MHS831

I think nothing makes sense where we are sitting (wanting to build a winner) but from their sofa cushions, year three is "win now" or go home--gonna be interesting to see how they react to it. Darnold cant read a defense, he is only comfortable throwing half of the route tree and that may be too nice.

Thought I would plunge into Scott's Brain to see what might be going on. Key Variables Although the Panthers are not saying it as loud as they should, we need a Quarterback more than any other position because you cannot win without one. We also need an offensive line and a few other pieces. So where will we do our shopping? A QB in free agency: That sounds great, but there is one problem. A top end, game changing QB ain't coming to Charlotte right now. Small market, three consecutive 5-win seasons, terrible OL... So do we hope to find a QB in a bad situation and make him great by building around him? Like we did Teddy? Like we did Cam? Like we did Sam? A QB in the draft: Every year we pick in the top 10 and do not take a QB, careers rest on the success rate of those that we did not take--for a DT, a CB, etc. If Fields or Jones become solid starting QBs, it looks bad--yes, we have other needs, but what need is bigger than QB? What if we take OT Cross this year and he does well at LT--and we leave Pickett on the board (for example) and he takes his team to the playoffs? Will people say, "Scott. That Cross was one helluva pick!" Nope. They will say, "Hey dumbass--you passed on QB again and they are now kicking your ass." Did we really think we had the answer in Darnold? That makes the brain trust look stupid about talent evaluation. This year, there is a good chance that the Panthers will have their choice of the QBs at #6--do they pass over a QB again? I do not see it--I see possibly trading back and taking a QB, but I do not see a QB in free agency and I do not see one in the draft after round 1--maybe even in round 1. It is a bad predicament. A look at the Offensive line: While the smart move is to draft an elite OT, that automatically makes this third year of Rhule the first year of a two-year turnaround. So let's say we draft a T and maybe a G later; what about QB? Darnold will be in the last year of his deal and will not be re-signed and your only reserve is a good XFL player (or whatever that league was called). So if you wait to draft a QB in 2023, you have to draft a stud who can start day 1. No learning curve; no developmental grace period. He starts because that is all we have. We know that Brady Christensen has some skills that suggest he can start at LT--he just needs some technique to be coached into him. We know that we can find a pair of higher-end guards in free agency for less than the cost of a QB. Elflein is not overpowering by any means, but he has starting NFL experience at C. I think the team will draft a center in round 4 and sign at least 1 (maybe 2) guards in free agency. I think, with this being a "need to win now" year for Rhule, they will be forced to do address the OL in free agency and draft a QB. Even if the QB is not ready in 2022, he would be developing this year. If you do not like him, you can draft another one in 2023 or sign a free agent when you have the cap room. I am not sure what I would do---I am saying, "These are the variables in Fitterer's head, and if you analyze them, you can make a calculated guess as to what he might do." Rhule's hot seat is also in play; they are not looking 2-year turnaround. He knows he must win in year 3 like he did in college. This offseason is going to be interesting. Men will be made or destroyed based on decisions they have to make.

This thread probably should be moved out of the NFL DRAFT board.

we should pin a thread like this.

Predicting Rhule has been exhausting, but if he goes with a proven winner, we are investing $40m per-and as you say-who would come to this joke of a franchise right now? Small Market, 3 consecutive years of 5-win seasons, and a coach on the hot seat (we hope).

I just think that if they do sign a free agent again and fail to draft a QB again, all hell is going to break loose. The list of QBs we pass on will become larger and more distinctive as we continue NOT drafting a QB. When Fields has a good year--when Jones has another winning season... Maybe a bit off topic because no QB in this draft will be ready to start day 1, but I think a line and some offseason ball enhancement may help Darnold enough to play until a rookie is ready. If Pickett is there at #6, for example, and we do not pick him, and he goes on to become a Joe Burrow-ish NFL QB--people will lose their jobs over that. Same with Howell, who I think could end up being the best of the bunch (Not a UNC fan, but a good OL and WRs make him very dangerous). I expect the following: The Panthers will not go after another free agent QB. They will sign a Guard or two in free agency and develop BC as the LT. Elflein will play center. (NOT SAYING THIS IS MY PLAN--but when the reality of the situation takes hold--when you look at the big picture--they may be forced to do something like this). BC does not come off as a guard--too much finesse. He will start in 2022, and he will start at LT. When the dust settles, that is what they will do. I know there are other options, but if they think BC can be a serviceable LT, they will address G in free agency. That means at #6 they either take the #1 QB on their board or trade back. If they trade back, they may take the best QB then as well. I just do not see us bypassing a QB again.

