CarolinaLivin

1. D.J. Moore vs. Jaycee Horn The Carolina Panthers got their man by taking Jaycee Horn at No. 8 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The cornerback was reportedly top of their big board and Matt Rhule called the South Carolina product the night before to say they would be taking him if available at this stage. Now that Horn is on the roster, it’s important to get him as much experience as possible to avoid the complications that rookie corners normally go through in the NFL. Fortunately for the Panthers, they have an abundance of talent at wide receiver to put against their latest first-round recruit, so expect to see D.J. Moore lining up opposite him plenty during OTAs. Moore is one of the league’s best young wideouts, even though he didn’t make the top-32 rankings published by Pro Football Focus. He’s recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons despite less than stellar quarterback play and his matchup with Horn could be mutually beneficial during OTAs and beyond. 2. Brian Burns vs. Brady Christensen If the Carolina Panthers want to find out just how good Brady Christensen is, they’ll have the perfect chance to do it at OTAs. The BYU prospect is clearly highly thought of by those in power within the organization, but there is no margin for error if the player wants to assume command of the left tackle spot for their Week 1 encounter against the New York Jets. The Panthers used Christensen in multiple positions during rookie minicamp to get a broader indication of where he’d be best suited in the pros. However, it would be a big surprise if they didn’t give him a shot at being a productive blindside protector considering how well he manned this position in college. Putting him against Brian Burns might be a baptism of fire for the rookie. But it will help Carolina in their decision-making process. The edge rusher is poised for great things in 2021 with more in the way of talent around him. Burns possesses explosiveness that is hard to find and Christensen will need every tool in his arsenal to hold his own against such a disruptive figure in opposing backfields. There is more pressure on Christensen than most heading into his rookie campaign. He will be 25 years old just a couple of weeks into the season, which only increases expectations even though he has no experience in a professional environment. 3. DaQuan Jones vs. Pat Elflein DaQuan Jones might be been a late arrival to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. But this was an area of significant need and could see the defensive tackle become the starter alongside Derrick Brown on the defensive line interior. Jones made a solid impression with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and it was a surprise they didn’t offer him an extension. However, this should benefit the Panthers enormously providing he can enter a different environment with a chip on his shoulder. It remains to be seen just who is going to be starting at the guard positions in 2021. Carolina brought in plenty of new faces who will all fight it out for spots on the depth chart, with Pat Elflein having more in the way of pressure on his shoulders than most. The former Ohio State standout has been lackluster at best over the last two years with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. So his arrival early in free agency wasn’t exactly met with a positive reaction from Carolina’s loyal fanbase who were hoping for someone a little more reliable. Elflein does have the versatility the Panthers clearly love. But how he performs during OTAs and training camp will ultimately define what role he will play in 2021. Performing well against Jones or possibly even Brown will be a strong start for Elflein. But just how much his confidence has been knocked in recent seasons is another matter entirely. 4. Sam Darnold vs. Jeremy Chinn The stakes could not be higher for Sam Darnold in 2021. His trade to the Carolina Panthers gives the quarterback an opportunity to prove beyond all doubt that he was a victim of circumstance with the New York Jets, but he’ll need to hit the ground running during what looks to be a good opportunity to get some early wins on the board. Darnold has to stamp his authority from the outset at OTAs. There will be plenty scrutinizing his every throw, so providing consistency and authority under center is something that will stand him in tremendous stead moving forward. One player he’ll have to account for on every snap is Jeremy Chinn. The stud defender is set to revert back to his preferred position of safety after a sensational rookie campaign at outside linebacker, which should provide more athleticism to the backend after Tre Boston and Juston Burris failed to meet expectations last season. Chinn is a threat to make plays all over the field, so Darnold will find out quickly just how fast his reactions are. There is an incredible amount of talent in the passing game for the signal-caller to utilize, although much will also depend on how his protection holds out. Link: https://catcrave.com/2021/05/24/carolina-panthers-4-individual-matchups-otas-2021/4/

I don't think there is a better week 1 matchup than the Jets for our Defense. Regardless of if Darnold plays bad, I just don't see a week 1 loss.

I think this will be just for you.

Agreed, but fixing these issues... or excuse me "coaching these issues out of him" starts here. He still hasn't been that great in the past even in a clean pocket. Has to come read to work.

