Give Morgan Credit

[electro's horse]

If sanders can’t outplay Ian thomas than he’s literally dead. 

[kungfoodude]

2 hours ago, ForJimmy said:

It was from a draft podcast from the athletic last year. There are always exceptions, but TEs usually take the longest from 2-3 years. It wouldn’t really make sense from a Panthers fan perspective as you mentioned we have developed 0 successfully lately. 

I say that because in the last ten years a lot of the best receiving producers statistically are TE's. And a decent chunk of those noted blockers, as well.

IMO, it mirrors the WR trend. There are a lot more capable players coming out today than in years past. Doesn't mean there isn't an adjustment, everyone has that. I just don't think these old adages really ring as true for the better prospects.

I think our problem is that we heavily lean towards project players like Sanders and then rely on them to not be projects.

This is why I have been so heavily against these sort of picks(I was a fan of the Sanders pick, for the record) for us because we take project guys in the second half of the first round through the 7th round. The hite rates are unbelievably low and then we make it worse by having to press them into action too early.

[ForJimmy]

3 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I say that because in the last ten years a lot of the best receiving producers statistically are TE's. And a decent chunk of those noted blockers, as well.

IMO, it mirrors the WR trend. There are a lot more capable players coming out today than in years past. Doesn't mean there isn't an adjustment, everyone has that. I just don't think these old adages really ring as true for the better prospects.

I think our problem is that we heavily lean towards project players like Sanders and then rely on them to not be projects.

This is why I have been so heavily against these sort of picks(I was a fan of the Sanders pick, for the record) for us because we take project guys in the second half of the first round through the 7th round. The hite rates are unbelievably low and then we make it worse by having to press them into action too early.

TEs are definitely more of a weapon now but that doesn't really counter my point of them taking time to develop.  Yeah there are exceptions with the elite ones, but we are talking about a 4th rounder here.  Look at last year's class, LaPorta did amazing (he was the exception), Kincaid was meh, Mayer didn't do much, Musgrave didn't do much, Shoonmaker didn't do hardly anything, Strange has like 9 targets, and these were all drafted in rounds 1-2.  We have to be realistic with these players in regards to where they were drafted.  Expecting a 4th round TE to start right away and look good do it isn't realistic...  If Sanders develops into a solid starter than that would be a huge success for a 4th round TE.  

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, ForJimmy said:

TEs are definitely more of a weapon now but that doesn't really counter my point of them taking time to develop.  Yeah there are exceptions with the elite ones, but we are talking about a 4th rounder here.  Look at last year's class, LaPorta did amazing (he was the exception), Kincaid was meh, Mayer didn't do much, Musgrave didn't do much, Shoonmaker didn't do hardly anything, Strange has like 9 targets, and these were all drafted in rounds 1-2.  We have to be realistic with these players in regards to where they were drafted.  Expecting a 4th round TE to start right away and look good do it isn't realistic...  If Sanders develops into a solid starter than that would be a huge success for a 4th round TE.  

We just aren't going to agree on the development being very long for TE's. It is what it is. 

For Sanders, I agree it was unrealistic to have him play and produce right away. I am a little surprised how bad overall he has been but, as you say, 4th round pick. If he develops into a decent backup, that's a home run.