Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Reading the Tea Leaves: What Did Morgan Just Tell Us?


MHS831
 Share

Recommended Posts

37 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

First of all, this link of meetings and visits is pretty awesome--hope it is maintained:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_BTyWxt0xO8V4iye0omWMD879YJdnJdO0i6j8mT6htc/edit?gid=0#gid=0

The tea leaves, without further ado: 

In free agency, we addressed the following positions (it does not mean we are finished, but I will offer my take which is valued wisdom on this board--you are welcome.  My theory is not based on what the Panthers did in free agency, it is based on what they did NOT do.  After reviewing how we addressed positions of need, I will, through the process of elimination, take you toward a mind blowing conclusion that will alter the way you look at the Panthers, their front office, their coaches, and women in tights who apparently are proud of things that others do not find appealing.

WE ADDRESSED--

The Defensive Line

  • Signed: DE Tershawn Wharton (three years, over $54 million)
  • Signed: DT Bobby Brown III (three years, $21 million)
  • Tendered offer to exclusive rights free agent defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (I was not a fan of this move)

The Panthers were very aggressive out of the gates going after Milton Williams and then pivoting to plan B that landed them a pass rushing DE (probably to rotate with Robinson and Brown) and an undervalued NT in Bobby Brown.  Tea Leaves:  The Panthers saw DL as their biggest need and they probably wanted veterans in that role.  Graham is perhaps the only DL they'd take at 8, and he is likely to be gone.  I am not a fan of Ray, but we shall see.

The Offensive Line

Securing Corbett was a financial decision that gives us either an adequate starter or depth.  I am high on Cade Mays, and with BC on the roster, we are three deep at C and he gives us depth as a swing T as well.  Will we draft Moton's successor?  I am guessing not on day 1.

Defensive Backs

Locking down Jackson for the next two seasons was a huge signing at a good value.  Horn?  He better stay healthy.  Moehrig is a physical, run stuffing S that should influence who we start at Free Safety, based on the style of play he brings to the defense.  All of these DBs are good tacklers, a common theme.  One could argue that we have our starters in Moehrig and Richardson, who played well as an UDFA last season, but a Free Safety could be on the menu.

Linebackers

Edge is still a need, but with Clowney, Wonnum, and Jones as locks on the roster, I imagine that edge will be a priority in the draft.  However, I am not sure they will look first round, when it is more likely that the Panthers target a second round edge, perhaps using a fourth and fifth rounder to move up. I think Rozeboom was a bigger signing than most realize now. They have met with quite a few day 1 or 2 edge players, but I think they will, with Clowney on the roster, a more developmental edge with upside.  Princely Umanmielen, Donovan Ezeiruaku, or Josaiah Stewart should be there in the second round.  They have met with Jalon Walker (not shown on the link I shared--combine) and Shemer Stewart, so the first round is not out.

Other depth offensive players:  Running Back, Tight End, Quarterback

Dowdle was a steal for that price, and it indicates a commitment to the run, as does the signing of blocking TE Tommy Tremble.  Dalton is paid to be Bryce's BFF; good work if you can get it.  Aside from UDFA candidates, the Panthers have only met with 1 TE, Mason Taylor, at the combine.  As of this writing with the info I have, there is no interest in first round TEs--Mason had a great Combine. 

Special Teams:  Punter and Gunner

Here, I put Chisena in as a gunner because he would fill that role primarily and serve as an emergency WR.  And that brings me to my point. 

Wide Receivers:  Group Photo

Orange Auction GIF by Ritchie Bros.

I find it quite odd that Wide Receiver was not seriously addressed in free agency.  I find it VERY INTERESTING that they gave Adam Thielen a raise (probably to keep him from retiring).  Why might they do that?  They knew they were going to ignore WRs in free agency and they were going to focus on a player in the draft.  AT might have reacted when he saw the lack of attention in the free agency--I dunno--but if he retired, it would leave them with Coker and XL and no free agents, save a special team WR who has not been an offensive player.  

GOING INTO FREE AGENCY, WIDE RECEIVER WAS A HUGE NEED--we needed a true #1.  Most do not think there is one in the draft, and it seems the Panthers did not think they could pay a free agent who wanted to play #1 here--especially when they weren't #1 WRs elsewhere.

