2018 Needs and the draft

[NJPanthers12]

6 hours ago, Snake said:

There is no way you let Norwell walk. 

There is no way we can re-sign norwell. He said been great but the last team to pay that much money to two guards was the Saints, who ended up in cap hell.

this franchise has given out a lot of long term big cap contracts over the last few years. Cam, Luke, Short, Turner, and Kalil. There is also no easy way out on this Kalil deal, so he needs to stick around for a few more years. Just not a good business model to invest that much money into the guard position.

[ragingsea21]

draft a safety in the first round. Second round should be TE or linemen, two steal picks is Darwin James if he falls or deontay Burnett is in the later rounds. the panthers are kicking themselves not drafting him. and a linebacker like gustin or someonewho can make a impact

[Panthers8969]

Wait

 

 

people are listing rb as a need the year after we used a top 10 pick on a rb? 

 

Safety, LT(again and always), a true WR1 for Cam, DE

[LordOfDaWingz]

Our priority needs to be and in order:

Safeties (We need speed and athleticism at both safety spots.)

Defensive End

Running Back

Tackle

Receiver 

[JARROD]

I’m for grabbing like Brissett for Cams backup. 

I’d say we need a safety, a corner, both ball hawks please. We need turnovers.

receiver,.. who can take the top off and catch— we need THAT guy, preferably with an attitude. People want Samuel back, maybe he does, but he’s fragile, so is Byrd.

defensive ends are tough to judge. I’d love to get an first round DE but it’s just hard to know what you are going to get. So many here wanted Derrick Harvey,.. the dude that went to the Jets,.. and some others that were busts. If we can get one that would work out, great, but I’m gun shy on them.

[davos]

Honestly, our needs haven't changed in the last 5-ish seasons:

LT, WR, DE, SS, FS, TE2

[Pantha-kun]

48 minutes ago, davos said:

Honestly, our needs haven't changed in the last 5-ish seasons:

LT, WR, DE, SS, FS, TE2

in the last 7 seasons we've only drafted 3 safteys and no saftey higher than the 4th round (tre boston 2014) . None of them are still on the team!

We have 2 aging free agent bandaid Safteys that are relatively short and dont match up well with the big ass #1 WRs and the TEs in the NFC South, and they dont move well enough in open space to tackle shifty backs like Kamara with any consistency 

[DaveThePanther2008]

The Matt Kalil deal is not as bad as some may think,   I believe (correct me if I am wrong) that M. Kalil has two seasons to show his worth.   After 2018 we can release him and not be affected too much.   Our CAP and contract experts can enlighten us more.  That said unless one of the top tier OTs fall in our lap I doubt we go OT in round one.

DE, S should be priority one in Round one. 

WR looks thin but Samuel and Byrd should be back next year and both have shown bright futures.  IMO WR might be addressed in the lower rounds but I truly don't see it.

We have the extra third so it is possible for us to grab a future center between round 2 and our (2) round threes.

I would love for us to keep Norwell but unless they have plans on moving Moton to tackle I just don't see us keeping him.   It will be sad because he is a beast and will improve any team he goes to.

[Icege]

Center - If Ryan Kalil's neck injury is worse than anticipated, a blue chip center will go a long, long way. Larsen is serviceable, but I recall a stat a few seasons back that showed losing a starting center is more detrimental to a team's ability to make it into a postseason than any other.

Defensive End - Daeshon Hall still has time to develop, but I don't believe Charles Johnson has anything left in the tank after this season. If Peppers hangs it up as well we will be in trouble on the edge.

Free/Strong Safety - Both free and strong. Mike Adams has been a solid band-aid and Coleman has done well with JNo in the past, but long term solutions are needed.

Tight End - Dickson filled in admirably, but he is no Olsen. To be fair to Ed, few are. Manhertz and Simonson aren't the answer either. A young guy to provide depth during their rookie year and develop into a true starter by year 3 will be a boost to the team as Greg gets longer in the tooth.

QB2 - DA serviced us well, but I wouldn't mind developing some trade bait while being able to survive even if Cam goes down.

 

 

I think that Moton can develop into the LT of the future and would like to see more Funchess/Samuel/Byrd before bringing in another WR. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

I am amazed that some sites have us taking a WR in round 1.  This to be is a wasted pick.  The guy would have to be like Randy Moss or someone that will be a surefire #1 receiver and in the bottom of the 1st round.  I just don't see a WR that would fit that bill.

Our scout team needs to be on their toes this year.   We have to get a position of need in Round 1.

I wonder how much we could move up if we packaged our extra third to move up.

[ncfan]

Cuts:

CJ- Love the guy but its time to part ways, he should be about ready to retire as well

Ryan Kalil- Same as above

Kurt Coleman- same as the other 2.  Just not the same after some injuries last year.

