MHS831

At the 2026 NFL Combine, the Carolina Panthers, led by GM Dan Morgan, are evaluating a deep draft class with a 600-player board, specifically targeting defensive upgrades and offensive playmakers . Key reported formal interviews include LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State) and DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn), while also considering safety Caleb Downs and WR KC Concepcion. AI Reported 2026 Combine Meetings/Visits: LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers. DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn): Confirmed formal interview with the Panthers. S Caleb Downs (Ohio State): Linked as a high-priority target for defensive improvement. WR KC Concepcion (NC State): Expressed interest in joining the organization, with the team highly aware of him, according to Carolina Panthers. Draft Focus and Strategy: Defensive Focus: The team is searching for defensive upgrades, particularly a long-term answer at linebacker to continue the legacy of Sam Mills and Luke Kuechly. Draft Board Depth: The Panthers entered the combine with 600 prospects on their board, as stated by GM Dan Morgan. Offensive Needs: Despite having the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year in Tetairoa McMillan, they are exploring receivers to boost the passing game.

I am a Golday fan, but Kyle Louis is a smallish stud.

dumb question but I don't know the answer: What is an "informal meeting" (aside from what it means literally) and what makes it different from "formal meeting?" I don't know how to ask the question--but I guess I am wondering why an informal meeting is news, or if they were really interested, why not a formal meeting?

Until he hit that slump, my argument was stronger. I can say that the Bama Bump is perhaps not as substantial as it was before--but your points are valid. My point is based on a strong throwing performance at the combine--which is not more important than the film. if he throws well, I will bet that he goes in round 1.

Yes. I really like the group--Dillion Thieneman (ore) is a player I would consider in the first round (QB for the DBs), later? Bud Clark (TCU), Taafe (Texas), and McNeil-Warren (Toledo). I know many of us are thinking Edge, LB, or OT in round 1 but we could eliminate or reduce those needs in free agency I still like Golday (LB, Cincinnati) but I think Kyle Louis is pretty awesome looking--I think he is a bit short, but beason and Mills were a bit short too. (Beason is listed at 6 feet, Mills was a few inches shorter).

Your point about D. Brown never leaving the field is valid----I see Cam Jackson and Bobby Brown III as the NTs and Wharton and D. Brown as the other DTs. Wharton is safe through this season, but looks like he will be cut in 2027 should his play not drastically improve. Yikes!!! not much better, but for much less $$$ and then there is Derrick, who is really the only DT worthy of starting: While we have bodies, and Wharton could step up and Jackson and Brown III could improve--but in my mind, right now, we have an overpaid, undersized DT in addition to Derrick. Jackson and Brown III are big bodies. Depends on what we want to do up front.

I would also add that our free agency is going to make the draft much easier to predict.

I am pretty bullish about the DTs in this draft--I could even see us taking one at 19 if the right guy falls.

That $$ would bring in a pretty sound ILB in free agency.

WHat I try to do is disregard my personal preferences. My philosophy is spend $$ on the OL and not on RBs--never draft a RB in the first round and RARELY give a RB a second contract. There are exceptions, so for me, I would have to base it on needs over all else. We NEED a starting T We NEED a starting ILB We NEED a rotational Edge We NEED a starting C We NEED a WR to a lesser degee, if we stay healthy We probably NEED a starting FS. I am concerned that Rico will be gone (right move) and Chuba will be 27-about the age RBs start to decline. So you could make an argument for Love, but if we drafted Love at 19, I know we'd get good value, but I would be so pissed off.

He is 30, had a decent year (average in my opinion) and earned around $12m. He was decent, but the Cap savings for cutting him is over $10m.

right now, but if he throws well....Look, I agree with you, but we have both seen second rounders (in our view) get taken in the first round (Penix, Richardson, Pickett, Levis, etc) when they had the same kind of flaws. Personally, he has all the traits of a QB that flounders in the NFL--the experience, the inconsistency, etc. These qbs who play with leads 95% of the time, have better OL and better WRs that the opposition's DL and DBs---(bryce falls in this category) Maybe a team that wants him will trade up with us.

I think Kiper has talked about Simpson to the Steelers (around 21). However, I think everyone is saying this based on the dearth of QB talent and that Simpson, who is throwing, knocks off some socks. I could see him going to a Pittsburgh or LAR in the first round--- I could see teams grabbing him a round before he should go--we are talking about QBs. Is he better than Kenny Pickett? I think he went around 20.

After the combine, he will be mocking around 10

THIS^^^^^^^