MHS831

I think if we are patient in free agency we can find some value. When they raise the cap, some of these players and GMs are like kids with a dollar when they hear the ice cream truck music.

Not worth $10m each.

We have to sign some free agents because the draft may fill 3 needs, 4 if we are lucky. Not to say I want this guy...

I want to reiterate what Basbear said--wait three or four days--do nothing in free agency, and let the prices and players fall. I know you are not getting top end players, but you can upgrade positions. I think a rookie GM (like Morgan last year) might go all in during the tampering period, but maybe he will be a bit more patient. Having said that, I see Morgan going after a DE/DT, WR, and S.

when he has been on the field, he has been good. He will be overpaid. Missed 5 games but had 34 pressures--and good vs run. However, this is not shady acres--he is banged up for a 29 year old. We need some young guy to be getting reps.

Logical--The problem is we need 2, but the draft is loaded.

Did I say that?

So reporters are now watching TV and telling us what they saw.

The price is ridiculous. I am not sure of the markets by position any more. However, we would not have to trade for a young, high performing player--most free agents of his caliber are around 30. I think we could sign 3 starters in free agency (S, IDL, and maybe WR) and be done. I don't think you fill holes in free agency. That is like shopping at Bloomingdale's for painting clothes.

I see this happening. A 25-year old safety who has been solid.

NFL Network reports that Dolphins Safety Jevon Holland will hit free agency. Mentioned the Panthers as a potential landing spot. Said his salary will be between $15-20m.

unless he sees 1 of them as a NT, it is crazy. Brown, Robinson, and Graham would be enough to move on to other needs.

Edge is not getting better---and no OT was taken--so I assume those were addressed in free agency. Id rather see an edge go earlier and a RT/swing T instead of another DT, or a mediocre WR. However, you can't fill all our needs in 1 draft.

I am starting to get worried about Horn. Metcalf is only 27. If I had to choose, I think I would be looking to trade Horn for Metcalf.

The coach of the Chicago Bears just referenced the turnaround of the Panthers once they invested in guards. He then has just signed 2 high profile guards. How is that not copying the Panthers? I agree that there is not a lot to copy here, but step back. We lost Darnold before investing in the OL. We lost Baker before investing in the OL. We drafted Bryce before successfully investing in the OL. We invest in 2 guards. After a slow start, Bryce ends the season 4-5 and is very close to both Philly and New England. Later, the new coach of the Bears references the Panthers and how they turned it around after signing high profile guards. A week or two later, they announce they signed 2 high profile guards. I think all GMs paid attention to what has happened here. It may not be the sole basis for their decision, but the defense cost us 2024, not the offense. In addition, we did it without our #1 WR, a top TE, and the cupboards were pretty bare at WR. I think they noticed. As you say, Frank, we shall see.

I did not know that either--I knew UNC. Williams and the Bears are in the same situation Bryce and the Panthers were in a year earlier. Bryce turned it around. Surely he paid attention to what Carolina did. I don't see that as being polite (unless I missed your meaning); I see that as being smart. How many times have we heard, "It is a copycat league?"

Some are saying, "build to OL is not new information." That is not the issue. The issue is how much can you invest in G without under funding other positions. The cap makes it tricky. Spending on Guards is not widely-practiced; it is a trend-- In the past, the LT, C, and RTs got the coin. Guards were not prioritized (you have to drop $$ at some positions to pay other positions). So the concept of building an OL as a key to success is not new, but the commitment to certain positions over others is tricky. KC showed the world how their OL troubles backfired, and they just traded away a 4-time All Pro OG. ???? Salary cap. They have some big salaries elsewhere. So they are going to try to find studs in the draft--I am guessing KC would love to sign Banks (Texas). I think they would trade up to get him. Maybe to #8.

OK. The people who know football and the cap must manage that money to get the biggest bang for the buck. The Saints started investing in Guards when Brees was the QB. It worked. The Panthers just saved a QB who was a near-certain bust by adding Guards. Nothing else was new. It was a good example, and football execs pay attention--yes, the Panthers won 5 games. But down the stretch, they were 4-5 with two close losses to both Super bowl teams. But I assure you, GMs will not worry about a team's reputation or some inferiority complex inherent in its fan base. They saw a rather amazing turnaround and they are in the same situation with their rookie QB.

This kid can catch passes, block blitzing LBs, throw passes, and he runs hard. I think he becomes a key rotational piece and not a backup. And he is a dawg

Smart business move too. We need a player the fans can get behind--and I see him being a fan favorite--like a Hoover.

The Chicago Bears are trading for Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported. ESPN first reported the news. Bears to acquire All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from Chiefs in trade for their 2026 fourth round pick. Thuney, a 32-year old stud G, is in the last year of his contract and saves the Chiefs about $16m. Sound familiar? Making this Panther related: The Panthers have 3 solid OGs and it has paid off, so it seems. The Panthers have 2 OTs, Ickey and a 31 year old solid player with knee concerns. The Panthers have Cade Mays at C and I am not sure if they have a backup at this time, or if they want to make Cade Mays the backup. People with these young QBs are starting to get it. OL first. Grabbing a first overall pick QB (you're welcome, Chicago) without an OL is like buying a Corvette when all the roads around you are dirt or gravel. It seems that the Panthers will address depth at OT and possibly draft their 2026 starter now, in the event Moton becomes Motoff at some point. A worn and torn knee on a 10-year vet 300 lb OT is not something you go "all in" on.

When a player has those kinds of measurable talent and skill and he under performs, and then I hear rumors that he is a head case, I think I remove him from my board in round 1. Obviously, that same player would be a steal in round 2, but his red flags could be so strong, it could cause him to drop into day 3. Gives me Greg Hardy vibes, in that most teams removed him from their boards and Marty took him in the fifth, I believe. However, I do not know details--background checks and interviews will be important. Id rather have Z from BC.

I have been taking him in the second round in mocks....Love him.

I really liked taylor (LSU) at the combine. I think he will be special. And I think, if you had a meter that showed how much you improve with each player, a stud TE might move the needle more than a deep threat WR--just speculating