jayboogieman

The FO might feel different about hesitating due to not liking whichever QB falls. At the start of last season people talked about Fields being 1B to Lawrence's 1A. Since the season ended, he has slipped down boards for some reason. The most I've seen against him is the college he went to and something about processing speed. There might be more that I've missed. Lance went to a small school and played against lesser competition. He is also supposed to be raw. Wilson has injury concerns and only one really good year from what I've seen. Jones is supposed to be a product of his school and the talent around him. All have question marks and most of them probably wouldn't be top ten picks in any other year. This year is just the perfect storm for QBs. I've said I prefer taking a tackle as that is a huge hole that has needed to be addressed for a long time. I wouldn't be mad if the Panthers take a QB, but I would be disappointed as I feel tackle is a bigger need. I would feel the same if they take a CB, WR, or Pitts over Slater or Sewell if they are there. Every first rounder has a greater chance of success than later picks. That's why those guys are in the first round.

All four of those guys were also picked by pretty good teams with established starters at their position.

If you want to be technical, Thomas Davis is the lone safety drafted in the first round by the Panthers, even if he ended up a LB. And yeah, Gamble was the last CB taken in the first. The Panthers have never drafted a TE in the first. Watch Pitts be there and this be the year even with QB and tackle prospects there. But if you can't just go by first round picks, the Panthers should be able to find a franchise QB with a later pick.

The Chargers Oline was hampered by injuries more than anything else last year. It was supposed to be better than it ended up. I do remember seeing that they cut bait with Turner, so I'll give you that they have holes in their line. The Browns had a pretty good line before they drafted Baker and it has gotten better since then. The Bengals have drafted guys for their line before Burrow as well, but again, injuries took their toll. The Panthers haven't put in top or first round talent in their Oline since Jeff Otah in 2008 and only three Oline guys(tackles) have been drafted in the history of the franchise. They have drafted five LBs and four RBs in the first though. The Panthers have also only drafted two QBs, but both were top five picks that didn't fall in their respective drafts.

The difference between those teams and the Panthers is they were in a much better position talent wise. The Chiefs in particular were a QB away. The Panthers are not. Fields or any other QB won't matter if they can't protect him. I'd rather wait on the QB and make sure he can be protected rather than ruin him. There was this Cajun named Jake that did pretty well after being the league as a backup for 3 years.

Let's try this then, most of the team couldn't get the ball in the ocean if they were a foot away from it.

This Cavs game is just sad. Dell said earlier that it was a defensive struggle. Is that the new code phrase for these guys can't shoot?

The fact that writer got paid to write the same speculation that people have been posting here is just sad.

I'd be happy with either as well. But, if both are gone for some reason, I'd take Pitts in a heartbeat.

That might scare off a couple of the older owners.

Yep. I've said I prefer Sewell or Slater as the pick, but if it's Pitts, I won't be upset.

True Different coaching staff. That said, they did sign a guy to be that TE weapon, but there is no telling how much they will use him. If Pitts is the pick, I can see them using him all the time, especially if he can block.

I was thinking medical reasons, but that works too.

If he fell to 8 there would be something seriously wrong with him.

No LB as thunderraiden explained. Also no QB as the Panthers already have one project QB and anyone that would be there at 8 would also be a project. Use the pick to get an impact player than can play this year. Preferably a LT.

Could be and I wouldn't doubt if you're right. I sort of think the 49ers have broken the market and set a new bar and I hope teams won't be as desperate next year. The 49ers gave way too much up to just get the number three QB in this draft. As for next year's class, there could also be another guy or two that is not being talked about that has a great season that suddenly gets talked about as being a top prospect.

I'd be ok with that. I'd also be ok with the team trading up for Howell if Darnold is bad, but not bad enough to get a top pick as long as the team as a whole is better, especially if the Oline is fixed. Even with a rookie QB, we may end up wondering how long the rebuild will take. You could also trick yourself in thinking there is hope if they are making good decisions to give whoever ends up the QB as much of a chance of success is possible. That could mean one of the top two tackles, Pitts, or a top WR prospect. I'm not in either guy's fanbase, I'm a Panthers fan and want the team to succeed. That said, I don't want them to take another QB at 8. I would much rather put that pick to use on one of the top LT prospects. That position has been a turnstile for way too many years.

You're going to be really upset if the Panthers don't draft Fields. Joking aside, I think it would be a mistake to draft a round one QB while trying to rehab Darnold especially when the team doesn't have an established or good enough Oline to keep them upright. The LT position has been a constant revolving door for more years than the QB position. If our 8th pick helps solve it, then it's a draft pick well spent. Me either. Build the Oline to the point it is good and then worry about getting a franchise QB. Putting the cart before the horse is never a good idea. QB is a hole, but it's not the biggest. The Panthers are not ready to compete for a championship nor just a QB away from doing so. Build the team and most importantly the Oline and then worry about the QB. There is no point in having a franchise guy if they can't protect him long enough to do his job. I think they'll take a QB in the mid to late rounds as a backup and developmental guy, but not as someone to compete with Darnold for the starting job.

Yep. I'm hoping they go LT though. It's way past time that position was properly addressed.

Does Rhule have time to waste a first round pick and draft a QB only to let him sit a year? If Rhule doesn't have time to boost Darnold's confidence or "coddle his feelings", he doesn't have time to let a guy sit for a year. If the Panthers were in a better place, I would have no problem taking a QB and letting him sit if needed. But since the team is still in a bad spot, I would rather draft a player that can play now. That could be an LT, which is more than needed, an edge rusher, a DT, a guard, a center, a CB, safety, or WR. I'm not wild on the idea of drafting a linebacker this highly. And I'll be glad when the draft gets here and is over.

How many young QBs have been ruined by bad Olines? When was Fitterer Seattle's GM and made those decisions? I'd be thrilled with a QB if the Oline was better, but it's not. As the old saying goes, don't put the cart before the horse.

My preferred option is OT at 8. As others have said, the Panthers have thrown whatever at the Oline for years without putting top talent into it and it is past time they addressed that issue. That said, I'll be happy with Pitts or Chase at 8 if both Sewell and Slater are gone.

And you shouldn't. I wouldn't give them a pass if a rookie QB is drafted and flounders either.

What if Robby or DJ are not in the long term plans and they see Pitts as a guy that will be? Pitts and CMC could be a very versatile and lethal duo for years.