raleigh-panther

Mike Kaye from the Observer also projected this Round 1, No. 19 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia it makes sense The most expensive position after qb is typically LT …a promising rookie, replacing a severely injured LT waiting on a lot of money for the second contract, plus an aging RT who has missed a bit of time, sure helps a lot …particularly when the little fella’s decision is coming if the wagon is going to be hitched to one of the historically small QBs, that line best be as good as possible

Just interesting to see how people around the team and administration feel vs those in the national media not as close to the team draft, such a crap shoot ickey situation is huge to me got to,have a decent, reliable left tackle plus one or two swing Ts, it is a long year.

from joe person In round two, we had Morgan making a trade with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, Morgan’s former boss in Seattle. The Panthers moved back from 51 to 56 (which Seattle had traded up for), while getting the Seahawks’ third-round pick (96) and giving up one of their fifths (158). The deal left Carolina with four selections in the top 100. Round 1, No. 19 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia Something about mock season always leads us back to the SEC. After taking Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in this spot last month, we brushed up on our math and figured out that, while talented, Mesidor will be pushing 30 when it’s time for his second contract. That doesn’t seem like a Morgan move, despite having also starred at The U. Freeling, who turns 22 the first week of training camp, was viewed initially by some teams as a late-first-round prospect. But his stock has risen as scouts have gotten more of a look at the 6-7, 315-pounder with 33¾-inch arms. Freeling showed off his athleticism in Indianapolis, running a 40 in 4.93 seconds with a 1.72-second, 10-yard split. Freeling started only one full season at Georgia and is still developing. The Panthers could also sign a veteran such as Yosh Nijman to replace injured Ikem Ekwonu and help Freeling get ready to take over. The question is whether Freeling will be available at 19. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has him going to the Miami Dolphins at 11 in his two-round mock that dropped Wednesday. But at least one NFC talent personnel executive thinks Freeling could fall to the Panthers. In round two, we had Morgan making a trade with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, Morgan’s former boss in Seattle. The Panthers moved back from 51 to 56 (which Seattle had traded up for), while getting the Seahawks’ third-round pick (96) and giving up one of their fifths (158). The deal left Carolina with four selections in the top 100. Round 2, No. 56 (from SEA) Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech As mentioned above, don’t be surprised if the Panthers open their wallets next week for Devin Lloyd, Kaden Elliss or one of the other top free-agent linebackers. It’s a position that needs to be addressed with a big swing, if not more. And the second round feels like the sweet spot for playmaking, off-ball linebackers. In our initial mock, we went with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a 6-3, 238-pounder with big upside as a blitzer. But while Hill’s coverage skills are still a work in progress, Rodriguez will arrive in the NFL as a three-down ‘backer who had four interceptions last year for the Red Raiders. The 6-1, 231-pound Rodriguez finished his career with 19 forced turnovers, so he knows how to be disruptive around the ball. Brugler, who also has Rodriguez going to Carolina in the second round, noted that Texas Tech coaches called him the “quarterback of the defense.” That sounds like a former Panthers linebacker who will be receiving a gold jacket this summer. Round 3, No. 83 Jake Slaughter, C, Florida The Panthers haven’t taken an offensive lineman in two drafts with Morgan as GM. But he could draft two this year, depending on how Cade Mays’ free agency plays out and what the Panthers’ plan is to replace Mays if he signs elsewhere. Along with Auburn’s Connor Lew, Slaughter is considered one of the top centers in the draft. And the 6-5, 303-pounder appears poised to be a plug-and-play guy from Day 1, having started more than 30 games over five seasons in Gainesville. Slaughter is 83rd in Brugler’s rankings, so this was really the perfect spot for him. Slaughter graduated last spring with a degree in agricultural education and communication and was on the SEC’s academic honor roll his final four seasons. Just as importantly, Slaughter is said to have a high football IQ, critical at the center position. Round 3, No. 96 (from SEA) Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn This could be one of those classic cases of a team (or mock drafter) scouting one player from a Power 4 team and developing a draft crush on one of his teammates. Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk has been mocked to the Panthers by a couple of draft analysts, and it’s not hard to see why. The 6-6, 276-pound Faulk has impressive length and a high ceiling. But Crawford had more production than Faulk last season, finishing with more tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and passes defended than his more publicized teammate. Not bad for someone who didn’t start playing football until his senior year at his Memphis high school. True, the 6-4, 253-pound Crawford is a bit undersized. But his explosive first step, effort at all three levels and upside make him an excellent value pick late on the second day of the draft. Round 4, No. 119 Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri The Panthers’ defense was improved last season, thanks in part to the return of defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a Pro Bowler in 2023. Brown finished with a career-high five sacks, tying Nic Scourton for the team lead. Still, the Panthers could use a pass-rushing interior lineman, especially with the team expected to trade or release A’Shawn Robinson in a cost-cutting move. Enter McClellan, the Florida transfer whose six sacks last season were more than his total from the previous three seasons combined. The 6-4, 313-pound McClellan looks the part with his 34-inch arms and 11-inch hands, among the largest of any player in the draft. Brugler believes McClelland has the strength to handle the point of attack and push the pocket as a rusher, calling him “an underrated player who will be part of a rotation for a long time.” Round 5, No. 162 Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky Before digging in on Law, it’s worth mentioning that the Panthers drafting a receiver in the first round for the third year in a row isn’t out of the question, depending on how their board shakes out. Is it likely? Probably not, but worth keeping in mind. The Panthers would like to diversify their receiving room with a speedy, shifty athlete who can make plays after the catch and in the run game. They took a flyer on one in the sixth round last year in former Colorado wideout Jimmy Horn, who had a couple of splash plays as a rookie. Maybe Morgan and Dave Canales try it again with another Day-3 receiver. If so, the 5-11, 203-pound Law is worth a look. He transferred to Kentucky in 2025 after three years at Alabama and led the Wildcats in receptions (53) and receiving yards (540), a good chunk of which came on yards after the catch on bubble screens and other quick-hitting throws. Law doesn’t have blinding speed (he ran a 4.45-second 40 in Indy), but he has good hands and can break tackles in space. Plus, he returned kicks at Alabama and Kentucky, averaging 23 yards over the past three seasons. Round 6, No. 200 T.J. Hall, cornerback, Iowa With Mike Jackson in the final year of his contract and nearing his 30s, it’s not too early to start thinking about a succession plan. Teams typically don’t find starting corners late in the third day. And even those who do develop often take time. Jackson, a fifth-round pick in 2019, didn’t become a starter until 2022 in Seattle, his fourth team in three years. All of which to say that realistic expectations are needed for anyone who would have appeared in this space, including Hall, who at least has the size (6-1, 189) the Panthers look for in their corners. Hall only had two interceptions for the Hawkeyes and isn’t a burner. But he led Iowa with 10 pass breakups last season and was a willing tackler, with a team-high eight tackles in their bowl win over Vanderbilt.

