MHS831

That is exactly like I feel. Not a huge fan of the WRs this year. I do, however, like Xavier Restrepo from Miami in round 2. He has great hands and is always open. Probably more suited for the slot.

From what I read, I am not seeing that. We don't think WR is the top priority in the draft--

Take a look at our top WRs aside from XL--who arguably is our fourth best WR right now: AT (undrafted), Coker (undrafted), and Moore (7th round). You build from the inside out, back to front. I think we can get a TE, RB, and maybe even a WR on day 3 of the draft. I think we should leave days 1 and 2 with a top edge, DT, and MLB (not a Jewell fan, and if we go 4-3...) I would also need to evaluate Center but Mays has been OK and should improve. Some are arguing that we need a #1 WR, and rightly so, but XL, Coker, etc. will improve. Add some people who can catch and get open--they are not #1 WR out of college--they are #1 candidates. Fill the stall and let the fastest horse race.

Good summary

Last I saw, Giants beating Colts--they can't do anything right!

Well I guess its settled then.

If he is available, knowing what we know about probable free agents (who would come to Charlotte) and the draft, WR is almost a necessity--but if TMac and Abdul and Graham are all available, I am not sure the Panthers take TMac. The draft is deep at DT, and there are some edge players who can be developed. There are some DTs who can pressure the qb and collapse the pocket--they may be as valuable as an Edge---so it will be interesting. Gotta get WR help and it has to be top shelf help.

I can say that I love the speculation and research and debate before the draft almost as much as I do the regular season (when your team in not doing well). Tepper has shown some signs of understanding that he is not the smartest man in the war room. Morgan's draft, although I wanted Ladd I get why they did not draft him (AT), I think they saw last year's draft as year 1 of a 2 year process. They take a raw WR with upside, the top RB (but he was on the operating table on draft day)--these are long term, year 2 picks if they work out. Bad short term picks, good long-term picks. After that, Morgan was brilliant--Wallace is a player and he grabbed a fourth-round TE who is our #1 now. It is easy to look back and say, "What might have been" but this team was being run by clowns then--Fitterer and Tepper---and throw in Rhule for good measure. On defense, we are an edge and a DT from returning to glory. On offense, a WR and maybe a top TE should do it. I also say draft a QB to groom. Morgan got 3 starters (XL, Wallace, Sanders) out of the draft. That is good considering we had no first rounder going in. He got a depth player (Wade Smith) and probably a solid rotational RB (Brooks). Now he needs to do it again.

New England seems to sitting in the sweet spot of the draft because they are likely to pick second and they do not need a QB. Undoubtedly, the #1 pick will be a QB (let's say Giants), leaving New England on the clock. They can take the best player in college football and add to their cb room or their wr room. There will be interest in a trade with teams like Tennessee, Cleveland, Vegas, etc. all seemingly interested in a QB. A team moving up would not only have to pay the QB draft tax, but they would have to pay more to overcome the fact that Hunter was to be the pick. I am guessing that team might be Vegas, but watch the Browns. They have a ton invested in Watkins, so they can't afford a free agent. They can afford draft picks, however, and look to pick 5th overall (if the draft were today).

INTERESTING The Giants are the only 2-win team. Due to the Giants' strength of schedule, it is possible for them to win 1 game and drop to seventh in the draft. Having said that, I am confident the Giants will not win another game. Having said that, I am not sure I would be happy in this draft with the #1 overall pick knowing that I needed a QB. I have more confidence in Ward than Sanders, but, in my opinion, neither is ready to play in 2025.

Not related, but interesting. I am not sure I would be happy in this draft with the #1 overall pick knowing that I needed a QB. I have more confidence in Ward than Sanders, but, in my opinion, neither is ready to play in 2025.

So you are saying that we need a great QB to get "over the hump" (talking Super Bowl), and you call it a "hot take." Here is my question: What specifically would you do about it right now? I want names, please.

Good example. If you switch from the #2 role to the #1 role, you get the attention of the defense. You get the top CB a lot. You are the first read a lot--giving you less time to get separation. It is a different animal than #2. You go from Robin to Batman.

Their defense sucks, however, and I imagine they will invest in it---

I see it this way--what if you play Hubbard and he blows a knee? I would not be surprised to see Horn benched. I would not be surprised to see veterans like Jewell, Wonnum, Clowney, and maybe even Bryce benched at some point to prevent some injury that might impact the offseason/camp etc. In addition, it would assure a top 6 or so pick. In addition, you get to see how players like Plummer and a few others look when the bullets are real (unlike in preseason.) I realize that some of you think this is lunacy, but it happens and it is smart, actually. I think you try to win, you just try to win with developmental players while protecting your core for 2025.

To me, they are probably tanking legally--and they want to see what they have...I am surprised nobody said Plummer in the answer to this question. I want to see Cade Mays finish strong (He is ill right now). I do not want to see XL play well--I want his problem to be stuff you fix in the offseason, not inconsistency. I am not seeing Chuba to IR yet... Dont know how current this is, but from Panther site: Out: Smith Wade, Jewell Doubtful: Horn, Moton Questionable: Lewis, Wonnum, Clowney, Legette, Robinson, Hubbard (??), Gill

I think they are already thinking about the QB position and Plummer's last preseason game was strong, following a terrible one. I imagine he plays, unless the game is on the line.

Interesting. Very possible. I am under the impression that it is on a case-by-case basis--but it is a good question.

