MHS831

Yes--I think that is what they are doing. Both Safeties have the ability to play deep. When the coaches were asked, they said the same things about both Safeties. I am not sure that we are going to have a pure free safety.

Horn looks quick and he seems to be humble--he sounds like Armanti Edwards when he talks--The thing that impresses me about Horn is his balance and his speed out of breaks. Watch again and see what I mean. This guy could be a gem.

The difference between the edge players in the first round and those found as late as round 3 was not significant. Morgan was very smart not to take a question mark edge at 8 when he may have picked two who have more upside at edge.

I think Walker is a great kid and could become a great player if used correctly. However, we needed edge help and as an edge, he was not a top 10 player. I think players like Micah Parsons give GMs visions of similar returns, but Walker's value lies in his versatility. There was a time when I wanted him--not going to lie--but I preferred trading back more. At #8, I just could not find a player worth that high a pick that checked all the boxes.

I mean, if Clowney was playing lights out, an edge making $10m is a bargain. He would not be upset if there were other teams with open wallets waiting to give him a 2-3 year deal. He was a stop gap, and now our developmental talent needs some sunlight. If Clowney were to stay and have a good year, he is a 33-year old free agent. If our two draft picks get a combined 12-15 sacks, then you know that they got more production at the edge position for less money and we are building. Clowney has flashed. He is a great specimen and tremendous football player. His mindset is not a dawg, however.

There is a real science to it that involves math and if you don't know the language, you are history (see what I did there?) . You need soldiers before you need generals--Morgan did a great job in this draft, imo. He wanted to trade back--more picks. Yes, most of the picks will not pan out, but most of the NFL starters were not first round picks. Free agency is like dealing with a loan shark to make the house payment--you have to draft strategically.

Suggestion: If it is too long for you and you can't read it, don't comment on it. Your uniformed opinion is not required.

Sorta related. I just looked up a stat: Success rates for NFL draft's second rounders. I was surprised that it is 49%. The success rate for first rounders is 58%. Here success does not mean those that did not bust, it means that roughly half of the players selected in the second round become full-time starters at some point in their careers. Busts do that too. However, considering the fact that a first round talent is worth up to 1800 points (first overall pick) more than the first pick of the second round and as low as 350 points (last pick in first round) higher than the last pick in round 2, it seems there could be cases in which it would be to your advantage to trade out of round 1 and draft two or three second rounders for the value. Of course, the elite players are likely to be gone, and some positions overwhelmingly suck after round 1 (traditionally, like QB or LT, for example), but if you need to find starters at positions like DT, G, LB, S, C, TE, RB, etc, there could be a time when you trade back for more starters. I was surprised that the margin between rounds 1 and 2 was only 9%. While I realize that some of you sofa scholars are thinking, "Well duh? Trading back gives you more players." as you wipe the Cheetos off your shirt. Not the point. The point is you have to consider the draft,the needs (and the number of them), and you need to scout the second and third rounds like you do the first, the cap, and the long-term impact. If you can find 2 players with a 49% chance of becoming a starter, are you better off than drafting one player who has a 58% chance in the long term? So if I traded away my first rounder for two second rounders (a trade most teams would make) regularly, when I got 10 second rounders (by trading 5 first rounders), 5 would be starters. If I did not trade and kept my 5 first rounders, 3 would be starters. Furthermore, their rookie contracts would be much cheaper than the 5 first rounders.

I see several players who could make this roster. This is a pretty impressive group of free agents--no "home runs" like Coker last year, but I see OL help (probably going to PS) I see a safety and LB and CB or two making this roster. After the mini camp today and tomorrow, you might see a few more roster cuts. That will give us some idea of what they see down the road.

I try to keep up and project the roster with color-coded charts. You can see priorities and gauge who has the best chance of making the roster--you can see the priorities as well. Here, Yellow is a 2025 draft pick, green is an undrafted free agent, and orange is a free agent. The depth chart will obviously change and I am not sure about roles (positions in all cases), so that is not the real issue at this time, but yellows and oranges show how the team focused on which aspects of the defense: In the front 5, there were 3 draft picks, 3 free agents (not including players we re-signed), and two undrafted players signed. In the back 6, there was 1 draft pick and 2 free agents (LB, S), and four undrafted free agents. The undrafted free agents are always long shots, but by identifying them, you can tell which longshots might make the roster.

we are thin in a few areas. I still think they think we are set at edge. We still have DJ and Barno and one could go to the PS. Edge is one of those positions, for some reason, where if you do not draft the right guy or break the bank, you gotta go with what you have. Personally, I think our 2 draft picks will be fine. SEC kids. Jones and Wonnum are adequate vets who are not so good they will steal playing time from the toddlers. Three rookies (including Mwansa, who could play special teams while developing as an edge) behind 2 vets is huge, but don't forget, we had a veteran group of DTs, DEs, and LBs. On the back end of the defense, all veterans (starting) except maybe Ransom.

