Outside of a QB who do you have and why?

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, t96 said:

Then we just disagree about positional value. LB can affect the field at every level if they're elite. Plus non-pass rushing LBs get paid significantly less than corners or pass rushers. I'd much rather have Luke or TD at LB market value than Gillmore or another top CB at CB market value. It's a no brainer.

Which is why it's even more vital to use premium picks at premium positions. You're paying based on the draft slot, not the position.

[CRA]

6 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

Sewell is a no-brainer, and I like Parsons as well. As much as I love the idea of grabbing the best center in the draft, If we don't go for 1 of the top 4 QB's, Trask, Newman and Jones are projected QB's that'll be sitting at the bottom of 1st or the top of the 2nd. How big is the drop off between the top 4 and these guys? I hate the idea of walking away from such a talented QB draft without one.

Newman seems like a guy that will be there in the 3rd or even 4th IMO.  

[DaveThePanther2008]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

At the right positions. Every time you spend highly valued resources in the form of a draft pick or salary cap at a non-premium position, you could've also spent those resources at a position of higher value. I'd rather have a decent MLB and an elite pass rusher rather than vice versa, but you sure as hell don't settle for a Tahir Whitehead either.

Not arguing your point but don't you think this defense would be better with Luke?  Obvious answer.  

In our position if there is a stud LB that can be the captain of this defense.  I don't see where you could pass.  While I agree an elite pass rusher is necessary don't you like Burns and YGM are a good start?  Are we going to draft another DE to go into rotation?  Are we going to spend another draft pick on DT?

I feel our D-line is young but will be a force with experience.  I think you need someone who can be the next great MLB for the Panthers.  We've been pretty good with Mills, Morgan, Beason and Luke. 

 

[t96]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Which is why it's even more vital to use premium picks at premium positions. You're paying based on the draft slot, not the position.

Huh? Rookie scale contracts are cheap regardless of the position, if the player is actually really good. That is thinking small... With a premium pick you want to make damn sure you're getting an impact player that will be there for a decade plus. Position isn't anywhere near as important as getting an impact player at any position when drafting. If that means taking a LB higher because they're the BPA then that's the right pick.

There are plenty of reasons that we haven't won a SB and have been so inconsistent the past few decades. Drafting impact linebackers is not one of those reasons.

[shaqattaq]

1 minute ago, CRA said:

Newman seems like a guy that will be there in the 3rd or even 4th IMO.  

I've seen him higher on lists, but have not seen any of these guys play. I don't follow college football. Anyone else that should be in the 35-45 pick range?

[DaveThePanther2008]

1 hour ago, theinstrumental said:

Those are best-case scenarios and there are still a lot of lost years on that list. Positions with short shelf lives and non-premium values aren't idea uses of high draft picks. That's running back and linebacker. 

Beason came right after Morgan and Luke came right after Beason.  Where's the gap?

So you're option is Free Agency like Whitehead.  We see how well that worked out.

You wait until the 3rd or 4th round you're right where we are now. 

[CRA]

3 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

I've seen him higher on lists, but have not seen any of these guys play. I don't follow college football. Anyone else that should be in the 35-45 pick range?

Newman sat out this year.  Never played a snap at UGA.   Had one good year at Wake Forest.   He can run.  Wouldn't call him special on the ground though. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

I think the combine is going to be bigger in the draft process than previous years.  Hopefully, we are able to get LB in round 1 or 2. 

OT round 1, LB round 2. 

[JawnyBlaze]

QB or bust. I’m pretty confident there will be one of the top four or five QBs available. If not, get a stud LT that will last us a long time. Those are the only two options imo

[amcoolio]

Spend another entire draft on defense and use FA money to spend on the offensive line/tight end

[Growl]

There's no excuse not to come out of this class with a QB. 

[LinvilleGorge]

1 hour ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

Not arguing your point but don't you think this defense would be better with Luke?  Obvious answer.  

In our position if there is a stud LB that can be the captain of this defense.  I don't see where you could pass.  While I agree an elite pass rusher is necessary don't you like Burns and YGM are a good start?  Are we going to draft another DE to go into rotation?  Are we going to spend another draft pick on DT?

I feel our D-line is young but will be a force with experience.  I think you need someone who can be the next great MLB for the Panthers.  We've been pretty good with Mills, Morgan, Beason and Luke. 

 

Sure it would to a degree. Do I think our record would ultimately be much different? Honestly, nah.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 hour ago, t96 said:

Huh? Rookie scale contracts are cheap regardless of the position, if the player is actually really good. That is thinking small... With a premium pick you want to make damn sure you're getting an impact player that will be there for a decade plus. Position isn't anywhere near as important as getting an impact player at any position when drafting. If that means taking a LB higher because they're the BPA then that's the right pick.

There are plenty of reasons that we haven't won a SB and have been so inconsistent the past few decades. Drafting impact linebackers is not one of those reasons.

The contracts are the same regardless of position. You're getting the better deal on a player that plays a premium costly position.

[t96]

3 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

The contracts are the same regardless of position. You're getting the better deal on a player that plays a premium costly position.

I understand that. For reference let's use last year's 7th overall pick spot (where we picked Brown) -- roughly $6M/year. You're picking 7th overall and there is a LB there that you scout and believe will be elite like a Luke or Bobby Wagner, then there's a corner there let's say Lattimore caliber (great prospect, could be amazing but there are concerns -- as we've now seen from his past few years of inconsistency after his great rookie year). I'm 100% taking the sure-thing LB there over the likely-but-not-sure-thing CB, all day. Luke/Wagner at $6M/year over Lattimore at $6M/year for the 4 years on the rookie deal is an absolute no brainer. Plus you also have to consider that if you're keeping this player long term (which is the plan when you draft the player) the LB will be cheaper after the rookie deal, considerably. 

 

If your scouting department has similar grades on players at both positions, then sure take the CB/pass rusher or whatever. But if the LB is clearly the BPA then you don't pass him up for a CB/OT/pass rusher or whatever just because of the position. You take the guy who you think will be a sure thing impact player.