Drafting to solve future problems

[Icege]

We've only one draft as a sample size, but the current Morgan/Tilis front office has shown that while they're not only afraid to move up and down the board to land guys that they covet, but they also believe in this coaching staff's ability to develop players. This allows them to look towards the future while addressing the present issues as well. We saw this in last year's draft with taking a developmental X WR in XL rather than sticking Ladd McConkey behind AT in the slot. We also saw it in the move up to take JB since Miles was a likely cap casualty and Chuba's rookie deal was expiring. While there's room to debate on whether or not those moves have worked out, that's for every other thread. This one is specifically trying to see how the team might approach this draft.

Current projections are putting the 2026 salary cap at $290M - $305M with the Panthers currently having spent $238M already (15th in the league). There is a healthy chunk of players set to hit free agency as well. For those unable/unwilling to click, here are some of the names listed:

• UFAs: Moton, Clowney, Thielen, Tuttle, Wonnum, Nijman, Mays, Corbett, Christensen, Dowdle, Rozeboom, Martin, Rhattigan, Jansen, Matthews, Chisena, Ray, Barno
• RFAs: Cherelus
• ERFAs: Coker, Richardson

That's starters at RT, C, slot WR, both EDGEs, LS, and P with a few depth guys. There's also Icky's 5th year option (or extension) to get worked out should that be the direction the team goes.

It starts to make sense why we're hearing reports of the Panthers looking at developmental RTs like Marcus Mbow (Purdue), whom they've met with. Having an RT sit and learn behind TMo for a year would be much better for Bryce's safety in the backfield than throwing a rookie out there. Center is another spot to watch for though that's a position I can see them waiting until next season since that rookie would be protected on both sides with the Lewis/Hunt duo. WR is going to likely continue getting love as that and CB are two positions a GM can throw a body or two at every season and not be wasting value. EDGE is the other, more obvious position group that they'll likely look to try and begin addressing with this draft. I don't think any of us want to see Johnson/Jones II as the starting OLBs in 2027... 

tldr; team might look to solve 2026 - 2027 problems by drafting a developmental RT in the 2025, need to spend a day one or two pick on finding at least one future starter at OLB, and continually throw bodies at the WR and CB rooms.

Morgan/Tilis likely zeroing in on the OLB, RT, FS, WR, RB, TE, and CB groups for the 2025 draft.

[Jon Snow]

Mbow is going top 10. 

[CarolinaLivin]

14 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

Mbow is going top 10. 

I think you’re thinking of Armand Membou, Missouri OT. 

[Jon Snow]

Just now, CarolinaLivin said:

I think you’re thinking of Armand Membou, Missouri OT. 

Yes, that guy. I probably should have read the post more thoroughly. 

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

The good news is most of our impending free agents aren’t back breakers if we lost them. The top tier of them are past their prime or near retirement. The rest can be easily replaced or they wouldn’t be too expensive to bring back.

[Jay Roosevelt]

We'd probably have to take Mbow in the 3rd if we wanted him, which I wouldn't be opposed to depending on who else is available. I definitely think a developmental RT should be a target in the middle rounds.

[Tr3ach]

3 hours ago, Icege said:

We've only one draft as a sample size, but the current Morgan/Tilis front office has shown that while they're not only afraid to move up and down the board to land guys that they covet, but they also believe in this coaching staff's ability to develop players. This allows them to look towards the future while addressing the present issues as well. We saw this in last year's draft with taking a developmental X WR in XL rather than sticking Ladd McConkey behind AT in the slot. We also saw it in the move up to take JB since Miles was a likely cap casualty and Chuba's rookie deal was expiring. While there's room to debate on whether or not those moves have worked out, that's for every other thread. This one is specifically trying to see how the team might approach this draft.

Current projections are putting the 2026 salary cap at $290M - $305M with the Panthers currently having spent $238M already (15th in the league). There is a healthy chunk of players set to hit free agency as well. For those unable/unwilling to click, here are some of the names listed:

• UFAs: Moton, Clowney, Thielen, Tuttle, Wonnum, Nijman, Mays, Corbett, Christensen, Dowdle, Rozeboom, Martin, Rhattigan, Jansen, Matthews, Chisena, Ray, Barno
• RFAs: Cherelus
• ERFAs: Coker, Richardson

That's starters at RT, C, slot WR, both EDGEs, LS, and P with a few depth guys. There's also Icky's 5th year option (or extension) to get worked out should that be the direction the team goes.

