MHS831

I see Miller here. In a dream vision. He was on a zebra in an undisclosed Walmart. It will be so.

I also think day three needs to be OL depth, TE, DT, and QB.

Hard to say right now, but good thinking. I look at this as the info we need for free agency. Looks like we are going to free up about $10m so far; watch to see if any contracts (Moehrig, Horn, Brown, etc) are reworked the first week of March. Then after free agency, we will have a pretty good idea. Right now, to be fair to your question because I am sure you are aware of its timing: In free agency, I see us adding an OT of some sort and drafting one at some point. It all depends on how they view Ickey, Nijman, and maybe BC. That OT could be Nijman. I do not see the future OT--just a stop gap. I see the Panthers signing a free-agent center. I think the market is strong. I see Fortner from the Saints as a prime candidate and his salary is estimated at $6m by Spotrac. the Saints are $42m over the cap, so I doubt they are able to re-sign many of their own. He will be 28. I also expect them to re-sign Corbett (depth) at a vet min ($1.5m) deal. I also see free agency as a strong area to get a free safety who can play and is under age 30. Hawkins, Cook, and Bryant are all around age 27-28, play at a high level, and should be had for about $15m per. EDGE: Arnold Ebiketie is a good value because he gets pressure at a high percentage. He had 2 sacks and Atlanta just drafted 2 pass rushers last year. He has a 70+ PFF rating and will (Spotrac) demand about $9m. While he is not the answer, he is a great third down option with Princely and he would allow for Jones, Scourton, and Princely to develop. So if we could sign a S, C, and Edge, and maybe even an ILB, we could be set to take BPA. I like the FS and C markets--not elated about an edge--and I love the ILBs in the draft. If I could sign a S, C, and Edge: 1. OT 2. ILB 3. WR OR 1. WR 2. OT 3. ILB (so deep)

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned intelligence--we have 3 primary needs at positions where intelligence is very important (FS C, LB). It made me re-think things. Smart players make others around them better and they anticipate mistakes. Everyone is good--great is where you have to be.

last year, he shouted for Kevin Greene to go in for Rucker. It was the right decision, wrong time.

Hey friend, we both know there are no winners or losers until the draft is about 3 years old. We all pound the table like we have the answers , but if we went back and read our comments from 2021--we'd have to change our usernames to save face!! RBs are devalued, so you could get the best bang for your buck by taking a talent like Love.

It seems the needs for the Panthers are at positions that tend to require intelligence to lift others--going from "good to great"--FS, ILB, and C--as you say. While i like Rodriguez a lot (can see the Hurricanes [Jarvis] and Panthers with a mustache player to get the fans into it)--I also like Golday (WLB?). However, take a look at smallish Kyle Louis (Pitt). He is known to be cerebral, but he is small (5'11" I think) and for that, I moved him lower. But look at the different LB events at the combine--he is near the top in most of them. I see him as a sleeper. So if we wait until the second round, we can get a solid LB. So what if we grab a free agent edge specialist (veteran) for pass situations and help develop Princely. We draft FS (Oregon) first--maybe trading back to do so--I dunno. We sign a free agent ILB and draft a rookie like Rodriguez or Louis. In the third, we could probably find a center, like (former OT Parker from Duke) or Slaughter or Pew (may have to trade up). So, as you say, others are fighting for Edge players, WRs, and OTs early like seagulls on the beach fighting over spilled corn chips, We sit back, grab intelligent players that make others better. FS, ILB, and C. OT scares me more that Edge if we do this--but for those screaming for an edge--we have edge players--2 with starting experience who have had some degree of success. JC Davis can play either T spot and he is good at pass blocking--a bit raw--but could be developmental depth that could play in a pinch. Or you could draft a solid OT with shorter arms that are driving them down into day 3--and convert them to G or C later. Nijman and BC being re-signed could provide enough to hold down the job until a developmental OT (World, Oregon?) prepares for a shot at it. Wagner (ND) could play LT but is probably a future RT--he is expected to be drafted early day 3. My favorite day 3 OT sleeper? Keagan Trost, Missouri. Great run blocker, soild pass blocker in SEC--just shorter arms. Maybe a guard down the road, but for the time being, a T. Not ideal, but at least you are building for the future.

Vernon Gholston vibes? had 14 sacks at Ohio State in 2007; 45 games in the NFL: 0 sacks.

I want a high impact player, but a true FS who could qb the secondary might be more effective than we realize. I don't think Moehrig is that guy (I think he is overpaid, however). I want a flashy, high impact player, but we could use defensive qbs at ILB and FS. By upgrading skill AND adding vision and leadership, could we get better than if we added an edge or OT? I am not sure that I believe this myself, but I try to look at things from all perspectives. Here is some devil's advocacy stuff: 1. EDGE-We are freaking out about the pressure we put on the qb from the edge position. However, Jones II and Wonnum missed a total of 22 games. Scourton was a rookie and Princely was a third rounder. Wharton sucked (not sure if he was used properly--a hybrid who can rush from the 5 tech or 3, etc), and this put more pressure on Scourton and the other edge players. This year, we get Jones II, Scourton should continue to evolve with Princely. Perhaps another rookie is not what we need. Maybe a veteran situational pass rusher. 2. OFFENSIVE TACKLE: Of course, we need an OT, but the draft is loaded with OTs that can pass block but struggle in run blocking--so a rookie at LT might not be the answer for a team that wants to run first. What to do? I am not sure. I see Nijman returning after testing the market, but who knows? 3. INSIDE LB: A huge need, regardless of how you spin it. However, I see a few free agents who would be solid here, and I see the second round having a few ILBs with starting potential. I do not see an ILB worth the first round pick unless a freak falls to us. 4. With veteran defensive backs, a young, intelligent FS could fit in nicely. Intelligence is key--like the way Luke made the front 7 better. "A good, intelligent free safety (FS) acts as the "quarterback of the defense" transforming a unit from good to great by acting as the last line of defense, communicating pre-snap adjustments, and anticipating plays before they happen. By reading the quarterback's eyes and diagnosing offensive schemes, an intelligent FS acts as a "centerfielder" who can neutralize deep threats and mitigate errors made by cornerbacks or linebackers."

I get it. It would have to grow on you, but if we address a few needs in free agency, I could love it.

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^^^^^^^