raleigh-panther

Ok. Lol here

First round: No. 1 pick ▪ Name: Bryce Young ▪ Position: QB For a second consecutive mock draft, I have the Panthers selecting Young. He was the best quarterback in college football, and the evaluation process validated that. There has been a lot made about new head coach Frank Reich’s history with taller quarterbacks. He has never started a quarterback under 6 foot 3 (Phillip Rivers, Andrew Luck, Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and Matt Ryan). But Reich did not draft any of those quarterbacks. Reich also shared that he had a high draft grade on Russell Wilson in 2012. General manager Scott Fitterer was the Seahawks’ director of college scouting when Seattle selected Wilson. History aside, Young is the best quarterback prospect available. He’ll thrive within any offense the Panthers install as long as he is protected by an elite offensive line. Second round: No. 39 pick ▪ Name: Darnell Washington Position: TE ▪ School: Georgia Darnell Washington has a varying range of outcomes according to several mock drafts or draft simulators. If he’s available at No. 39then the Panthers should take a chance on the 6-foot-7 tight end. Washington is an in-line tight end with extraordinary size and length. He’d become an instant red-zone threat and provide the next Panthers quarterback with a favorable catch radius. Washington is a straight-line runner who quickly builds speed. At only 21 years old, there is a chance he could improve his short-area quickness to become a more complete route runner. There are other names to watch at No. 39. Jordan Addison (USC), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State) and Zay Flowers (Boston College) are all expected to be drafted in the first round but would benefit Carolina if any were to fall. There should also be a surplus of pass-rushing talent available at pick No. 39. Mazi Smith (Michigan), Tuli Tuipulotu (USC), Derick Hall (Auburn), Bryan Bresee (Clemson), Will McDonald (Iowa State), B.J. Ojulari (LSU), Fleix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas State) and Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern) all have Round 2 or 3 grades according to multiple NFL evaluators. Finding a play-making pass catcher, or a starting defensive lineman is critical at No. 39. Third round: No. 93 pick ▪ Name: Chandler Zavala ▪ Position: G ▪ School: NC State This is the first mock draft where I’ve had the Panthers draft an offensive lineman. There are a few reasons why. First, it’s important to build upon roster strengths, especially up front. Second, the Panthers’ interior options are not necessarily deep. Guard Austin Corbett is recovering from a Week 18 ACL injury. Brady Christensen is a capable inside protector, but the team also needs a swing tackle. It’s also unclear whether Cade Mays is a future starter or a career backup. Reuniting Zavala with former Wolfpack teammate Ikem Ekwonu would equip Carolina with another upside option across the offensive line. Like a defensive back or pass rusher, a team can never have too many talented offensive linemen. Zavala played just five games in 2021 due to a back injury but was fully healthy in 2022. He played the entire season without allowing a sack and only one quarterback hit, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s capable of playing either guard or tackle. Fourth round: No. 114 pick ▪ Name: Jayden Reed ▪ Position: WR School: Michigan State Michigan State receiver Jayden Reed falling to pick No. 114 would help the Panthers. Reed is built like a complete receiver. At 6 feet, 185 pounds, he plays bigger than his frame. Reed can play outside or in the slot. He’s explosive in short-yardage situations and uses his quick-twitch athleticism to open on underneath routes. Reed would likely compete with Laviska Sheneult Jr. and Shi Smith for a backup receiver role, but the Panthers need to draft and develop pass-catching talent after trading DJ Moore. Fourth round: No. 132 pick Name: Zach Evans ▪ Position: RB School: Ole Miss The Panthers signed running back Miles Sanders to a lucrative free agent deal, but Carolina still lacks size at the position. It’s unclear how Reich and the new coaching staff feel about incumbent running backs Chubba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear. Drafting a running back would not be an endorsement for either. Evans uses his 6-foot, 215-pound frame to punish defenders. He’s a proven short-yardage runner who can also pop explosive plays. The Rebels also routinely trusted Evans in pass protection. Coming out of high school, Evans was the No. 2 running back prospect behind Texas running back Bijan Robinson. Fifth round: No. 145 pick ▪ Name: Carrington Valentine Position: CB ▪ School: Kentucky Carrington Valentine spent the past two seasons stifling SEC receivers. According to Pro Football Focus he forced 14 pass defections and had one interception. He’s an involved run defender with 108 tackles, 80 of which were solo. His 6-foot, 190-pound frame is favorable against larger NFL pass catchers. Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson is recovering from a Week 10 Achilles tear and backup Keith Taylor did not perform well during an increased role last season. As a former wide receiver, Valentine displayed astute ball skills for a defensive back.