Russell Shepard- very disapointing this year.  Feels very Armanti Edwardsish, great training camp MVP then never heard of again until you see him show up with a few wide open drops.

Mike Adams- old and lost a step, this makes both starting Safeties cut (hint hint see where my biggest need in the draft is going)

 

We are now sitting at 38.5 mil in cap space (note: cap generally goes up every year so this isnt factored in as well)

* Jonathon Stewart is also a potential cut here as well which would open right at about 4 more mil.   Now im not aboard the cut Stew train around here.  Only reason Id want to is to get Cap some pt.  Stew has seemed to drop off a bit this year and everyone is comparing it to the Tolbert drop off.  I dont, he still has shown the ability.  His issue is more of the OL, injuries to Turner and Ryan Kalil have hit the interior OL hard.  Lets remember the other RBs arent lighting it on fire running between the tackles this year either.  Opening up 4 mil is Huge if we were to cut him, but we can still save some cap by extending his contract out 1 more year for minimum and spread the remaining of this contract out between the 2 years.

 

 

 

Resignings:

 

Peppers- if he wants to continue playing (which with the way hes playing and us having a shot, i see it) he's going to sign for another min contract.  Another 1-2 year 3.5 mil could be coming

Norwell-  4 years 8.5 mil.  Now everyone thinks hes going to break the bank.  Turner signed for 4 year 11.25 mil.  While Norwell has graded out good this year.  Turner resigned that deal coming off back-to-back probowls including 2015 year that was so good he was the first OL to be featured on SI's cover since Nate Newton and the only interior OL graded out higher was Zach Martin.  Norwell should easily resign for 4 years 8.5 with the home team.   Thats alot invested in 2 OGs but in our offense that revolves so much around the run game, its a good investment.

Star- now I just have a feeling Hurney will not wont to resign Star with KK's mega deal and 1st rounder Butler after he got burned with the 2 RB mega deals.  But im going to say do it.  4 years 10 mil.  Star isnt the superstar all-pro DT like KK, Donald, and Cox.  Ravens just signed Brandon Williams this year to the 2nd high paid NT in the league. At 5 years 10.8 mil a year.  Star will be paid just below that maybe even at 9-9.5, Poe only got 8 from the Falcons this year.

Damiere Byrd- something small in a 2 year deal.  Kid is just starting to come on before the injury

 

 

FA signings:

Donte Moncrief- plenty of athletic ability and a guy we like in the draft before Colts drafted ahead of us.  He hasnt put up the big #s partially due to Luck injury and QB round robin the last couple seasons.  Big Talented WR class should make him sign for a little cheaper with the big boys ahead of him

Kareem Martin/Aaron Lynch- one of these 2. Lynch has tons of ability and a good 4-3 DE fit.  He played out of position at 3-4 OLB up until this year when they moved to 4-3 D, but this year he dealt with injuries and weight issues.  Was almost cut then came out with a 4 sack game recently.  Martin is one im really starting to want (not because im a UNC fan).  Last year I want Okafor bad, he was a 4-3 DE being forced to play 3-4 OLB in Arizona.  Saints signed him and he was having a big year until getting injured.  Kareem Martin is the same way.  Better athlete than Okafor and being forced to play 3-4 OLB which is a Terrible fit for him.  He has shown flashes with his athletic ability.  Kid would be Great in the rotation and possible starter across from Addison who is Quietly becoming a star.  

 

*if we have enough space Prince Amukamara- still dont have faith in our CBs who look Bad when the front 7 isnt getting the pressure

 

 

 

Draft:

 

1st: Ronnie Harrison- big athletic SS, who can hit and good tackler which has been a HUGE weakpoint in the safeties this year.  Solid in coverage and great in zone defense.  Perfect shoe fit and weapon in our Zone Blitz happy defense

 

 

 

2nd: Armani Watts- double up on Safety.  Another really good hitter.  Reminds me of 2015 Kurt Coleman in coverage but better athlete and a tackling machine.

 

 

3rd (a.)  Frank Ragnow- 6'5 317, big athletic Center.  3 year starter (started at OG as a Sophomore)  was having a good Senior season until missing the final 5 games with a ankle injury (started every game prior to that in 3 seasons) as a sophomore and Junior he gave up...........ZERO sacks playing in a conference that includes Alabama, LSU, OLE MiSS, Auburn, Ta&m, that some good DL he's faced.  Ragnow comes right in and fills Kalils shoes.

 

3rd (b) Dante Pettis- solid WR, reminds me of Jarvis Landry.  Not the biggest guy at 6'0 195 and runs a 4.5.  Good route runner, solid hands, and good quickness much like Landry as a good return man.  Pettis comes in as competition at WR

 

5th: Jaylen Samuel- that Tolbert Style FB Shula like.  Can run between the tackles, great reciever for those short screens he used with Tolbert, and a willing blocker

6th-7th: BPA for depth