David Newton has hunch, WR (or RB) in the first (a "WR in the 1st" feel good thread)

[top dawg]

Nobody knows how things are going to shake out, Newton or anyone else. That being said, I think that we need a wide receiver to be the BPA at 25. As such, I don't know if it's just me doing a psych job on myself, or rather it's just a coincidence that I keep finding opinions that go along with my thinking right before this draft. Either way, I still feel good to have my feelings about the first round affirmed by people who think that we will ultimately pick a first round receiver, no matter the reasons. It is in that spirit that I have a little grin when I say to you that David Newton believes the Panthers will be picking a WR in the first. When asked about pick 25 in his latest mailbag, here is his response:

 

I've got a gut feeling a wide receiver or running back could be the way Carolina goes in the first round if the right player falls there. Specifically on wide receivers, they've brought in a ton for visits in their search for an elite No. 2 opposite last year's first-round pick, Kelvin Benjamin. Of those that could be available at No. 25, I'm looking at Central Florida's Breshard Perriman, Miami's Phillip Dorsett, Ohio State's Devin Smith and Southern Cal's Nelson Agholor. Dorsett and Smith keep ringing in my head.

 

 

Sure, Newton mentioned RB in passing (we all know that Gurley is on the radar, but he ain't gonna fall), but WR was his real answer.  And "Dorsett and Smith" repeatedly ringing in Newton's head should bring a smile to many.  

 

 

Now realistically, we all hear David Newton---good ol' Dave Newton---but who really believes that the other Dave (the one that really matters) is going to view Perriman, Agholor, Dorsett or Smith as true first round picks, much less the BPA? Well, fug that type of thinking in this thread, this is all about wide receiver happiness. People with their talk about the 2015 versions of Morgan Moses can suck it.  And Peat may be the real deal, but he is not falling to us, he's just not, and a hurt up Ogbuehi is not going to be taken at number 25 (or in the first round).  But I digress...getting back to glorious WR, perhaps us clear thinking wide receiver advocates (and all such advocates have 100 percent clarity on this issue) are over-thinking this Gman's mindset.  Dave Gettleman has already expressed our need for speed from damned near the very beginning of the offseason. Gettleman and the world knows that the offense needs more legit playmakers, and he knows we need them to make an impact from day one.  Forget all of Rivera's politically correct coach-speak about Hill, Boykin, and Corey Brown, Gman knows that this offense---including Cam---is not going to click on all cylinders without a guy that will not only add legitimate speed, but get separation. Gettleman is no dummy. He knows what we need, and has basically said as much here and there. Don't let others psyche you out with all the Ginn talk.  At the end of the day, Ginn is still a Dollar Tree Dave creation, you remember, the one with the hands that were "good enough".  Ginn was brought here primarily to be a special teams ace. No longer is "good enough" in any shape, form or fashion good enough to raise this offense's game, and Gman is cognizant of this fact. He is keen to come up with a solid solution.

 

So, my fellow WR standard bearers, Maine, Thomas, CC and all of my fellow brethren, let us feel good about the fact that the Panthers have done their due on all of these high profile WRs for a reason. Newton feels it, and maybe even the other Newton---the one that is looking for a contract extension---feels it too.  It's OK to get psyched up about a WR in the first come this Thursday. It just makes sense, even if we believe that it makes too much sense.  

 

__________________________________

 

In addition to his thoughts on WR being the pick, Newton has some other feelings which I'll translate:

 

1. DGB has too many red flags to be taken seriously as a Panthers prospect.

2. Gman is not trading up in the first because it's against his constitution.

3. Gman may be doing his due diligence on falling Gregory, but even his love for pass rushers won't trump red flags.

4. Nothing to read in TD announcing the pick but to be showcased as a the well deserving role model that he is.

5. We'll ride Tillman short term, but will still probably draft a potential successor in one of the first few rounds

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/13337/panthers-mailbag-what-will-the-panthers-do-with-the-first-pick

[Mol3m4n]

You can mark off Perriman.

[Jeremy Igo]

Devin Smith maybe.

[top dawg]

You can mark off Perriman.

 

OK, Dave, I'll make a note.

[Dex]

I can't wait to see everyone cry "reach" if we pick Devin Smith.

[iamhubby1]

YEAH!!!

[Fidel Cashflow]

Good stuff.

[ctrcat]

I think he has no clue. If we take a WR so be it. I just wish we had a different beat writer. Newton is dead to me after his Cam/Wilson article following the Seahawks playoff game. I wonder what he wrote after Wilson's 4 picks the next week or Super Bowl losing INT after that. He spit on the grave with even the hint he misquoted TD with his Hardy comment last week.

[Fidel Cashflow]

I can't wait to see everyone cry "reach" if we pick Devin Smith.

 

I'd be cool w/that.

[TheAmericanDream]

Devin Smith maybe.

Yes please!

[Mol3m4n]

I can't wait to see everyone cry "reach" if we pick Devin Smith.

The rage if we pick him and Perriman is on the board.

[Byrdman4real]

I believe the only RB we would draft in the first is Gurley. I do believe Phillip Dorsett, Devin Smith and Nelson Agholor will be one of the picks if they go WR, maybe Strong too. 

[Mol3m4n]

I believe the only RB we would draft in the first is Gurley. I do believe Phillip Dorsett, Devin Smith and Nelson Agholor will be one of the picks if they go WR, maybe Strong too.

I could agree with this.

[Dex]

I'd be cool w/that.

I got laughed off the Huddle when I had him going in the first to us a month ago. But if DG takes him it will be a "genius move".