Offseason and Draft Assessment

[Tepper's Chest Hair]

5 minutes ago, YETI said:

So you’re satisfied with addressing both OL and pass rushers in FA and the draft? And ignoring FS in both FA and the draft?

I am saying that we had so many holes that not every position could be satisfied in the draft.

[Black&BlueBubba]

4 minutes ago, YETI said:

So you’re satisfied with addressing both OL and pass rushers in FA and the draft? And ignoring FS in both FA and the draft?

It’s not over yet.  Be patient.  I get the feeling we will get our FS.  Probably not the one we want.  It it probably be some aging dude on crutches.  But I don’t think we are done there yet. 

[heel31ok]

9 hours ago, Tepper's Chest Hair said:

Free Safety is now just the war cry of people that want Hurney fired.

We went into this off season with very little cap room, and problems all over the field.  

We have improved in nearly every single area of need, except one position.  FS.  We did it without giving up future picks.  Without tying ourselves to insane contracts we can't quickly get out of.  That in itself is a miracle.

Maybe so but it still is a cause for concern...

[CarolinaNCSU]

Also we all should know better by now when it comes to FS.  Rivera doesn't give a poo about safeties, so thinking we'd magically shift that and get a great one is asking for too much. 

The defense will look different, but I'm still concerned we're going to see soft zone coverage getting picked apart or beaten deep by an overzealous scrub at FS taking bad angles.  But, as already said, can't fix every whole.  There's no complete team out there, just gotta hope our deficiencies are hidden. 

[Icege]

Overall snap judgment grade: B+

I would have rather drafted Holyfield, subpar 40 be damned, and picked up Scarlett in UDFA but I mean, that's getting super nitpicky.

I loved the Burns and Miller picks. I understand and appreciate the value behind the Grier and Godwin picks. Daley is another potential value as well.

The only thing I did not like was trading up for Greg Little. I was very low on Little and high on Dieter who went at #77. I believe strongly that Little and Scharping would have both been there at #47 (Scharping went #54 iirc) and we could have also taken Dieter which would have solidified our OL for the next 3 seasons.

Stepping back from that though, this was a solid draft overall at an initial look. Let's see how it all shakes out in the end. Restocking our pass rush and protection for Cam and shoring up safety in free agency is the smart move imo.

[Cpt slay a ho]

Also when have we ever had a top secondary under Rivera ? At this point gotta accept that we are front 7 built defense l, as outdated as it is that’s just how Ron gets down, it annoys me because this is stubbornness at its finest but I’ve come to accept it, he wants to go out his way so be it 

[Panthero]

1 hour ago, Panthero said:

Dude berry is not healthy. Would be a big name but bring very little to the table.

Aww you gave me a poo. Well back at you dweeb.

[ncfan]

6 minutes ago, heel31ok said:

Maybe so but it still is a cause for concern...

Its a concern.

And I was pissed we didnt take advantage of some stud safeties fall near our pick (could've easily pulled what the Saints did to move up for Chauncey Gardner Johnson)

But we hammered home our biggest weaknesses.

It still is Marty, and I still have a nasty taste in my mouth from the first time he was here.  But with Tepper watching over him instead of Jerry.  I dont think our starting FS is currently on the roster now and will be addressed later through FA 

[Adb6368]

53 minutes ago, Toomers said:

Who cares who drafted him? This is about paying him 9.2M THIS year. Not his cheap rookie deal 

 And where’s he playing in a 3-4 nickel package? 

I’d rather pay him 9M this year to see if he can play when he’s THE guy then go ahead and give him a 5 year extension with guaranteed money to save a few million this year. If he turns out to not be able to make it we cut him no strings attached after this year. This was the right thing to do 

[MHS831]

5 minutes ago, Black&BlueBubba said:

Walter FB grades  

16. Brian Burns, DE/OLB, Florida State  A- Grade  
I think he is going to be a good one.  Character gives him a plus.

37. Greg "Mr. Reliable" Little, OT, Ole Miss  C Grade 
Here I disagree, and I think it goes back to the "Moton can play LT" fantasy.  We had to draft a STARTING LT--they obviously do not feel that Moton or Williams can play LT.  Remember when we tried to move up the 20s in the first round?  At 22, Philly takes Andre Dillard, LT, after Cincinnati had taken LT Jonah Williams at 11.  Then Houston (surprisingly) grabbed LT Tytus at 23 .  But the Texans took him immediately after the Eagles took Dillard--suggesting that at pick 23, there could be a run on OTs--and the LOTs capable of starting in the NFL as rookies were down to one-Greg Little.  We tried to trade up at the back of the first round--could not.  Atlanta moved up to 31, and grabbed a T--RT Mcgary from Washington.  In the early second round, Jawan Taylor went to Jax.  The Panthers knew that Buffalo (sixth pick) needed a "franchise LT", and Little was the only player who could start as a rookie LT on the board.   Yes, you go get that player, understanding that he is a bit raw and needs time to develop.  They did, leapfrogging Buffalo to the #5 spot (payback, if you recall when we took Moton).  Later in the round, at 23,  Max Scharping (third round grade) was selected by Houston--giving them a RT to go with LT Howard, drafted in round 1.  At the end of Round 3, the next player with LT genes was taken--Trey Pipkins from Sioux Falls.  I doubt he will be starting in the NFL any time soon.  LT was a bigger concern than we realize.  I do not think we could have waited and found a starting LT.  Little will struggle at times, but he has the tools. 

100. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia  C- Grade  
Best job in pro sports is being Cam's backup.  However, I am not as down on Will as you are.  I think he will be a good one---just not now.

