Panthers in the Market for a QB (again): 2025 Draft

[LinvilleGorge]

2 minutes ago, TD alt said:

I think that it's somewhat questionable whether we will actually get the first pick to be honest. The Pats, Jags, Titans and Raiders are going to give us a run for our money. 

The Pats and Jags look like they'd beat us by two TDs.

[TD alt]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

The Pats and Jags look like they'd beat us by two TDs.

If all three teams were more consistent, I'd fully agree with you. But you never know what you're going to get. 

[Hoenheim]

I don't want a QB this year. But if we do get one, Id go with Sheddur Sanders or Cam Ward.  None of the other ones stand out to me. 

Carson Beck in particular has been flaming out hard. He was probably a top 10 projection going into this year but if he keeps going at this rate, he could be a mid round project like Rattler was. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Hoenheim

[Hoenheim]

Just wild to think that Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels AND Drake May look good thus far. Bo Nix has looked solid. Then Stroud was good right after Bryce. 

I don't even trust the Panthers to pick the right QB. I hope they just focus on re building the team overall this off season

This 2024 draft could end up being one of the best QB drafts ever if Penix and McCarthy work out.

Edited 6 hours ago by Hoenheim

[CRA]

31 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

The Pats and Jags look like they'd beat us by two TDs.

They both wound be favored pending they are relatively healthy 

[ChuckWag78]

18 hours ago, MHS831 said:

4. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana. Absolutely shocking here, but long term, this 6-5, 235 QB from Ontario can flat out play. He can process and scan the field. Was successful at Ohio U. Has won 7 games at Indiana and no game has been close, with Indiana scoring 41 or more points each outing (averaging around 50) and the most any opponent has scored (Maryland) has been 28. This kid is winning at Indiana, folks. Who does that? Experienced, in his fifth year as a starting QB (Ohio/Indiana). Good arm. A bit awkward feet, but more mobile than you think. Able to see over the OL (around 8 inches taller than Bryce). https://youtu.be/lZd-VnSBieI?si=VaVgkFojJV7fZU8x  

I have not seen anything on this kid until your post. His highlights are fun to watch. Love the size and power. There definitely is something to be said about going somewhere like Indiana and winning. Not just the QB, but still fun to cheer for going forward. 

https://www.twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1847725663140172212?t=a_hkyKD4kBakHdTOLbrDPQ&s=19

[CPF4LIFE]

4 hours ago, Ricky Prickles said:

Uh oh somebody must be upset about that "Panthers don't know how to run a team post of yours" where I questioned curious to know how you know so much and are qualified perhaps?

Projecting or not Deon is a walking talking issue currently and in my opinion as shown by many issues in Colorado the past couple seasons. Shedur will bust and will not be the star his dad was in my opinion also but until we see it all play out, both yours and my opinion is just that; an opinion. 

He is a good QB in college no doubt but when he doesn't have dad at the next level I am curious to see how it goes. I was once around Deon however briefly during the COVID era. His eldest son was with a team I was involved with in a capacity for one shortened COVID season. No problem with his boy but his father I could tell was an issue. Without going into details, Deon is something else entirely. Perhaps not a completely bad human being but one that can get extremely toxic and thinks the world should immediately bow to him and do his every bidding because of his own past accomplishments in football. That could get very tough if the right franchise is not found with leadership that will tell him to know his role, sit down and shut up. 

Adversity does not define everything true but adversity on a football field during a season is minor compared to life adversity I've seen some other players face first hand who came from nothing and are still dealing with issues currently as they make their way through college. Football field adversity does not compare to the real world off the field and out of the locker room adversity some face. You speak as if you may know something on the subject other than what people see on television and read on the internet. What locker rooms have you been involved in or witnessed the everyday play out during the season once the high school level is passed? I have to admit my experience seeing the everyday lives play out at the NFL level is limited to former players who have gone beyond Div. 1 and I only know what is told to me by them when they return to me in off seasons and breaks so I can't fully get an idea at that level. I have however seen a few days at the college level play out and I base my opinion from the very limited I have seen out of Deon in person and yes probably biased a bit after a few of those very limited interactions but it's my opinion determined by what I have seen over the years with my own eyes out of many situations and players rather than my arm chair GM opinion based upon what I read on the internet and the statistics I see on TV. As I said, we shall see once next season plays out but the Panthers are not equipped to handle what will come with Shedur Sanders I personally believe. A team like the Detroit Lions with a coach like Dan Campbell who is not afraid to tell someone to back off, sit down and shut the hell up I could only guess will be needed when Shedur is drafted and that personality will not be needed for Shedur but for daddy.

Okay...You seriously need to get some air. You seem way more invested than should be. To question how much I know like I'm there when i never said I was after going on a post tirade about everything you've heard from folks who clearly have no interesting in seeing Colorado succeed is very hypocritical. You claim Deion is walking talking issue and yet Colorado has seen nothing but profit since hiring him. They won more games then the previous year his first year and have won even more in his second year. The school is up in revenue and academics but you are strong on claiming he Is an issue?

Okay my guy....Where are the problems? 

