Andy Benoit: Panthers draft needs and options

[TheSpecialJuan]

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Biggest Need: Defensive Line. Carolina’s zone-based 4-3 defense is predicated on having a dominant four-man rush. Inside, the personnel is decent: Kawann Short remains elite and Dontari Poe still moves well for a 345-pounder. However, Poe can be cut for a $10 million in cap savings next year, which might prove tempting. And his backup, 2016 first-rounder Vernon Butler, though worth examining one more year, has teased but not come close to fully delivering on his draft status. Outside, there are more questions, both short-and long-term. Mario Addison is in a contract year and will cost a lot to retain. Expect GM Marty Hurney to pony up. But opposite Addison, Bruce Irvin is playing on a one-year deal and would probably be best served in a rotational role.

Hidden Need: Defensive Back. Re-signing Eric Reid for $22M over three years back in February was smart, as this year safeties wound up costing gobs on the open market. But who will play alongside Reid? Concussions kept Da’Norris Searcy out of all but two games last season, and before that he was merely somewhere between a high-level backup and low-level starter in Tennessee. 2018 third-round pick Rashaan Gaulden, who is more athletic than veteran backup Colin Jones, was the No. 3 safety last year and could get a look as a starter. That, however, would leave a void in the slot, where Gaulden, an inside corner in college, has been floated as a possible replacement for released veteran Captain Munnerlyn. With the strong safety and slot corner having somewhat similar responsibilities in Carolina’s first and second down zone coverages, and with Reid capable of aligning anywhere, deciding which secondary position to fill could come down to simply choosing the best player from a pool of free safeties, strong safeties and slot corners.

Also Looking For: Wide Receiver. Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess did not work out, but the logic behind selecting them early in the 2014 and 2015 drafts made sense: they were big-bodied targets for Cam Newton, a hot-and-cold fastball thrower who tends to miss high and wide. The Panthers are not particularly deep at receiver and need another perimeter target with a large catch-radius.

Who They Can Get: The can certainly fortify the front four. Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is an option; though would he be redundant with Short? Clemson teammate Dexter Lawrence would give them a Poe replacement. The immediate value is on the edge, where they might be choosing between an edge burner in Florida State’s Brian Burns, an edge-setting complementary pass-rusher in Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell or perhaps undersized, high-motor sack artist Jaylon Ferguson of Louisiana Tech. They might have to make a move from the middle of the second round to get one of the top centerfield prospects—Delaware’s Nasir Adderley, Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Alabama’s Deionte Thompson, all fringe first-rounders, are probably the best fits.

[Khyber53]

Something makes me think his take on the team's needs is a month or two out of date and was made by looking at a roster chart more than film.

[LinvilleGorge]

I wish that Short was still elite 

In what world is Gaulden more athletic than Colin Jones? Jones might not be much of a DB, but he's a damn good athlete.

[TheSpecialJuan]

[Raskle]

So, I guess this guy didn't get the memo that we're switching to a 3-4 this year??

 

(Or that KK has fallen off a cliff lately, Poe definitely does NOT move well for a 345-pounder, or that Jones is still one of the fastest guys on the team, or that...)

[Glitchh]

2 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Biggest Need: Defensive Line. Carolina’s zone-based 4-3 defense is predicated on having a dominant four-man rush. Inside, the personnel is decent: Kawann Short remains elite and Dontari Poe still moves well for a 345-pounder. However, Poe can be cut for a $10 million in cap savings next year, which might prove tempting. And his backup, 2016 first-rounder Vernon Butler, though worth examining one more year, has teased but not come close to fully delivering on his draft status. Outside, there are more questions, both short-and long-term. Mario Addison is in a contract year and will cost a lot to retain. Expect GM Marty Hurney to pony up. But opposite Addison, Bruce Irvin is playing on a one-year deal and would probably be best served in a rotational role.

Hidden Need: Defensive Back. Re-signing Eric Reid for $22M over three years back in February was smart, as this year safeties wound up costing gobs on the open market. But who will play alongside Reid? Concussions kept Da’Norris Searcy out of all but two games last season, and before that he was merely somewhere between a high-level backup and low-level starter in Tennessee. 2018 third-round pick Rashaan Gaulden, who is more athletic than veteran backup Colin Jones, was the No. 3 safety last year and could get a look as a starter. That, however, would leave a void in the slot, where Gaulden, an inside corner in college, has been floated as a possible replacement for released veteran Captain Munnerlyn. With the strong safety and slot corner having somewhat similar responsibilities in Carolina’s first and second down zone coverages, and with Reid capable of aligning anywhere, deciding which secondary position to fill could come down to simply choosing the best player from a pool of free safeties, strong safeties and slot corners.

Also Looking For: Wide Receiver. Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess did not work out, but the logic behind selecting them early in the 2014 and 2015 drafts made sense: they were big-bodied targets for Cam Newton, a hot-and-cold fastball thrower who tends to miss high and wide. The Panthers are not particularly deep at receiver and need another perimeter target with a large catch-radius.

Who They Can Get: The can certainly fortify the front four. Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is an option; though would he be redundant with Short? Clemson teammate Dexter Lawrence would give them a Poe replacement. The immediate value is on the edge, where they might be choosing between an edge burner in Florida State’s Brian Burns, an edge-setting complementary pass-rusher in Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell or perhaps undersized, high-motor sack artist Jaylon Ferguson of Louisiana Tech. They might have to make a move from the middle of the second round to get one of the top centerfield prospects—Delaware’s Nasir Adderley, Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Alabama’s Deionte Thompson, all fringe first-rounders, are probably the best fits.

