BH's Big Board/Top-40ish Prospects (long write-up FYI)

[Aussie Tank]

2 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

So what I like about him so much is how well he maintains his balance once he gets initial contact on OLs. And when that happens, it’s his handwork combined with surprising power that makes for a real weapon. And once he either ghosts, swims or crosses (he has a bunch of moves/isn’t a one trick pony), his acceleration to wrap up a play is special. Once he clears a block, he makes sure the play is over. 

And considering those traits with his offball skills, you basically get a guy who can be absolutely perfect for simulated pressures in our nickel packages. He’s a perfect disguise weapon to for the 2HS. Would compliment Clowney well while we continue to stay patient about finding a large rusher/edge setter to compliment. 

I would not be upset if he's the pick. We badly need a culture change on D and by the sounds off the field is just as impressive as on for him 

[MHS831]

13 hours ago, Captain Morgan said:

I hope Green becomes a great player.  No offense to Marshall and the Fun Belt, but it's hard to imagine someone who racked up great numbers in a G5 conference having an easy transition to the NFL.  Our first 2 picks need to hit the field running on day 1.  

Khalil Mack is the best case scenario.  I see your point--the combine should help

[Khyber53]

Great write-up OP! Thanks for taking the time to do this for us.

I really want us to revamp our defense this year in the draft. And it has to start at DE/Edge, but if Warren is still there at 8 I think we should grab him and not look back. Whoever takes him will have a great weapon and the rest of the teams will suffer for it.

I don't want to see Warren on another team in the NFC South. And New Orleans picking right behind us scares me.

[SOJA]

19 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

copy/pasta time from my google drive...

Overall Notes:

• Awesome Front-7 class. Diverse.  A few at the top, but it is deep and super interesting at LB & DL.  Not a ton of nose tackles or elite ILBs, but some fun scheme versatile types.  
• RB class is one of the healthiest I’ve seen in a while.  Not as many pass-catchers as you’d expect, but it’s a really good group.
• Receiving class is deceiving.  I think it’s a pretty interesting class, there’s just a bit of a void between Golden/Egbuka and the next tier.   
• Don't like the CBs.  Some potential guys late, but #3-10 is a bit iffy for me.   
• I’m sure there will be plenty of disagreements, but hey, that’s what this is all about.  Time to check things out through my lens...(blue are Panther fits)

Big Board

Tier 1 (Blue Chip)

1. Abdul Carter OLB Penn State - I was a bit lukewarm on him but after some rewatch, I have caved and now view him over Hunter.  Top edge rushers are the diamonds to land come draft day.    

2. Travis Hunter DB/WR Colorado - I view him more as a DB that will come in for some offensive packages, but not a full-time WR.  He’s a rare and extremely talented player.  I feel the hype aligns with his value.    

3. Mason Graham DT Michigan - His quickness to disengage a block and pursue is for real. Top end talent here. Can do it all.

 

Tier 2 (Instant-Starter/All-Pro Ceiling)

4. Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State - I love Jeanty.  He’s going to be a stud.  Don’t think he is drafted top-5, probably not even top-10, but he’s going to make a team very happy. 

5. Cameron Ward QB Miami - I’ve been following him for 3 years, thought of him highly along with Penix and Daniels. He was a bit behind them developmentally but really impressed me how he matured as a passer at Miami.  He is still a bit reckless, but a fun/ceiling’s worth-it reckless.  He’s the only QB worth a high 1st.  

6. Will Campbell OT LSU - He has all the tools and meets all the size wants for a LT in the NFL.  The top OL in the draft.  

7. Jalon Walker OLB Georgia - Walker is all over the place on boards.  For me, he’s a top-notch pass rusher.  I came away surprised at his power against lineman.  He brings a lot to the table, and is not a gimmick position-less guy.  He’s a dynamic EDGE who plays well in coverage and can help control the box.  With his pass rush & offball traits, he’s going to make an impact.  He just needs the right fit.  If a guy like Nick Herbig can do it at that frame, holy heck could Walker at his talent level.  

8. Tyler Warren TE Penn State - This draft class is a strange one, Warren would probably have been behind Bowers last year, but he’s a fantastic TE prospect.  A guy you can center an offense around just like the Raiders quickly did.  

9. Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona - I am a fan of T-Mac.  That being said, the combination of not being the most physical (which is surprising at his size) and his work against man coverage keeps me from viewing him as a top-end WR.  Overall, he has a very high ceiling, superb size, and is a great overall talent.  Could see him as the OROY in this class but I’m just a bit lukewarm for some reason.      

10. James Pearce Jr OLB Tennessee - He was eyed as a top-5 pick preseason for a reason.  He still had a great year, just didn’t light up as much as Carter.  Tape won’t immediately jump out but he’s a damn good talent with a sky high ceiling.  Excellent PR win rate (23.0%), solid in run-d (84.0+), size, length, bend, & burst to show.  His run-defense needs some coaching up that will come with NFL conditioning.  Think Will McDonald with a bit better burst.

11. Kenneth Grant IDL Michigan - A pass rushing NT is rare, and his size+athleticism is just as rare.  Can play 4-3 DT, 3-4 DE or NT.  If his ceiling gets even somewhat close to being touched, teams will regret skipping on him.  I don’t see him falling, but rising, especially after teams saw what happened with Sweat last year.  Higher than elsewhere for me, outlier, but I think he is worth it.

12. Armand Membou OT/G Missouri - Plug and play on the line.  Just depends on who snags him.  Instant impact, excellent prospect.

13. Walter Nolen IDL Ole Miss - He is fun to watch for an interior DL.  Productive, quick, and powerful interior DL are gems to be coveted.    

14. Colston Loveland TE Michigan - I really don’t see Loveland that far behind Warren and view him in the same tier. This kid is going to be really good at the next level.  Looking at LAC & his old coach wanting him for Herbert.  

 

-My Round 1 grades end-(mostly)

 

Tier 3 (Instant Starters: Damn Solid but not Elite [or] Untapped Potential)

15. Will Johnson CB Michigan - I’m a fan, think he’s a plug and play - strong press-zone corner.  But I’m a bit lower because of his play in man coverage.  He can get outmatched more than you’d expect for a high-R1 CB.  But he's still a definitive tier above the remaining CBs.

16. Luther Burden WR Missouri - A versatile guy, some may place as slot-only but he can play outside no problem (37% of the time in school).  Big play ability, a game breaker, a guy to get the ball in space.  He’s the modern prototype that passing games can be structured around.  If he's viewed more than slot, he's going high.  If slot-exclusive then he may be WR4.

17. Shemar Stewart DE/EDGE Texas A&M - If he had a bit more production he would be higher, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching him even without huge plays.  A constant problem for OLs, a constant disruptor.  Needs to close better but he will give a DL a nice boost.    

18. *Josh Simmons OT OSU - A bit unknown because of medicals, but he’s everything you want in an OT prospect. An asterisk because of injury concerns.   

19. Matthew Golden WR Texas - Big riser but I can see why and I view him highly.  Made big plays in big moments.  Great quickness, route-running, explosiveness.  Some injuries peg him down/needs to get checked out by teams.  If he passes, he could be WR3 come draft day.  

20. Mike Green OLB Marshall - I really like what I’ve read and seen in my limited availability, but there’s a level of unknown with the competition played.  Hard to justify much higher but he nails a ton of metrics.  Also some character rumors, keeping Green from that next tier, but still a quality talent w/potential. 

21. Marcus Mebow OT Purdue - This kid is awesome, definitely one of my favorite prospects on the OL.  Hits a lot of what you want but there were some scouts disappointed at the Senior Bowl.  Thing is, he really does check most boxes and has shown it off quite well.  Can play T/G.  Depends on the team/fit, could go higher than expected.    

22. Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State - I am a big fan of Emeka.  He just gets it done; nothing flashy.  It makes sense why he’s coming out of the same program and role as JSN. Can’t go wrong with him, plays right away.  Just isn’t a top-WR prospect like the Nabers/Chases/etc. of the world.  He’s the next peg down.  

23. Donavon Ezeiruaku OLB/EDGE Boston College - One of my guys in the draft, but he’s only a pass-rush specialist at this point. But if you compare him to guys like Anudike-Uzomah or Byron Young in recent years, leaps and bounds better pass rush arsenal, is just 21.  He’s one of my faves in this class/I'm ranking higher than elsewhere. 

