SmokinwithWilly

Agreed. I don't think there's a true elite going to be there at 8. This draft just doesn't have that feel to me. If we can move down a few spots, pick up an extra 2nd and possibly a 3rd, we could try to fill in the holes we have on D or grab a guy that slid out of the 1st for whatever reason. No guys with raw potential. Don't get fancy.

I'm always a fan of trading down unless there is an elite player at the pick. There's just too many blue chip players to be found in the early 2nd and 3rd rounds that can be very low risk, starter caliber as long as you're not constantly reaching for project players. But damn, we love guys that are raw projects.

Schoen reminds me of Matt Rhule as a GM. Throw poo at the wall and see what sticks and when it doesn't play dumb.

The only way it does is if they're not happy with the QB prospects this year and are looking to next. New coach, new QB.

I consider it a bad draft for a different reason. When Sewell went at 7, I thought for sure we were going to go with Slater at 8. Anyone who watched his film could see he was an elite LT prospect. Footwork, balance, bend, hands were all good and he had dominated against elite college edge talent. We haven't had a cornerstone LT since Gross and still don't. For me, this was such an easy call here. My first 3 picks I had wanted were 1st: Sewell/Slater - I had them 1a and 1b 2nd: Creed Humphrey - we needed a center and he was the best in the draft 3rd: Nico Collins - That was more of a Michigan homer pick and I was about 60/40 he would translate to the NFL level, but I still considered him a good WR2/WR3 if he did. Even I've been surprised by his success. I would have considered Slater/Humphrey a home run even if no one else had worked out.

Remember how the huddle knew we were drafting Will Grier and even the spot we were taking him a month before the draft? Yes. We're that bad.

We were still better than Scott Fitterer.

Too bad we can't move on from owners who haven't performed quite as easily.

I don't disagree that we do need someone with some speed that can be our version of Tyreek, I just want them to be able to catch the damn ball. We have drafted so many guys for traits while ignoring their actual skills. 4.3 speed is great, but if the ball isn't in your hands, it's pretty useless. I'm not saying I want Tet, just that he checks of the most important part of being a WR for me. The ball hits his hands and he's gonna catch it. Hands are my #1 skill for a receiver before speed. Only point I was really making.

I've gotten over the 40 time. I know straight line speed is important, but guys like AT aren't the fastest yet can consistently get open and their hands are glue. I'd rather have a Brenton Bersin than a Clifford Franklin any day of the week. Guys like Tyreek Hill that have hands and high end speed are an exception, not the rule.

Seems like the prototypical Panthers pick. Lots of upside. Very raw. Likely to be cut or traded before rookie contract expires.

That 30 year old wall for RB is only 2 years away. Probably closer to 1 after he was run into the ground here.

I think our GMs have gotten caught up in the hype instead of the basics. XL coming out of college didn't have great hands. First and foremost, you gotta be able to catch the ball. Brooks is coming off an ACL tear and we're drafting him to play on turf, which has a proven higher track record of injury. To me, that's just a bad move. Can they tackle? Can they block? How fast do can they recognize a play? Can they catch? These are just basics that we've seem to have gotten away from in the pursuit of developmental players with RAS scores we like.

I think there's quite the difference between initiating the phone call vs receiving it. Making the call indicates a position of weakness, fielding it indicates a position of strength. If someone is willing to drop a small fortune in your lap, you have to consider taking it, especially with as many holes as this team has.