MHS831

We had a thread to predict who the Panthers would draft that year. I was one of the few who picked Davis and I said with my pick, "they will move him to LB." I say this because it may be the only time I have ever been right about the pick...and I dont want anyone to forget it!

He was just exaggerating and joking I think--suggesting that I thought Tremble and Thomas are better--I was not comparing talent--I was comparing moves the team is making. Frankly, if we are going to add a TE, I really like Taylor from LSU. He is smooth and can play. Won't cost us a first rounder either.

OK, so this is a bit weird. When I coached at Salisbury High School when I first started teaching, I used to go over to Catawba College to watch film and talk football with their coaches. They were great. Curtis, Jalon's father, I assume, was a LB at Catawba and hired as LB coach by Bennett When Coastal started their program, they hired Catawba's coach Bennett. Bennett must have taken Jalen's father with him to Coastal. I am guessing that is about the time Jalon was born and why he was in Conway. So then his father comes back to Salisbury after Jalen is born and takes the head coaching job. Jalen is a good interview. I love the kid based on this, and I have heard good things from former colleagues of FB. Salibury (when I was there) was a very rough school. Gangs, drugs, etc. To put it in perspective, I was there for 2.5 years and I had four (4) students in my class (at different times) who committed murder during that time. A girl was raped in the gym by a few boys. One night, after a game (there is a road between the coaches offices in the gym and the rest of the school) the coaches watched film until 1 AM or so. When we were leaving to walk to our cars parked across that street, we noticed a car sitting in the middle of the road about 100 yards away with its lights off. The driver took off when we neared the street, so we all hit the ground. As the car passed, we heard about 6 or 7 gunshots. The next day, the van behind where we fell to the ground had 2 bullet holes in it, about 5 feet above the ground. All that to say this: If the young man on the video endured anything like that, I want him to succeed and I found it interesting that he mentioned playing for the Panthers. I am not sold on the player as a fit here based on our needs, but I am sold on the person. Very proud of him for some reason that many may not understand.

That was my first thought. Show your facilities, processes, etc. Free commercial. How many players might transfer seeking publicity now? He might get 2-3 new transfers. High schoolers get their first peek into a program to see what it is like, and if they like it, they will want to go there. The players become famous and when you are recruited, they greet you or they partner with you for the weekend. The recruits already know them...little things make a huge difference.

Thank God you are not the Gold Standard around here. I don't come here to respect players, nor disrespect them. I think some Huddlers think every statement is a personal opinion because that is lazy, basic thinking. but to predict what they might do requires another level of comprehension. I tend to look for signs that might predict future moves--like not extending Moton, for example. It could mean we are going to trade him, or not give him another contract....Does not mean I think we should do either.

You need to use smaller words. We cannot read those long posts with those long words. do you un-der-stand?

there is a kicker with a sixth round grade--from Florida St. Watch us draft him

Entering year three, and there are reasons I would look into this more before offering a fourth or fifth. He was drafted in round 2 in 2023. His rookie season, he played 14 games and was targeted 40 times. Targeted 3 times a game, basically. He caught 27 (67.5%). A TE target/catch percentage should be higher than a WR--70-75% is considered good. In 11 games this season, he was targeted 32 times and caught 21. Again, about 3 targets per game, with a target catch percentage of 66%. They decided to draft a TE after his rookie season. This means they did not see him as a #1 TE. He has not been very healthy (9 missed games in 2 seasons--26%). Could he be better with a better QB? Probably. Having said all that, he is an excellent blocking TE. I would trade a 6th for him, but only if I knew Thomas and Tremble were not coming back.

Good year to need IDL and S.

I think we should try to trade back (Carter Graham gone).

I compared him to Chinn as well, and several skallers on here screamed, "Different Position" but did not mention why that was a valid point. It is a criticism of the coaches and system being a match. I just compared Luvu to Walker (hybrid LBs) and some unbreastfed Huddler said Walker was destined to be a superstar because he is (and he listed characteristics that describe Luvu). Point? Luvu was a solid player with the same skill set and we let him walk. Am I to believe that Walker is the messiah now? If Pearce is there with Walker, Pearce is the pick. He had a good combine.