24. Tyler Booker OG Alabama - Here come more OLs. Really solid guard prospect who should be able to start right away for most teams. Nothing splashy, but a solid, high character kid who should start at guard for some time.   

25. Jack Sawyer EDGE/DE Ohio State - Just a solid all-around talent that should be able to contribute right away to a team.  Gritty, quality, just doesn’t have anything setting him apart that makes him the top-end type talent.  

26. Omarion Hampton RB UNC - Interesting blend of a physical back and home-run hitter.  One cut, gets skinny and bursts through the right seams nicely.  Solid RB talent who should be the head of a RB room.  

 

Deion’s Kid

27. Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado - I am not sold but he will go high.  I watch him and then a McCord or Dart, I don’t see what is all that special. But I'd be a bit silly to not fit him in, he's still pretty solid and seems like a case where a team will bite early. 

 

Tier 4 (Great Prospect but room to grow)

28. Derrick Harmon DT/DE Oregon - Quality prospect.  He’s played heavier and excelled, played lighter and excelled.  But hasn’t found his sweet spot.  But pure OL disruption wise, not many did what he did in CFS last year.  

29. Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina - I have him above Starks.  I’ll explain why with Starks, but this kid is all over the place in games.  Play maker, communicator, awesome play speed and size.  Stud. Just love his style of play.  Size, strength, IQ, he brings a lot to the equation that is not a typical safety role.  Will be highly coveted IMO.  

30. JT Tuimoloau EDGE/DE Ohio State - If you’re looking for the size, length, combination of ceiling and floor, and a decent PR moveset, JTT offers just that.  His hands and bend are what set him back, but he’s a great athlete who made big plays, big impacts in games.  OLs focused on him, not Sawyer (to their detriment).  I get a sense he may just be the young guy that explodes eventually. 

31. Malaki Starks S Georgia - Outlier #1 - I really liked him but after a further dive, his deep speed leaves a bit to be desired and that’s not very correctable and you need that at safety. On top of that, safeties simply aren’t as valuable as other spots.  He’s a quality talent, but his role and big play give-ups bring him down a peg for me.  My opinion of him is evolving after I've dove in.  Also-he's a safety

32. Josh Conerly Jr OT Oregon - When he’s at his best, he looks great. Needs some development, but high end talent who seems like quite the locker room presence.  Could start for a team with the need, and have some bumps, or be a great in-waiting LT.    

33. Mykel Williams OLB/DE Georgia - Another outlier for me, #2 - I’m not as high on Mykel but I can’t drop him too far for what he brings as a specimen alone.  He needs some coaching and I just thought he looked lost at times.  But the talent is there to tap.

34. Kelvin Banks OT Texas - Has the tools but had a lot of blips in big games.  I'm not a huge fan but he is a very coachable kid with the size and potential. 

35. Tyleik Williams DT/NT Ohio State - One of the more sure-thing run stuffers in the draft.  Great talent. 

36. Omar Norman-Lott IDL Tennessee - He has flashes where you think he’s the best DL in the class.  His good stretches are THAT good.  But he’s just not consistent enough.  Some coaching and discipline but an excellent talent with potential to crack into.

37. Nic Scourton DE/EDGE - He was a guy many thought would be at the top of this class but underwhelmed this year.  Although, the talent is there, the motor and size is there.  Maybe some things just need tapping into coaching wise.  He could end up a steal if he’s there day 2.

38. Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa - Solid RB prospect who should be able to take on a 10+ carry role if a team has the need.  

39. Mason Taylor TE LSU - He may get lost in the shuffle but I see him above the remaining TEs but definitely below Warren & Loveland.  Better than guys that have been 2nd-3rds like Strange or Schoonmaker.  As with many young TEs, may need a tad of development to hit his potential.

40. Xavier Watts S Notre Dame - Watts is a case I feel very much like Kyle Hamilton.  May just not stick out enough and could fall, but it seems like he does everything very well.  Should by all means be a legit safety.

