kungfoodude

The decision making I will give you, that's tough.

This is wild.

Another week, another Herbert injury due to lack of OT's.

I disagree on Nuss. I just think he lacks a lot of elite tools but I don't think he has too many significantly below average NFL QB traits.

I will finish out the spreadsheet after the final two regular season games to show his actual production over time.

Speaking of elite pass rushers.....

FWIW, this was why he got sat down, not some tanking angle. This was rumored yesterday.

I know. I was on record back then questioning that. Largely because it was based on Manning and literally the guys that skipped last draft because of....Ward and Sanders??? All of that seemed wildly insane. I do think we should dip into the Allar/Nussmeier category of QB in Day 2 or early Day 3. This draft does seem loaded with quality backup QB's.

Yeah, "big time throws" could literally be the most subjective thing on the planet. It's an insanely moronic "stat."

That is "big time throws" which is a dubious "stat", at best. If you look at 20+ attempts per game, he is currently at a career low.

I am not anti-6th or 7th QB flier but I don't think he is a draftable guy. The fall of these "potential first round" guys from the 2025 Draft has been INSANE.

Honestly, I wouldn't. I don't think he is better than Jack Plummer.

I don't see why being on a rookie contract impacts how good someone is. That's a very confusing angle. Keep in mind he is not a free agent. He is on a freshly inked mega-deal. Could he try to leverage a change that converts base salary to a guarenteed bonus? Yes but that typically happens during a period where the team is trying to create cap space. So, that might only happen in that case and I would assume would be piggy backed on an extension of some sort(even if only void years). I am just saying he isn't going to show up having much in the way of leverage unless he is being utilized to clear cap room.

Are we basically to the point where Klubnick is a UDFA?

I would say that Wallace has definitely not played better than I expected, although perhaps he has been better than you expected, so there is that. Rozebum has been far worse than I expected. He is one of the worst to ever play LB for us, IMO.

There is a difference between filling needs based on who the board falls and pure desperation. Also, one would think there will be upgrades available in free agency to take some heat off the draft.

I am curious what you are basing this on? He has produced very little and the eye test has been even worse.

He may ask for a contract conversion but I don't think he will be in a strong negotiating position.

Well, of the top 10 NFL defenses in terms of NFL sacks, there are only 8 of the top 20 paid DE/EDGE players on their team. Of those, only 4 are also in the top 20 of individual sacks in 2025. Not trying to say that you shouldn't spend money on an elite pass rusher but it doesn't necessarily lead to elite pass rushing results. After all, we literally had an "elite" pass rusher in Brian Burns and the team only finished in the top 16 in sacks twice during his career. 2nd in 2019(his rookie year) and 15th in 2021.

That is why I don't believe they will win. He is absolutely terrible.

That's a potential guy to look at. I will say that it would have to be at a lower price than we gave up for Burns, probably a 4th or lower. Reason being he hasn't been anywhere near as productive as Burns and 2026 is the last year of his deal. So even if he flashes in 2026(in the ever dangerous contract year), you may end up in a situation having to shell out a much bigger contract to retain him. That said, should be a day 1 starter in 2026 on this roster.

I think the player matters a lot(in regards to price specifically). Parsons will likely end up being worth the price because he is unquestionably elite. Burns obviously hasn't been until this year because he isn't a consistently elite pass rusher. He is too easy to shut down with just a single blocker. Guys like Parsons and Garrett that you have to plan your entire blocking scheme around make everyone on the defense better. Truth be told, that isn't Burns on his current line, it's Dexter Lawrence. But, as you pointed out, situations still matter. Joe Burrow may be a truly elite QB but that doesn't matter a lot when he can't stay healthy or the overall team isn't good. Ask Matt Stafford about that in Detroit. The Panthers aren't in a position to be liquidating the extremely valuable draft picks we have. Our roster is still a bottom 5 overall NFL roster.

I think Cherelus is actually better. Low bar but IMO he is.

I think we are a pretty good ways from being "dominant." I think two more elite players gets is to being above average and borderline top 10-12. Truthfully if we STAY in a 3-4 the way Evero envisions it, we probably need another good starter alongside DB and A. Robinson, we need at LEAST one elite EDGE and probably an upgrade over every single other EDGE on our roster across from him. We need 100% new ILB's of NFL starting caliber or better. Ideally one truly elite guy. We likely need a big upgrade at S across from Moehrig. I think CB is very serviceable. Maybe an upgrade at either #2 CB or nickel(can move Jackson around). That is what it likely takes to be a "dominant" defense(top 5). Again, after really hurting this team for so long by trading draft capital away, it really has to be the right situation and price for me to want to jump into more of that. Doesn't mean that in 4-5 years if this roster keep improving and we are a regular playoff participant I wouldn't change my mind. That's just not the spot I view us in at the moment.

Benjamin and TMac were roughly similar speeds. Benjamin was a 4.61 at the NFL Combine and TMac was about a 4.5-4.6 on most scouts watches at his pro day. Having elite speed is great but having elite playing ability is better. Where are all the Matthew Golden fanbois at? How is that working out? People get wrapped up in the video game guys like Megatron, Randy Moss, DK Metcalf, etc. That's extremely abnormal. Hopkins, Fitz, etc....those guys weren't elite speedsters. I guess that's why they didn't pan ou....oh...right.