ECHornet

No worries. I’ll lead the RB speculation. When someone makes positive plays at his clip (he averaged 8 yards per carry on rushes) I try to imagine ways to get them the ball more. I’m convinced he could at least be our 3rd down back. Clearly swing passes to RBs are what produce the most YAC per reception according to those leaders (WR were included but they just weren’t in the top 11 other than Shenault). That tells me either we did a FAR better job than anyone in designing our WR screen passes to Shenault, or that Hasta Laviska was just better than all other RBs after receiving the ball around the LOS. I think it may be some of both but more that Laviska is a natural with the ball in his hands and makes guys miss regularly.

That’s fair for his rookie year. Since he showed flashes during his rookie year, I think the expectations of many rose some for his sophomore campaign. I at least expected to see some of the potential, but it was just a rough year all around. Maybe he’ll show something on Sunday. I haven’t given up on him yet and think he should probably make a move to safety this off-season.

This. Compared to expectations going into the season, I don’t know how anyone chooses a different answer. 1. Baker 2. Robbie 3. Keith Taylor 4. Higgins 5. Chinn

IDK, I think the combine will cause someone to pick Washington or Musgrave over Kincaid even though he’s the better TE at this time.

I honestly think the Panthers should make the playoffs next year. I’d be concerned if the new coach doesn’t at least have us in contention for the division late in the year. I mean, we had that this year and would likely be division champs if Darnold weren’t injured most of the year. I don’t see the NFCS being much better next year. Missing the playoffs in the first two years would signal we may have chosen our new HC poorly.

A combo of Kincaid and Flowers/Downs in the 2nd is my hope. Cutting Ian Thomas this coming year doesn’t seem beneficial. We would only save ~1.4mil. He’s an easy cut before 2024 though. I’d keep Kincaid, Tremble, and Thomas and have one of them (Thomas?) double as FB in 2023. Sullivan on practice squad where he should be now.

That would seriously test the perseverance of my fandom. I honestly think his ceiling is around how Darnold performed this year.

Exactly our situation with Corral and maybe bearded Darnold.

Good call on Tucker Kraft. I had not seen him play until your post. Washington, Musgrave, and Kraft seem like guys who will elevate their draft stock at combines/pro days. After rewatching the TE group plus Kraft, here’s where I’d select them (not where I project they’ll go): 1. Mayer (mid to late first) 2. Kincaid (2nd) 3. Washington (2nd) 4. Kraft (late 2nd to 3rd) 5. Laporta (3rd) 6. Musgrave (3rd) We have plenty of opportunity to upgrade our TE room in this draft

He’ll never just walk. We’d use the franchise tag to trade before that happened.

HC: Harbaugh QB: Darnold

A lot of my favorites are already mentioned here. Young, Mayer, Foskey, Flowers, Gibbs, Addison, Kincaid. One first rounder that hasn’t been mentioned is Brian Branch. I think he’s going to be an excellent safety for many years. Trenton Simpson would be a great replacement for Luvu if Luvu becomes too expensive after next year. Late round or UDFA types I like: RB Israel Abanikanda S Tanner Ingle QB Dorian Thompson Robinson

Love Kincaid and he’s the only reason I wouldn’t be too disappointed if we miss on Mayer. As long as we land him in the second. My order for tight ends is Mayer, Kincaid, Laporta, Musgrave, Washington. I actually think Kincaid may pair the best with Tremble. I also think Utah QB Cam Rising is a Minshew-lite that could potentially be a signed UDFA or 7th rounder if he declares. I’m betting he returns to college since he likely just tore his ACL. I’d take him, Stetson Bennett, or DTR from UCLA in the 7th or UDFA to compete for QB2/3.

Winnie the Pooh

Adding to above, I would love to see Shenault get a bigger role at RB if Foreman wants too much or too long a contract this offseason. He has the size for it and seems to have the instincts with the ball in his hands. This may be unpopular, but I think he could replace or exceed Foreman's production next year. Looking at his stats: Of the top 50 NFL leaders in YAC (Yards After Catch), Shenault is #1 in YAC per reception. He's followed up by Derrick Henry and Travis Etienne. I think we should give him a shot at RB. Top 11 of those 50 YAC leaders: Laviska Shenault Derrick Henry Travis Etienne Jerick McKinnon D'Andre Swift Tony Pollard Dalvin Cook Deebo Samuels Semaje Perine James Conner Alvin Kamara

Luvu’s production didn’t surprise me bc, nearly every time he was put on the field last year, he flashed with explosive plays. Those types of talents are easy to spot since they’re always making plays. One guy not mentioned yet that seems to make similar splash plays when given the opportunity: Laviska Shenault

I think it’s a fine logo. Fits well.

I thought Gamecock fans would give up on the USC claim when their own university did by changing to UofSC.

For the record, I’m not saying I believe he would equal that production if he’d been healthy the whole season. It’s just the best way to see how good he’s been since he returned. And he has been good, despite what many here would have you believe.

Sam Darnold in 2022... QBR: 57.5 (12th - just behind Lamar and ahead of Herbert) If he (and team) performed the whole season the same as in games he wasn't injured: 3,740 Passing Yards (10th) 31 Total TDs - 24 Pass/7 Rush - (Tied for 9th in Pass TD) 3 or 4 INTs Panthers would be 10-7, division champs, and headed to the playoffs. We might have an opportunity to sign a mid-level starter to a 2-3 year backup $ contract.

The relevant games for passing the Falcons IF we're tied in win%: MIN @ CHI DAL @ WAS NYG @ PHI LAC @ DEN ***Most Important*** DET @ GB The Chargers MUST beat the Broncos. If they lose, at best we could tie the Falcons in SOS and they own the tiebreaker (division record). We need the Chargers to win (favored), and at least 3 of the remaining 4 games to break our way to jump the Falcons.

Great thread. I did the same thing yesterday and enjoy looking at it all. I'll add: -We want the 49ers to lose since we have many of their drafts picks. Could potentially move those picks up a slot if the 49ers lose to the Vikings, Cowboys, or Eagles before the Super Bowl (assuming the Vikings/Cowboys win this week or have lower SOS). Not much riding on that game, but it's not nothing I guess. -The Chargers v. Broncos game would be extremely helpful for us, if the Chargers win. The Raiders played them twice and the Falcons once, while neither played the Broncos, but we did. -For those unclear, if the Rams win and we lose, there is no pathway for them to jump us in draft position. That's another big game to watch.

I like the combo of Moore, TMJ, and Shenault, but I agree we need more receiving threats. TMJ did concern me when he didn’t go up and get the ball in the end zone against the Bucs. Alpha WRs have the instincts to go get it and not just run under it in that situation. I’ve seen him flash that some. Ideally, we land a TE this draft and I like Zay Flowers as a late second/third round slot. Also wouldn’t mind Burton from Bama in the later rounds. Johnson could be available with our 1st, but we have bigger needs elsewhere.

It's the former. The combined record of all teams you've played. If we're tied with the Falcons in wins after next week, a lot would need to happen to jump them in SOS. There is actually a decent possibility the Panthers/Falcons end up with the same exact SOS. The Falcons would win the tiebreaker (division record). The Raiders will be easier to leapfrog since there are many uncommon opponents. The Bengals losing out would help lower our SOS, so we should all be fans of Panthers North tonight. A huge game for jumping the Raiders next week will be Chargers vs. Broncos. The Raiders played the Chargers twice and we played the Broncos so a Chargers win would be great.