Alright screw it, take Pickett

[SCO96]

9 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

Joe Burrow was the consensus number one pick in the draft. A record setting NCAA QB with a national championship. A true leader of men while being somewhat boyish himself. 

He may not have been a sure thing but many former coaches came out during the process and said Burrow would be a big success.

Pickett? No. Darnold and Pickett aren't that much different in ceiling and we already have one guy. Draft offensive line hard and then if Darnold still isn't your guy in 2023, go after a guy like Grayson McCall who is going to end up very much like Aaron Rodgers. McCall has superb accuracy, touch, and release speed. He has elite quickness and presence for the position as well as the innate ability to lead. He's very much like Burrow in that regard. 

I'd also take a late round flyer on Bailey Zappe out of Western Kentucky this year. Maybe a 5th round pick for him as he would certainly be as good as PJ Walker. 

I don't know much about the lower rated QB's in this year's draft class. But, if I thought someone on the board in the 5th or 6th round was serviceable I'd let PJ go in a heartbeat if he was clearly the better QB in training camp.

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, SCO96 said:

I don't know much about the lower rated QB's in this year's draft class. But, if I thought someone on the board in the 5th or 6th round was serviceable I'd let PJ go in a heartbeat if he was clearly the better QB in training camp.

Under our current regime, the better quarterback in training camp is always going to be the one that went to Temple or Baylor.

[frankw]

I'll be curious to see where Willis goes and how he does either way. If he gets scooped up by the right team and has a chance to learn who knows.

Edit: lmao I see you lurking come out of hiding and own your takes @iamhubby1

Edited January 31, 2022 by frankw

[amcoolio]

I think trading back to the late teens, getting a 2nd and a 3rd, and taking Willis, Pickett or Howell is the best option. Doubtful all three are taken in the top 20.

[ForJimmy]

1 hour ago, Brooklyn 3.0 said:

One of those isn't even in the NFL yet, lol. Another is already so physically damaged he may be on the downside of his career. The third? Yeah, he's good, and way better than Willis.

Look, it's obvious lots of the Willis fans just want to relive the days of Cam. I get it. But scrambling isn't everything in the NFL. Give me a QB that CAN scramble (like Mahomes) when he needs to but otherwise plays behind the line. Look at Willis' passing stats. Very tame. You really think he's going to be able to run all over the NFL? Again, Lamar is already abusing his body. Cam was abused. Hurts isn't going to last long playing like he does.

But hey, if you think Rhule and company can't develop the kid ... cool. He def will be able to scramble when need be ... but we already have a PJ Walker.

The one not in the NFL happens to be the one people are wanting number 1 next year. What about Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Russ Wilson? I get 6’1” is below average, but plenty have had success at that height and shorter in today’s NFL. 
Go take a look at Allen’s passing numbers in college…. Very tame. Willis would be a pick based on raw ability and potential much like Lance and Allen were. 

[ForJimmy]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I keep wondering if the people who so badly want Willis have actually watched him when he's had to play against good competition.

I have, and it was ugly.

Go watch Allen or Lance’s tape against stronger competition. It’s difficult when the entire roster is outmatched on talent…

[Brooklyn 3.0]

Jimmy, yes ... you can be short and win as a QB in the NFL. If that's what you need to hear, ok. But Willis has shown nothing to me that he'll be elite in the NFL. If you want to draft him in a later round as a project, I'm all for it. Taking him at 6 would be suicide.

[SteveSmithTD89]

4 hours ago, mrcompletely11 said:

He has a nasty habit of throwing off his back foot and trying to muscle throws

Hes also a one read and bail QB.. Hes probably the only one I dont want to touch at all and would be in total disbelief if we took him at 6 let alone the top half of the 1st. 

Howell is probably my current favorite but that margin is thin and he's far from a sure thing. I'm looking forward to the senior bowl, combine and pro days to see how things shake out. 

[CPcavedweller]

1 hour ago, SCO96 said:

I don't know much about the lower rated QB's in this year's draft class. But, if I thought someone on the board in the 5th or 6th round was serviceable I'd let PJ go in a heartbeat if he was clearly the better QB in training camp.