No need with Dowdle and Etienne behind Hubbard.

Yeah, he was removed from our bingo cards when that second knee injury went down.

6-2 230--so he will probably add 15 lbs of muscle--he has bend, natural speed, and is still learning-at combines (not NFL--CFL and one down in Florida, I think) he blew away the competition at Edge. I think I read that he has already been given #96--so our five Edge players are in the barn.

could be--I read several articles about him. This is not a foreign relations project--they think they have a rough gem here. Would that not be awesome? In my mind, edge is set. Barno and Johnson are history. That roster spot savings for a fifth DE is huge. It means we can add a guy somewhere else.

Yeah, we are gonna be raw. Wonnum, for the past 3 years, has been averaging 8 sacks a season (4 in one season when he missed half a season). I am OK, but yes, they will be thrown to the fire.

I was saying he should go and I am a lifelong Gamecock fan--but I don't care who wanted him to stay. Why is that important? I see both sides--but Clowney was gone by round 3 of the draft.

wonnum/jones?

Y'all forgetting about Maz Mwansa. He would be the fifth DE IF the cut Barno and DJ Johnson. He would not cost us a roster spot--and that is the key. "Carolina’s pass rush is being reshaped under new outside linebackers coach AC Carter, and recent addition Patrick Jones II. While Mwansa won’t count against the active roster thanks to the IPP slot, his upside is significant. He’s been likened physically to Eagles pass rusher Nolan Smith Jr. and already shows flashes of edge-bending potential. Panthers Director of Player Personnel Cole Spencer summed it up: “Anytime you get a raw ball of clay like that, and the league affords a roster spot, it’s pretty cool.”

You need to play these young guys as much as possible. Hard to replace production like this (sarcasm):

I used to get frustrated with moose. He dropped key passes---I remember one in the end zone that cost us the game-like XL. He is going to be fine. Realistically, next year will be a bit developmental again. Steve Smith had 154 yards during his first season and I recall him fumbling a few times on punt returns to cost us a game or two. It takes time-

Moose Muhammad was known for drops too. He had 724 yards during his first two seasons combined and only 1 TD. His catch percentage was below 50%. He had a 14-year career and played in 2 pro bowls.

Yeah, Fitzgerald was smart to sign with the panthers--not sure how many NFL teams were in the Market....I was surprised to see Morgan re-sign Tuttle and Ray--even if Ray's contract is completely unguaranteed--but with Brown, Wharton, Brown III, Robinson, Cam Jackson--maybe Crumedy--Tuttle could be excellent depth--but at DE, not DT, imo. Once again, it appears that Morgan may have found UDFAs who have a shot making the team--last year, there were 2 who contributed in a meaningful way. This year, I see CBs Thornton and Reid with a legitimate shot to make the roster. I also think LB Nomura has a legit shot (Morgan has to love this guy) as well as LB Bam Martin Smith from USC. Finally, I think one of the safeties will stick. In all, I expect 1-2 CBs, 1 LB, 1 S, 1 OL, 1 K to make this team. Predictions: CBs Thornton and Reid make the 53-man roster. LB Tuasivi Nomura makes the 53-man roster as a ST ace and ILB depth OL Michael Tarquin may make the roster to groom as a potential RT replacement for Moton. Moton, BC, and Nijman are on expiring contracts. While I like what I am hearing about Kandra, the OG room is very crowded. Lewis, Hunt, Zavala, Kingston--but he could compete for the 4th G job. S: Trevian Thomas, Isaac Gifford are probably the front runners, but Jack Henderson from Minnesota might be able to win a S spot as well. I expect all three will not make the 53, but the darkhorse name to watch is Henderson. Henderson's Pro day: Minnesota DB Jack Henderson had arguably the BEST overall workout of any Safety in this entire draft: 40yd. 4.47 vertical. 40” Broad. 10’8” Shuttle. 4.15 3cone. 6.70 Bench. 12

He said he was looking for productive college players.