Panther Needs Assessment

[MHS831]

Of course there will be disagreement, and when some Huddlers disagree with me, it strengthens my confidence in the stability of my points.  Others make me question my thinking and consider alternative ideas.  I prefer these posters, but this thread welcomes all, so I color coded it.  At any rate, I digress.  This chart may be missing a name or two--I omitted people I did not think had a chance to make the roster, and of course, there will be draft picks etc. to knock some out, but this is where we are in my mind.

Red:  These are areas of concern for me, even if we addressed them in free agency.

Orange:  These areas scare me, and I would not be surprised to see a player added here.

Blue:  I think we are OK to maybe better than OK in this area, depending on who shows up.

Green:  Forget about needing help THIS year in this area.  However, later in the draft, developmental prospects might be needed.

(Players named in parentheses are depth but this may not be their primary position, so they appear beneath another position)

Specific Comments:

• OLB vs. 3-4 rush OLB vs. DE---gets confusing so I tried to break them down as best I could. 
• QB:  I am of the mindset that you have to give Darnold a chance with coaching, blocking, and weaponry.  So he is average for now.
• LT and LG:  We signed 2 players early, and I am not sure that they are more than insurance, but we signed them for 2, 3 year deals and for $$$.  Confusing, but I think they are still below average.
• TE: Might be average.  If Arnold has a good year, Thomas is decent depth, and I think Sullivan is going to make the roster and contribute. 
• DT (3 Tech):  We have nobody to put there.
• CB: I am scared.  Very scared.
• S:  How is this not more of a focal point?
• Slot WR:  I understand the Waddle love now.  How awesome would we be?

Once again, sticking my neck out by sharing.  It just helped me see the big picture, so I thought you might like to see it as well.  Enjoy.

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

great work

[TheSpecialJuan]

Current Panthers draft needs:

OFFENSE - LT, G, slot WR, TE

DEFENSE - FS, CB, 3tech DT

[MHS831]

7 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Current Panthers draft needs:

OFFENSE - LT, G, slot WR, TE

DEFENSE - FS, CB, 3tech DT

That is the way I see it....You?

[TheSpecialJuan]

14 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

That is the way I see it....You?

I feel our TE position is a bigger need than our WR position. We would take Kyle Pitts at #8 before we take a WR 

[Basbear]

Good post MHS

 

Bloodly hell that OL...... Moton, Miller, Paradis are "decent/ok" but only ONE year of control. Left is a black-hole currently, need Daley and either Scott/Little/Erv to shock the world...

My opinion, Elf is the 2022 C in waiting and may play either OG in the mean time.

Something needs to be done at WR far as long term for either or both Moore/Anderson

TE for me needs a average NFL starter, I do not know if Dan is up to that task. Im done with Thomas as anything more than 3rd option. 

 

IF the panthers had the best DL in the NFL, ID STILL WANT MOOOORRRREEE. Need depth across the line for sure, I do no know what the plans are for CMiller, I was once real high on him.

Need depth at LB. Orr or Clay Johnston(he needs to be put on the list) may be able to fill the depth. Mack is coming back too, I liked him as a 2020 UDFA 

This may be the surprise form me- I like the current DB status, it depends heavily on Bouye and DJs' health/issues. Pride and STO are good young building blocks. Melvin is a vet and can play those first 2 games. 

This best group and Id never would have believed this starting 2020- Safety. Big Sam Franklin fan, I think Krob could step up this year too. Hartsfield can play S/NB and looked petty good at seasons end. Burris is one of the most under-rated panthers, panthers struggled when he was out. Chandler is one of the Temple guys (Rhules trust). This is the only group where I do not feel need draft picks. 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2021 by Basbear

[MHS831]

44 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I feel our TE position is a bigger need than our WR position. We would take Kyle Pitts at #8 before we take a WR 

I think they are going to make sure we drastically upgrade slot or TE this draft.  I think the first round pick could be TE, slot WR, LT, or CB if we trade back.,

[MHS831]

11 minutes ago, Basbear said:

Good post MHS

 

Bloodly hell that OL...... Moton, Miller, Paradis are "decent/ok" but only ONE year of control. Left is a black-hole currently, need Daley and either Scott/Little/Erv to shock the world...

My opinion, Elf is the 2022 C in waiting and may play either OG in the mean time.

Something needs to be done at WR far as long term for either or both Moore/Anderson

TE for me needs a average NFL starter, I do not know if Dan is up to that task. Im done with Thomas as anything more than 3rd option. 

 

IF the panthers had the best DL in the NFL, ID STILL WANT MOOOORRRREEE. Need depth across the line for sure, I do no know what the plans are for CMiller, I was once real high on him.

