MHS831

So our QB competition in the NFC South is likely to be Tampa Bay: Baker Mayfield Atlanta: Desmond Ridder/Taylor Heinicke New Orleans: Derek Carr When it used to be: Matt Ryan Drew Brees Tom Brady

The only knock I have seen on Stroud is "he is better from a clean pocket than when pressured." That is literally true for every QB who ever played the game.

This is going to sound weird and I am not certain this thinking is logical, but here goes: 1. Brady Christensen is our swing T. If a T goes down, he steps outside. 2. Cade Mays is our interior depth guy. So is Elflein, but I am not sure he stays on the roster. He can play any spot on the line, but is probably best left inside. IF BC has to play T, Cade moves to LG. He was a great pick. Aside from those players, we have Elf (G/C), Tecklenberg (I think--C), and Michael Jordan (G)- Late in the draft, we should grab a T, but the T crop is not good late in the draft. Cade Mays played a lot of T in college, so maybe he is the fourth T, behind BC--weird situation.

For what it’s worth, Stroud has the highest ceiling of any QB in the 2023 NFL Draft. His arm talent is A1, his mobility is above-average and Stroud has shown up in big games against great teams.

For what it’s worth, Stroud has the highest ceiling of any QB in the 2023 NFL Draft. His arm talent is A1, his mobility is above-average and Stroud has shown up in big games against great teams.

WR is scary. I had no idea that the free agent and draft were this bad until after the DJ Moore trade. Marshall (not yet 23) and Shenault (not yet 25) will have to play bigger roles--both are very young and there is reason to expect them to step up this year. I am hoping one of the two slot WRs on the PS will emerge (CJ Sanders, Derek Wright--both flashed during the preseason, 2022). Shenault will get his chances--he was not used that much, but he had an 85 PFF rating--was targeted 32 times and caught 27 of them. He is 6'2" and 220--He was the 42 overall pick in the 2021 draft and had over 600 yards as a rookie. Our remaining WRs are very young, but they have experience. We need a pass catching TE and another good WR. I would love to see one in free agency and then at pick 39. About TMJ: He had nearly 500 yards on 28 catches (42 targets) for a 17.5 average per reception. His PFF grade was a respectable 67.7. He seems to be ready to turn the corner. He is going to be 23, so his best football is ahead of him. Pair him with Shenault and another mid-level free agent WR, a new rookie (at pick 39) and maybe CJ Saunders/Derek Wright as a fifth or sixth, this WR group could surprise. Unusual Take: Giovanni Ricci is a converted WR playing TE/FB. He has good hands, runs good routes, and is efficient. He is 6'3" and currently weighs 240, and his 40 time is in the 4.7 range. He was targeted 9 times in 2022 and caught 8 of them for 100 yards. His PFF score was a respectable 63.6, but that could improve with more use. Could he drop 15 pounds and become more of a hybrid Hback/WR/TE? I know we need 2 stud WRs in addition to what we have, but if Marshall and Shenault could step up (they are both under 25, so it is possible) this WR unit might not be as bad as people think.

About NT--we have Marquan McCall who was pretty solid last year in very limited duty--345 lbs. 56.8 PFF score for a rookie (he will be 24). Bravvion Roy is 330 lbs in limited duty and he scored a 56 PFF-he will be 26. That is not great, but it is serviceable.

Not a UNC homer, but to me, Howell was the better option to be a pro QB.

For cap reasons, he will be cut. I think Mays can back up Bozeman at C.

