ECHornet

I posted this article in a couple threads, but I thought it might help some warm up to the idea of drafting Stewart with our first pick. https://www.sbnation.com/2025/2/20/24368685/shemar-stewart-nfl-draft-profile-texas-am So Stewart played at a beefed up 290lb and lined up at 4i for Texas A&M this year. He pretty easily (one offseason) leaned up to 267lb for the combine. People obviously point to his lack of production, and it shouldn’t be ignored. But what would his stats look like if he had played at 270lb as a traditional 4-3 DE or a power rushing OLB this year? Plus, for a team as lacking on the defensive line as we are, I love Stewart’s versatility. He can operate as a strong side OLB on rushing downs and move in to DE on passing downs. Wonnum and Clowney are both under contract one more year here. We need a plan, and I think we could do a lot worse than Stewart.

Silly they don’t establish EDGE as a position. It’s crazy that off ball LBs and EDGE rushers cost the same to franchise tag.

Why can’t Derrick Brown play DT?

Check this article on Stewart out: https://www.sbnation.com/2025/2/20/24368685/shemar-stewart-nfl-draft-profile-texas-am Sheds some light on why his stats may have suffered while highlighting what makes him a potential elite player in the NFL.

I disagree on Stewart. I’d be happy if he’s a Panther. This article does a great job of showing (with photos/video) why Stewart didn’t have elite production, but his explosiveness on the edge will collapse pockets… https://www.sbnation.com/2025/2/20/24368685/shemar-stewart-nfl-draft-profile-texas-am

Contracts are way different and affect the values.

Mayer easily clears Tremble imo. We likely can’t resign Tremble for less than we would be paying Mayer after a trade. Win win in my opinion. Sanders/Mayer TE room is easily our best since Greg.

Here’s what we’d be on the hook for the next two years: We won’t find much cheaper options. He’s a pretty perfect compliment to Sanders. He’d be what Ian Thomas was supposed to be all these years. I’m for it. I’d give up a 5th and 6th for him. Those are likely fringe roster spots anyway.

He’s on a rookie deal for two more years. Mayer would be a great pairing with Sanders. Mayer is 23yo. We’re rebuilding. It makes a lot of sense.

We only have 1 rostered for 2025 that is above practice squad level.

He might not go that high bc he quit on his team at halftime. That was him, right? I also love him as a prospect. Wish we could have landed him with our 2nd round pick, but that’s probably out the window now.

IF the Panthers front office feels Bryce is the future, of course it makes sense to lock him in for longer and cheaper. IF Bryce’s camp is concerned about his first 1&1/3 years of play making his future uncertain, it could make sense for them to lock in more guaranteed millions.

That’s what makes the hypothetical a gamble. Could win big. Could lose big. Personally, I think it’d be worth it to lock him in longer now and get the discount of projecting his growth. He’s 23. In confident by the time he’s 25, we’ll all be on board with him sticking around.

Just getting a read for who thinks he has it and who doesn’t.

If you could extend Bryce’s contract right now for 3 years, $30mil per year, would you do it? Geno Smith is currently paid as the #19QB at avg of $25mil/year. #18 is Baker Mayfield at ~$33mil/year. You’re essentially betting on Bryce being a top 20 QB for the next 5 years. Upside: If Bryce plays as a top 10-15 QB, you have a steal and can surround Bryce with more weapons. Probably saving somewhere between $15-30mil per year by then. If you wait until after next season, and Bryce plays like he did at the end of last year, the price goes way up. Downside: If Bryce plays like Year 1 or early Year 2, you’ve locked yourself into 5 more years of it on the cap. So, if Bryce and his agent were ready to sign off on it, would you?

https://x.com/_RyanFowler_/status/1894425328463790155 Doesn’t look like Jeanty is in our plans, and for good reason. I’m almost confident enough to bet my house on drafting a front 7 player if we stay at #8, but TMac could make it interesting.

After watching his UGA highlights, I’d rather draft Shemar Stewart. He’s bigger and more explosive.

Thanks for the post. I’m going to go do a deeper dive on his film now.

Not at #8 for me. He lacks the agility of recent prospects like Bowers, Laporta, and Kincaid. He is a beast, but I don’t think that’s our route with all of our holes. Plus, we have a promising young player already in our TE room. I’d prefer we sign someone like Austin Hooper to a cheap deal to go along with Sanders and mentor him. Maybe take a shot at someone like Briningstool, Nesbit, Lachey later in the draft.

That must be for Pro Bowlers who opt out bc they’ve led their teams deep in the playoffs.

Thanks for posting. Love that they do this.

Not necessarily

Saw this posted today. Should Thor Griffith become my new late round draft hope?

PFN is far better than nfldraftbuzz, but can still be wacky. Especially with trade backs. I somehow managed to trade #8 to the Seahawks for #18, #50, and their 2026 2nd & 4th. Still managed to land TMac. lol

Jayden Higgins in Round 3 seems like a good value. He seems similar to Michael Pittman in some ways.