Im listing the two picks above the Panthers apparently, Dane values Proctor a lot more than some 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama The return of Taylor Decker in 2026 gives the Lions options on draft night, but it doesn’t eliminate offensive line from being the move here. Proctor has the talent to give Detroit immediate depth at both tackle and guard, especially after the release of Graham Glasgow. He’d be a long-term building block. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon With Harrison Smith’s future in question, the Vikings will have safety near the top of their wish list this offseason. Thieneman was expected to test well at the combine. Based on the reactions from teams, he surpassed even those high expectations and solidified himself in the mid-first-round range. (NFL scout: “It’s hard to find anything bad with ‘T-man.’”) 19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami General Manager Dan Morgan, a member of the Hurricanes’ Ring of Honor, isn’t going to draft a Miami player because of the connections to his alma mater. But it wouldn’t hurt, especially with the Panthers in the market for a charged-up edge rusher.

I would not mind this It is a smart move The Carolina Panthers might catch themselves a hog molly this offseason. Joe Person of The Athletic, in a fresh article from Saturday, offered up his biggest takeaways for the team heading out of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. As part of his notes, he reports that general manager Dan Morgan and his staff are "spending a lot of time" on assessing possible additions to their offensive line—a position group that is likely to be without starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu for at least a portion of the upcoming campaign. Person also suggests a potential draft option. He writes:

from the Athletic…one free agent replacement gone Ravens prepared to make Tyler Linderbaum NFL’s highest-paid center: ‘He is the best’

The question becomes. Can the team do better at Ickey at LT i believe the answer is yes a d sadly the injury moves that along it will be bpa I’m sure but if there is a decent OT at 19, have to do it given how GA looks for them do I want a great Lb or Edge, yes but there is a little fella at qb