What do the Carolina Panthers want to see from their new quarterback Sam Darnold during organized team activities later this week? Although this week is just the start of official offseason workouts, there is a lot riding on it for Sam Darnold. The Carolina Panthers have placed a tremendous amount of confidence in the quarterback after acquiring him via trade from the New York Jets, even though the evidence suggests he might not be able to reach these sorts of expectations. It will all come down to whether Darnold is good enough now he has plenty of weapons around him and an offensive coordinator Joe Brady who’ll put him in the best position to succeed. These are luxuries that he simply didn’t get at any stage during his time in New York before they ultimately decided to cut their losses in favor of drafting Zach Wilson at No 2 overall. The ball is in Darnold’s court, so to speak. And it’s vital he hits the ground running. Darnold will be scrutinized more than any other player on the Panthers this offseason, which comes with the territory for signal-callers across the league. However, considering what’s at stake for the former USC star, he needs to make a strong first impression on the field during OTAs. The Teddy Bridgewater era in Carolina was a disaster and ended after just one season. He failed to get the job done in the most critical moments and was traded to the Denver Broncos as a result, so it won’t take long for the natives to get restless if Darnold suffers the same complications during some favorable early games on the 2021 schedule. What the Carolina Panthers need to see from Sam Darnold? Sam Darnold has more upside in terms of age at just 23 years old. He only turns 24 this week. But now is the time for him to stand up and be counted. First and foremost, Darnold has to be confident. There’s just no telling how much this has been knocked after a torrid three years at MetLife Stadium. But he should treat this as a clean slate and the big opportunity he’s been waiting for. Building this during the offseason and any time Darnold sees in the preseason is going to be vital. Forget the past and focus on the future. Another thing that the Panthers need to see from their signal-caller is leadership. Darnold looked like a fish out of water in the pressure cooker of New York at times. Now the spotlight is off him a little bit he can re-focus his energy on getting those around him to believe he can take them where they want to go. This can be done on and off the field. But winning is what counts the most. Carolina won’t be expecting anything major from Darnold at this stage. As long as he can familiarize himself with his new surroundings, build chemistry with receivers and other weapons in the passing game, and lead from the front, this will stand him in enormously good stead ahead of a pivotal training camp for the No. 3 overall selection in 2018. Head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer have every belief Darnold can be the starting-caliber quarterback the Panthers have been searching for. He’s been subpar at best and has plenty of work to do, so catching the eye at OTAs will be the first small step on a potential road to redemption in 2021. Everything rests on Sam Darnold. Looking across a very talented roster accumulated by the Carolina Panthers over the last couple of seasons, there doesn’t appear to be many weaknesses. There are some obvious problems that could emerge once again across the offensive line if things don’t click into place, with the tight end position also needing to raise its contribution following the arrivals of Dan Arnold and third-round pick Tommy Tremble. The Panthers also look much stronger defensively, so it’s really going to come down to whether Sam Darnold can shine now he has been freed from the moribund New York Jets. Everything rests on the quarterback. It’s just that simple. That’s why OTAs are so important for Darnold. It gives him the chance to impose his will across the organization and leave teammates and coaches alike hopeful they have the right man under center in 2021. One could argue this is Darnold’s last chance to secure a long-term starting role despite his tender age. There weren’t that many teams knocking down the Jets’ door to secure his services once he was made available, so it’s vital he shows the right mindset and uses this as additional motivation to make the most out of what appears to be a fantastic chance to rejuvenate his career. Considering the talent around Darnold, he doesn’t even have to be that great. Link: https://catcrave.com/2021/05/24/carolina-panthers-need-see-sam-darnold-otas/3/

That must've been who took all of Teddy's Red Zone & 2 minute reps

What do you predict/expect us to be ranked by mid season? (Making the playoffs is gonna take us having a very strong first half of the season, as our schedule is easier in the first half) My Prediction: Between 15-18 with a 5-3 record

I definitely forgot to mention Smith as a returner

I think with Bouye suspended 2 games, that gives pride a chance to not only show in camp that he (does or doesn't) deserve more playing time, but also in a cupcake week 1 matchup and some could say the same for week 2. Some good confidence building games. As for Smith I think depends on how much they want to "take it slow" with terrace. Also Smith could take a few carries (jet sweeps maybe) to take a little bit of the load off of CMC, but he'll mainly be a slot guy. Edit: Im not saying Pride will be a CB1 or CB2, but he could become the next man up after that.