This. Walker will likely be a good to great NFL player, but he is not a good fit if you consider risk and what Morgan did last year with a raw player. Is Walker raw? You could argue either side of that debate, but I also think this: It is February, and there is a ton of digging to do--many on here have claimed that Walker is their pick, and now we are not discussing players, we are fighting to see who is right. This is research time--digging and watching and listening. You have not seen the combine yet. I love the player, but there are pros and cons. Instead of trying to prove your point all the damn time, try to find someone who can change your mind. I come here for that reason, not to be right all the time--coincidentally, that is usually the result. No disrespect to people who want him, I just look at the big picture and think from Morgan's perspective. Last year, Morgan did not pick well when he was drafting day 1-2 offensive players. He drafted Wallace, maybe his best draft pick and Sanders was low hanging fruit in round 4. Smith-Wade was a good pick in the fifth, another defensive player who looks to be the nickel at the moment. Remember, the focus was offense, and Morgan struggled. XL has 2025 to change that. I do not think Morgan gives up on XL, and with the addition of Coker and AT's announcement to return, I think he will add a WR or two, just not in round 1. Let's not forget, however, that Morgan WAS a LB. He will think like one when he watches Walker tape. If Morgan loves Walker's hybrid qualities and Evero gets in his ear, the pick is likely to be Walker--but if he sees him as a LB, Morgan has clearly stated ILB, Edge, S. as the biggest needs. When he says "needs" he means starters. I love the DL in this draft--watching the combine, OH CRAP. Deep as hell. S---deep as hell. This is why I think the first pick will be Edge. Does Morgan see Walker with abilities to play edge at a high level? I think it comes down to that.

the audio made it hard to watch? (I know what you meant--just laughed)

He is probably going to be a good player, a chess piece, but it depends on how he is used. My point earlier, Frankie Luvu was nothing but a special teams player for the Jets and we picked him up and used him better. That led to a $31m, 3 year contract. Same player, different systems.

While you might be right, your inference here is that Luvu is not what you call Walker (versatile, competitive, motor--Luvu is all of those too). Aside from that, the Luvu comparison was in relation to the Panthers to give people a player we have had with a similar skill set. It is biased when you talk about college players (with an average first round non-bust rate of about 53%) as "bigtime...great...and absolutely." You don't know that, and I would never say that about any player. What we know: Walker had a year of production in college and is rated a top 30 player. Luvu recently signed a $31m contract. I like Walker too, but I am not hugging his nuts at this point.

Walker would be Frankie Luvu. I am not sure the Jets knew how to use him, and we did. A good player-a hybrid, but not a pure edge.

Exactly. Walker is not a first rounder if all he does is edge rush.

Scouting Report: Summary Stutsman profiles as a throwback downhill linebacker who will make his biggest impact as an early-down run defender and blitz weapon. His instincts and physicality in the box give him immediate value against the run, while his special teams experience provides a clear path to early playing time. The athleticism and frame are there for him to develop into more, but he'll need significant technical refinement in coverage to earn three-down trust at the next level. Smart defensive coordinators will protect him early by limiting his coverage responsibilities while unleashing him as a blitzer in sub packages. The team that drafts Stutsman will be getting a culture-setting presence whose intensity and work ethic will elevate the linebacker room from day one. While he may never be elite in coverage, his ability to impact the run game and rush the passer gives him clear value as a rotational piece with upside to develop into a quality starter in the right scheme. Written By:

i feel in love with him during the season. He is a Morgan dawg. I do not think he covers well, but he is downhill LB from what I have seen.

What has he won, maybe 5 games in 2 years? His play has improved, but you have to consider that he REQUIRES a $100m OL to be successful, so it seems. He had a good November and December. Before that, he was going to be cut. We have time to see more, and I realize the cost goes up. In my view, any player who sucks for 2 years and then the light comes on should give that team a hometown discount. We could have traded him away for a conditional pick. We could have benched him permanently and ruined his brand. Instead, they showed faith in him and we took losses while he was figuring it out making over $500k per game. It hurt the fan base, it hurt merchandising, ticket sales, etc. We had more jerseys from visiting teams in our stands humiliating us at home while a first overall draft pick is figuring it out. Then after everyone sacrificed for him, if he were to demand top dollar I would take that personally. I know, twisted thinking. Not how bizness works, but I do not think I can give him $30m per right now when I feel slimy giving him $10m on his rookie deal. Still, I am hopeful that his growth continues.

I think, under the right circumstances, KC would be the team with the most desperate offer. Do we want to go from 8 to 31, no, but it would give us 2 extra day 2 picks and a future high pick. And yes, it would be a huge risk for Morgan. The only way I see it is the Chiefs added a player at a need position and some day 2 picks and possibly a first in 2026. Desperate, but the Chiefs are in win now made and their OL was just exposed, which is exactly what the Kendrick Lamar halftime show was about. And Morgan could move down to 31, get the higher second rounder and some other picks and then trade back up for a Green, for example.