It starts to make sense why we're hearing reports of the Panthers looking at developmental RTs like Marcus Mbow (Purdue), whom they've met with. Having an RT sit and learn behind TMo for a year would be much better for Bryce's safety in the backfield than throwing a rookie out there. Center is another spot to watch for though that's a position I can see them waiting until next season since that rookie would be protected on both sides with the Lewis/Hunt duo. WR is going to likely continue getting love as that and CB are two positions a GM can throw a body or two at every season and not be wasting value. EDGE is the other, more obvious position group that they'll likely look to try and begin addressing with this draft. I don't think any of us want to see Johnson/Jones II as the starting OLBs in 2027... 

tldr; team might look to solve 2026 - 2027 problems by drafting a developmental RT in the 2025, need to spend a day one or two pick on finding at least one future starter at OLB, and continually throw bodies at the WR and CB rooms.

Morgan/Tilis likely zeroing in on the OLB, RT, FS, WR, RB, TE, and CB groups for the 2025 draft.

As you said, when they chase after players to solve problems, you don't get the best players.   I say throw all this out the window and draft the highest graded players, problem position or not.  Free agency is for filling holes and solving problems, the draft is for adding talent, just focus on that.

[LinvilleGorge]

2 hours ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

We'd probably have to take Mbow in the 3rd if we wanted him, which I wouldn't be opposed to depending on who else is available. I definitely think a developmental RT should be a target in the middle rounds.

It's possible he's gone by #57.

[Basbear]

I think you're on the right path. We only have one draft to go on with Dan,Brandt, and Dave. If you focus on that, it was showing they drafted for 2 years into the future. Like you said, football stuff happened with brooks re-injuring his knee. The Wallace and Sanders picks look better today than they did draft day. Even part of XL could be a 2025 reason. You never want to rely on rookies to start for you especially at QB, CB, DL, LT..... 

I've looked over the roster, roughly its 19 on offense and 19 on defense with 2 STer

By my numbers, guessing, think like Dan, history, etc etc.

They need

2-3 WRs

2- TEs

1- returner that's either RB or WR

*But like you listed future needs will be RT and C

___________________________________________________________

2- edges/OLB/ends

1- DLmen 

2- Safety

1-2 MLBs

*No true future issue, its the same right now..

1- Kicker

 

rough numbers= 25 offense + 25 defense + 3  STers = your 53 roster.

 

I think you could lean on PS for some insurance about 2026 problems.

Raym could be the backup C in 2026(they gave him big UDFA money and he stay on the roster for half year and PS the other)

Brandon Walton could be a super sleeper pick to replace Motown. He followed the staff from TB and stayied the whole PS yeat. The coaches must like him enough

Dominique Dafney comes from the best TE coach in college, he could serve this year as #4 TE and maybe #3 in 2026.

 

 

 

Edited March 20 by Basbear

[WhoKnows]

3 hours ago, Icege said:

We've only one draft as a sample size, but the current Morgan/Tilis front office has shown that while they're not only afraid to move up and down the board to land guys that they covet, but they also believe in this coaching staff's ability to develop players. This allows them to look towards the future while addressing the present issues as well. We saw this in last year's draft with taking a developmental X WR in XL rather than sticking Ladd McConkey behind AT in the slot. We also saw it in the move up to take JB since Miles was a likely cap casualty and Chuba's rookie deal was expiring. While there's room to debate on whether or not those moves have worked out, that's for every other thread. This one is specifically trying to see how the team might approach this draft.

