top dawg

I won't necessarily be upset, but I will likely feel that we can do better. He has real limitations in terms of physicality. Contested catches? Blocking? Route running? None of those are checks. For me, it will probably come down to who is on the board, and I'm just talking receivers; I haven't even gotten to the other positions yet.

We're going to tag Brian Burns and try to keep him. https://www.thecoldwire.com/panthers-have-reportedly-made-a-decision-about-brian-burns-future/ We're not going to let Burns walk. He will be one of the highest paid at the position. This was probably a fait accompli once the new cap was amnounced. Now, whether a long term agreement can be reached is an entirely different story; so, we're really back to square one. I expect Burns to sign his tender and begin campaigning to be paid like a top three guy once again, notwithstanding a relatively down season. It would be nice if he were reasonable and we could wrap this all up, but who the hell knows where it's going? *Sigh*

It's a new day, I hope.

Dude, there are other receivers much more like Flowers than Worthy. Hell, Malik Washington is more Flowersy than Worthy I doubt it. It's going to take more than speed to be drafted that high. But, perhaps people have forgotten John Ross, and, to a lesser extent, Ted Ginn Jr.

Xavier Worthy was already on our radar. I'm sure his speed doesn't hurt his chances to go in round two. Will he be worthy? Honestly, for me there is no way I'm drafting him at 33 because I simply don't see him as an X receiver. He's lean and not overly physical, but he has scary speed, and he's a threat to use it. One juke here or cut there...and missed tackle here or there, and he's gone to the house before anyone knows what happened. Might as well leave this here too:

Well, at least Bryce would be able to see over the line (I think).

Elite processors don't necessarily make for elite QBs, especially when the QB is shorter and smaller than I am. But, I can't confirm that Bryce is even an elite processor no more than I can confirm that Sasquatch exists.

Notice that the quote said "and be paid like a top receiver." It didn't specify an amount. If he wants to play, why not with Mahomes and the team going for a three-peat? He can help make history, and make a good paycheck to top it all off.

Not gonna lie, I would make more effort to trade him to Detroit for 9 and the 29th than trying to keep him (not that I wouldn't try to keep him under a sensible number). The thought of productive reunion of Bryce and his main receiver is just too tantalizing for me, and that 29th would just take the sting of simply losing Burns away. I can almost taste this delicious trade.

OK, CWC, one wouldn't think that you have to say certain things, but, then again, this is the Huddle, so good on you for realizing your forum.

So... "According to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Mike Evans will be entering the open market with some pretty big criteria. Schultz, who says he spoke with Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore, reported that the five-time Pro Bowl wideout wants to “play with an elite quarterback in an offense that will showcase him” and to 'be paid like a top wide receiver.'" https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/02/nfl-free-agency-2024-mike-evans-buccaneers-panthers/ I believe that even the delusional can stop with the Evans chatter now. I never thought that he was a good fit for where we are on the curve anyway.

Jamo and the 29th pick.

I can't take credit for it, but it was my choice by a longshot.

I've been wanting to say this: I think that we've been simply outsmarting ourselves in the draft since Tepper has taken over and put the wrong guys in charge. Mind you, a lot goes into building a franchise, including free agency...knowing when to hold 'em and knowing when to fold 'em, player valuations, chemistry and fit, but I think that lately we've been making it harder than it has to be. Monitor the ebb and flow of the board, take opportunities when they present themselves, make a damn decision as to whether you want to move up or down and acquire more picks and do it! I know that it's a simplification of a somewhat complex process, but it's not rocket science. You don't have black and white mathematical formulas, proven science, or physics involved. I think that we should take the KISS approach to our drafting this year. For those who don't have a clue what KISS means, it's Keep It Simple, Stupid. For all the people who were criticizing Dan Campbell and the Lions, I think that keeping it simple is exactly what they did for the 2023 draft, and you see the strides the franchise made last season. Just draft players that are worth a damn. Is it that damned hard? At least for this year, apparently we're not talking QB (unfortunately), so it shouldn't be that hard for people who actually know the damned game to draft players who can play---as in excel in their roles. Draft players who have shown something in college who have that "dawg in them," like Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch. This is not to say that you shouldn't be mindful of a player's general perceived value, but if the player is pretty much a can't-miss type of proposition in your scheme, then it doesn't matter if you get him while you still can. And with our holes, hitting on prospects should be pretty easy (at least that's what I'm telling myself).

The Red Wolves would be a great name, and an opportunity for the franchise to support recovery efforts.

I think that people are assuming that the slot is Mingo's best fit. I really haven't seen concrete evidence of this. Moreover, I'm not sure Thielen is even going to be here this season; he's certainly not going to be here long term. We should not ignore the long term. There's arguably been too much of that. Mind you that this means that Washington is likely not going to be drafted at 33. Number 65?

"Half pint pinto..."

Yeah, but what about two 5'8" guys playing in the forest? It's an issue for me, I'm not gonna lie. But, again, I've lost my objectivity about Bryce. Every post of mine on the kid has to be taken with a grain of salt.

I'm skeptical about Young playing under center. Talking about not seeing Washington over the line, Young may not see a lot of people over the line. This may lead to missed reads and some INTs. But, I am not the most objective person in regards to Young.

Just edit it by adding "Malik" Apparently Young is no longer something we can joke about. I get it.

I didn't even think of this, and before last season would've brushed it off, but the thought makes me less enthusiastic. For real.

10 percent is not insignificant. Draftniks get things wrong all the time. Draft position certainly won't determine which one of these guys is the better receiver right now, much less which one will have the more prolific career.

That's a terrible idea. He's wouldn't serve any practical purpose. The only thing that he might do is push our draft stock just far enough where we'd be fuged all over again with no way to get out but stay in the draft capital giveaway line.

Neither Mooney or Davis move the needle for me (or Smith). Ewww! I'd just rather draft some guys and take my chances if I have to stoop that low into the free agent barrel.