Far as shedeurs goes i dont know what this belief is that he cant survive without his dad. You basically insinuated that he is somehow gonna forget how to play with his dad not next to him. I dont even want to take the time to breakdown how that doesn't make sense or why it's even a discussion. As I said in my last post you can see everything as a negative but it can be said also deion has done the best he can to prepare shedeur for the pros. The kid has been around other pro players his whole come up, he has Tom brady as a mentor and trainer. He has had the same perks just like any other former player with a son but when comes to deion you think it's bad because shedeur won't survive without him? That sounds personal and weird to push the nepotism narrative so strongly on sanders but nobody else. Far as deion, goes I fail to see how he will be so involved with shedeurs team while also busy coaching and managing a college team. Nobody has explained that to me yet but it is what it is. Lastly, you said all that to not even answer the question of what if all those things you claimed end up not being true? It sounds like you don't even care if it isnt or just feel so strongly about Sanders failure another narrative will just right itself. 

 

 

[Panther53521]

21 hours ago, MHS831 said:

It is likely that the Panthers will have the first overall selection in this draft.  In my view, Colorado's Travis Hunter is the best player and best prospect, followed by Tetairoa McMillan--the 6'5", 4.5 40, excellent hands and route running WR from Arizona.  While you can argue that the Panthers do not want to take a QB and will draft a pass rusher/edge, you could be right--but how good were we with Burns and our current QBs?  We need to draft a QB, but at #1 overall, can we move back and still get our guy?  I think so, because I would be happy with Ward or Nussmeire.  Here are my thoughts:::

If navigating the draft, be aware of the other teams who might also need a QB (all with 1 or 2 wins except Steelers): 

• Raiders  (Probably the team that needs a QB more than ever.  Tired of retreads--will be aggressive in the draft to get a QB)
• Titans (not sure Levis is the answer and I expect the Titans to go after a QB--watch out for Jones trade with Giants or DW in Cleveland; they have success bringing in a QB and turning him around)
• Giants (Wanted a QB last year; will definitely push for a QB this year.  I see them as a trade up partner)
• Browns (so glad we did not sign DW---if you think the Bryce pick was bad...However, i expect Cleveland to stick with DW for 1 more season and upgrade their OL),
• Steelers  (not sure the Fields experiment worked-but they won 4 lost 2.  Great coaching.
• Dolphins (Tua's concussions will cause Fish to go fishing)

My process when evaluating QBs:  I consider traits and skills like leadership, injury history, release time, pocket presence, arm strength, accuracy, size, running ability, and I also consider supporting cast.  I predict upside, longevity, and I ask myself this question:  "Down by 5 with 2 minutes to go and no timeouts, who do you want as your QB?"

My thinking--Trade back: I am not sure (after reviewing the stats) I want a dual threat, zone read QB.  When we drafted Cam, I said (on the Huddle) that we'd be lucky to get a decade out of him. He was 6-5 and 250.  "In 2010, the year before Cam Newton sparked the NFL’s zone read revolution, quarterbacks combined for 1,377 rush attempts, which includes both scrambles and designed runs. Last season, we saw more than 2,400 quarterback runs."  Meanwhile, injuries to QBs increased.  In this chart, you see the number of QBs that started an NFL game has gradually increased since Cam's entrance, and it really jumps when they added a 17th game.  So you have to consider longevity as well, and a smart, disciplined QB that does not have to rely on his legs is perhaps the less flashy, long-term play.  This might sound racial but it is not, at least in my thinking, because my rationale applies to concerns in Buffalo (Allen), for example.  When a QB runs, the take a hit in most cases.  They add up.  Every time you are hit, you take a risk of missing time.  So while buying a Ferrari is more exciting than a Honda Odyssey, only one will take the family where they want to go.  

  (see source at bottom)

So how do you keep your QB under center all season?  You have a QB who can read the defense quickly, has a quick release, has quality check downs, and a STUD OL.  If we get a stud TE and maybe another WR, we could find a QB who can play in this system without having to run 10-12 plays a game--and that includes avoiding sacks by throwing it away.  So far this season, Sanders has carried the football 43 times--22 sacks in five games--but that also indicates a potential processing breakdown (which is why I factor in "supporting cast").  He does not throw it away.  The result?  -43 yards rushing and a QB who might take a beating.  Ward has run the football less (25 times for 128 yards), which might suggest that he is wiser when choosing to run, but he has only been sacked 7 times in 5 games.  We have so many needs (C, WR, TE, DT, Edge, S, and OT) and a strong OL, I think we can draft a pocket passer (with mobility) who is an alpha, smart, and checks a lot of boxes. 

Taking all this NAWLIDGE into consideration, and predicting where some of these emerging QBs might be at the end of the season, This is my speculative list of QB talent:

1. Cam Ward, Miami.  So far, he is checking a lot of boxes, and if he continues to play well, he is a QB who does not seem to take a lot of sacks, can move, and is accurate.  This one was easy.  The rest?  A bit controversial, but I live on the edge.

