. They will likely stay out west and practice at a college field. On a personal note, Mr RoaringRiot himself and I have discussed just staying out west as well and making it a west coast micro brew road tour for the week as we make our way from Oakland to Seattle. That sounds amazing, not sure we would survive past Portland. The good news here is that the Panthers will have 10 days to prepare for that game in Oakland. I expect they will fly out a day or two earlier to adjust to the time change. That game should be a victory for the Panthers, but the next week in Seattle..... I don't think so. That is the closest thing to a sure fire loss I have seen on a schedule in a long time. Far too much travel and change to face a tough home team. The last two road games are not awful, but at this point the Panthers could be worn down from the west coast barrage, making them much tougher. The Redskins and Buccaneers both could be playing for wild card spots at this point, neither are pushovers. All in all, if the Panthers can manage to go 3-3 in the final six games, they still should be in the lead in the division. I am not one for definitive record predictions as so much hinges on staying healthy. But looking at this schedule I would say 12-4 is a pretty fair prediction, give or take. Which brings me to my last point... Pray for a first round bye! You can go ahead and consider a first round bye mandatory this year if the Panthers hope to reach the Superbowl again. I do not like their chances in the playoffs without one. The last portion of the schedule is extremely taxing. Not so much physically, but psychologically. Fans tend to forget these players have lives and families at home. Travelling and getting out of normal routines takes a toll. That said, if the Panthers can earn a first round bye this season, I like their chances. View full article

Wait... wut? LOLOLOLOL

The Carolina Panthers have spent a first and a second round pick on receivers over the past two seasons. I don't see the Panthers going receiver in round one this year, but it is quite possible they spend a later pick to shore up their receiver corps. They won't go for a taller possession guy, but instead go for a smaller receiver to stretch the field and play in the slot. Although the Panthers really do like Philly Brown, a little camp competition would not hurt. Here are a few middle round receivers I feel fit the Panthers needs nicely... Sterling Shepard - Oklahoma 5'10 - 194lbs High intelligence clutch player with 86 receptions and 11 touchdowns. Excels when under pressure, which is something that goes overlooked far to often. Looks like he has the ability to rise to the occasion of being a professional. Shepard would instantly lessen the pain felt by the departure of Cotchery. A lot of comparisons are being made to Tyler Lockett, minus the punt and kick return ability. Excels in the slot, where the Panthers have the greatest receiver need. Having both Benjamin and Funchess on the outside with a shifty sure handed receiver in the slot would prove problematic for even the best NFL defenses. If Shepard is there late in round two he would be a decent value pick. If he is still there in early round three, it may be worth a trade up to grab him, as Gettleman has shown willingness to do. Pharoh Cooper - South Carolina 5'11 - 203lbs Cooper is one of those guys that Dave Gettleman has shown he is willing to take a chance on. Cooper doesn't have the greatest measurables. What he does have is play making ability and the sort of discipline it takes to be an NFL player. Cooper's father and brother are US Marine's, which would only endear him more to a certain NFL head coach. Take a look back two seasons ago when Gettleman selected Bene Benwikere and Tre Boston. Neither were NFL combine studs, but both shared the same traits as Pharoh Cooper. Play making, discipline. Cooper could fall to the 3rd or 4th round. His biggest problem is that he doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but instead does everything pretty well. Those types of players tend to fall in the draft as teams don't know exactly where he would fit. If Cooper is there in the 4th, he would be a good value. Keep an eye on it. Colby Listenbee - TCU 6'1 - 183lbs Should the Panthers decide on more of a project at receiver, Listenbee could be the guy. Last season the Panthers showed they were interested in a fast receiver to stretch the field by keeping Damiere Byrd on the practice squad. Listenbee could be an upgrade over Byrd and have a shot to make the regular roster. A 6'1 receiver than can run a 4.35 40 may be worth a 5th or 6th round pick. I mean.... why not. View full article

Panthers think he is a first round talent. That's all u need to know.

Especially true when it comes to the draft when they hold their cards as close to their chest as possible publicly. Smart thing to do.

Cool, thanks for the discussion.

Colin Jones get a lot of playing time last year? Buffalo nickel was used a ton in 2014 because the Panthers did not have a fast enough linebacker opposite thomas davis to cover more athletic tight ends. Colin Jones ended up doing it. Did Shaq cover tight ends this year? How did he do?

You aren't thinking it through.

Big weakness in 2014 on defense was buffalo nickel. Enter Shaq Thompson, new prototype for Buffalo Nickel.

I don't see him trading out of the first. They have a few first round grades placed and one of them will be there. They won't risk losing a first round pick.