Plummer going to be the #2? I imagine he will get some time if the game slips away--one side or the other. Might mean Dalton has taken his last snap in a Panther uniform.

in 2022, the NFL suspended the Miami Dolphins owner and fined him $1.5 million for violating policies related to the integrity of the game when they were tanking.

I want the draft capital too, Cam, but I can answer it this way: We would be picking no worse than 10. If we lose out, it could be as bad as 7. If veterans who are free agents see that they can get in early on a winning team on the horizon, they are more likely to be interested in signing with Carolina that, say, Chicago, who seems to be in disarray. This is speculative, however--and I don't see us as big players in free agency--so it may be a mute point.

Sorry for the tech screw up--could not clear.

Tankathon Draft Order (12/28/24) *GIANTS While a win is unlikely because the Giants’ strength of schedule could take them from first overall pick to sixth using current data, Indy is erratic and Philly could be resting starters. Regardless, I see little chance the Giants punish the fans with an insulting win to lose an opportunity to get a franchise qb. *PATRIOTS New England has 2 home games left if chilly Foxboro. The Chargers are only giving 4.5 points this week and Buffalo could very well be resting starters next week. It seems unlikely on paper, but New England does not need a QB and they are going to try to win. *JAGUARS Jacksonville gets Tennessee at home and they are still slight underdogs. The end the season in Indy, who could be fighting for a wildcard. If they are going to win, it is Sunday. A 1 point home dog against a bad team means anything could happen. *TITANSBasically, the Titans are very slight road favorites at Jacksonville Sunday. Panther fans should root for the Titans because someone is going to go tho 4-12. Tennessee’s SOS is higher, so the Panthers want them to win. Jax can win and still not help the Panthers. If Tennessee wins, it could mean that the Panthers move up a spot. *BROWNS Their only hope is for a snow storm in Cleveland for the Dolphins game–they still lose. Cleveland has scored below 20 points 12 of 15 games this year. Yikes. They will be a top 5 pick, which will make the draft interesting. With Watson and Winston struggling, what will they do? *RAIDERS Based on the Saints terrible performance vs.Green Bay Monday Night, the Raiders were made favorites (-1.5) in the Big Easy. New Orleans not only looked like crap, they have a slew of injuries (Kamara for one) and are playing on a short week following a demoralizing win, while the Raiders are riding a one-game win streak. *BEARS In their last 4 games, the Bears have been outscored 45-131. The golden child who was destined for greatness (courtesy of the Carolina Panthers) has lost his mojo. With one game to play at Green Bay, they will not win another game this season. If the Panthers lose out, the Bears will not draft ahead of them–they have a .560 SOS to the Panthers’ .494. *PANTHERS While the Panthers almost beat Tampa Bay at home recently, they are 8 point dogs at Tampa. Their best chance for a Wis in Atlanta week 18, but if Pennix plays like he has so far, we probably lose. *JETS The Jets were considered a favorite to compete in the playoffs when they scrimmaged us. Heads are going to roll in January, one might think. Their SOS is slightly higher than the Panthers right now–so if both teams lose out, Math will determine who picks before whom. *SAINTS It is very unlikely that the Saints impact the Panthers’ draft position, but mathematically, they could if the Panthers win a game, the Saints lose out, and the SOS shifts from the Panthers’ favor to their favor somehow. However, the Saints (currently) pick 10th, and it is impossible for the Panther to pick worse than 10th. Who to root for this week and why: SATURDAY, 12/28 Chargers (-4.5) vs. Patriots: Of course, the Patriots are the team to root for, but if they win, their SOS is much lower than the Panthers, so the Panthers would not jump them–yet. But the Pats play Buffalo the following week, and the Bills could rest their starters. Long shot, but No Brainer- GO PATS!!. SUNDAY, 12/29 Titans (-1) vs. Jags: If the Jags win, their record goes to 4-12 like the Panthers is likely to be, but their SOS is lower. The Titans could win and their SOS would be higher than the Panthers if both are 4-12. No Brainer–GO TENNESSEE!! Jets vs. Bills (-10): Pull for the Jets, but they are nearly 10 point dawgs. Not likely, but No brainer–GO NYJ!! Raiders (-1.5) vs. Saints: A Saints win eliminates them from any chance of picking ahead of the Panthers, and even if the Panthers go 1-1 and the Saints finish 0-2, it is likely the Panther pick ahead of them. On the other hand, a Raiders win and a Panther loss this week puts the Panthers ahead of the Raiders. No Brainer–GO VEGAS!!! Colts (-7.5) vs. Giants: The Giants would have to run the table to pick later than the Panthers. Don’t waste sweat on this one. Indy has a winning road record and NY is 0-8. Not happening. No Brainer-forget about the Giants. Dolphins (-6.5) vs. Browns. The forecast today in Cleveland is 58 degrees and overcast. Fish dodge a blizzard. However, the Browns could surprise because Winston is streaky when he is not being stupid. If the Browns pull of the home upset, their SOS is higher than Carolina’s. No Brainer–GO BROWNS!! Noteworthy: The Panthers move up in the draft order immediately if any of the following three teams win: Tennessee, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Since the Bears already played Thursday night, a Panther loss moves them ahead of Chicago based on current SOS. If the Panthers win out, the worst they can pick is 10th overall

Another personal attack--you can't see yourself, can you? Petty.

I have since found an article--Kamara is out (you are correct) and their performance against Green Bay contributed to the swing. Other injuries as well.