 

[Cpt slay a ho]

What above poster said, a run on tackles started early, just gotta hope we traded up for the right guy, that’s all that matters really

[Black&BlueBubba]

So here is my overall offseason assessment. It’s gonna be long  

Offseason Moves: 

• Panthers sign WR Chris Hogan
• Panthers sign DE/OLB Bruce Irvin
• Panthers cut OT Matt Kalil
• Panthers sign C Matt Paradis 

Also resigned Love and Williams.  

Overall for the cap space Marty had I think we made out just fine.  And at least we jettisoned the “healthiest” LT in the game. Thank god. 

FA grade B+. 

NFL Draft Individual Grades: 

16. Brian Burns, DE/OLB, Florida State  

I think his ceiling is really high.  But his floor could be really low.  I think he is the #2 Edge guy in this class when we look back in a couple years.   Not a bad grab at 16. His bend for a guy that height is freaky!!!  Can’t teach that stuff. His run defense is where I have concerns.  Maybe his length can help in that area.  Have high hopes for this kid to put the fear back into opposing offenses. I’m just not sure that will be seen in year 1. 


37. Greg "Mr. Reliable" Little, OT, Ole Miss  

I think rounds 2 and 3 were all about contingency plans by 2 guys on the hot seat with H2.0 and RR. They would.not survive having Cam get crushed by a subar OL or lack of quality depth. So I can understand why they went up to get him.  Just don’t like trading up and getting smoked in the value like H2.0 did.  
With that said,  he does have the measurables to be a quality LT at some point if Matsko can work his magic.  His film however is lackluster.  He needs a lot of work on techniques. And someone needs to light a fire under his ass at some points.  

I get the pick. Just don’t like the value. We are just trying to reconcile a huge “Gettlemess”.  

100. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia   
This is the second part of the job saving strategy of our FO.  Tepper views this as a business. And if Cam goes down early there will be no butts in seats.  Since we gave up our 77 pick I would have preferred this to be used on another need. Like FS.  

As for the player, I like him.  No he doesn’t have the strongest arm but that is not as important in Norv’s system as timing and rhythm. And that he has.  He also has good accuracy and throws a nice deep ball. 

With Cams contract and the CBO agreement right around the corner this is a savy business move.  But using the pick on another need would have made me happier. 

115. Christian Miller, DE/OLB, Alabama  

This is my favorite pick of the draft I think. Good player and good value. Yes he has had injuries, but nothing that should hamper his future. At 6’3” 250 and 35” arms he can give OL fits in both the pass and run game.  Think Trey Flowers.  That is my comp as he develops.  Great to get him in round 4.  


154. Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida  

I blew up when this pick was announced.  In my mind I remembered that he was listed as a 7th rd./ UDFA guy.  I figured Marty was already into his late round bottle of scotch already.  

But my feelings have changed after this dual pick. I consider it a dual pick since we got both Scarlett and Holyfield as backups.  I wanted a guy to take the load of CMC a little be and be able to run the clock out when needed.  And after watching his tape he “could be” that guy.  He runs flipping hard.  I will say this.  He runs like he is 225 and Elijah Hood runs more like he is 208. Yes his measurables are questionable but you can’t measure Will.  And this kid will lower the hammer.  I’m just intrigued to see if it can translate to the NFL. If so I’m ok with the pick.  Would have really liked him in the 7th.  

May issue with this pick is guys like Kelvin Harmon we’re still on the board.  So I don’t get the value of this pick  

However, he will be known from here on out as Jordan ”Lifelock” Scarlett.  And I do like how he runs.  I miss that smash mouth part of the Panther identity.  


212. Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina  

I saw him a little at the Senior bowl practices and he was serviceable.  Then I went and watched the whole game film against Clemson and Ferrell and Lawrence.  He really did well.  But I also heard that Josh Allen had 3 sacks on him.  I can see that.  Hurney is correct that you will not run through him.  But right now I can see how he will really struggle with speed rushers. He feet need some work.  That’s is harder to fix than hand placement but hopefully Matsko can work his magic. And I do like the fact that we are developing our own OL depth and not waiting to call some aging dude to get off his couch.  Overall I like the pick.  


237. Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia 

he crushed the EW shrine bowl and practices this year.  He made some CB’s look stupid there.  But his measurables are ugly.  He does have really nice route running a zone savy ability.  Could be sneaky out of the slot and contribute in the return  game.  Only did kickoffs in college. But he might be ok a punt returning also.  

Hopefully Hogan and Godwin give us enough depth to cut Torrey Smith and go get another couple needed parts this year. 

 

Overall for the offseason I give us a B-.  But it’s still not done yet.  I think we go get a FS and maybe sign Bailey as a 3-4 DE. That would put us at a solid B/B+ for the cap room we had and what we did in draft.  We filled a lot of holes this offseason. 

[Black&BlueBubba]

1 hour ago, Tepper's Chest Hair said:

What comparable prospect was even available?

We gonna pretend Scharpiing, Pipkins, Edoga were comparable?  

Not aiming this at you, just the review.

Yeah.  I think you and MHS831 are right.  We don’t view Moton as a LT. I was wrong about that earlier this offseason. 

Without a LT on the roster we had to do something.  And the payback to Buffalo is nice.  Let them feel the pain of Dion Dawkins a little longer while we will have Little and Moton. Hopefully they turn into a stout tandem 

[OneBadCat]

I thought Hurney did a great job on this draft and the offseason in general. I think  Paradis, Irvin, Hogan are all great signings. We seemed to get the guys we were looking for at DE and OT which were needs  at the time.

I kind of wish we made a different pick with Grier but only because I wanted a FS but you can't argue with the value and the need for a back up. I think they filled a lot of holes in this draft and we should be looking pretty strong now.

I secretly really like the Scarlett pick. He looks like a lean bruiser with some speed which I think will compliment CMC quite well if we choose to play him lol