Here is a list of my free agents for the coming days. Not superstars--affordable, practical upgrades. *Indicates my preferred targets. Comments below: RB Alexander Mattison: Plays behind Dalvin Cook. Good numbers, can catch out of backfield WR Richie James: Had best season in 2022 in Dabold’s system. Improved every year, however. WR Parris Campbell: Played 15 games in first 3 seasons, but played 17 in 2022, where he caught 63 balls. Huge risk...Cannot stay healthy. WR Darius Slayton: Has had 3, 700-yard seasons in 4 seasons. Durable. Drop rate slightly higher that NFL average (7.0/6.6) TE Foster Moreau: Plays behind Darren Waller. Good numbers for a #2 TE—more yards than all Panther TEs combined. TE Dalton Schultz: Probably the player to target if not drafting a TE—overshadowed by younger TEs on roster at times because they just had too much talent at the position. TE Austin Hooper: Nothing special and has been in Atlanta and Tennessee. An upgrade? TE Hayden Hurst: Was injured in 2022—had good game in playoffs TE Mike Gisicki: Had a much better 2021 than 2022. Not used correctly. Can play outside, slot, and on line. Because he was not used correctly, his value is lower—I think he could be signed on the cheap. I am convinced that we must find at least 1 WR in the draft and sign a marginal WR as described here. The 39th pick must be a WR--after looking at this crap. Grab the Veteran TE, Scott. Focus on QB and WR in the draft. Player/age Position Former team/PFF Score Receptions/Yards Carries/Yards Alexander Mattison / 25 RB Vikings / 71.2 15/91 74/283 (3.8) *Richie James/ 27 WR Giants / 71.6 57/569 Parris Campbell/ 26 WR Colts / 60.8 63/623 *Darius Slayton/ 26 WR Giants / 68.5 45/724 *Foster Moreau / 26 TE Raiders / 61.1 33/420 *Dalton Schultz / 27 TE Cowboys / 67.8 57/577 Austin Hooper / 28 TE Titans / 68.8 41/444 Hayden Hurst /30 TE Bengals / 65.0 52/414 *Mike Gisicki / 28 TE Miami / 59.9 32/362

Yes. I think we can create enough to sign a WR or TE--Foreman is still out--

If you had told me that we would sign a starting DL, a starting S, and a starting C for a combined $20m per year (rough average)-on the first day of tampering, I would not have believed you. I would have assumed something closer to $30m (Bozeman about $9-11m, Bell about $10m, and Shy for about $7-8m Foreman is still yet to be signed, which means we probably lowballed him a bit ($3-4m)--

that is where I found it.

Including Vonn Bell? I have not seen that deal. I have not seen the Shaq deal either.

if anyone is watching NFL network, is the background music when they are showing highlights too loud? I can't hear the narration--wondering if it was on my end only.

Thanks Cleveland:

that is what the Browns paid their center and they were fairly equal

Yeah--I was thinking Vince Young at worst, Cam Jr. at best.

I would take Garrett Bradbury (28) from Minnesota over Bozeman, but Bozeman did play well for about a half season or so for us. A former first rounder who had a decent season last year (injured late). I think it is interesting that Pocic (Cleveland) also 28, just signed a three year, $18m deal--$6m per and he is rated higher than Bozeman. Going by that, the Panthers probably offered him $6 and he wanted $10-he is probably getting $6m.

This is great news for us. I am getting fairly stoked over this free agency, the more I read about the defense we will run--I am still pretty ignorant about it, but it seems we have studs where we need studs--a bit concerned about LB depth, but that is about it. Bozeman and Foreman are not irreplaceable, so if I was them, I would call my agent. I am not a fan of re-signing 1-dimensional running backs. I would offer Bozeman $7.5 and Foreman $3. Take it or leave it. If Bozeman walks, move Cade Mays to center and let Elf back him up. If we can grab a WR in free agency once the price drops, we can find one in the draft--hopefully, we can add a TE and be OK.

Looks like we are waiting on Bozeman and Foreman and, after signing these two today, I am not sure how much more we can do, saving $10m for draft picks. Lotta unknowns right now. However, it looks as if we can enter the draft needing QB, WR, TE, and depth.

Looks as though the Panthers are going defense in free agency--a front end and back end player. I am interested in this addition because it could mean that we will not need 3 CBs as much--our CBs are rather fragile. As for those of you talking about the weight of DT Shy Tuttle in a thread entitled, "Panthers sign Vonn Bell" bless your hearts.

If we take Young, I will understand why and support the move--but Stroud--in a clean pocket is tough to beat. But to be fair, most QBs suck under pressure.

which was part of the intended humor--must not have delivered it well.