I kinda hate getting our pick spoiled but at least the Huddle has more Time to debate

[SaltAndPepper]

Team sources feel this is one of the most difficult drafts to project in many years. Teams picking in the middle and late in the first round say it is very difficult to confidently project who will be on the board when they pick. The lack of top quarterback talent and a lack of elite prospects for the top 10 are why this draft is more difficult to predict for teams and the media. However, one pick that is said to be all but a done deal is the Carolina Panthers taking Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. Walker fills a need for a pass rusher and is also a culture fit for the Panthers’ regime. Perhaps the Panthers are being very discreet about their true intentions, but team sources feel that Walker to Carolina is a borderline lock for the first round.

 

from Charlie Campbell

[CPcavedweller]

It isn’t hard to project. Take Warren, Dan. This isn’t hard. The defensive picks on the line are talented deep into the third round this year. There are two elite tight end prospects. 
 

Take Warren. 

[Waldo]

All of those teir 2 guys that start going in the top 5 this year will give teams a chance to show their values. The reality is that crop of guys is only different in how much the talking heads gassed some up vs others when there is so little difference but they had to talk about something else vs just making an entire draft about 2 guys and 2 meh QBs.

The fact they appear to value Williams more isn't shocking IMO. Certainly anticlimactic but the first pick is going to be just that for most of the first when the 2nd round is so close in talent.

A trade back is still better than any player that could be on the board at 8. It's not a lock but it would be thr best move of the night if they can pull that off. Another project when they need a pass specialist would just be par for their course.

[45catfan]

20 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

It isn’t hard to project. Take Warren, Dan. This isn’t hard. The defensive picks on the line are talented deep into the third round this year. There are two elite tight end prospects. 
 

Take Warren. 

^This.  The only blue chip likely left when we pick at #8.  If we pass him up, then BPA is a complete farce. I don't want to hear/read crap from our front office about "we took the best player available at #8."

[chknwing]

If carolina doesnt walk away with Skateboo in this draft......

[rayzor]

i think someone who is guessing will be right about the pick and will run victory laps about it for years "remember i was right that one time! NO ONE LISTENED TO ME!!!!!! but i'm smarter than all of you. y'all should listen to me now"

[Jay Roosevelt]

Don't over-complicate it. Unless we get a good trade down offer, take the BPA on defense.

[SaltAndPepper]

UPDATE: 

CHARLIE CAMPBELL HAS CHANGED THE PROJECTION OF THE PANTHERS SELECTION.

HE NOW PROJECTS JALON WALKER TO GO TO THE RAIDERS AT 6. 

HE PROJECTS MYCHEL WILLIAMS TO GO TO THE PANTHERS AT 8. 

6.

Las Vegas Raiders: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia

Pete Carroll has always placed an emphasis on drafting pass rushers and addressing the defensive front seven. Las Vegas could use linebacker help as well. Having Walker at Sam linebacker could be similar to Carroll using Bruce Irvin as a Sam in Seattle, and give the Raiders a pass rushing trio with Maxx Crosby and Tyree Wilson. Walker is also a high-character leader who will help the culture reset under another new regime in Las Vegas.

Walker is a dangerous edge rusher for the Bulldogs, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. In 2024, he had 61 tackles with 6.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Walker had five sacks as a rotational player in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is too undersized to be a base edge rusher in the NFL, so he will have to be a linebacker who rotates to rush off the edge in the subpackage.

 

8.

Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

The Panthers need a true replacement for Brian Burns. Williams gives them a talented edge rusher that also has size to defend the run.

In 2024, Williams had 21 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles thus far. He missed the month of September with an injury. Williams totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two passes batted in 2023. As a freshman backup in 2022, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has a lot of upside and an excellent skill set.

Click here for a Mykel Williams Scouting Report

 

Pick change: previously Jalon Walker, OLB

[mrcompletely11]

41 minutes ago, CPcavedweller said:

It isn’t hard to project. Take Warren, Dan. This isn’t hard. The defensive picks on the line are talented deep into the third round this year. There are two elite tight end prospects. 
 

Take Warren. 

Thats how GMs get fired.  Sure Bowers is the anomaly but the history of first round TE's is fuging brutal at best.  Now you want to pick one in the top 10?  Oof.  You want to play with fire, go ahead and be my guest but dont go crying when your ass is fired morgan.

 

But all you guys pining for Warren need to realize its not going to happen, even morgan isnt that stupid and it shows by the lack of top 30 visit.

 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tight-ends-first-round/

[rayzor]

i do believe that it isn't as set in stone as some people think. pick hasn't been spoiled. no one 100% knows because the draft hasn't happened and there's a lot of unpredictable things that are going to be happening before #8.

[CRA]

6 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

But all you guys pining for Warren need to realize its not going to happen, even morgan isnt that stupid and it shows by the lack of top 30 visit.

since Morgan has been in the building, the best draft pick has a been a 4th round RB driven by Matt Rhule's wife.  Granted, you can't judge a lot of stuff yet but it hasn't been good. 

I'd like Warren.  Take good football players.  People trying to be smart and win in trades more times than not leaves you looking dumb.  To date, we have seen more Ls than Ws w/ our draft pick trading. 

[Panthercougar68]

19 minutes ago, rayzor said:

i do believe that it isn't as set in stone as some people think. pick hasn't been spoiled. no one 100% knows because the draft hasn't happened and there's a lot of unpredictable things that are going to be happening before #8.

For real, we have an idea who that options are narrowed down to but the actual pick is still a mystery.

[CRA]

1 minute ago, Panthercougar68 said:

For real, we have an idea who that options are narrowed down to but the actual pick is still a mystery.

just ask XL, to date he is has never been wrong about what we are doing w/ our first pick

[kungfoodude]

ESPN said similar.