Need depth at LB. Orr or Clay Johnston(he needs to be put on the list) may be able to fill the depth. Mack is coming back too, I liked him as a 2020 UDFA 

This may be the surprise form me- I like the current DB status, it depends heavily on Bouye and DJs' health/issues. Pride and STO are good young building blocks. Melvin is a vet and can play those first 2 games. 

This best group and Id never would have believed this starting 2020- Safety. Big Sam Franklin fan, I think Krob could step up this year too. Hartsfield can play S/NB and looked petty good at seasons end. Burris is one of the most under-rated panthers, panthers struggled when he was out. Chandler is one of the Temple guys (Rhules trust). This is the only group where I do not feel need draft picks. 

 

 

I knew this thread would get you going....

[section543]

Lots of these red areas could be addressed in the draft except probably DT due to the week class. Even better chance with trade back(s).

Sewell/Slater/Darrisaw in 1st

Joseph/Melifonwu/Gowan/Adebo/Campbell in 2nd

Meinerz/Banks/Smith/ Green in the 3rd

Felton/Schwartz/Newsome/Shi Smith/  4th (or Philyor later)

Wilson/Odighizuwa/ 5th

Jackson/ Ball/Van Lanen OT

BPA 

something like this if no trade down:

[imminent rogaine]

I agree with what you’ve got here and I am now even more sure that we have to hit on a DT.

I’ll add that some of the areas where we are good (wr, c, entire LB corp, G, even RT) are adequate right now this year but likely could be a hole next year. Paradis is as good as gone, Moton is up in the air, so are Shaq and Robbie. I wouldn’t skip out on those positions just because we are good at the moment. LB would still make the list for a need for me either an actual MLB or a coverage guy to replace Shaq next year.

[bythenbrs]

15 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Current Panthers draft needs:

OFFENSE - LT, G, slot WR, TE

DEFENSE - FS, CB, 3tech DT

Some reds are redder than others... LT, LG, CB, 3tech DT.  I think the strength of this draft allows us to address the first three.  3tech will have to be addressed through FA signing, trade or another team’s final roster cut.

[MHS831]

About the 3T--you are right--I expect a reluctant cut after the draft, etc.  We cannot meet all of these needs in one draft---I think we are hoping to address 3 of them, which was exposed a bit (in theory) during the Darnold trade. 

I think there is something to analyzing the layout of the draft, looking at what we have done in free agency, and using some common sense to figure out the strategy. I think the first round weapons are making Fitterer salivate--Pitts, Waddle, Smith, and Chase.  I think we get one of them.  I want a T, but they probably see what a third weapon does for the passing game--matchups, etc.  My guess is that they see OT being very deep, so they will go weapon/OL in rounds one and two.

So we have signed Melvin and Bouye--experienced, one-year plugs at CB and we have Jackson.  It sure looks as though we are preparing for life without a drafted QB.  Meanwhile, we can expect YGM to step up, Reddick, Burns, and maybe Fox to pressure the QB.  That is what we hope to do on defense.

It is my opinion that we intend to find an impact weapon in round 1, an OT in round 2, and maybe an IOL or QB in round 3.  CB?  maybe, but a 3rd round CB is a project. QB?  If Mond or Mills or Trask is sitting there, I think we have to take him.

 

[bythenbrs]

22 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

It is my opinion that we intend to find an impact weapon in round 1, an OT in round 2, and maybe an IOL or QB in round...

My concern is that with DJ, Robbie, CMC and Arnold, how does the addition of another impact weapon make an ‘impact’ contribution? There are only so many ways to slice the pie on pass plays.  We already have three impact players, possibly a fourth in Arnold. Adding another just changes the distribution?  

Not trying to be argumentative but keeping Darnold upright and opening up running lanes for CMC seems to me to be a bigger contribution.  Sewell, Slater, Darrisaw wound be making an ‘impact’ on 100% of the offensive plays, run or pass.  

Fun to speculate and I appreciate your posts.  Keep them coming.
 

Edited April 17, 2021 by bythenbrs

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, bythenbrs said:

My concern is that with DJ, Robbie, CMC and Arnold, how does the addition of another impact weapon make an ‘impact’ contribution? There are only so many ways to slice the pie on pass plays.  We already have three impact players, possibly a fourth in Arnold. Adding another just changes the distribution?  

Not trying to be argumentative but keeping Darnold upright and opening up running lanes for CMC seems to me to be a bigger contribution.  Sewell, Slater, Darrisaw wound be making an ‘impact’ on 100% of the offensive plays, run or pass.  

Fun to speculate and I appreciate your posts.  Keep them coming.
 

Yeah, I have the same concern.  Pitts makes the most sense if you think of defensive match ups.  I want Sewell or Slater and I am not opposed to trading back for Darrsaw if we can add a CB.  I get what a slot does in terms of matchups and keeping an extra DB on the field instead of a LB, but I would not be hurt if the first 3 picks were OL.