 

Hard to Grade But I like:

40. *Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame - Great talent with a high ceiling.  Ballhawk and has the position down pat.  He just plays on the outside extremely confidently and is very disciplined.  Injury history gives him the asterisk and a bit of an unknown where I’d fit him in, but he’s a top talent. He could be as high as a top-15 but injuries man…  

41. Grey Zabel C/T/G NDSU - Watch out for this kid.  A bit Graham Barton-esque but has a little more room to grow. If we want a center this draft, he’s an option.   

 

Need to Be Sold a Bit More:

The remaining CB class, Kyle Kennard, Jihaad Campbell, & Donovan Jackson 

 

Thanks for reading. Ciao

incredible post Bear Hands, thanks 

[SOJA]

I view things similarly to you in that if I had my wish for *realistic* guys at 8 would be rn

1- Graham 

2- Jalon walker 

3- Tet McMillan

4- James Pierce

[Bear Hands]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Great write-up OP! Thanks for taking the time to do this for us.

I really want us to revamp our defense this year in the draft. And it has to start at DE/Edge, but if Warren is still there at 8 I think we should grab him and not look back. Whoever takes him will have a great weapon and the rest of the teams will suffer for it.

I don't want to see Warren on another team in the NFC South. And New Orleans picking right behind us scares me.

I didn't highlight him as a fit, but I feel like I could have.  I'm close with him, and I'd probably take him over TM and Pearce, but need does have some weight.  If you're getting even 80% of what Bowers was, it's still tempting.  

[TD alt]

16 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

Will say I was bracing for pushback on my Starks drop haha.  Welcome the chat with these edge rushers.  Lots of different flavors.   

Starks will go to a team like Pittsburgh and become a potential Hofer.

[Bear Hands]

13 minutes ago, SOJA said:

I view things similarly to you in that if I had my wish for *realistic* guys at 8 would be rn

1- Graham 

2- Jalon walker 

3- Tet McMillan

4- James Pierce

That's close to my thinking if we're being Panthers specific, because then needs and fit come into the equation beyond my own ranks.  

Pearce vs. McMillan is tough IMO.  If they both hit max potential, I lean Pearce because of what you could get with him and how that impacts games in the trenches.  But I probably have Warren ahead of both if we're considering receiving weapons and someone that completely changes the offense/elevates the team blueprint.  And I'm a big JT Sanders (and even Tremble) fan.

1-Graham

2-Walker

3-Warren

4A/B-Pearce/Tmac

5-Grant

[Khyber53]

19 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

I didn't highlight him as a fit, but I feel like I could have.  I'm close with him, and I'd probably take him over TM and Pearce, but need does have some weight.  If you're getting even 80% of what Bowers was, it's still tempting.  

And if you got 110% ... which is possible. If you watch his tape, he's incredible. And then when you realize that most of it is against top end, play-off teams, he looks like one of the best players in the draft.

[Murph]

I am so on board with Mason Graham that if he’s still on the board for the Jets pick I hope we move up a spot to snare him. A 4th and future 7th would probably do it.

[Bear Hands]

5 hours ago, Murph said:

I am so on board with Mason Graham that if he’s still on the board for the Jets pick I hope we move up a spot to snare him. A 4th and future 7th would probably do it.

NE and JAX are who I think could benefit/fit. But at the same time, both of their QBs need help and that could be Tmac and Campbell.  

In front of that would be Ward, Hunter and Carter so the Raiders would be looking at Sanders. I’d say it’s way more possible Graham is there at 7 than many realize. All depends on NE and JAX. 

And with the Jets, they want a vet QB but Davante possibly out, Warren could be a weapon to finally give them offense w Wilson and Hall.

Graham could honestly just be there for us come pick 8. It’s not too far fetched.

[kungfoodude]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:40 PM, countryboi said:

Bro got Mike Green behind Shemar Stewart, they dont come much more polarizing than that

That is a LOT of this draft. Super small elite pool and a very big 2nd tier pool. This is gonna be a wild draft because of that, IMO. Very much eye of the beholder.

Edited 1 hour ago by kungfoodude

[kungfoodude]

5 hours ago, Murph said:

I am so on board with Mason Graham that if he’s still on the board for the Jets pick I hope we move up a spot to snare him. A 4th and future 7th would probably do it.

This is a fuging terrible idea. Trade ups in this top 10 are extremely stupid. We should be taking advantage of that, not being taken advantage of.