Do the Panthers take advantage of a strong TE class or ignore drafting a TE since they signed Hurst?

[Peon Awesome]

You can't get too cute with BPA when you have glaring needs. We almost have to take a WR with pick 39. Hell, if the value isn't there, trade back, get an extra pick, and take a WR at a better value later in the 2nd and then fine, take a TE with the extra pick. WR is even more of a glaring need than usual with a rookie QB. The other issue is people are by and large not great at evaluating talent. What seems like a great TE draft might end with 2/3 of them busting.

One of our least successful drafts of late was 2016, when we took Vernon Butler as "value" in the 1st when we had 2 great DTs and then spent the rest of the draft trying to fill Josh Norman's shoes, mostly unsuccessfully (although Bradberry came through). Sounds like some want to repeat that by taking TE in the 2nd and then multiple WRs in the later rounds. 

[Panthercougar68]

No matter how good the prospect is TE is a weird position that takes time to develop. Having a vet and a rookie is not a bad thing.

[MartyClemons]

You don’t designate positions ahead of time. If Mayer is there, we take him. If the top 3 TEs are off the board and another position drops, we should take it. We need talent.

[Verge]

Would seem like a luxury pick at this point, and I am not so sure we are good enough to do that. Ultimately if a TE is the best player available at our second pick, you would obviously consider it, but we desperately need more help at receiver and edge rusher. 

[LinvilleGorge]

I don't at all see the desperation for edge rushers. Burns and Luvu look like solid starters with Haynes and Barno as the primary rotational guys.

[Wes21]

Using super early picks on positions like TE is something the Detroit Lions would do.  Friends don't let friends become the Detroit Lions.

[pantherj]

Depends on how things fall. We could take a developmental TE like Kuntz in the 4th, and build up his strength in the weight room and he could become a #1 TE.

Or if a guy like Mayer is there then pull the trigger. The second round talent at WR are slot receivers.

[MHS831]

9 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

You're just looking at next season. Thomas can easily be cut after this coming season. Hurst can easily be cut after two seasons. A rookie could compete with Thomas for the #2 role this year and likely start competing with Hurst for #1 the following year.

It is hard to overlook the TE talent this year--and I think that is where GMs get into trouble, so I definitely see your point.  We have so much dead cap space and other immediate needs--it is hard to look beyond this year.  Once we get the WR positions filled, I think the TE position will be increasingly important.  So yeah, I see this 100% clearly, but when I look at the entire roster and attempt to comprehend the new defensive needs, I do get stuck in 2023.

[MHS831]

8 hours ago, Tr3ach said:

Yea lots of needs overall but i think they have more of a 2 year plan to try to fill everything.  I think this draft they will get a couple defensive players but probably try to add as much to the offense as they can so the rookie qb has weapons and isnt hung out to dry.

I see that.  BPA is always the best idea.  Remember when we drafted Beason when we had Morgan--I was like, "WTH?"  It turned out to be a good pick. 

[jayboogieman]

59 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I see that.  BPA is always the best idea.  Remember when we drafted Beason when we had Morgan--I was like, "WTH?"  It turned out to be a good pick. 

Same thing happened when Luke was picked because Beason was here.

[Aussie Tank]

Yeah don’t get cute during the draft after we get our QB you take your highest graded player. FA and trades are for filling holes draft is for adding best talent available 

[MHS831]

9 minutes ago, Aussie Tank said:

Yeah don’t get cute during the draft after we get our QB you take your highest graded player. FA and trades are for filling holes draft is for adding best talent available 

I do think reaching to fill needs has been proven to be an ineffective way of filling the roster. 

[mickeye76]

9 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't at all see the desperation for edge rushers. Burns and Luvu look like solid starters with Haynes and Barno as the primary rotational guys.

Shiny new toy syndrome. Same reason everyone is clamouring for Tight End (Hurst and Tremble will be fine) and WR ( room has potential) 

Shiny New Toy.  Give me a corner or inside linebacker.  

[ECHornet]

I’ve been hyping LaPorta as TE3 for a while now, and I don’t see a huge difference between him and Kincaid. 
 

lol a the one link that said Laporta has unimpressive overall athleticism. He ranked 3rd of all TEs at the combine in athleticism. 
 

LaPorta in the 3rd (I think he’s selected well before the 93rd pick) or Z Kuntz with our 4B pick is my hope.  

Edited March 19, 2023 by ECHornet