Bear Hands

For me, it's if you think one is a franchise guy worth having another contract w/a 5th year option. If someone in your top tier becomes within a range of manageable capital in a trade, I'd take a gander. That being said, I'm more in favor of staying put or a slight trade down to the 40s. I think Zay & S-N are worthy. They just seem that good. I've been a big Addison fan since he made Pickett look good, but his year in USC was a bit underwhelming. Less sold on Johnston.

I highly highly doubt S-N, Zay, Addison, or Johnston make it past NYG/DAL in the first. First 4 are gone minimum in the first, especially given other team needs. Question is do Hyatt or Downs present themselves. I'm a big Downs fan so would be fine with him at 39.

Addison & S-N are the ones for me. Zay as well if he’s there around 27-28. I would be aggressive but not get too far in the weeds with 24 and 25 capital.

I personally would love Luke Schoonmaker in the 4th. I think he's a balanced TE, ton of receiving upside, 6'6 250, ran a 4.63. Just super impressive all-around TE that would be perfect behind Hurst. LaPorta is my favorite after Kincaid & Mayer, but Schoonmaker is in that next tier and would be stoked to land him.

Might as well just shoot for the moon and trade up for Addison if he falls to the early 20s. Could go WR3 behind Johnston and S-N. Just shmaying.

I can see him personally wanting 2 years assured if he's going to a new spot and smart teams are hesitant w/his injury history. Put yourself in his shoes--If no go on a multi-year somewhere, might as well get the 1 year deal you'll get most elsewhere at the place you've been the last year. If DET wants you back, you know the playbook, QB and OC already.

The dude got double digit TDs on one of the most stacked teams in NCAA history 2 years in a row, he absolutely needs to show up and prove his 2nd round worth. He’s got the ability, would LOVE to see it translate next year. That being said, he could be a great flanker/Z quality. We need an X and slot in the house.

I think the trade candidate that is being completely ignored is Brandon Aiyuk. He's improved every season, is 24, and sounds like he's mad they're not working on an extension with him. (CMC, Deebo, & Kittle will be costly moving forward). I also think he fits super well in a Reich scheme. Apparently the Giants have called SF about him already. We've done work with SF before, so why not make another move w/them? He's far and away one guy that I can see being realistically available in a trade. Also, the 49ers covet DL and could see YGM as a chip. If we're talking trades, he's my target if I'm Fitt. Aiyuk, Downs, TMJ, Shenault, & Shi would be a-ok for a rookie. Throw in a FA to compete.

“He who shall not be named” was the type that didn’t get the nuances or garner the respect in a room. If at the end of the day, it was mostly his decisions as Panthers czar, then the people who’s advice he wasn’t taking seriously likely had no problem texting media/analyst types about things. Right now, it seems we have Dave, Scott, Sul, Dan & the staff collaborating with each other and none of them have any interest in leaking things out. The objective is collaboration, respect and growth. No incentive to overflow with leaks subtract misdirection.

Yeah it could be a nice way to net a pick from HOU, but I find it a weird strategy to just say--here you go Houston, make the decision for us please. Thanks.

Smart bet is to just set expectations for a mid-tier FA+TMJ+Shenault+Draftees+Shi

oh I don't do twitter so wasn't quite sure what I was looking at lol

With the early rumors about Mecole and him posting a photo of himself in a Panthers jersey, that seems to just be pending an announcement at this point. We’ll see with Chark. I mean he’s a startable X receiver. Marshall flanker. Could a trade may be brewing though? Could be a guy going into a contract year…Gabe Davis? Higgins? Just mindlessly speculating

If signed, this DJ makes me think of 2 DJs ago. Hackett that is. Hope this one could turn out more productive.

He's 25/26, plenty in the tank

I imagine we're around interview time right meow. Maybe negotiations as well.

Y'all should check this out when you can. Really fun. He's brings it more than I remembered as a blocker. Seems much more patient finding holes and is just sneaky with his cuts.

Wake Forest kid that played for Evero....I sense a possibility here

If CB emerges as the highest value for us, Tyrique Stevenson, Deonte Banks & Julius Brents are some names to keep in mind. Outside CBs, long, athletic. There's a lot more size and a lot to like in the CB group this year. A REALLY solid top-12ish group but then there's a pretty steep drop after late R2 graded talent.

EDGE is a definite spot for us to bolster, but with Burns, Luvu, Haynes, & Barno, I wonder if the better focus is a hand-in dirt chess piece on the line. Keeanu Benton, Mazi Smith or Karl Brooks seem like the type I could see as a big fit. I will say, this draft is not top heavy but it is deep as heck with EDGE, RB, & TE. This is one of the deeper EDGE classes in a minute so maybe we do take advantage. I could see us targeting a KJ Henry, Elijah McGuire, Byron Young, Tyler Lacy type with one of the 4ths. With this R2 consideration, there are 3 prospects that do make my eyebrow perk up: Felix, Ojulari, & Adebawore. They seem hard to pass on.

Nice post-- I quoted the 4 scenarios that I keep coming to. 1 & 2 I see as a pipe dream (which is why I'm wondering about a trade up to ~28) and your scenario 3 & 4 as the realistic options. Unless there's unforeseen circumstances, I see Bijan, S-N, Johnston, Addison, & Zay all going solidly in R1. 6 offensive skill dudes. With Mayer & Kincaid, highly highly likely R1, and can actually see Kincaid going first as high as GB at 15. 8 RB/TE/WRs in the first would be on par with most drafts. I just don't see Zay slipping past NYG, DAL, BUF, & CIN. That back of first is where you target if Zay or Dalton are available. Those are the two worth trading up for if there. Gibbs could be a wildcard to fall. If we're looking at pure talent, position aside, he's only behind Bijan and S-N in this class. He'll be instant impact in a huge way. And then with Downs, his size doesn't worry me. I look at him more like a Devonta Smith than a TY Hilton. He's a fighter and gets after it, contesting over 6'+ corners. Picking him seems like a prime opportunity. He can be pushed outside and play slot. You can slide him anywhere, not slot exclusive like a Tank Dell for example. The other thing in the back of my mind is if one of these top EDGE guys is there, and let's say only Musgrave, Charbonnet, & Rice are available, then it gets tricky. There is a big cliff right around our pick so it's an important thing for Fitt to navigate.

Yeah @rayzor I’m going with drunk

Sanders was the starting running back for the NFC Champions. I think we can manage just fine with him. We got him for a rather modest deal and long term. This is a good thing. Holy Moses.

Again, not a huge contact, like at all. It’s not even remotely bellcow tier. It’s Kareem Hunt type level pay for a team needed something, anything proven at a skill position. So yes, it makes sense to not over rely on unprovens but not overpay. We have no idea what went down w Foreman. If you’re gonna faux neck stick out contrarian, at least make it worthwhile.

His contract is if anything a pretty nice second contract for a 25 y/o coming off a 1200 yard season that was on a SB tier squad. His contract figures are on the same level as Kareem Hunt, James Conner, & Nyheim Hines. We did not pay him a significant amount, this is not some huge deal. We easily set ourselves up to find a pretty legit compliment like a Zach Charbonnet, McBride, or Roschon Johnson.