Based upon Igo's four prospective picks, here is what PFF has to say

[top dawg]

I have kind of incorporated PFF's scouting reports into my draftnik repertoire, because in my view they appear to be the most objective and unbiased. They use their college grades and "scouting intel" in their reports, but you won't see any arbitrary grade/number by which to gloss over and rush to judgment.

At the end of the day, PFF draws a picture like anyone else, so people would be prudent to consider the requisite "grain of salt".  I really wish they hadn't put pro comps in their reports, as they don't seem to quite fit with the rest of the info, as comps are more about subjectivity than objectivity from what I've learned over many years of scrutinizing analysts. 

Here are the reports of the four guys the Jeremy Igo thinks are the top candidates to likely become the Panthers' first round pick. Some of them beg a few questions regarding actual fit, immediate role, and perhaps even pro readiness. At the end of the day, it just adds more food for thought and/or even more fuel to the fire as to why their names may or may not be worth calling on day one as Panthers. 

Personally, I will be content if Gettleman picks any of them (or goes off this little script), but Hunter Henry seems like the one with the least amount of questions in my book. 

Vernon Butler

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Position fit:

3-4 defensive end

Stats to know:

Ranked 19^th in the nation against the run in 2014 and fifth in 2015

What he does best:

• Powerful bull rush, made up 20 percent of his pressures
• Can get under blockers and blow up point of attack
• Will beat blocks with quickness, but excels using strong hands and length to keep blockers away
• Disruptive run defender when winning on first contact
• Good athleticism getting down the line of scrimmage and making plays in the run game
• Will play low when shooting gaps, can disrupt plays in the backfield

Biggest concern:

• Not always looking to anchor, can lose his gap in run game
• Struggles to shed and find ball when losing on initial contact
• Sealed by both single and double teams more often than others in the class
• Doesn’t play like his listed 325 pounds
• Only one good year of productivity as a pass rusher, may be limited at next level

Player Comparison:

Carl Davis, Baltimore Ravens. Both Davis and Butler have similar frames and both players played quite a bit of nose tackle in college. Like Davis, Butler will likely have to transition away from playing over the center into more of a 3-4 defensive end role where the expectation will be to play the run first while any pass rush will be an added bonus.

Bottom line:

Butler has the tools to be a good NFL run defender, most likely as a 3-4 defensive end. While he’s listed at 325 pounds, he doesn’t play like a prototypical nose tackle as his game is more about length disruption than anchoring down at the line of scrimmage.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/28/draft-pff-scouting-report-vernon-butler-de-louisiana-tech/

 

Emannuel Ogbah:

 

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Position fit:

4-3 defensive end. Can do some damage rushing from the interior. Rushed from both sides in college, some from a two-point stance.

Stats to know:

• No. 3 overall and No. 3 in pass rush grades in the edge class. 78 total pressures (12 sacks, 18 hits, 48 hurries). Top-five pass rush productivity rating.
• No. 73 run defense grade

What he does best:

• Big, powerful, often see the physical advantage over opposing tackles
• Mostly wins to outside with rip, occasional swim (Kansas 3Q 13:35)
• Some bull rush, effective when he gets to ramp up (Texas 1Q 5:10, Kansas State 1Q 10:49)
• Not always quick turning the corner, but once turned, he can close on the QB in a hurry
• Feels the cut block and gets his hands in passing lanes
• Will chase the down block and take on the puller in the run game
• Strong at the point of attack when he gets under the defender and extends (Baylor 2Q 6:08). But pad level is often high

Biggest concern:

• Less productive in run defense – below average grade in 2014, slightly above average there in 2015 with seven missed tackles, tied for 37th-most among edge
• Struggles to anchor, plays high and often moved off the point of attack
• Gets down blocked quite a bit, can run right at him
• Often plays passive in run game with little power in his hands
• Gets driven down the line quite a bit when shooting gaps
• Similar grade to Calhoun, but Ogbah had a much higher number of negatively-graded run plays in fewer snaps (more positive plays as well)
• Plays upright, not much of a problem while rushing but can see it when the offensive line is going forward
• Lacks variety as a pass rusher

Player Production Comparison:

Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers. Johnson has been an excellent pass rusher through the years, but below average against the run — a profile that may be the proper comparison for Ogbah.