Didn't paste the article but below are a few topics it covers as well as the link, enjoy! Breaking down the possible trade partners for Julio More landing spots for Ertz, Moses, and Etc. Fantasy football nuggets, sleeper teams, and Tua https://nfltraderumors.co/nfltr-review-landing-spots-for-julio-jones/

1. Deonte Brown – Carolina Panthers OG There aren’t many players on the Carolina Panthers that come with more intrigue than Deonte Brown this offseason. The sixth-round pick has all the makings of a productive starter on the offensive line interior in the coming years, but there are certain areas that need to be monitored closely where the former Alabama star is concerned. Brown fell in the draft due to some character concerns and the fact his weight is a potential problem most teams just didn’t want to deal with. He is an absolute mountain of a man with the college production to match. So providing staff keeps him on the right track with nutrition and regular weigh-ins it should enable momentum to continue trending in the right direction. If the player’s transition to the professional ranks is a smooth one, he might just be a candidate to start Day 1 against the New York Jets. Carolina isn’t blessed with many solid options in this area of the field and it represents an opportunity for Brown to come in and make his presence felt right from the start. The Panthers obviously thought he was worth taking a chance on after spending the week with Brown at the 2021 Senior Bowl. There’s no doubt Matt Rhule also sounded out Nick Saban for a more detailed perspective on the lineman, who represents a significant upgrade on anything Carolina has at its disposal if he reaches his ceiling. 2. Sam Franklin – Carolina Panthers S One of the most surprising elements that emerged from the 2020 season was the encouraging impact made by Sam Franklin. The safety went undrafted before being signed up by his former college coach Matt Rhule and this familiarity enabled the player to hit the ground running and steadily force his way into the team’s plans. Franklin gave a very good account of himself in the four starts he made as a rookie, leaving plenty of reasons to be encouraged moving forward. The Carolina Panthers are set to move Jeremy Chinn to the backend after a starring campaign at outside linebacker, but whether Juston Burris can prove worthy of being a long-term partner for the Southern Illinois product remains to be seen. Much will depend on how Franklin develops his game this offseason. It was a pretty steep learning curve for every rookie player in 2020 due to virtual OTAs, a restricted training camp, and no preseason games to fully adjust. But it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the Panthers think an awful lot of the player and will give him every chance of securing a more substantial role next time around. Franklin has all the athleticism needed to forge a successful career at the next level. Last season’s experience will have done him the world of good, but what comes next will be equally as important. 3. Daviyon Nixon – Carolina Panthers DT Another who slid in the 2021 NFL Draft due to major character concerns was Daviyon Nixon. The defensive tackle’s production was unquestioned during his time at Iowa but reports suggested his off-the-field issues were so concerning that some teams wiped him off their big board entirely. The Carolina Panthers have shown a willingness to give players like this a chance. This has come with mixed success so far, but if Nixon is humbled by his concerning draft slide and reacts in a positive fashion, then defensive coordinator Phil Snow has a real player on his hands. Nixon is an absolute menace on the interior that has the potential to cause havoc on any given down. His relentless motor is matched by a pass-rushing technique that allows him to get to the spot extremely quickly for a player his size and although there is some refinement needed against the run, there is plenty to work with from a coaching standpoint. The Panthers brought in DaQuan Jones and Morgan Fox in free agency, so there isn’t any immediate pressure on Nixon to make an instant contribution. However, if he can display the right attitude, progress well during team drills, and make his time on the field during preseason games count, then he might just earn a prominent spot on the rotation during his rookie campaign. 4. Troy Pride Jr. – Carolina Panthers CB It was always going to be difficult for Troy Pride Jr. during his rookie campaign. The cornerback was a little raw coming out of Notre Dame despite his obvious athletic traits, which was reflected in some significant struggles when he saw the field for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Pride Jr. came into the league at a bad time and the Panthers needed him more than they thought thanks to Donte Jackson’s injury and the Eli Apple experiment failing miserably. Just how much this has knocked his confidence remains to be seen, but it might be a little too soon to give up on the player just yet. This is an immensely important offseason for Pride Jr., who needs to show a tremendous amount of growth to remain in Carolina’s plans. The Panthers will be without free-agent signing A.J. Bouye for the first two games due to suspension, so if the speedster can do enough to win the No. 3 spot in his absence then it could lead to a solid amount of reps during the season. Only time will tell as to whether Pride Jr. is capable of this. The fourth-round pick certainly needs to do a lot more against receivers who are ruthless when they go up against corners with little experience at the next level, which the player found out to his cost in 2020. A big adjustment from the first year to the second is absolutely key for any NFL cornerback. So the Panthers will get a better indication of what they can expect from Pride Jr. long-term this summer. 5. Shi Smith – Carolina Panthers WR It wasn’t a big need going into the 2021 NFL Draft. But that did not stop the Carolina Panthers from acquiring two promising wide receivers who could become integral parts of the offense sooner rather than later. Terrace Marshall Jr. was an opportunity the Panthers couldn’t pass up at No. 59 overall, especially when they found out the New Orleans Saints were about to take him with the very next selection. They later utilized a sixth-rounder on another enticing player who comes from a little closer to home. Shi Smith turned on the style during his time with South Carolina in college. He does his best work out of the slot and is a big play waiting to happen should the opportunity arise. So it wouldn’t be a great shock to see him stamp his authority on the Panthers and force his way into their plans immediately. Smith can line up on the outside, in the slot, or as a running back. This versatility is highly sought after by the Panthers and his ability to gain considerable yardage in the return game is another potential way Carolina could use him in 2021. https://catcrave.com/2021/05/21/5-young-carolina-panthers-players-beat-veterans-camp/6/

I really appreciate it. Just trying to give some type of quality info I know it gets slow around this time.