Daniel Jeremiah: Clelin Ferrell is a safer pick than Brian Burns

As the NFL Draft draws near, there are several different camps among those who would like for the Carolina Panthers to take an edge rusher with the 16th overall pick. Some like Clelin Ferrell, the Ted Hendricks Award winner and a dominant defensive end on Clemson's National Championship teams. Others are partial to Florida State's Brian Burns, whose sheer athleticism has made some lock-in on his potential. But when comparing the two, one prominent member of the NFL Draft media has more reservations about one player than the other.

Speaking with Josh Parcell of WFNZ in Charlotte, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah shared his reservations about Brian Burns, who he states is a pure finesse rusher - One who does not convert his speed into raw power.

"If he gets engaged (by a blocker), it's pretty much over. So he's got to win (with) an explosive first-step," said Jeremiah of Burns. "He can beat you off the snap, he's got a little bit of an inside counter-move. But there are large stretches where he's disappeared just because he has no power."

Jeremiah believes that the primary concern that scouts will have with Burns is what he calls the "Ghost of Barkevious Mingo" - The sixth-overall pick in the 2013 Draft by the Cleveland Browns, but one who did not pan out in Cleveland due to being all speed and no power (Mingo has since salvaged his career with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks).

By comparison, Jeremiah believes that Ferrell is almost the exact opposite player. And given that, he is much more comfortable with him.

"I think he's not a special, rare athlete, but I have him as the better player. I think he's the safer pick," said Jeremiah of Ferrell. "He's got a higher floor. Maybe not that same 'wow' factor, you're not gonna see him drop in coverage and really make some things happen that way ... I don't think you're gonna ask Ferrell to do that. But he is a power rusher, he's great with his hands, and he can set the edge in the run game a lot better than Burns."

In the leadup to the Draft, both Burns and Ferrell will have some arguments working against them (As is the case with any other Draft prospect). For Burns, the knock against him beyond what Jeremiah described will be the historic lack of success of Florida State edge rushers in the NFL. Ferrell's curse, meanwhile, could end up being the fact that he played on a dominant defensive line in college - Which could lead to questions about whether or not every player on said line is truly what they looked like.

 

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/LongFormArticle/Bleacher-Report-names-each-NFL-teams-worst-free-agent-signing--130658065

 

 

 

[saX man]

Christian Wilkins is a real possibility.  We're just not publicizing our infatuation.  Trust meh.  

Burns or Sweat will happen if there, but depending on how we view the tackles, we may be getting on the Wilkins train you blithering squags.    

[LinvilleGorge]

Wilkins would be A okay with me.

[JARROD]

3 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I wish that Short was still elite 

In what world is Gaulden more athletic than Colin Jones? Jones might not be much of a DB, but he's a damn good athlete.

The Colin Jones barb made me laugh. 

[JARROD]

8 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Wilkins would be A okay with me.

If Wilkins is 16, I’m good.

[SmittysLawnGuy]

3 hours ago, Glitchh said:

Daniel Jeremiah: Clelin Ferrell is a safer pick than Brian Burns

As the NFL Draft draws near, there are several different camps among those who would like for the Carolina Panthers to take an edge rusher with the 16th overall pick. Some like Clelin Ferrell, the Ted Hendricks Award winner and a dominant defensive end on Clemson's National Championship teams. Others are partial to Florida State's Brian Burns, whose sheer athleticism has made some lock-in on his potential. But when comparing the two, one prominent member of the NFL Draft media has more reservations about one player than the other.

Speaking with Josh Parcell of WFNZ in Charlotte, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah shared his reservations about Brian Burns, who he states is a pure finesse rusher - One who does not convert his speed into raw power.

"If he gets engaged (by a blocker), it's pretty much over. So he's got to win (with) an explosive first-step," said Jeremiah of Burns. "He can beat you off the snap, he's got a little bit of an inside counter-move. But there are large stretches where he's disappeared just because he has no power."

Jeremiah believes that the primary concern that scouts will have with Burns is what he calls the "Ghost of Barkevious Mingo" - The sixth-overall pick in the 2013 Draft by the Cleveland Browns, but one who did not pan out in Cleveland due to being all speed and no power (Mingo has since salvaged his career with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks).

By comparison, Jeremiah believes that Ferrell is almost the exact opposite player. And given that, he is much more comfortable with him.

"I think he's not a special, rare athlete, but I have him as the better player. I think he's the safer pick," said Jeremiah of Ferrell. "He's got a higher floor. Maybe not that same 'wow' factor, you're not gonna see him drop in coverage and really make some things happen that way ... I don't think you're gonna ask Ferrell to do that. But he is a power rusher, he's great with his hands, and he can set the edge in the run game a lot better than Burns."

In the leadup to the Draft, both Burns and Ferrell will have some arguments working against them (As is the case with any other Draft prospect). For Burns, the knock against him beyond what Jeremiah described will be the historic lack of success of Florida State edge rushers in the NFL. Ferrell's curse, meanwhile, could end up being the fact that he played on a dominant defensive line in college - Which could lead to questions about whether or not every player on said line is truly what they looked like.

 

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/LongFormArticle/Bleacher-Report-names-each-NFL-teams-worst-free-agent-signing--130658065

 

 

 

That's the real shiit right there. I'm damn sure we will end up regretting taking Burns over Ferrell and hell I'm not a homer. I live in Florida. Nice clips but NFL tackles don't let you just run around them. Maybe Remmers and Bell but I digress. Be smart Marty. Take the proven commodity. Your good like that. Luuuuuke!

[Pantha-kun]

Kk and poe were fuging terrible last year. 

[rippadonn]

Sweat won't be there.

[rippadonn]

1 hour ago, Pantha-kun said:

Kk and poe were fuging terrible last year. 

That's why I wouldn't be mad if it was a DT at 16.