Panthers Predraft Visits/Meetings and What We Can Foolishly Read From Them

[MHS831]

http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-draft-workouts-visits-pro-day/

The good thing about the current administration, is you can kinda make a good natured guess about what's going on based on the evidence at hand. Not too many smokescreens with Riverboat and Nippleshorts.

Looking at the list of meetings and workouts, I think we can make a few awkward swipes as to what the Panthers plan to do in 5 weeks:

1. The front office wants to protect Cam and give him weapons: The majority of visits so far? OT, RB, and WR.  As it should be.

Like it or not, RB remains a serious position of need. Stewart is great when healthy, but any GM betting the house on JStew's health is likely going to be looking for places to live soon. Also, his contract.  Stewart was running on fresh legs when everyone else was tired.  He had some fumbling issues.  He is good, but I do not think we can count on him at all.  We need an all-around back.  I expect us to draft a RB higher than people think. 

2. Ginn is a short term answer: Lockett, Montgomery, and Crowder are all WR's, but they're also the top returners available. I think it's almost guaranteed we will pick a KR/PR in the later rounds.  I am not sure that we draft a PR/KR later because Ginn has a roster spot--that is not the position you really have to groom for a year or two.  I am not sure that we draft a second WR period. 

It's pretty clear we fans weren't the only ones pawing at the bottle when Bersin went back to field punts.  He can always say that he blocked a punt in the NFC playoffs.

3. Gman will grab a dlineman or two: If a nice shiny pass rusher is available, Dave won't think twice. Who's to argue with a plan that brought NY 2 rings? Also, we're looking for long term replacements for Cole and Edwards.  Everyone thinks DE when we think pass rusher, but do not be surprised to see a DT who can get to the QB.  Still, in my opinion, DL is not a need.  Ealy and Alexander can move inside and rush, while Addison and CJ make a pretty strong foursome at DE.  So much depends on Alexander, but if he can stop trying to smoke Mexico, he should be a good addition.

4. Tackle will probably be covered in the second round or later: Most of the OTs being brought in are second tier or less. Compare that with RB, WR, CB, and LB where we're bringing in top tier prospects that could easily go much higher than our pick. This points to us waiting a bit for an OT as Dave and Co probably don't see a good amount of first round value.  I do not see anyone dropping to us who deserves a first-round grade because I do not see any first round OTs in the draft.  I think we feel that a rookie will not be better for now than what we have, so maybe we go developmental.  For example, there seems to be interest in Laurence Gibson, Va Tech.  He is a sixth rounder or so.

5. We're probably getting a fast LB and/or CB: they want to speed up the D and ST's, so why not do it all in one fell swoop? Waynes, Darby, and Kendricks are all speed merchants and would improve ST coverage as well as defensive depth.  I have no idea, but CB and S will be addressed in some way.  I am of the mindset that a slowish, big SS in the later rounds with certain measurables should be drafted (or undrafted free agent) to add muscle and groom as an OLB.  For example there are several SSs that are a bit slow or unable to cover a WR deep and their stock is down.  Some are over six feet tall and weigh 210 or so.  Grab one, add 20 lbs of muscle and move him to OLB.  Special teams and depth behind Davis.

Obviously anything can happen on draft day, and at 25 you have to wait to see what falls to you. Still, I think the visits along with Gettleman and Rivera's press conferences give us a decent glimpse of what they hope to accomplish.

 

Nice post.  Added my comments to each point above.  We are basically on the same page.  However, Gettlemen is harder to predict than Hardy was.  I have never been close to being right with him. 

 

[MHS831]

The good thing about drafting a RB is that we are certain to get good value, immediate contribution, and it is a weapon.  I think the third round should be where we grab one because I anticipate the top-tier RBs going then, but we will see.

 

My guess?

 

1. WR (if a top 4 WR is there; if not, everything below changes)

2. OT

3. RB

4. CB

5. S

6. OT

7. DL

 

Write this down and save for draft day.  As the draft unfolds, look at it.  Eerie.  I am sure nothing will be accurate.

[Mr. Scot]

Most fans look at now, and I mean right now.

 

GM's look at now, next year and the year after that.

 

Very good point.

 

[Mr. Scot]

Very good write up, I agree with many of your statements, but I also have some counterpoints to make.

