PanthersNCSU

Eh, we save $15 million cutting him and with his age, injuries, retirement talk etc., could see it going either way in 2027. I'd prefer he stay, but I don't think it's any type of forgone conclusion he's here in 2027.

I think we're *smartly* acting like Icky is no longer part of the plan. If he is, great. But come back and take over for Moton, take over at guard for one of the expensive and aging guys, etc. to leave yourself options. Taking a LT wasn't the sexy pick, but it's what a smart front office does.

Feel like it had to be about J-Rod. Maybe just my own opinion/wants, but I think he's the target in the 2nd and the editing makes it look like Hunter was our guy all along there. Either way, after watching I can't help but feel "better" about the FO, albeit I don't want Tilis to ever leave for a better gig. Tepper has his influence with the analytics and numbers guys more than anything IMO, which could at least prevent some crazy trade ups or panic moves. Editing, sure, but this seemed like a 100% Dan Morgan draft. He got his guys, now let's see if he's right.

Nina King continues to run circles around the rest of college basketball. She's been ahead of the curve on everything, and is the biggest reason for Duke's success post-K IMO. I think Scheyer is great at many things, but Duke went into the NIL era 100% ready whereas everyone else was playing catchup.

Agreed, which scares me. Hyperbolic, but the offense having even mediocre success this year might entirely hinge on what the RB who hasn't played in a couple years can do. The other answer is obviously Bryce and Idzik unlocking something, but neither of these things seem like good bets. Scared we're going to see a defense on the rise consistently let down by bad offense who can throw together 3 drives a game and that's it.

Bryce saying no-no words is what turns him into the franchise QB like it's a warped Disney movie

At 14 Yaxel scares me a little, but he seems to be the name I see most mocked to us. He'll be a good bench player at worst, but the immaturity and age seem to have some worried. Maybe Mara will fall to 14, but I really doubt it. Trade up might be the only way there. 18 is more interesting IMO if we keep it with the number of guys in that range. Quaitance, Morez, Veesaar would all help. Some decent guards in that range. Just wonder if we'll keep both picks as is.

This is what scares me most this year IMO. I think the defense can be Top 10. But unless Brooks breaks out AND we get some OL health luck, I don't know if we're anything other than a meh rushing team at best. Chuba ain't scaring anybody. Take away Rico's few weeks of monster games and make them average, and our rushing stats last year are bottom third of the league. Hell, we already are in the bottom half even with Rico's crazy stretch. Idzik calling plays being a difference and/or Bryce magically becoming a different QB are the only hopes we have I think. I think this offense could be downright bad, despite a defense giving them 2nd chances or short fields.

The last thing we need to do is trade away OL depth. You quickly reach a point where a rookie is your LT, and Stone Forsyth is your RT.

Averaging over 200 yards a game would be the bare minimum of a start. Cam would have games in the 150-180 range passing, but he threw in 75 yards rushing to go with it. Bryce...ain't got that in him. Said earlier in the thread, but bigger than the numbers is just being consistently decent even, and then throw in a handful of great games. Being consistently decent, and then tossing in multiple games of 80-120 yards passing? Get out.

Homer in me still has hope, but yeah, Vegas has us pegged at 6.5 for a reason. IMO the worst thing for us going forward is 6 or 7 wins this year. If we win 8 or 9 and Bryce is eh at best...extension incoming. Either win 10+ and Bryce proves something, or slide into Top 5 range so we don't have to trade the farm for a rookie again.

If we're taking a step forward, I think we have to be sitting at 3-1 going into the BYE. The 2 months after that, I don't think we'll be favored in a single game outside of *maybe* the Bucs at home.

The homer in me wants to say 9-10 wins. But that's going to be reliant on us coming out hot instead of our usual early season bullshit. Realistically, 6-8 wins. Even with what I think *should* be a better team, until we find consistency it's tough to go above it looking Week to Week.

Until Brooks does something, I don't like the current situation. I love Chuba the person, but I don't think he's a lead back until he shows more than last year and gets back to 2024 form. Etienne is unproven but maybe some hope there. All in all, we have to have a successful run game for this offense to work. I don't feel great about the current status, but RB is the one position I feel like you can churn and ride a hot hand to get by.

I'm sure we also wouldn't want to let him reach free agency from a goodwill stand point. But this could be the ultimate "go test your market" situation. Hey, you want more? Go see what you can get.