PanthersNCSU

This is the one pick that I might be most against. I've cooled on Jalon Walker after listening to too many podcasts and have my hopes up for Graham now, but Stewart at 8, or even in the teens after a trade down, and I'm not thrilled.

I do think there's some truth to this. If there's not a big gap between guys you have ranked 8th to 80th, why not add "something". Granted, I don't want to add crap for the sake of adding crap, but might be the FO's MO here in a bad draft and just needing to build depth and hopefully get lucky on a starter or two. Also why I've gone more towards position value be damned to a certain extent. If Warren is a blue chip guy for instance...I'd rather take the blue chip guy at TE than a DE that some teams think is a 1st rounder, others think is a 2nd rounder, etc. It's a weird draft, and I don't think a lot of the age old parameters necessarily work when looking at it.

This is my biggest concern. Georgia guys can take a year or two to start realizing their potential in the NFL it seems like. Add in Evero essentially coaching for his job, and I'm hesitant on the impact any rookie makes on defense this year not named Carter, Hunter, or Graham. That said...I want Walker unless Graham falls. I think Walker is clearly a starter and difference maker, but will Evero play him how he needs to be played? Or will he square peg and round hole it to death sticking to his guns knowing his job is on the line?

Ding ding ding. The state of LT's is bad...and getting worse. Only a few colleges could probably be trusted to coach up a LT, and now with NIL/transfer portal causing so many moves? Forget about it. If you even have an average LT at this point, I think you hold on for dear life.

My high school played (got killed by) Albemarle around TA's time...nice to randomly read the story of what we always assumed. EJ Abrams Ward was another name a decade later from Thomasville who seems like he was in the same boat. One of the best athletes I ever played against, poof done because of bad choices and continued to make them once he flamed out. Small town NC and football/basketball stardom is a helluva slippery slope.

I think TMac is a lot more of an option than we believe (or want to believe). Walker or Graham are my guys at this point, but if they're both gone all bets are off.

Twitter sources, but supposedly the Rams want him. He might actually go Round 1.

Some of Mike Kaye's recent tweets revolve around TMac. Conspiracy part of me thinks he's dropping some hints.

He was a good ST player and well liked, so sucks to lose him. But at the same time...that's all he was. If that's your only role and you're not making 2-3 standout ST plays a year, you're replaceable. I won't miss his penalties or near penalties for being a dumbass.

Kinda my thoughts too. He may have a 1st round promise, but if not, a Day 2 promise. Either way, a cool experience to go as long as you're not expecting to go early. Show up night one, have fun, sit back knowing you're not getting drafted, don't do anything to become a meme, and then get all the TV coverage to help build your brand as an underdog.

I think Sanders goes before our pick, but that is an interesting little nugget. For that matter, I also think Dart goes a lot higher than many think, and maybe someone wants ahead of the Saints for him just the same. The Dolphins (Tua's contract, though) and Colts are the only two *close* to us that could jump up IMO. Don't think I love going all the way to 21 to the Steelers pick. Seems like teams 17-32 (except the Steelers) have their guy now (shocking, good teams have a good QB). A trade down with a QB needy team could happen, but don't know if it materializes unless there's a Jordan Love/Aaron Rodgers surprise out there.

I think we might look at Isiah Bond in the 2nd/3rd. Speed/deep play threat, Texas connection which we may like, and a project? He's the perfect Panthers pick.

25 picks, to cut 15 of them. Peak offseason content, just needed some uniform talk.

IIRC, it was basically down to him and DB in 2020. New regime and all, but I'd imagine us not showing interest yet means we're not interested.

Probable best case this year is 9-10 wins. Worst case is Bryce's wheels fall off, and we're number 1 pick territory. 6.5 sounds about right.

About a perfect draft IMO. I want Walker and like the upside of Higgins/another weapon. If XL doesn't improve, our WR group starts to look awful post-Thielen. You could argue going DL instead of Belton, but there's your Taylor Moton understudy and replacement if all goes well. Like taking a chance at a Mukuba type guy in the secondary that can create some turnovers as well.

The curse is broken. Thank God.

I've noticed this too, but even last year with Sanders and Brooks. And I think there's a method to the madness. Was listening to a podcast talking about the lack of LT's, and how the college game doesn't coach the position, not NFL offenses, etc. which is hampering development. So...I would like to imagine we're going after the colleges that might be preparing players with the most NFL style offense (and Sark's NFL experience)...and making a smart call. Time will tell and good players are good players, but I at least think there's something to drafting guys in the NIL transfer day and age, who at least get some semblance of an NFL system in college.

Probably in the minority, but damn I miss the Color Rush uniforms.

Well, maybe our next DC after Evero will run a 4-3 and he'll fit a little better.

1st rounder this year isn't exactly the time to swing for the fences on a "but what if" type guy. Could he become a monster? Sure. But there's 5 or 6 other guys who help this team, are safer picks, and can also turn into monsters. Maybe the scouts think his tape is better than what his stats say, feel like I heard a podcast not long ago mention it. But at the end of the day, the tape and what he did in games matters more than size, athleticism numbers, etc.

If he's there, you sprint to the podium and not even think about it. But...he won't be there.

Minor things like this build culture....and build up our reputation with players, and maybe even more importantly, agents.

Pleasant surprise for sure. Seems like the beat writers even thought he was gone for more money. I'd cut Nijman, save the 3+ mil, and draft an OT in the 4th or 5th and the OL is locked in.

I still think our entire scouting department is one of our bigger issues. Until we consistently nail a couple of drafts, the GM is getting bad advice from somewhere. Whether it's Hurney, Gettleman, Fitterer, or Morgan...I'm tired of hoping to come out of drafts with 2 guys.