PanthersNCSU

Agreed with a lot of this. Couple thoughts, especially towards the OL/future cap things... First, I hope Bryce is good enough to command being paid a Top 5 QB salary. Great news for us if so. But as of now, I think he'd be in that mid-tier range, so that $60 gets cut to 30-40. Baker to Stafford range. Obviously the cap will go up and $60 might be the new mid-tier, but either way I think we're fine here. He either continues to ascend and gets paid Top 5 money because he's that good and thank God. Or, he shows he's Baker level, gets a competitive offer that's outside the Top 10, and we're "saving" money (but also paying someone who may not be the "guy" in that scenario). The OL is the biggest thing going forward IMO. You're 100% right here about the need for an OL, paying them, % of the cap, etc. Which is why in the next couple of drafts, we HAVE to absolutely nail a couple OL picks. We can't realistically tie up that much money in our OL. So we better turn into the Cowboys the late 2010s and constantly have a revolving cycle of a couple highly paid pieces, with drafted guys who step up and take their place once we have to move on. One highly paid OT, one highly paid OG, and then find rookie deals or cheaper vets that fit well. Point being, we're teetering on the edge of a few foundational pieces being here now. IF, and history isn't on our side here, we can nail the next couple of drafts...we're in a good spot when it comes to the cap and future. If we don't find a couple of defensive cornerstones and find reliable OL depth that can take over for Hunt/Moton/Lewis as they age or contracts balloon...that's when we're right back in hell IMO. No pressure, Dan.

Coming away with just say 6-8 players...not even all starters, but just bodies on the 53, in 3 drafts is a surefire way to suck.

Yep, works for me. Sucks that he's on the cap until 2028 anyway if I'm reading it right, might as well take the savings now and find a new big body that is respectable.

Sign him and draft a guy too. Whatever makes Shy Tuttle only see the field a few snaps per game.

He's getting paid, and should...but we just pray the guarantee isn't too big because of the injury history.

Dalton and a mid round draft guy to develop is the likely and easiest plan But the Madden part of my brain wants Fields, and I want to turn him into Taysom Hill.

ATL was one just a few years ago, think that will knock them out. The Titans with a shiny new QB makes sense....but they just did that with the Bears. I'd say it's either us or the Seahawks. QB plan in Seattle, potential DK drama, and trying to "rebuild" their history become the narratives there. The Bryce redemption arc and Tepper makes us the "favorite" for it IMO. Just hope Tepper takes the opportunity to continue staying away instead of pulling a Jerry Jones and trying to get his air time.

We need defensive help too bad to give up #8. Pull off some Kevin Costner poo... 1. Trade down with Dallas, go to 12 and pick up their 2nd. 2. Trade two 2nds this year for Garrett Wilson 3. Draft whichever Georgia Edge/End is at 12. Profit

Wilson or DK Metcalf. I think one of the two could be had this offseason, just a matter of price. If Thielen DOES retire? We're going to need to make some kind of splash. As much attention as the defense needs, need to make sure Bryce has a guy.

QB Andy Dalton C Austin Corbett C Brady Christensen TE Tommy Tremble TE Feleipe Franks WR David Moore LB Shaq Thompson CB Mike Jackson S Sam Franklin S Lonnie Johnson P Johnny Hekker LS JJ Jansen C Cade Mays WR Deven Thompkins WR Dan Chisena Depending on prices, there's the guys I'd want back. Pineiro not being able to kick from 50 is a red flag, and might be time to find someone else. There's only a couple guys on the list I'd be sad about seeing go, but gotta fill the bottom of the roster and depth somehow, which a lot of these guys *hopefully* will be in the future.

Saints - will likely be worse, stuck with Carr, etc. Atlanta - unknown based on Penix Tampa Bay - probably about the same team I'd assume. 8-10 wins, consistently average. I think 3-3 in the division is the goal. Anything beyond that is beautiful. Then you hope to find 4-5 wins elsewhere (Jets, Pats, Giants, etc.) to get to 7 or 8 wins at our max. At this point, give me an "In the Hunt" playoff graphic appearance in Week 16-17 and it's a win.

There's obviously contract issues when doing it, but I'm at the point where I'd almost rather trade 2nd round picks for established players.

Really need a 3rd QB to come out of nowhere at the combine and have an Anthony Richardson type rise. Don't think we'll be in a trade down position, but damn it would be nice to move down a couple of spots and grab an extra 2nd rounder at minimum.

The list of truly franchise-altering QBs is a lot smaller than people think IMO. Half of the good QBs in the league now were either late-bloomers or just found the right situation/coach. Bryce has his faults, but he's improving. All things considered (the rookie contract) and the need to build this entire team? Bryce is one of the best options we can make for next year, and I'd argue there's only 10-12 guys we'd for sure take over him.

Matt Rhule/Jay-Z "Seven Year" vibes