Players to look out for

[FuFuLamePoo]

Time to bet even more on Walker

[TD alt]

6 hours ago, App Panther said:

Would be very on brand to take Mykel when Walker was still on the board.

Dan is the smartest in the room.

[MHS831]

11 hours ago, Verge said:

They really like Riley Leonard. Long term developmental backup kind of deal. 

I like him as well--a day 3 qb who has the tools.  I see a 6 - 4 dual threat qb who's weakness is probably his passing.  If Canales can get that worked out--lotta times it is just footwork or processing more than anything else--he could become a force.  Has been working with Phillip Rivers.  Arm strength seems to be good.  Definitely a possible diamond in the rough.

[MHS831]

Breaking this down on Draft eve.

Thanks Verge.

-Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia (has all the tools and the theme to this prom is stop the run.  Can he develop a pass rush?  I still don't get the love--25 tackles and 4 sacks.)
-Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan (If he is there at #8, I doubt we trade back.  I think Mason Graham is the third-rated player in the draft)
-Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss  (First round potential, probably a trade-back candidate.  Character concerns seem to be about maturity.  Specific incidents, like leaving practice early due to frustration and a potential injury situation during a game, have fueled these concerns. 22nd rated player and he had 6.5 sacks and 48 tackles--very productive.)
-Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA (I see him as an underrated LB who will be drafted higher than his #45 ranking--maybe 20-25 spots higher.  However, they probably see him as a second rounder seeing that the immediate need is not there to justify a trade up.  136 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions is Morganlike).
-Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame  (A dual-threat QB who took ND to the playoffs and championship.  A 6'4" mobile qb with a solid arm who completed 66.7% of his passes this season (21 TDs and 8 picks) and ran for 906 yards.  His passing needs work, but his footwork and mechanics could be the issue (many dual threat qbs have footwork issues.  Cam Newton did as well)  In my view, if they can develop QBs in Carolina, this is your guy.  A steal for a fifth rounder.)
-Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State (I am not a fan of this pick, but he did have 1200 yards this past season and runs a 4.4--considered to be a deep threat, which is what they want.  However, his hands are suspect, reminding me of Ted Ginn.  5' 11" and can get separation but lacks fundamentals to run the entire route tree.  Should start as a #3 somewhere by year 2.  NFL Combine site lists him as a second rounder; I think that is high.  He will go in the third or fourth, imo)
-Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (People see Donovan as a sack artist but I think this would be the target if we trade back.  The man had 16.5 sacks--yeah team!--but to me, the most impressive stat he had: 80 tackles. Mykel Williams had 25 tackles and 11.5 fewer sacks. In other words, Ezeiruaku more that TRIPLED William's production.  At 6' 2.5" 248 lbs. He fits the mold for the perfect OLB--and he can hold the edge.  Not sure why he is rated #26--should be #15 or so, imo.
-Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia  (Teams will value Sanker's impact on punt and kick units, where his anticipation and technical proficiency stand out. Between the hashes, he excels at disrupting intermediate routes and flowing to the football.  He sounds like a smart player with special teams ability.  98 tackles this past season, but known to be a deep s who covers TEs and RBs by keeping them in front. Should be a 4/5th rounder)
-Billy Bowman, S, Oklahoma  (I see Bowman being the perfect pairing with Moehrig. He is short (5'10") and not a good tackler, but he is solid in pass pro in zone.  Bowman brings ball-hawking instincts. When you watch him operate in zone coverage, his anticipation jumps off the screen – the way he baits quarterbacks, reads their eyes, and breaks on the ball with conviction. This playmaking knack is what separates him from other mid-round safety prospects.  Bowman could be there in the fourth round)
-Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State (Another hidden gem, possibly, Gordon is a big back who runs a 4.6.  The film shows a back with excellent vision between the tackles who knows how to set up blocks and explode through creases once he's identified them. While his 2024 regression is concerning, context matters – he faced stacked boxes behind a crumbling offensive line with minimal support from the passing game. I speculate he will be drafted in the fifth-seventh round.)
-Anthony Belton, T, NC State (The Panthers will be drafting all of their OL from NC State until further notice.  Ickey' replacement.  His film reveals a player with significantly better technique in pass sets than run blocking, suggesting he's more advanced in the former despite his intimidating physical presence. While he sits outside the top 100 prospects in this draft class, Belton's exceptional length and pass protection upside make him a Day 3 selection with starter potential. Perfect player to develop behind Moton who can serve as a swing T for a season)
-Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky  (for a day 2 prospect, Walker is raw.  He plays well when fresh but seems to tire quickly.  He gets good pass rush for a NT, and can win one-on-one situations.  A rotational guy who needs to be moved around.  3rd rounder.)
-Cam Jackson, IDL, Florida (Another big body who gets fatigued quickly.His floor appears to be a rotational run defender, but his ceiling will be determined by how much he can improve his conditioning and technical refinement.  Possibly a 7th rounder-UDFA)
-Quincy Riley, DB, Louisville  (Riley projects as a valuable nickel corner with the potential to develop into a starting outside cornerback. His ball skills and instincts will translate well to the next level.  Probably a 5th rounder)
-Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina (at 6' 4" 255, Kennard is the size we are looking for.  He had 11.5 sacks in 2024.  Can step in and contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher while developing into a more complete edge defender. His explosive get-off and natural bend show up consistently on third downs, but he'll need a specific role early in his career. Think Harold Landry coming out of Boston College - a rusher who can win with speed and length while building up his power game.  Kennard could be the pick at #57.)
-Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (He's 6'3", 220 and runs a 4.38.  he had 4 interceptions and 88 tackles.  His rare blend of size and speed screams modern NFL safety, capable of matching up with tight ends, supporting the run, and roaming the deep middle.  Mid to late first round)
-Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (While he may need time to develop into a full-time starter, his physical tools and steady college progression suggest he could become a quality right tackle with left tackle flexibility in the right system.  Could be there when the Panthers pick in the late second round).
-Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State (A 1200-yard receiver on a team with another 1200-yard receiver.  sub 4.4 speed.  Noel has "dangerous weapon" written all over him as a vertical slot receiver with deep-ball tracking ability that jumps off the film. The way he stresses defenses downfield belies his modest frame – this isn't your typical underneath slot guy. When he gets a clean release, defenders are immediately in survival mode.   could be our second round pick).

