Reading the Tea Leaves

[MHS831]

It seems that there is evidence to suggest that the plan is to address the following during the draft:

Confirmed WR visits/meetings (no significance to order--estimated round is in parentheses)

• Keon Coleman - Wide Receiver - Florida State  (1/2)
• Troy Franklin - Wide Receiver - Oregon  (2)
• Xavier Legette - Wide Receiver - South Carolina   (2/3)
• Ladd McConkey - Wide Receiver - Georgia  (2)
• Ainias Smith - Wide Receiver - Texas A&M  (4)
• Brian Thomas Jr. - Wide Receiver - LSU  (1)
• Tez Walker - Wide Receiver - UNC  (3)
• Malik Washington - Wide Receiver - Virginia  (4)

WR:  The question is, "How many?"  If the draft were tomorrow, I would guess 2.  This strongly suggests that a WR will be the pick at #33. It also suggests that they are looking for a slot WR in round 4 (pick 101) or they will take Carolina players Legette or Walker should they fall to 101.  To me, that might indicate the #33 pick is someone who could also play inside.  If you look at the WR group likely to be available at #33, that leaves Coleman, Franklin, and McConkey. Coleman is a big WR who brings Kelvin Benjamin vibes back, but he can high point the ball.  However, the only TE the Panthers have met with is 6'6"--so is Canales still craving the Mike Evans jump balls?  Hmmm.  If the decision comes down to Troy Franklin or Ladd McConkey, it could go to the better route runner--McConkey.  I think it is a pretty safe bet to wager that the Panthers will take one of these players or trade out of #33.  Malik Washington in the fourth would make the WR corps dangerous.

Confirmed OLB/Edge/DE visits/meetings (estimated round in parentheses)

• Austin Booker - EDGE - Kansas  (3/4)
• Andre Carter - EDGE - Indiana (undrafted free agent)
• Marshawn Kneeland - EDGE - Western Michigan (3)
• Xavier Thomas - EDGE - Clemson (6)
• Bralen Trice - EDGE - Washington  (2)

Gotta keep in mind that these visits happened or were scheduled before we added Wonnum and Chaisson.  This is invalid if we sign Chase or Downey.  It is my guess that if we do not sign Chase or Clowney, the Panthers will draft Bralen Trice at pick #39.

• Edge SOLB:  Now that they have Wonnum at SOLB, they may be interested in some depth.  They have shown interest (interview at combine and personal visit) in Western Michigan's Marshawn Kneeland, a player who would likely be available at pick #65.  Currently, the depth at SOLB seems to be Eku Leota and DJ Johnson. 
• Edge: Jack--At the Jack OLB position, they just signed Chaisson (who I think will do will in this system) and they have Amare Barno, who played will in 2023 in spot duty.  Of course, they are trying to sign Chase or Downey, but if they do not, there seems to be interest in Bralen Trice (Washington--should be a day 2 pick) 
• Conclusion:  If we sign Clowney or Chase, we are done at Edge.

Confirmed prospect meetings other than WR and Edge:  

• Offense:
  • Jonathan Brooks - Running Back - Texas (7-und)
  • Anthony Bradford - Guard - LSU  (4-6)
  • Delmar Glaze - Tackle - Maryland  (4/5)
  • Christian Haynes - Guard - UCONN  (3)
  • Patrick Paul - Tackle - Houston  (2/3)
  • John Rhys Plumlee - Quarterback - UCF (und)
  • Jared Wiley - Tight End - TCU (3/4)
• Defense:
  • JD Bertrand - Linebacker - Notre Dame (5)
  • Edgerrin Cooper - Linebacker - Texas A&M (2)
  • Jaden Crumedy - Tackle - Mississippi State  (5/6)
  • Braden Fiske - Tackle - Florida State  (2)
  • Mark Perry - Safety - TCU  (6)
  • Nate Wiggins - Corner - Clemson  (1)

To me, it is noteworthy that there are no centers listed, but I realize this list is not complete or a great predictor.  Still, if they were bluffing about Corbett and Mays, it seems that it would show here like it did with WR and Edge.  Tight End--They are going to grab a TE in this draft; I just can't see them sticking with what they have.Wiley is 6'6" and Canales likes to throw up tall guys.  I feel confident that the Panthers will draft him.  Nate Wiggins is projected to be a first rounder, so I do not think he is on the board any longer.