I was watching the Panthers/Pats preseason game his rookie year. I went with some guys i used to coach high school football with---Bledsoe went out of the game after the first quarter, and I said, "Guys--this #12 is better than Bledsoe." They mocked me for that comment the rest of the night--on the drive home--the next day at school...When I reminded them of it a few years later, they could not remember.

I think if you tell him that he will be a LT (I do not see him as a guard, frankly, because he is more of a finesse player) during the offseason and you work with him starting now---he will improve. Brady is borderline starting LT now--with some work, he can be an average LT in 2022. How the new OL coach and OC see this might determine who we draft.

This. When you use him at LG, dabble at C, RG, RT, and then LT during his rookie season....

He invented the double reverse, flea-flicker quick Kick. Keeps em guessing.

I would assume that the 2 edge rushers and the three OTs are gone. I stick a "for sale" sign on the pick and trade back. Someone will want Stingley or Gardner (CBs) and be willing to move up--or Hamilton (S).

Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah work closely together---they have apparently been given some bad intel. You look at the Panthers and it seems as if we are losing Jackson and Gilmore. Heck, both were not on the field at the same time--we are not losing 2 players, we are losing 1 starting CB position. This suggests that they see Henderson and Taylor as busts. I do not.

Howell has the calm composure and cool you like to see in a QB. Most of the candidates have skills, but what happens to them when the game is on the line? Howell has the skills and composure he needs to be a success. Can we provide the situation in which he can succeed? To me, Howell's skills are easier to assess than if he played at Alabama or Georgia. We got to see him in the face of some pretty significant adversity and his stock dropped--which, to me, might make him a bargain. I would not be opposed to trading back and adding a second or third rounder and taking Howell, if they think they can bring him along. And I don't give a crap about what team a player played for in college and it is really silly to base any assessment on some team loyalty bias. I hate NC State--their fans, students, sports teams, etc. But I want Ike if we don't trade out.

Cue the Benny Hill background music.

Always thinking you are in the right is a form of narcissism-and that could be it--or part of it.

There are 3 highly-rated edge rushers. I see 2 being gone by #6---a team with a need could move up with us to get (the kid from purdue) or we could move back if a team wants an elite OT--if we were going to take a QB. That means we could draft the QB around #13 and have a second rounder for OL--not sure that is what I would do, just sayin'. For example, Philly was 28th in sacks in 2021. They have three first rounders--a second rounder to move up for an elite sack master?

I could use up 200,000 dollars on a shrink's couch before hitting stage 3.

OK, there are guys every year in the draft that have character issues, and there are Huddlers who dismiss them. Character matters. AB has a mental illness and I will not trash him for this--there is some condition or characteristic that states a person with a particular condition will self-destruct. That is what we saw. He really thinks he is in the right here.

In my opinion, JW was a statement about Payton's ego. He thought, since he coached Brees, that he was the QB whisperer. I mean, he did do well with Bridgewater, so there could be something to it. The successful NFL QB has a good line in front of him and a noodle between his ears. JW was as good as he is ever going to be in New Orleans and he sucked.

Using Luvu correctly is key

I think Taylor belongs in the CB conversation. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Mayfield at nickel

How long was Brees there?

I have seen Willis all over the place--It seems that he is a polarizing player---however, he makes me think of Lamar Jackson in Baltimore--I think he went 32nd overall--Behind four picked in the top 10, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Josh Rosen (Josh Allen was the other). This draft sure looks like that one in 2018 to me. Today, that draft would have Josh Allen #1, and I am guessing Jackson would have been a Jet at #3.

I agree here, but I would have Elf stay at C and bring in a free agent LG--and I would make sure that RG Brown has competition. Of course, there are many ways to do this--and I am not sure my way is better than anyone else's way of handling this--if we had 1 need, same page. But when you have 3 OL needs AND QB--it gets complicated.

what do they mean, "Its officially mock draft season in Carolina." Try 2 months ago.