 

1. Tackle will probably be covered in the second round or later: Most of the OTs being brought in are second tier or less. Compare that with RB, WR, CB, and LB where we're bringing in top tier prospects that could easily go much higher than our pick. This points to us waiting a bit for an OT as Dave and Co probably don't see a good amount of first round value.

 

We have met with La'el Collins, Ereck Flowers, and D.J. Humphries. All of these prospects are 1st round talents. Now for the other positions:

 

I've long believed that they really wanted a tackle in the first round last year, but after Ju'wuan James was taken there were no first rounders left.

 

[ctrcat]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2015/03/21/mock-draft-free-agency-jameis-winston-amari-cooper/25133447/

I love this latest mock from USA Today. Not only do we pick Humphries but Collins, Peat, and Clemmings are available and Flowers was taken at a pick within striking distance of a trade that would be above completely absurd if that's who we really wanted to protect our franchise. Options appear on the table for ALL in this mock.

[zacka77ack]

I've long believed that they really wanted a tackle in the first round last year, but after Ju'wuan James was taken there were no first rounders left.

.

I think it's important to note that we did NOT meet with James last year in any capacity. I've spent the last few days trying to find all of last year's "Who Teams Have Met With" lists and James isn't listed on any of the Panthers lists. It's also pretty obvious based on Gman's combine presser that James would have been our first round pick. So there's an extremely strong chance whoever is drafted hasn't been/won't be met with before the draft.

If someone can dig up a list that states otherwise though, please share.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Just a question but have we drafted a guy that we did NOT bring in for a visit yet?  I'm talking only 1st/2nd rounder's.  If we haven't then we can definitely narrow down who it is we could draft by just looking at who they've visited with so far.

[Moorgan]

Draft

• Aaron Wilson reports that Indiana RB Tevin Coleman has visits schedule with the Panthers, Cardinals, Chargers, and Ravens.

[UpstatePanther]

This year's safety class is thin. Landon Collins is the only guy you could give a 1st round grade to.

The TE class is bad too, but we're a little better off there now.

 

i agree with you. but im not necessarily saying that we should spend a first round pick on a safety. if Collins is there, scoop that man up. i'd rather have him than any of the OT talent in the first. cant speak for Gman's big board though. but if Collins is gone, obviously we shouldnt reach more than 5 spots just to fill a need, and there are easily 5 players better than the next safety in line after Collins.

[Bartin]

Just a question but have we drafted a guy that we did NOT bring in for a visit yet?  I'm talking only 1st/2nd rounder's.  If we haven't then we can definitely narrow down who it is we could draft by just looking at who they've visited with so far.

We definitely had Kelvin in for a visit last year. Anyone remember if we had Star, Kawann or Kony in for pre-draft visits?

[jfo89]

I've long believed that they really wanted a tackle in the first round last year, but after Ju'wuan James was taken there were no first rounders left.

Exactly what I believe. Gettleman pretty much came out and said it during his combine press conference.

[jfo89]

While it's true that individual visits might not mean we like the prospect, the positions we entertain show us a lot about what our front office views as weaknesses on the team. Its very encouraging that CB, OT, and WR are at the top of that list. I trust the front office to make the right decision about a running back. I wouldn't take one, but if they do, I won't flame them for it either. One.position I do wish we were paying more attention to is the safety position. Coleman, Boston, and Harper? I think it's obvious we still need an upgrade there...

I definitely agree with you. I think SS is the biggest need on the team. Harper is too slow and takes some terrible angles, he needs to be replaced asap. Boston looked decent, he should be given another year or 2 to develop , but it's always good to bring in competition.

[Bartin]

Ok, so we definitely had Kelvin, Kony and Kawann in for visits/workouts prior to the draft. I couldn't find anything definitive on Star but I did see a pre draft report that the Panthers were showing significant interest in him. His medical issue could have complicated that process before the draft and the reporting on who we had in is kind of spotty. So it may be that we can narrow down our early picks to guys we've had in for visits or are otherwise showing a lot of interest in.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Ok, so we definitely had Kelvin, Kony and Kawann in for visits/workouts prior to the draft. I couldn't find anything definitive on Star but I did see a pre draft report that the Panthers were showing significant interest in him. His medical issue could have complicated that process before the draft and the reporting on who we had in is kind of spotty. So it may be that we can narrow down our early picks to guys we've had in for visits or are otherwise showing a lot of interest in.

We were one of only two teams to work out star, us and the eagles