     

Based on what I know to be needs and taking these tea leaves into account, I predict the following on this 15th day of March in the 2024th year of our lord:

• #33:  Ladd McConkley, WR UGA:  He can play inside or outside, and it looks like he is polished and ready to go as a rookie--good route runner--runs entire route tree.  Solid and smart, able to communicate with smart QB.  Good hands, quick feet.
• #39  Bralen Trice, Edge Washington (perhaps a bit of a reach here, but if we do not sign a free agent, Trice is the best of the rest after round 1)
• #65: Jared Wiley, TE TCU (At 6'6" tall and 250lbs with the ability to run a 4;6 40, I can see Canales wanting to add this red zone weapon)
• #101:  Mailk Washington WR UVA.  A slot that can make things happen.  If Legette or Walker fall here, one is the pick and Ladd becomes the slot of the future.

Edited March 15 by MHS831

[TheSpecialJuan]

Terrific post, nice work man 

[DeSim]

I’d double dip at WR, easily. 

[CPF4LIFE]

Good post, i will start doing mock simulators based off who we visit with. I REALLY like Jared Wiley and hope we make that happen.

[jfra78]

13 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

It seems that there is evidence to suggest that the plan is to address the following during the draft:

Confirmed WR visits/meetings (no significance to order--estimated round is in parentheses)

• Keon Coleman - Wide Receiver - Florida State  (1/2)
• Troy Franklin - Wide Receiver - Oregon  (2)
• Xavier Legette - Wide Receiver - South Carolina   (2/3)
• Ladd McConkey - Wide Receiver - Georgia  (2)
• Ainias Smith - Wide Receiver - Texas A&M  (4)
• Brian Thomas Jr. - Wide Receiver - LSU  (1)
• Tez Walker - Wide Receiver - UNC  (3)
• Malik Washington - Wide Receiver - Virginia  (4)

WR:  The question is, "How many?"  If the draft were tomorrow, I would guess 2.  This strongly suggests that a WR will be the pick at #33. It also suggests that they are looking for a slot WR in round 4 (pick 101) or they will take Carolina players Legette or Walker should they fall to 101.  To me, that might indicate the #33 pick is someone who could also play inside.  If you look at the WR group likely to be available at #33, that leaves Coleman, Franklin, and McConkey. Coleman is a big WR who brings Kelvin Benjamin vibes back, but he can high point the ball.  However, the only TE the Panthers have met with is 6'6"--so is Canales still craving the Mike Evans jump balls?  Hmmm.  If the decision comes down to Troy Franklin or Ladd McConkey, it could go to the better route runner--McConkey.  I think it is a pretty safe bet to wager that the Panthers will take one of these players or trade out of #33.  Malik Washington in the fourth would make the WR corps dangerous.

Confirmed OLB/Edge/DE visits/meetings (estimated round in parentheses)

• Austin Booker - EDGE - Kansas  (3/4)
• Andre Carter - EDGE - Indiana (undrafted free agent)
• Marshawn Kneeland - EDGE - Western Michigan (3)
• Xavier Thomas - EDGE - Clemson (6)
• Bralen Trice - EDGE - Washington  (2)

Gotta keep in mind that these visits happened or were scheduled before we added Wonnum and Chaisson.  This is invalid if we sign Chase or Downey.  It is my guess that if we do not sign Chase or Clowney, the Panthers will draft Bralen Trice at pick #39.

• Edge SOLB:  Now that they have Wonnum at SOLB, they may be interested in some depth.  They have shown interest (interview at combine and personal visit) in Western Michigan's Marshawn Kneeland, a player who would likely be available at pick #65.  Currently, the depth at SOLB seems to be Eku Leota and DJ Johnson. 
• Edge: Jack--At the Jack OLB position, they just signed Chaisson (who I think will do will in this system) and they have Amare Barno, who played will in 2023 in spot duty.  Of course, they are trying to sign Chase or Downey, but if they do not, there seems to be interest in Bralen Trice (Washington--should be a day 2 pick) 
• Conclusion:  If we sign Clowney or Chase, we are done at Edge.