Don’t pay any attention to the people clicking negatively on your post your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s no one knows who the pick is going to be

The horse is far from dead oh the outrage should the pick be AR from some on this board

How about just enjoying the fact that in April, long before the season starts, the Panthers are relevant, they are being talked about, opinions vary and we have the number one pick in the Draft, which other than season start and the playoffs is a pretty exciting thing No one knows who the team is going to pick, different points of view should be welcomed

https://sports.yahoo.com/colin-cowherd-predicts-bryce-young-175018542.html clip is embedded in link above

Goggle is your friend he currently works for pro football network and fairly well known draft analyst

If there is a link pinned in the main forum for draft rumors and I missed it, apologize in advance From Pantherswire USA TODAY Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline joined WFNZ’s Wes & Walker on Wednesday to chat it up about this year’s top quarterback prospects and the No. 1 overall pick. When asked by host Wes Bryant if Florida’s Anthony Richardson has a chance to be the guy atop the board for Carolina, Pauline replied with the following: If it’s up to Frank Reich, yes,” he replied. “I think what’s gone on or, what I’ve been told, is that everybody in the room is really heavily leaning towards C.J. Stroud. C.J. Stroud did well at the combine, he did well at the pro day and I’m told that the interviews with C.J. Stroud—he’s knocked them out of the park. And he’s very genuine, he’s been very forthright and he’s a likable guy. I’m told that everybody in the building is heavily leaning—if not, checked off the box on C.J. Stroud. “I’m told that Frank Reich, if he had his way, would go with Anthony Richardson because of the upside, because of what Anthony Richardson could be two or three years down the road. It’s just a matter of how much of a fight is Frank Reich gonna put up in that war room to say, ‘Hey, listen, I want Anthony Richardson.’ I think right now, there’s probably less than a 20-percent chance it’s Anthony Richardson and all signs are pointing towards C.J. Stroud.”

I believe his coach was asked about it and he said, they limited exposure as they had no backup it was a similar situation with Herbert or, it could simply be, he doesn’t like to run and expose himself Up to the staff to figure out.

Yeah could've been the coaching staff didn’t want CJ running either if he went down, so did OSU’s season

Feel bad for Chris He has really been through it the past few years That treatment for stage 4 throat cancer in January sure has taken a toll on him

He more or less stated the obvious of what people have said here and elsewhere Bryce Size There are 17 regular season games I just don’t see him surviving it CJ consistency as far as being that special player outside of the Georgia game And while CJ is likely the pick, personally, there is something about his personality that bothers me. He is absolutely talented Worked hard to be where he is but there is just something that troubles me. Granted not as obvious as Levis AR experience I really like AR. what I said in February, I still mean. What he has cannot be taught. What he needs can be He won’t be the pick in any case. Huge risk/reward both CJ and Bryce fit what the new OC wants (paraphrased play maker, point guard, in the final 2 mins, game on the line, go be Superman)….except neither Bryce or CJ fits ‘Superman’ athletically

it’s a fun debate and it’s fun to be relevant this time of year Why anyone is getting all up in their ‘feels’ over this is hard to fathom Fact is, my opinion doesn’t matter. ….nor do I lose my job if I screw up. The Panthers ‘all star’ coaching staff knows more than we do, intimately, both about these candidates, about the vision they have for the offense plus all the small things, that a nfl qb needs to do that we would never take into account I have no favorite I have concerns about both Young and Stroud but will not bitch about who they take Tepper, this iteration, has put people in place based on due diligence. If the staff and draft pick fail, it’s not because he didn’t attempt to vet the pick and coaching staff Many times greatness of a qb to coach marriage is luck, pure, unadulterated luck. We will see if Frank has luck.

Seems like a good young man https://youtu.be/H9IBnCThGOE

https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7/status/1641551768940060672?s=61&t=GQi76s6QPYbghkf3OPMywA

Yep and there are 17 regular season games in the NFL, not the what, 10 for college as I read somewhere, Young is very good at alluding DEs but the team that takes him has to have a strong and stable interior I don’t know. I like them both but the NFL is tedious in an athlete’s body. I’d go for the bigger guy between these two.

If they draft Levis…done

After the Rhule fiasco, which she was not involved with from appearances, we should applaud her with her involvement this time Things seem a lot better frankly, it’s good she is as if anything happens to ole Dave, guess what, she’s the sole owner

I’m more than fine with CJ Very polished player and worked through the family issues to accomplish at the highest level we could do far far worse…and, in fact, have…multiple times

I agree

I had honestly never paid attention to how he carries himself and he could be the face of the franchise, it’s important I didn’t post=the combine interview because I could not hear the questions asked In the combine interview, he described himself in that video as a ‘man of God’ and that his faith is important to him…should play well in the Bible Belt. It makes no difference to me what faith, or no faith, he is. Just want a decent person

You know, a little optimism never hurt anybody like you, most likely, I’ve had a lot of optimism beat out of me by this franchise but right now is not the time to be wallowing in that space IMHO For the first time, ever, this coaching staff is legit, the owner is trying to correct egregious errors and he has opened the check book and his mind to do it and a new qb1 drafted, and they had the common sense to put pieces around him Nothing in pro sports is a certainty but the franchise is giving themselves a chance for sustainable success not built on the buddy system but competency

It occurred to me that although I had seen stats and throws, I didn’t ever hear him speak here is his post game after the loss to Michigan He certainly takes ownership https://youtu.be/tUE45n3bhms

It would not surprise me if they do take Bryce I remember Reich glowed about him ie his calmness and playmaking abilities, last month I think guy is a midget but if the brain trust thinks he is the guy, he is the guy. we will just be annoyed at another rebuild with a different coaching staff and lost draft picks if it doesn’t pan out they will lose their jobs and reputations let’s be positive that whoever they pick will be good to great

Is Reich speaking today ?