MHS831

I have considered free agency. LT? Either not good enough or too expensive. Besides, this is a good OT draft. (I would rather have a free agent, mind you, but the Panthers' reality suggests we can't do it without neglecting other positions). What LTs are available in free agency, and what do you expect to pay? Any Ickey-level OT is going to cost over $20m. How much do we already have invested in our OL? I get your point, but I do not think you can spend over $100m per on your OL. We have 2 guards and a right T who pull in about $75m per season. We don't have a center yet. Teams just don't let good LTs hit free agency, and when one does on rare occasion, he is expensive. If you want a third of the Panther cap going to 5 Offensive Linemen, free agency is the way to go. We still need S, ILB, Edge, WR, etc. I think we'd need more than Nijman--and I would understand if we went free agent for a T--but that is putting a TON of your cap at OL--so considering our situation, I do not see that option as preferable. You may disagree. If I was not talking LT on our line and thinking about the cap, I would agree 100%.

good post. this is the season when I get stressed over the cap and then remember, it is not my problem.

I was going to make the same comment--better in coverage, only 27. Jags LB is going to be overpriced.

Great point.

I think Ignoring OT in round 1 or 2 is a mistake.

I wish I could--but I like the guy.

great guy--oozing leadership. I hate the saints, but have always loved him as a player and person

To have all the tools and you still can't get the job done--BUT if the light does come on--and some WRs take time--we could be scary.

Yeah, you have to assume he was not facing many shutdown CBs

he catches everything thrown to him....had 17 targets and 14 receptions for 160 yards. XL has the tools to be really good--not sure about inside the helmet though

Yeah, that is my point--we all are just shootin from the hip.

Jerry Jones has realized that his days are numbered. Supposedly, he is mortgaging the future for a ring today--he mentioned that he only has 1 ring, but that team was not one he built--(did not mention that part). Desperation, ego, and wealth--a dangerous combination. Lets see what he does.

I was expecting to see more cap room moves by now, which may be to suggest that we are not going to be that aggressive. I have mixed emotions about that (because I think we have 3 needs on D and 3 needs on O--starters). If you look to the draft for 3 starters, that is ambitious. We need 6

So I am guessing we go with: TMac XL Coker Tremayne (17 targets, 14 receptions, 160 yards--not bad) Horn XXXXXXXXXX

Awesome. Do you have a pattern of being right?

We have no idea how this will work out, but we know better than to close our minds because there is an isolated incident that is similar in nature that did not work out well.

at least we are getting some moves now--going into a fun time of the year. THANKS Special Juan for staying on top of things.

Make it happen.

Same

Guessing that Horn might get extended (along with Hunt and / or Lewis) so the sting of that contract might be mitigated.

He is slated to go rounds 5-7--he is the type of player that makes a way onto the roster and stays in the NFL for 8 years. To your point, if Brooks comes around and we have this (and Horn) in the slot, we have given Bryce more options. On paper, it seems promising.

Not that he would be a tweener--he's an accomplished slot WR with more yards than many in this draft. He possesses all the attributes of a slot--size speed, hands, intelligence, production, and experience. Throw in intelligence and discipline. The fact that he can also play RB in a pinch does not make him a tweener, in my view.

Me too--a day 3 slot who can play STs and RB in a pinch-

OK, we are letting our top RB go. We have Chuba, Etienne, and Brooks. Imagine a player who could LEGITIMATELY play the slot and back up at RB? I am sure he'd be a special team player as well. I noticed him at the combine, and thought, "Here is a late rounder who could stand out as a slot and provide depth at RB. Without further ado....(I know one Huddler who might be able to tell us more about this guy): Navy running back/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich headlined the 2026 NFL Combine for the Midshipmen, running an official 4.44-second 40-yard dash and recording 16 reps on the bench press. Recognized as a versatile, "Swiss army knife" offensive weapon, Heidenreich solidified his draft stock as a potential day three target. Eli Heidenreich (RB/WR - Navy) 2026 Combine Performance: 6'0" 200 lbs. 40-Yard Dash: 4.44 seconds. 10-Yard Split: 1.55 seconds. Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches. Broad Jump: 10' 0". Bench Press: 16 Reps. Highlights: Showcased as a premier receiving threat from the backfield, having left Navy as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards (1,994). High character. Smart. Maybe, just maybe....

Correct this logic I might if it meant taking his guaranteed money now and spread it over 3 years (2026-2028) and maybe add $6m. I am not sure you can do that, or that he would do it, but it would be a way for him to extend his career and bank accounts and we would be getting him for $6m for 2 years (if healthy), basically, since his entire salary is guaranteed now. If not, we lose an additional $6m spread over 2 years. So let's say his guaranteed $$ for 2026 is $18m. Give him a $24m contract ($8m per) through 2028. Worst case: We get $10m in cap relief now and create $3m dead cap for 2 years (2027-8). Best case? We get cap relief now and a good/decent guard/tackle for 2 years (2027-2028) and the total salary per year when he is active would be $12m if you don't count any money for the season he cannot play. That is a good value, and we'd basically be getting a 50% discount rate. Since we have so much guaranteed now, extending him is not as crazy as it seems. Something has to be wrong with this logic...