Mr. Scot

A reminder that Sam Darnold isn't the only player the Panthers are deciding on, and an analysis that might surprise you (from Breer in the MMQB) The deadline on fifth-year options for 2018 first-round picks is two weeks from Monday, and I think that none have yet been exercised is telling. Yes, there has been one extension, that one was signed by Raiders LT Kolton Miller. And there are a few others that really are no-brainers (Quenton Nelson, Josh Allen, Bradley Chubb, Denzel Ward, Tremaine Edmunds, Jaire Alexander, Frank Ragnow). But past that? I think the reluctance to pick up the options can be tied to two things, and those two things can be connected. One, the obvious, that these options, under the new CBA, are fully guaranteed (and not just guaranteed for injury until the following March) for the first time. So there won’t be any more cases like Adoree' Jackson’s this year, where a team hedges its bet by picking up the option, then makes the decision to cut him a year later. And two, I think the realities of the 2022 cap come into play here (most expect it to be relatively flat for another year, before a big jump in 2023), and so teams might be waiting to see who they wind up with in the draft to make a final decision on pricey options for next year, especially if the players with option decisions coming have injury issues (Chargers S Derwin James and Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch are two examples of that). Also, if you just take a gander at the 2018 first round, there are plenty of guys there who would qualify as close calls—good, but maybe not quite great players (Rashaan Evans, Isaiah Wynn, and D.J. Moore are three names that seem to fit that category).

From Albert Breer's latest MMQB (link) Speaking of Sewell, he’s one of a number of players I’d see in play for the Panthers at No. 8. The genius of the Sam Darnold trade, by GM Scott Fitterer and coach Matt Rhule, is that it maintains the team’s flexibility to take a quarterback there while creating new flexibility not to take a quarterback with the pick. If Fields slides to No. 8, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his slide stop there—be it via the Panthers taking him or trading the pick to someone who would. At the same time, Carolina’s in a nice spot to address its needs at corner (with a Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain) or tackle (with, perhaps, Sewell) and go forward with Darnold, too.

Mine too. There have always been players who half-assed it after getting paid and there have always been players who gave it their all from day one till they retired. This isn't a new thing.

As big a detractor of Little as I am, if we're talking about which player has the worst ratio of ability to selection spot, I could make a pretty strong argument for Rashaan Gaulden.

It wasn't Matt. It was Ryan. Cowherd got the name wrong.

Of all the idiotic things to spam a football message board about...

That I can understand, but yeah, 2012. As far as others taken outside the first, Derek Carr is probably the best.

As for me, I don't necessarily have specific players in mind so much as positions (at least in the first). Obviously, in the first round I want offensive line. Anything that isn't that, not so much.

I think your crystal ball might need some cleaning.

How could you not remember Wilson, man? That guy's been a pain in our ass for years.

Seriously, dude? There's also that guy in Tampa.

Fans have been trying to get him on the Panthers for years.

Grigson's just one convenient example. There are plenty of teams that have added skill players while half-assing the offensive line. One of them currently has a very disgruntled quarterback because of it. And yes, the fact that we got our GM from that team does worry me a little.

It allows that the Panthers could draft Fields and allow he and Darnold to compete for the starting job. But this... Giving up three draft picks, although not a huge haul, are still three draft picks at the end of the day. You don't just give that kind of draft capital for a guy you hope can be the answer and maybe be a backup to the guy you draft in the first round. That's a type of move that shows you have confidence in the player that you're trading for. ... directly contradicts this: We got Darnold because there was significant doubt Fields will be there at 8. We went ahead and secured our backup plan for little draft cost. As I've said previously, Darnold is not a "just in case". The team legitimately views him as a starter.

The article you linked in the next post contradicts your take on Darnold. Quoting: The real question is: does it make sense to still take a quarterback? Giving up three draft picks, although not a huge haul, are still three draft picks at the end of the day. You don't just give that kind of draft capital for a guy you hope can be the answer and maybe be a backup to the guy you draft in the first round. That's a type of move that shows you have confidence in the player that you're trading for. Could this just be the Panthers bluffing to get teams from behind them to trade up into Carolina's spot? Possibly. Then again, if Brady, Rhule, and Fitterer truly fall in love with Fields maybe they do draft him and let he and Darnold compete. It's all a game of unknowns right now and one that we likely won't know the answer to until draft night.

I guess it's a better nickname than "guy who's been overrated for years because of one big college highlight". Not that Clowney isn't good, but he's never been as good as the hype that's surrounded him.

I don't really want either one. I remember everyone cheering when Ryan Grigson and the Colts kept drafting weapons for Andrew Luck while ignoring the offensive line. People were wishing we used that approach. Look what happened there.

The Browns and Clowney finally came to an agreement on a one-year deal for $10 million.

I was expecting his music to start.

...of a car crashing into the radio studio that Marty Hurney owned while Marty was on the air (posted by Ellis). I'd heard about this before but hadn't actually heard it till now. (sounds like Stone Cold Steve Austin's intro)

I don't really care whose fan club is bigger. I just wanna see the right decisions made even if the entire fanbase hates them (me included).