The chargers would depend on what the asking price is. They have plenty of talent in their WR room. Plus I doubt they would be able to outbid the Ravens they have been WR thirsty this offseason

I expect us to sign moton. Maybe sooner rather than later if this team does indeed want to pickup more free agents (OL/S/LB). Best to get those new players as much time to learn the playbook and system as possible.

It would. His tag is approx. 14M hit this year.

I felt the stress of house buying in this post

How many acres will tell you how big the contract is... lol

I think we're trying to be as friendly as possible with our cap and wanting to let some of what's left be for emergency pickup's if injuries occur. Also to rollover what's left into next year. Next off-season could be one of the biggest. We will improve this year, but I think we next off-season's additions will leap us into contention (playoff contention, hold off on any super bowl talks)

Ravens, Titans, Patriots, and maybe Packers (to make rodgers happy maybe?) are the teams I see as front runners for teams with a win now mentality, available cap space, and low talent WR depth. I think the Ravens have been the most aggressive looking for a WR than other teams and the Patriots want to continue the winning culture. So the Ravens and PAtriots are the two teams I could see IF it happens. A trade or restructure will happen. I don't think Atlanta can even afford to sign all of their rookies at the moment.

Both teams are in cap hell right now and some restructures/trades are coming soon. Seeing as most of the players that agreed to restructures did so at the beginning of the off-season... maybe trades will be what we see (for the teams like the Falcons)

Idk.. when they drafted Ian Book, it maybe made me believe they aren't as confident as I thought in Winston being able to fill those big shoes. I could be wrong though

I've said this in a previous thread... we can sweep the saints and/or atlanta, all just depends on our QB play this year.

Both BetMGM and VegasInsider have set the Panthers' win total at 7.5 for the season which is about where it should be. In my way-too-early game-by-game predictions, I have Carolina getting off to a sizzling 5-2 start before fading out in the second half of the season and finishing 7-10. How can the Panthers go OVER 7.5 wins? Analytically, the Panthers have the 6th easiest schedule in the NFL. They have several games in the first half of the season that are very winnable and if they get off to a hot start and rack up 5-6 wins in their first 8-9 games, they will have no trouble getting to at least eight wins. How can the Panthers go UNDER 7.5 wins? The final four games of Carolina's schedule are absolutely brutal. They go to Buffalo, host Tampa, and then end the year with back-to-back road games at New Orleans, and Tampa. If they get to this four-game stretch with just four or five wins, it will be extremely difficult for them to go over the total. Heck, even six wins may not be enough going into that stretch. My opinion: I think we will have a strong start to the season starting with week 1 vs. the Jets. 9-8 is very realistic and could very well be our record and could be enough to get us a wild-card game come playoff time. A lot of people have written off the Panthers for the last few games of the season. Not sure how much truth there is to this, but I believe Darnold has historically played his best football in the second half of seasons. Hopefully he can get comfortable in our offense early in the season with some lighter defensive matchups and build his confidence.

I understand what you're saying, but drafting a guy high that has no accomplishments would be a reach. Accomplished guys are always going to be atop the draft boards. I just don't get why its being debated. I guess the argument could be that Rhule (& the guys) took the BPA on his/their board and maybe he didn't have guys with no accomplishments high, but not many teams would unless you have some insider info.

On the other hand, how in the world is DJ Moore left off this list? He hasn't had solid quarterback play since he's entered the league yet is still putting up huge numbers. In the past two seasons alone, Moore has hauled in 153 receptions for 2,368 yards and eight touchdowns. Again, he did this with the combination of Kyle Allen, Will Grier, Teddy Bridgewater, and P.J. Walker at quarterback. Part of being overlooked might have to do with playing on a small market team that hasn't had a winning season in his three seasons that he has been in the league. Regardless, it's hard to deny that Moore has been one of the most explosive and reliable receivers in the NFL over the last two seasons. To say that there are 20 receivers better than Moore is a bit of a stretch, let alone 32. https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/gm-report/pff-excludes-dj-moore-robby-anderson-from-top-wrs-list