Observer article I left out the specialists which is the 3rd position Panthers haven’t drafted three positions under Morgan: Will that change in 2026? Mike Kaye [email protected] 4 hrs ago The Carolina Panthers, two years into the Dan Morgan-Dave Canales era, have yet to draft an offensive lineman. That is likely to change in 2026. The organization has selected three wide receivers, two tight ends, two running backs, two defensive backs, two defensive linemen and two outside linebackers during the shared reign of Morgan and Canales. Those multiple selections at several positions have come at the expense of the offensive line. But there are other positions that have been avoided, too. With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine ongoing in Indianapolis, let’s take a look at the three notable positions evaded by the organization over the past two drafts: Quarterback Last time position was drafted by Panthers:Bryce Young (first round, 2023) Impending free agents at the position: N/A Current depth chart under contract: Young, Andy Dalton The Panthers can’t really be criticized for not selecting a quarterback over the past two years. The team invested a ton of draft capital in Young while trading up for the first overall pick in 2023. Young has legitimately rebounded from a brutal rookie year and a whirlwind 2024 season that saw him get benched for roughly a third of the campaign. The Heisman trophy-winning passer posted career-high numbers in 2025, and the Panthers have already publicly noted that they will pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. So, Young will be under contract through at least the 2027 season. His longtime veteran backup, Andy Dalton, is entering the final year of his deal. Morgan hasn’t minced words when discussing his desire to add a younger QB behind Young. The Panthers are hoping to contend long term, and they’ll need to manage costs throughout the roster in order to retain their top-tier talent. Drafting a quarterback on Day 3 could provide the Panthers with a cost-effective backup for Young for years to come. That savings could then help them invest elsewhere. Dalton is guaranteed $2 million this season. If he were to be traded, the Panthers would save $4 million on the salary cap. That’s probably not enough savings to force a move, but given Morgan’s outlook on getting younger, it could lead to at least some consideration. Dalton, 38, could also be bounced if the Panthers decide to target it a younger journeyman QB in free agency. The backup quarterback spot has some offseason intrigue for the first time in a while. Offensive line Last time position was drafted by Panthers:G Chandler Zavala (fourth round, 2023) Impending free agents at the position: C Cade Mays, OT Yosh Nijman, G/C Austin Corbett, T/C Brady Christensen, G/T Jake Curhan Current depth chart under contract: LT Ickey Ekwonu, LG Damien Lewis, C Nick Samac, RG Rob Hunt, RT Taylor Moton, Zavala, Ja’Tyre Carter, Joshua Gray, Saahdiq Charles The Panthers are set at three of their five starting positions on the offensive line. However, their outlooks at left tackle and center are certainly unenviable. Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams last month. And despite being due $17.5 million in the final year of his rookie contract, Ekwonu might miss a good portion of the 2026 seasonfollowing a notable knee surgery. Mays, the starting center, is set to become a free agent in March. While he’s played quite well over the past two years, the Panthers might need to pass on re-signing him to improve other positions on the open market. Mays was cut by Carolina in 2024 and lost the 2025 center battle to Corbett this past summer. So, there’s reason to believe the Panthers aren’t totally sold on him being a long-term answer, either. With all that said, both positions have quite a bit of fluidity. Having Hunt and Lewis at the guard spots might make Morgan feel better about putting a rookie at center in 2026. The same sentiment, though, probably can’t be said about left tackle, as the Panthers will want to reinforce Young’s blind side with Ekwonu shelved. Nijman is likely among the internal free agents who Morgan wants to re-sign, and if that pact happens, look for the Panthers to be patient at tackle in the draft. With Christensen, Curhan, Corbett, Nijman and Mays all set to hit the market, the Panthers are likely to have several new faces on the offensive line depth chart in training camp. The Panthers will probably make multiple moves in the trenches during free agency and the draft. Selecting a long-term swing tackle with starter upside — especially with Ekwonu set to hit free agency in 2027 — seems inevitable.

Just concerned about the dynamics and the ongoing obsession with the time on Seattle….why is Idzik still here…no idea what he does

Dave as an OC is no fireball his offense, bottom of the NFL the last two,years year 3 has to be much better i find it concerning that instead of bringing in a bright offensive mind, or fresh approach. He brings in yet another other bromance from Seattle and Pete Carroll Dave is good in a CEO kinda role but I’ve seen nothing that screams ‘star OC’ i almost feel like his play calling has cost them a couple of games and in some of the others, the players did their thing

yep. 10000 to 1 is better than 0 to 1

I love most of his podcasts

Yes hus interviews have been very telling about getting the olay call to the like too late in order to make line, receivers, bacjs adjustments i think 2 things that would help him tremendously 1. Pre snap motion and thats on canales 2. More no huddle offense is too damned stagnant oh yeah, getting the play call in quicker

Is it possible they are using him wrong seems to me he is fast, what 4:39 at the combine he isnt shifty send him on go routes and let him high point…thats why they drafted him, right guy isnt a ballerina or a rocket scientist. If that is what they wanted, they drafted the wrong guy just imo