Bottom line:

Productive pass rusher and tested well at the combine, but somewhat inconsistent against the run. Has room to improve there given his length, but may be more of a situational rusher in the early going.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/18/draft-pff-scouting-report-emmanuel-ogbah-de-oklahoma-state/

Derrick Henry:

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Position fit:
Early-down and short-yardage running back

Stats to know:
• 12th-highest overall grade among FBS running backs in 2015, sixth among draft-eligible players.

• Forced 76 missed tackles (fourth-most in FBS), but his 5.2 rush attempts per missed tackle ranked 86th.

• Receiving grade ranked 229th out of 245 qualifying HBs in FBS, 64th out of 68 qualifying HBs in the draft class.

• 93.4 pass-blocking efficiency ranked 103rd out of 149 qualifying FBS HBs, 40th out of 55 in the draft class.

What he does best:
• Big, physical downhill runner.

• Generates significant amount of yards after contact (60 percent of his yards came after contact, 3.4 YCo/attempt ranks seventh in the draft class).

• As confirmed by his 4.54 40-yard dash time at the combine, he has enough speed to break off long runs.

• When running to the outside, he has the ability to plant outside leg and get vertical with success.

• Can beat up on smaller linebackers and secondary defenders and wear down defenses.

• Scheme-diverse; can find success in zone, power, or man-blocking schemes. Not limited as just an inside or outside runner.

Biggest concerns:
• Not much of a threat in the passing game; just 15 receptions over the last two years, with two drops.

• Despite size, he’s a below-average pass-blocker that needs considerable improvement.

• Size can be a detriment to his ability to quickly change directions in small spaces.

• Lacks the consistent ability to string together moves downfield to extend runs if he cannot just outrun defenders.

• A significant amount of his forced missed tackles came by beating up on cornerbacks and safeties who either over-pursued or were reluctant, if not unwilling, to take him on.

• Production in 2015 somewhat inflated compared to other players due to being given nearly 400 rush attempts. Henry is at or near the top of the nation in total yards, yards after contact, missed tackles, etc., but there are many players ahead of him in per-rush averages.

Player style comparison:
RB LeGarrette Blount. Blount is a big, physical back who isn’t very elusive, but still has been a solid runner in a committee role over his career. Blount doesn’t offer much in the passing game, which has limited his role, but he has shown success as a runner.

Bottom line:
Henry is a powerful runner that will get more yardage than his blocking provides by running through contact, but he doesn’t have the elusiveness that other can backs offer. His question marks in the passing game should limit his playing time and prevent him from being an every-down player, at least early in his career. However, there is a role for Henry in the NFL, and he should find success as a runner. The question is what that role will be worth when it comes time for the draft.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/24/draft-pff-scouting-report-derrick-henry-rb-alabama/

Hunter Henry:

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Position fit:

Starting tight end that can be moved around.

Stat to know:

Recorded zero drops in 2015; earned the highest receiving grade in the draft class each of the previous two seasons.

What he does best:

• Graceful runner; can put pressure on safeties with his speed up the seam and runs away from linebackers on drags.

• Some of the best hands in the class—only two drops on 90 catchable passes the previous two seasons.

• Ultra-consistent player—zero games with a receiving grade below -1.0 the previous two seasons.

• Produces well both in-line (78 percent of snaps) and from the slot (21 percent of snaps).

• Body control to maneuver around chips/jams and to create separation at the top of his routes.

Biggest concern:

• Limited upside as a run-blocker. Does much better on the move than head-up with defensive ends.

• Not sure he has “jump ball” type athleticism at the position; rarely see him boxing out defenders.

• Remains to be seen whether he can have success split wide. 99 percent of his snaps came in-line or in the slot.

• Played in a college offense that featured the tight end heavily and helped inflate his production relative to others.