Confirmed prospect meetings other than WR and Edge:  

• Offense:
  • Jonathan Brooks - Running Back - Texas (7-und)
  • Anthony Bradford - Guard - LSU  (4-6)
  • Delmar Glaze - Tackle - Maryland  (4/5)
  • Christian Haynes - Guard - UCONN  (3)
  • Patrick Paul - Tackle - Houston  (2/3)
  • John Rhys Plumlee - Quarterback - UCF (und)
  • Jared Wiley - Tight End - TCU (3/4)
• Defense:
  • JD Bertrand - Linebacker - Notre Dame (5)
  • Edgerrin Cooper - Linebacker - Texas A&M (2)
  • Jaden Crumedy - Tackle - Mississippi State  (5/6)
  • Braden Fiske - Tackle - Florida State  (2)
  • Mark Perry - Safety - TCU  (6)
  • Nate Wiggins - Corner - Clemson  (1)

To me, it is noteworthy that there are no centers listed, but I realize this list is not complete or a great predictor.  Still, if they were bluffing about Corbett and Mays, it seems that it would show here like it did with WR and Edge.  Tight End--They are going to grab a TE in this draft; I just can't see them sticking with what they have.Wiley is 6'6" and Canales likes to throw up tall guys.  I feel confident that the Panthers will draft him.  Nate Wiggins is projected to be a first rounder, so I do not think he is on the board any longer.

     

Based on what I know to be needs and taking these tea leaves into account, I predict the following on this 15th day of March in the 2024th year of our lord:

• #33:  Ladd McConkley, WR UGA:  He can play inside or outside, and it looks like he is polished and ready to go as a rookie--good route runner--runs entire route tree.  Solid and smart, able to communicate with smart QB.  Good hands, quick feet.
• #39  Bralen Trice, Edge Washington (perhaps a bit of a reach here, but if we do not sign a free agent, Trice is the best of the rest after round 1)
• #65: Jared Wiley, TE TCU (At 6'6" tall and 250lbs with the ability to run a 4;6 40, I can see Canales wanting to add this red zone weapon)
• #101:  Mailk Washington WR UVA.  A slot that can make things happen.  If Legette or Walker fall here, one is the pick and Ladd becomes the slot of the future.

I need to youtube Trice. Everyone talking about Robinson, but I'm not sure he's a fit at edge in a 3-4

[CamWhoaaCam]

I love you man.

[ncstatekwi]

[rayzor]

I like this a lot. I wish the receivers were taller, but that's just nitpicking. those two would be a nice pair to have.

Trice would be nice. Guy definitely could be a solid starter.

Thers a couple centers that would fit the scheme. I can't imagine us not picking one up unless thry manage to get another option in FA.

[CamWhoaaCam]

27 minutes ago, DeSim said:

I’d double dip at WR, easily. 

Why double dip?

 

We just traded for a pretty damn solid WR in Johnson. I think 1 more WR is all we need. We still have to see what we have in  Mingo. Thielen is still a solid WR as well.

[jfra78]

If we don't pick up a solid edge in FA it feels like we have to pick an edge in round 2 even if it's a bit of a reach

[rayzor]

4 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Why double dip?

 

We just traded for a pretty damn solid WR in Johnson. I think 1 more WR is all we need. We still have to see what we have in  Mingo. Thielen is still a solid WR as well.

Better to have too many playmaking options. Plus, with the quality in this draft, it's probably going to be a while before we have this much talent. We'd have a chance at being set for the next 4 years at least.

[OldhamA]

Any QBs visiting?

[Lame Duck]

6 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

Why double dip?

 

We just traded for a pretty damn solid WR in Johnson. I think 1 more WR is all we need. We still have to see what we have in  Mingo. Thielen is still a solid WR as well.

When I dip, you dip, we dip

[CamWhoaaCam]

1 minute ago, rayzor said:

Better to have too many playmaking options. Plus, with the quality in this draft, it's probably going to be a while before we have this much talent. We'd have a chance at being set for the next 4 years at least.

Who's your top 2 realistic WR's?