Edited 2 hours ago by MHS831

[Captain Morgan]

from that list it seems to indicate we won't be taking a safety in the 2nd or 3rd.  Someday we will, but too many holes to fill in this draft

[PantherKyle]

We're getting Graham. It's Star all over. Top 5 lock to falling in some eyes right before draft. 2013 was a special year for Cam in year 3. Bryce year 3. 

Let's go.

[Jay Roosevelt]

I hope to hell Mason Graham falls to us because if we get a top-10 pick only to come away with Mykel Williams it's going to be a huge swing and miss.

[FuFuLamePoo]

If we do take Mykel as Verge implies, I hope someone has the courage to ask Dan something about his production. Dan just told us production at the collegiate level was going to be a massive part of the evaluation process this year.

Is 20 tackles and 5 sacks enough? Maybe it is. That seems a bit underwhelming for a top 8 pick.

And I won’t even complain if Mykel is the pick. I think he was used in a way at Georgia that makes it difficult to rack up a lot of flashy stats. But this is a question someone needs to at least ask.

[Jay Roosevelt]

This reminds me of 2012 when we apparently had Quinton Coples rated neck-and-neck with Luke Kuechly. Imagine if we had gone that route then.

Taking Mykel Williams might not be that bad of a decision as I do think he'll be a decent player (whereas Coples was a flat-out bust) and Jalon Walker isn't quite a Kuechly-level player, but I can't help but to feel like we're flirting with making that kind of a mistake here.

[FuFuLamePoo]

10 minutes ago, Jay Roosevelt said:

This reminds me of 2012 when we apparently had Quinton Coples rated neck-and-neck with Luke Kuechly. Imagine if we had gone that route then.

Taking Mykel Williams might not be that bad of a decision as I do think he'll be a decent player (whereas Coples was a flat-out bust) and Jalon Walker isn't quite a Kuechly-level player, but I can't help but to feel like we're flirting with making that kind of a mistake here.

I don’t think JW is close to as much of a sure thing as Luke was but I understand the comp. I just see way more of a ceiling with JW, and I think he has the drive to get there. I actually think Mykel has a higher floor than JW, but man I just never see him bring a double digit sack guy ever. I’m super worried about spending #8 on an End/Edge that has such limited upside as a pass rusher. We seem so obsessed with stopping the run right now, which is fine. But our defense will still be god awful because no one can get to the passer.