Bear Hands

Per Tony Pauline: I was told yesterday they (Panthers) really like him (Mykel Williams) a lot. I doubt Jalon Walker is going to be there. I haven't heard the Panthers being on Tyler Warren at this time. https://x.com/PanthersOnTap/status/1900285136748335137 Trying to find some advantages: 6'5 260, 34"+ arms, only 21 years old Quality run defense. Not elite, but it's up there Ceiling is pretty high - sculpt-able if the coaches want him Good speed & power combo Disadvantages: Behind developmentally as a pass rusher Poor burst - even though he has the size, the athleticism isn't really there you'd expect to see No good counters or real PR gameplan, just an aggressive type with no real plan May be better suited in a 4-3 Gets caught sloppy in the upper body, and gets thrown off easily Looked lost at times when he was stifled by OLs Had a few nagging injuries this past year Simply disappeared for long stretches with UGA This is not a top-10 draft prospect. But if actualizes and we grab him, with some success, I'll gladly eat crow. Could be an okay complimentary EDGE talent, but isn't a top guy for a team even if he hits his ceiling.

Reporters have kept hinting our love for those two and it's continuing this week. It's honestly a concern for me. Why? Well, I think it's safe to say (4) guys in Ward, Carter, Hunter, & at least 1 OL are gone by our pick. That leaves (3) more picks before ours with a group of (6) guys in Graham DT, OL2, Jeanty RB, McMillan WR, Johnson CB, & Warren TE. This is not even counting if someone reaches for Shedeur or what seems like the fan fave choice in Walker. That's near the end of what I'd define as sure-thing, higher end R1 talent. So, the short of it is that a clear Round 1 talent will be available at 8. Thing is, I can't help but sense an XL situation is happening again and we are completely locked in on grabbing a specific guy/role, no matter who falls. They even locked in the interior via FA to pigeon this situation. BPA is going out the window a bit. Can anyone shake this growing sentiment, or are we looking at the same situation as last year? I don't know, but even if Graham or McMillan fall, I'm really getting the sense we're just locked in on these two developmental EDGE guys with poor pass rushing skills and we'll have to stomach taking them over potential trade-downs and some straight up more impactful talent. Talk me out of this concern. Thanks

It’s very similar to the type of rumors with XL last year. We can’t seem to hide it. We’re locked in on the developmental big edge rushers and getting one. Wouldnt surprise me if Morgan was so locked in he picks them over an available Graham, McMillan, or Johnson

We’re getting Mykel or Shemar accept it. Morgan’s mind is made up.

He’s the one guy in the draft I don’t want, so we’ll probably end up getting him. He was wildly wildly ineffective at times and has no pass rush plan or nuance to his game. At least others with low stats showed for it upon further review, but Mykel is bad eye test and microscope and screams bust to me. And it’s not like he’s elite against the run, he’s very good against the run. But so should most DLs in the 1st round.

Only elite WRs are making 25 mil plus, 1Bs and really impactful contributors can be found throughout the draft Their value for what it takes compared to what Tee will want is night and day. He’s trying to get max value right now, and honestly, it’s not worth it for a guy that gets banged up every year and has lingering issues all the time.

I’m sure we’ll hear Michael Pittman next

Between this and Tee, we’re definitely making calls.

It’s all a huge wildcard now. Titans seem primed to take Ward but then it’s anyone’s guess. Cleveland’s starter is Kenny Pickett which is a problem…and they just paid Garrett. There’s not a ton of Hunter smoke and Shedeur is not going this high. Do they just take Carter? Trade down? They’re in a quagmire. I see 4 likely off the board: Ward, Carter, 1OL, & Hunter But then..Jeanty? McMillan? (Both have Raiders smoke), OL2, Johnson, Sanders, Graham, Walker, Warren? I think we’re still looking at a top guy, I’m leaning Johnson or Walker. Just hope we don’t turn and say, “it doesn’t matter just get that edge rusher we want (Pearce/Stewart/Mykel/etc)

As a former San Diegan I should have repped better…it’s South Dakota State University.

How do you find out the timing of follows? Haha there’s sleuths out there!

ha there you go.

Elite play is just not there yet. Elite frame, yes. Elite metrics, yes. Elite potential, yes. And he honestly does have really strong tape to show. And like I said, he's a great watch. I actually quite like him. For not getting a lot of production, he is a noticeable force. But if you're living at the edge (and sometimes sliding inside/hands in the dirt), you need to be able to convert the chances you have into gains for the defense. He has yet to actualize, but the ability is there. But if we're talking at 8 overall in the draft, I'm not taking that chance considering who else could be available. You need someone who's coming in and making the opposing side change the way they play you. I don't see that (yet)...and I don't like that gamble, that high.

Stats: 6'2, 230, 28 years old, SDSU grad 2024: 135 tackles, 69 solo, 5 tfl, 1 sack, 1 int, Started a bit spotty last year but played well down the stretch. Only 2 real seasons of work in the bigs. Graded out slightly above average on PFF. Seems a better run defender than pass.

Good hair

He has good tape and is built like a top of draft DL, but he’s not an elite talent — he just doesn’t close out plays. His pressure to sack conversion is baffling. I mean, he creates havoc but can’t lock it up. Still, prefer him way more than the other rumored apple of our eye in Mykel. If it’s me, I’m leaning Warren, McMillan, Johnson, Walker…but I dunno. It just feels like Stewart. I’m basically telling myself it so much so that I’m either pleasantly surprised or taking it as expected.

I have a strong incline it’s simply happening. No matter who falls, we’re likely getting Stewart or Walker. Lots of reports and everything seems to hint we like those guys a lot…and we tend to stay course no matter who’s available. Will Johnson could be a nice surprise, but I just don’t see the others happening. Just a gut feeling about it. It’s the same thing with XL last year. We can’t hide our love.

We’re at a point where we need to hit on some top X factor type talent. We’ve got Brown and Horn but still no one true playmakers on either side of the ball. They’ve packed decent depth in and filtered out the league cellar level extra bad. And also have young, untapped potential. Really need a guy to be an offensive focal point and a defensive playmaker.

DL: Brown/Brown III/A’Shawn (Wharton, Tuttle, Crumedy) OLB rotation: Clowney/Wonnum/Jones II/Barno/DJJ ILB: Jewell/Trevin/Incoom CB: Horn/Jackson/Smith-Wade S: Moehrig/TBD/Richardson It’s no doubt improved but safety still has an hole (draft methinks), edge rusher and corner are still very upgradable (draft as well)

Not me, but my gut is telling me Dan has his mind made up no matter who falls, we’re forcing edge, and he’s eyeing Shemar Stewart. For better or worse.

I feel like the pats saved us from a bad decision. Not saying the FA is perfect but this and the safety are solid moves all things considered.

I’m honestly relieved at that price. He’s not a good run defender. Philly stashed him on the sidelines for those downs.

Not pinning yet lol

Live updating thread title for appropriateness lol