2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU.  6'2" about 205. Who? That's right. Quick release, can throw on run with accuracy.  Gamer. He has been on the bench behind a pretty good LSU QB (Daniels) biding his time and learning.  Some rough patches early on, but he pulled himself out of them and finished games strong (see Ole Miss).  That is character.  Think "Tony Romo" with perhaps a bit more upside.  His father was an NFL QB and a coach, so he breaths football.  He could have gone portal, but stayed at LSU.  Highlights from this season:  https://youtu.be/IY4X7xxJJ9g?si=shssKWlGqqlRyCrH

3. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado.  His completion percentage is gaudy.  The problem I have with him, and you could blame his supporting cast, but he has been sacked 23 times in 5 games.  That tells me he is not getting the ball out or throwing it away fast enough.  Does that mean his processing is slow?   WRs/TEs weak?  Play calling? Could be a lot.  We have that now.  Colorado is not, like Indiana, winning.  So I will look past the hype and the stats (offense) and put him in the "high risk, high reward" category.  It just don't smell right to me. Many may differ.

4.  Kurtis Rourke, Indiana.  Absolutely shocking here, but long term, this 6-5, 235 QB from Ontario can flat out play.  He can process and scan the field.  Was successful at Ohio U.  Has won 7 games at Indiana and no game has been close, with Indiana scoring 41 or more points each outing (averaging around 50) and the most any opponent has scored (Maryland) has been 28.  This kid is winning at Indiana, folks.  Who does that?  Experienced, in his fifth year as a starting QB (Ohio/Indiana).  Good arm.  A bit awkward feet, but more mobile than you think.  Able to see over the OL (around 8 inches taller than Bryce).  https://youtu.be/lZd-VnSBieI?si=VaVgkFojJV7fZU8x   

 

5.  Carson Beck, Georgia.  Beck struggled against Kentucky and Alabama earlier this season, dropping him out of the top 3 QB discussions.  However, he lost Ladd and Brock and Van Pran (OL) during the offseason--and last year, Ladd and Bowers were about all he had to throw to.  Beck's last 2 games have been better, but this could change.  He is tall (6-4) and has upside.

6.  Quinn Ewers, Texas.  If heart and alpha was all it takes, I think I would have Ewers #1 overall.  However, he is injury prone.  Slightly careless with the football, but he has had a stable full of WRs and TEs at Texas.  The OL has been solid as well.  How is he when he is not on the best team?  6' 2" and about 220, experienced--had the mental toughness to stay at Texas and fight off the Manning shouters...a winner.

SECOND ROUND

7. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon.  Listed at 6 feet tall, probably 5' 11" at best, Gabriel has 6 years of college experience under his belt. His QB rating has been in the mid 80s on average, and he played well vs Ohio State (23 of 34 for 341 yards, 67.6%, 2 TDs, 0 Ints).  He has mobility and has only been sacked twice in five games.  Think Russell Wilson (ceiling).  If he falls to the second round and we did not pick a QB in round 1, this could be the steal of the draft--if you don't mind another short QB.

8. Drew Allar, Penn State.  I like him.  He is a work in progress, but he is only 20 years old.   The game will slow down for him.  At 6'5" and 240, he is a big QB completing over 70% of his passes in a QB-friendly offense.  He threw 3 picks in a win vs USC, one was a hail mary, but he is usually safe with the ball.  If I drafted Allar, I would sign Andy back and have Allar play behind him--he'd be my 2026 QB.

9.  Will Howard, Ohio State.  Perhaps yet another name you are not seeing yet, but despite the late slide at Oregon last week, Howard has been solid at OSU.  6' 4" and about 235, I was very impressed with his fire and leadership in a hostile and loud Oregon stadium-he had a 94.1 QB rating in that game--in other words, he stepped up. completing 73% of his passes with 14 TDs and 3 interceptions, hard to believe the Ohio St QB is under valued and under the radar--but I see it that way.

 

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2023/12/11/23997145/quarterback-injuries-justin-herbert-trevor-lawrence-joe-burrow

I say the same about Allar … he is my Delhomme in this Draft

[Basbear]

Im not the college fan of 10 years ago, but I had a very good record about QBs.

Not the same NFL fan either, Im nearly 100% panther only.

So after allllll that, Id guess sticking to NFL QBs is the way. Ive spoke on here about how Drew Lock was the main target. Geno SMith could be cut among others.

I think there will be around 10 QBs  available and half should be "cheap" "QB cheap". 

Im not against dalton for another 2 years 14 million go again.

I think the main problem will be getting the QB to come play at carolina. 

Im for drafting one as well, you got to keep trying even if you are 0-22.....(id prefer mid-rounds)

[MHS831]

1 hour ago, Panther53521 said:

I say the same about Allar … he is my Delhomme in this Draft

Yeah, he is being compared to these others coming out--some with five or even six years of college experience.  At age 20, he sure seems to have a lot to offer.

[kungfoodude]

7 hours ago, Tr3ach said:

So far to me he seems like a guy that needs to stick to college.  He can get by with name recognition and sizzle in college.  I haven't seen anything special about him from a coaching perspective, and the way he talks to and coaches college kids won't work with grown men.

I was talking about the son, though. 

No, he knows that he couldn't talk to NFL players like that