Pro style comparison:

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs. Both have very limited flaws as pass catchers to go along with size that creates matchup issues.

Bottom line:

Henry’s projection to the NFL is fairly straightforward. He’s played in a pro-style offense, produced for multiple seasons, and has plus athleticism. Physically-speaking he’s no Rob Gronkowski, but Henry can step in and create space versus NFL linebackers from day one.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/03/23/draft-pff-scouting-report-hunter-henry-te-arkansas/

[TheSpecialJuan]

Nice

[shaqattaq]

6 minutes ago, top dawg said:

Recorded zero drops in 2015; earned the highest receiving grade in the draft class each of the previous two seasons

 

6 minutes ago, top dawg said:

• Some of the best hands in the class—only two drops on 90 catchable passes the previous two seasons.

This is what I'm talking about! And from the film I've seen, his blocking is better than PFF claims here. i cannot see how we let this guy pass if he's there at 30.

[The Link]

I want Hunter Henry if Lawson and Dodd are gone. I'd be cool with Ogbah as well.

[nctarheel0619]

Hunter and Ogbah.  I'll take it! 

[Bartin]

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Despite size, he’s a below-average pass-blocker that needs considerable improvement.

I've never liked it when people talk about size being a major factor for RBs in pass blocking. 80% of pass blocking for RBs is making the right read, diagnosing where the free rusher is coming from and setting yourself up in good position. You're not expected to stonewall the guy and pancake him. It's mostly a technique and instincts thing. You get in his way or cut him. It's the QB's job to recognize that and hit the hot route to get the ball out quickly.

They are right that Henry kind of sucks at it though.

[SOJA]

"His question marks in the passing game should limit his playing time and prevent him from being an every-down player, at least early in his career. "

I wasn't aware of that - tbh that doesn't sound like a Gettleman player, but then again Shaq was drafted for the future not for the immediate impact so I don't think that disqualifies him from being a Panther 

[IamSoClutch]

Emannuel Ogbah is the pick I'm hoping for is Dodd and lawson are gone. If he ends up being charles johnson we will be set with him and Ealy for the next 5 years. Timing will be nice because we could pay Ealy his money when his contract is up and still have Ogbah for 3 years on his rookie deal.

Follow up with Sua Cravens in the 2nd and this defense will be consistently elite for awhile

[Bartin]

I still haven't seen that we have expressed any interest in Hunter Henry so unless Igo knows something we don't, which is certainly possible, I really don't see him as an option for us especially in the 1st since we've always had a visit or workout with our top picks under Gettleman.

I will say that the only teams I've ever seen linked to him are the Bears for a workout and the Falcons for a visit which is really low for a top 50 prospect so it's possible his agent is lazy or just doesn't care about leaking team interests. We have met with Nick Vannett and Austin Hooper at the TE position and they fall in the rounds 2-4 range so it does appear we have some interest in drafting a TE somewhat early.

EDIT: And just as soon as I post this, Voth comes in and backs up Igo.

http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-targetingt-tight-ends-2016-draft/

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The Panthers do have their eyes on Arkansas’ Hunter Henry, who’s easily the top-rated talent at the position.

 

[SCP]

So now I want Hunter Henry

[Nick_81]

33 minutes ago, Bartin said:

EDIT: And just as soon as I post this, Voth comes in and backs up Igo.

http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-targetingt-tight-ends-2016-draft/

Voth has had a lot going on lately.  I think he's just now starting to catch up on what he's usually already got done.  That was a good article to.

[thefuzz]

I'm so very nervous about Henry and not being able to be a 3 down RB, and us taking him in the 1st.

 

However, if the FO thinks that he can play, I trust their judgement.

[Bartin]

3 minutes ago, Nick_81 said:

Voth has had a lot going on lately.  I think he's just now starting to catch up on what he's usually already got done.  That was a good article to.

Yeah. Good to have him back.

[Riverboat Ron]

Ogbah has been my crush for awhile but it always seems like my crushes end up with our division rivals.