Now take a look at the WRs on the Panther's meeting/visit list.  Bech at the Sr Bowl.  A third round slot WR.  The rest are UDFA candidates.  Are we hoping to find a Coker again?  Is that the plan?

THE THEORY:  Of course, this can change with the next Newsbreak on NFL Network, but it is my gut feeling that there is a WR in this draft that the Panthers see as a true #1 WR that meets the deep threat criteria.  In my view, it is not TMac. 

The evidence:  The Panthers are obviously hiding their interest in wide receivers, based on the information we have.  Why would a team have 2 needs at such a tremendously important position for your young QB and not meet with any legitimate top WR?  In fact, they have not re-signed Thompkins or Moore. And all we know is the Panthers have contacted perspective UDFAs and a third round prospect from the SR Bowl?   The silence is deafening.

The Panthers are going to draft a WR in round 1.  That WR, based on what the Panthers say they need, is Matthew Golden, a 5'11" burner (4.29 40) from Texas that will back the safeties off the LOS and give the defense fits and concerns.  He aced the 2025 NFL pre-draft process. The Longhorns standout was downright electric at the NFL Combine. Golden ran a position-best 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the second-fastest overall result of any prospect in attendance. He also ran the fastest 10-yard split (1.49) among wideouts.  

 

 

you, sir, are the man on the grassy knoll 

  • Flames 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love reading that Golden has great hands, great route runner, and creates separation.  Also, he would be available late in R. 1. Here are some draft projections from March 2:

Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 3 WR

Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 4 WR

Field Yates, ESPN: No. 4 WR

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 25 overall, No. 4 WR

 

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: No. 22 prospect overall, No. 3 WR

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No 27 overall, No. 4 WR

PFF: No. 25 prospect overall, No. 4 WR

CBS: No. 34 prospect overall, No. 4 WR

Article is little old. USA March 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Honestly I think it’s more that free agency was absolutely void of any WRs, let alone ones who are approaching their prime.

We tried for DK and we called the bengals. So we have been openly pursuing aWR and if anything, more aggressively than any other position aside from DT.

I think we will take the best player at #8. There arent marquee players of key positions available to facilitate a trade down

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, mrcompletely11 said:

I seriously doubt we take a dude at 8 that we dont have a top 30 with.  That would be kindof nuts

I never specified that we would draft him at 8.  I said "first round."  The whole point of this was that we don't have a top 30 with any top WR right now and we have 2 needs and we did not address WR (so far) in free agency.  They have pro days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, rebelrouser said:

I love reading that Golden has great hands, great route runner, and creates separation.  Also, he would be available late in R. 1. Here are some draft projections from March 2:

Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 3 WR

Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 4 WR

Field Yates, ESPN: No. 4 WR

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 25 overall, No. 4 WR

 

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: No. 22 prospect overall, No. 3 WR

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No 27 overall, No. 4 WR

PFF: No. 25 prospect overall, No. 4 WR

CBS: No. 34 prospect overall, No. 4 WR

Article is little old. USA March 2

I think, personally, that these rankings are off and I have heard that he has been climbing boards--never ruled out trading back.  Thanks for this list--this is interesting, but I (personally) think they are wrong.  I think someone comes out with a ranking and most of the others use that as the gold standard.   Golden was a guess on my part, but WR is the point I am making--I think we go WR in round 1, and I think Golden (as a shocker) might be the pick over others with higher rankings.  If I am wrong, I will forget about this thread and move on--but if I am right, you will all have to block me....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think, personally, that these rankings are off and I have heard that he has been climbing boards--never ruled out trading back.  Thanks for this list--this is interesting, but I (personally) think they are wrong.  I think someone comes out with a ranking and most of the others use that as the gold standard.   Golden was a guess on my part, but WR is the point I am making--I think we go WR in round 1, and I think Golden (as a shocker) might be the pick over others with higher rankings.  If I am wrong, I will forget about this thread and move on--but if I am right, you will all have to block me....

BS, I mentioned Golden weeks ago you attention whore. Kidding of course.  He's got potential and I hope he doesn't end up in our Division. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share


×
×
  • Create New...