Here is how we move back: First, Offensive tackle is not good in free agency. The Draft: The Jets need a LT. Will Campbell is the consensus best Tackle in the draft, and they take him. All those other teams (I count 6-8 who need a T--and I see KC STARVING for one after the Super Bowl) decide they need to move up to get the best pure LT in the draft, Kelvin Banks out of Texas. After Banks and Campbell, there is a pretty sharp drop in talent level, dropping from A players to B players. The next two OTs are Right Tackles, so anyone needing a LT would have to hope the fifth overall OT, Wyatt Milum (arguably) would be there at the end of the first round. Knowing that so many bidders are doing the same thing and they all have phones, I honestly think that Campbell or Banks is there when the Panthers pick and the phone will be ringing. If they both go before the Panthers pick, crickets. Here is the Math: Likely to be gone when Panthers pick: Ward, QB Carter, Edge Sanders, QB Graham, DL Hunter, WR/CB Likely to be available when Panthers pick: There are 2 picks before the Panthers pick once those five get gone. Among those are these players: McMillan WR Johnson, CB Will Campbell, OT James Pearce, Edge Javon Walker, Superhero. If we only had 10 more. (LB) Kelvin Banks, OT Now, if I am a GM on a team that needs an OT, I feel fairly strong that an OT is not going in the top 5. I am working on potential trades for the seventh and eighth picks, ready to make a deal as soon as Campbell or Banks goes off the board. The Raiders pick 6th--they have needs at OT, WR, and CB if you assume they sign a QB in free agency; I think Darnold goes there, personally. Regardless, there are no QBs worth #7 overall (unless Sanders falls), so they will draft an OT or CB--in my view,. They are going to shop in free agency with a lot of $$$. I am guessing they get their CB then. the Raiders' will likely draft OT Campbell, but do not rule out TMac: Biggest Weaknesses: Quarterback Offensive Tackle Cornerback Wide Receiver Running Back The Jets pick 8th. Of course, their phone will be ringing off the hook for Banks if this happens, and the Jets have many needs now that Rodgers and Adams are gone. While they too need an OT, they have more pressing needs as well. Edge rusher is their biggest need listed here after QB, but their defense was ranked #3 in the NFL last year (I was surprised). Their offense was ranked 23rd. They will be focused on revamping the Offense with the losses of Rodgers and Adams. I see them taking a T or Tmac. Biggest Weaknesses: Quarterback Edge-Rusher Wide Receiver Safety Interior Defensive Line Offensive Tackle In this scenario, the only ways the Panthers can trade back is: 1. If the Raiders do not take an OT and the Jets do. 2. If the Jets refuse trade offers and take the best available edge or WR at #7. 3. Both OTs are gone and a team wants the best CB or WR in the draft and is willing trade up. I do not see a lot of depth in this draft at CB or #1 WR. What may cause the Panthers to stay put and pick: 1. Edge. They see Pearce or Green as part of the second-tier edges and need one of them. 2. They like TMac and see the offense taking the next step with him, knowing they can address IDL in round 2 and have Clowney and Wonnum for another season. 3. The do not re-sign Mike Jax and need an outside CB and have the chance to draft Johnson to pair with Horn. 4. They fall in love with Walker and Evero develops a boner on how to use him properly. From this perspective, I would give the chance of trade back slightly under 50% I would speculate that if we draft, we take Pearce, Johnson, or McMillan. I do not see Walker being a good fit here, but I understand why some of you like him.

The only way we trade back is if an OT is on the board that a good team (with few needs, like Baltimore or KC) decides to get aggressive and move up. If you watched the super bowl, you saw KC's OL getting mauled. That will be their focus.

I am not a fan of taking a TE in top 10 unless it is Brock Bowers who was drafted 13th. Atlanta tried it. I think he will go late first. (20th or so)

Glad you brought this up. My thinking (as you say, speculation) they were able to sign 2 major free agent guards last year and it had the same value as signing a new QB. I think they will sign a big name DT free agent. I love Milton Williams (Eagles) and his salary is projected at $12m. He is 26. Had a 70 PFF score and 40 pressures on 500 snaps. If Philly does not re-sign him, I bet we go after him hard.