Current projections are putting the 2026 salary cap at $290M - $305M with the Panthers currently having spent $238M already (15th in the league). There is a healthy chunk of players set to hit free agency as well. For those unable/unwilling to click, here are some of the names listed:

• UFAs: Moton, Clowney, Thielen, Tuttle, Wonnum, Nijman, Mays, Corbett, Christensen, Dowdle, Rozeboom, Martin, Rhattigan, Jansen, Matthews, Chisena, Ray, Barno
• RFAs: Cherelus
• ERFAs: Coker, Richardson

That's starters at RT, C, slot WR, both EDGEs, LS, and P with a few depth guys. There's also Icky's 5th year option (or extension) to get worked out should that be the direction the team goes.

It starts to make sense why we're hearing reports of the Panthers looking at developmental RTs like Marcus Mbow (Purdue), whom they've met with. Having an RT sit and learn behind TMo for a year would be much better for Bryce's safety in the backfield than throwing a rookie out there. Center is another spot to watch for though that's a position I can see them waiting until next season since that rookie would be protected on both sides with the Lewis/Hunt duo. WR is going to likely continue getting love as that and CB are two positions a GM can throw a body or two at every season and not be wasting value. EDGE is the other, more obvious position group that they'll likely look to try and begin addressing with this draft. I don't think any of us want to see Johnson/Jones II as the starting OLBs in 2027... 

tldr; team might look to solve 2026 - 2027 problems by drafting a developmental RT in the 2025, need to spend a day one or two pick on finding at least one future starter at OLB, and continually throw bodies at the WR and CB rooms.

Morgan/Tilis likely zeroing in on the OLB, RT, FS, WR, RB, TE, and CB groups for the 2025 draft.

Until we scout well and actually draft the real BPAs instead of drafting for needs, our drafts will continue to suck. Our best draft since 2017 appears to be 2021 according to the huddle. Not one other fanbase would be satisfied with a top 8 pick that played half of his games in his rookie contract and an OK RB as a “good draft” and no, I’m not mentioning backup level guys.

This is Morgan’s last draft unless we can get more than one impact starter.

[Jay Roosevelt]

14 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

It's possible he's gone by #57.

It is. No telling.

[BeenPounding]

I really think Elijah Moore would be a good signing now for a 2 year deal.  Fast, young veteran who can play the slot.

Drafting a tackle in the 3rd or 4th round is a very likely pick.  I could see all three of BC, Corbett, and Mayes coming back after this year as well.

OLB needs to be addressed as well.  I could see Walker/Williams being our first round pick unless Graham falls to us.  Players like Sawyer, Princely, or Landon Jackson would be 2nd round fall backs if Graham fall to us at #8.

Keep an eye on David Walker or the DE from VT in the 4th/5th round to build developmental depth.

[Captain Morgan]

I didn't like the Dan hire.  But I've like a lot more of what he's done than what I haven't liked.  One thing I've noticed.  As a former player, he understands that the right people have to be drafted/signed to form a cohesive team.  Sometimes the bpa may not be the best fit for the locker room.  It's important.  Gms who never played may underestimate that.

[Basbear]

16 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

I didn't like the Dan hire.  But I've like a lot more of what he's done than what I haven't liked.  One thing I've noticed.  As a former player, he understands that the right people have to be drafted/signed to form a cohesive team.  Sometimes the bpa may not be the best fit for the locker room.  It's important.  Gms who never played may underestimate that.

 

I wasn't the biggest fan either, I just didnt like he was fitttererererers right hand in making the worse panther roster in history. I swear the 1995 team would beat them, easy.

I do believe him when he says, he wants players that are all ball, that's their main focus. Many say that, but I believe Dan truly believes it. If you are not about NFL football, he will get rid of you fast.

Ill say this too. Marty Herniay and Dave Guttlegut(almost with oher, but...) spend years trying and failing to "fix" the OL *with depth. Dan Morgan did that in one year. Sure he spent 163million on OGs and I disagreed, but it was worth it for one year. He got a HUGE mess on his hands, just the lack of talent is mind boggling. It takes time, years to fix the amount of problems. He's fixed the OL with deep depth, found a young HC with upside, attacked fixing a weak DL. 

I know this, he is trying and getting some positive results. Draft is super important like most years, he's got to nail that 8th pick...... its a long way to 57th. Trade, pass catcher, a difference maker is of great need. It matters big time the result from that pick. 

Edited March 20 by Basbear