At stake: NFC South Title/ Playoffs vs Top 10 draft pick

[KendrickPanther]

It's not just the first round. You are talking 10 or so draft spots in every round. 

 

I am all in on playoffs. But draft position does matter.

[DaveThePanther2008]

That is some serious lawyer math. Everyone wants to be optimistic but this team got blown out 6 times this year. We have 1 win against a winning team. We aren't very good. All these players that are "coming on strong". Have been playing the Vikings, Saints, Falcons, Bucs, and Browns. The only reason there is an ounce of optimism right now is 3 teams in our division are equally bad.

Lawyer Math? Seems pretty basic to me. Add a number to the win column each time you win, add a number to the Lost column when you lose. If you make it to the NFC Championship game. Worst you can do is 9-9-1, Win it 10-8-1, Hell win the Super Bowl and be 11-8-1.

You contend that the only teams we have beat have losing records. I contend that it is the influx of young talent. Cam has had time to throw and the running lanes are opening. The defense seems to be tougher and minus two plays they shut down Cleveland and the high powered New Orleans team.

I honestly believe we are going to beat Atlanta. I don't think we shut down Julio Jones but I believe that Norman will not allow him to tear us up. My biggest concern is Douglas. Our defense is better than it was in the beginning or middle of the season. If Shula comes up with a do or dies mentality we just might win the division again.

Once in the playoffs all gloves are off. It is win or go home. We would have a four game winning streak coming in and confidence to be better. Keep the floodgates from opening and the Panthres can beat anyone.

Optimist vs Pessimist

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

This Offensive tackle class is very deep, like last years Wide Receiver class was (probably not as deep). So even if we win and make the playoffs, there is a good chance we can still get a good OT in the draft. Just win baby.

Lol this OT class is terrible

Andrus peat is staying in school

Brandon scherff is a guard

Ronnie Staley could be good, but I'm wary on late risers

Every one else sucks

[AceBoogie]

Not sure a playoff home loss is worth keeping this coaching crew around.

I think Rivera can be the guy, but he has to improve his offense and ST coordinators.

You still think someone will be fired?

[Montsta]

You've often expressed disappointment in our offensive line.

Let's go with the 8th vs 21st premise in the op.

If we had the 8th pick in the past two drafts guys like these would have been available.

2014: Taylor Lewan, Zach Martin,

2013: Chance Warmack, DJ Fluker, Justin Pugh, Kyle Long

It's a higher grade of offensive lineman potentially.

I say go for it. Try to make the playoffs, try to advance. But Cam is going to keep us out of the top 10 for a long time in my opinion. It could be a long time before we have the opportunity to draft a franchise tackle.

I could be wrong but it seems that the past few years of drafts have had an inordinate amount of highly rated tackles go early in the first round that have poo the bed in the NFL so far.

[unicar15]

Pretty stupid topic. You realize this team has NEVER had back to back NFCS championships? Idc how you get into the playoffs it's a new season if you get in and if we can keep Cam upright and get the D going we can win a game. Not saying this is a SB team but def a team that could be fun to watch.

[electro's horse]

point of the season is to win games

 

flags fly forever

 

no one will remember the panther draft position in ten years. 

[CCS]

David Gettleman has proved he can find talent in the late first round. I'd much rather have a chance at winning the super bowl that I would a top 10 pick

[nctarheel0619]

14. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Blame Colin Kaepernick all you'd like, his job isn't made easier with a lack of playmakers among his receiving corps. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. GM Trent Baalke has been more willing than most to gamble on talented players with character red-flags.

 

         

 

 

 

[PghPanther]

Just win baby.....................draft picks can wait.........

 

Look, if an early pick in the drafts is key to winning then why are all the losers out with early picks still missing the playoffs or never winning a SB?

[Bj-Monster23]

We need to win this Sunday forget the draft position. The Panthers making the playoffs with a chance to have a home game against Arizona or Seattle and a chance to advance to the divisional round is what I want to see.

[KendrickPanther]

I could be wrong but it seems that the past few years of drafts have had an inordinate amount of highly rated tackles go early in the first round that have poo the bed in the NFL so far.

 

Eric Fisher is the one that comes to mind. Small school kid with good technique and measurables. He's been struggling but you are talking about a 2nd year player. He has 28 starts so at least they play him. 

 

Luke Joeckel has been on a pretty bad Jaguars team. He has not been impressive from what I've heard.

 

I know an Eagles fan that is happy with Lane Johnson.

 

All of the rookie tackles have not been good this year.

 

But you look a little further back, 2012, Luke Kuechley's draft, Matt Kalil has been a solid pro.

 

The year before that, Tyron Smith has been a stud for Dallas. 

 

2010 you had Trent Williams, Russel Okung, and Anthony Davis. All great players in my opinion. 

 

The young guys have been struggling as defenses get bigger and quicker but I think you will see them figure it out. 

[EgoDogg]

I'll take the win as well! I never want to tank no matter what the scenario is! Draft is too much of a crap-shoot (and we've been doing well with it as of late), and I might've made a $70 bet that we'd win the division when we were 3-8-1, and I could use the money that would come from it 

[ThinkAboutIt]

Oh what short memories some people have. Yes, "Atlanta just went into New Orleans and spanked the Saints for crying out loud."

 

So what? The Panthers just did the same thing 3 weeks ago in even more decisive fashion. Atlanta lost to Cleveland at home, the Panthers didn't.

 

Now sure, it's not "transferrable" and any team can beat or lose to any team on any day, but people who act like what Atlanta did yesterday means they are actually the better team because the Panthers struggled at home with Cleveland are just shortsighted.