Zappe broke Burrow's record for TD passed in a season with 63. I saw him play multiple games this year and while he was an Air Raid guy he has superb ball placement, release speed, field vision, and mobility. He wouldn't be a day one starter by any means but I honestly don't see much difference between him and Zack Wilson. The only reason he isn't getting press is because of where he went to college.

Grayson McCall on the other hand will be a 1st round pick next year. He set the NCAA record for passing efficiency by like 20 points while having around 14 yards per Attempt and playing on a bum shoulder and ankle. I've seen him play multiple times as well since Coastal is in the Sun Belt with App State.

 

McCall is from Indian Trail and was a rival of Sam Howells in high school. I'd much rather have McCall having seen both guys play App State and multiple other opponents. McCall is a guy who can deliver a strike 50 yards downfield or take a seam and run the ball 60 yards for a touchdown. His accuracy is next level on all throws and his work ethic is outstanding as well. He will be a winner.

I see no one I'd take in this year's draft above an elite offensive linemen prospect.

[CPcavedweller]

27 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Go watch Allen or Lance’s tape against stronger competition. It’s difficult when the entire roster is outmatched on talent…

Lance never played anyone with more talent on the roster than NDSU has so I'm not sure what you're referring to. Allen was just a guy who was rough around the edges but was a superb piece to cut and polish.

I do not want Willis at all. People say he crumbled against teams with more talent? So what.

App State's Zac Thomas took App State to Penn State and App was up 38-31 with 30 seconds left in that game. App went to UNC and USC and won in 2019. That USC team had beat UGA and UNC was a 2-point conversion from besting Clemson. Zac Thomas wasn't an NFL prospect and he managed to do that.

Willis, if he was a true 1st round pick, would have elevated his teammates, especially with a guy like Freeze designing the offense. Willis will be a massive bust and I don't even want to see the Panthers work him out.

[CPcavedweller]

38 minutes ago, amcoolio said:

I think trading back to the late teens, getting a 2nd and a 3rd, and taking Willis, Pickett or Howell is the best option. Doubtful all three are taken in the top 20.

We are not trading back for a QB when you have a glaring need on the offensive line. Sam Darnold came to a Carolina situation that was too similar to the Jets. You have Darnold under contract so you let him play it out. Draft offensive linemen to build for whatever QB of the future you take in 2023.

[Michael G]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

Didn't he have an injury in his bowl game  He's probably not going to risk further injuring or re-injuring it for a meaningless game.  He'll probably throw at the Combine and work out at his Pro Day.  Those hold more a lot more weight in the evaluation process anyway. 

That's right. I forgot. I think he sprained his ankle. I'm not sure how bad the sprain was. I think he went out on a cart though...

Edited January 31, 2022 by Michael G

[Mr. Scot]

Related...

 

[SCO96]

27 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

Zappe broke Burrow's record for TD passed in a season with 63. I saw him play multiple games this year and while he was an Air Raid guy he has superb ball placement, release speed, field vision, and mobility. He wouldn't be a day one starter by any means but I honestly don't see much difference between him and Zack Wilson. The only reason he isn't getting press is because of where he went to college.

Grayson McCall on the other hand will be a 1st round pick next year. He set the NCAA record for passing efficiency by like 20 points while having around 14 yards per Attempt and playing on a bum shoulder and ankle. I've seen him play multiple times as well since Coastal is in the Sun Belt with App State.

 

McCall is from Indian Trail and was a rival of Sam Howells in high school. I'd much rather have McCall having seen both guys play App State and multiple other opponents. McCall is a guy who can deliver a strike 50 yards downfield or take a seam and run the ball 60 yards for a touchdown. His accuracy is next level on all throws and his work ethic is outstanding as well. He will be a winner.

I see no one I'd take in this year's draft above an elite offensive linemen prospect.

After reading your scouting report I'm beginning to think you need to get a job in the Panther scouting department .

Just curious, where is Zappe projected to go in the 2022 draft?

If McCall is as good as you say he is then he should be picked in the top 5 for sure. More than one team will seriously consider trading up to get him if they need a QB. Since Rhule is returning, I'd be surprised if we're not picking in the top 12-15.

Who are the other top prospects in 2023?