Early Thoughts on 2012 Offseason

[Catalyst]

It's early, yes, but we at least have a general idea of what our needs are heading into the offseason. How do you think the Panthers should approach the draft and free agency?

The way I see it, our top concerns early-on are:

1. CB: Easily our top need, particularly with Fua and McClain showing improvement and Ron Edwards coming back from injury at DT. Corner now becomes our top concern baring Hogan coming out and showing he can start. I'm thinking this is hands down where we spend our 1st rounder next year, though it will certainly depend on who is available.

2. OLB: With the Davis injury it looks like we're going to need a long-term answer at weakside 'backer - or perhaps move Anderson over and get another strongside 'backer. In any event, we could address this in free agency or use our 2nd rounder, as we don't have a 3rd.

3. WR: I'm not as worried here as some. I think Naanee should be benched, if not cut, but LaFell has played well and we still have Gettis coming back and Smitty for at least one more season. Still, we'll need to address this sooner or later. I like Pilares potential, but he's unlikely to become a true #1. This could be where we look with our 1st rounder in two years rather than addressing it next offseason.

4. DT: I don't consider this as big a need as many here do. Fua and McClain are both rookies and will only improve and both have potential to develop into very good starters for us. Plus, Ron Edwards is coming back to either start or for depth. Still, we could definitely stand to add some more competition/depth. That said, if a truly elite prospect is available at our pick in the draft it would be very hard to say no in favor of a CB.

5. OL: It's a bit of an odd situation along the OL right now. It's hard to predict Otah's future, but both Byron Bell and Geoff Schwartz can play RT well enough. We could re-sign Hangartner, but the more likely scenario is Schwartz returning to start at RG and Otah (when healthy) at RT. Ziemba could be a future starter as well. But we need depth across the board and, like DT, if a real good tackle or guard is sitting there in the 1st or 2nd it could be tough to pass.

[chubs2496]

Looking ahead to next years draft. Depending on where we pick. I would like to see us pick a talented corner. Maybe dre Kirkpatrick. But I don't know how good this guy is but I know he's big and I think we need a big corner with speed instead of shorter corners. I like captain but I think he's a good nickel guy. And I believe hogan will command the #2 cb spot in next couple years.

At dt I think we are gonna be good. Fua and McClain will grow and I think will prove to be pretty good picks and plus we will et back Ron Edwards. So I would pass on a dt.

At wr I would love to get a big physical receiver for cam like Alshon Jeffery or Justin blackmon. Our wr corps would be pretty damn nice with smith, gettis, lafell, jeffery, pilares and armanti.

Overall we are gonna be a good team in 2-3 years. Probably be contending for a wild card spot if most guys progress. I am pretty excited about the future

[chknwing]

nah we spend our 1st on Kahlil's brother and have an awesome Oline again.

[PantherBrew]

I appreciate the effort in this thread.

But, I really hate draft talk during the season.

[TruCatzFan]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're barely going into week 3

[Catalyst]

I appreciate the effort in this thread.

But, I really hate draft talk during the season.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're barely going into week 3

Nobody's forcing you to post/read it. We talk about needs in every other thread, why not one to discuss potential offseason moves?

[JawnyBlaze]

IF we're a top 5 pick (I don't see it happening, I think the 10-15 range is more likely) I say go for Lil Kalil, otherwise pick BPA between CB and WR. Get a good OLB in the 2nd and BPA for the rest of the draft. Good LBs are easier to find in the 2nd than CB or WR, in my opinion. If we can get Jeffrey or Blackmon I'd be hard pressed to pass on either, but I agree that CB is a more pressing need at the moment.

It is a bit too early to be talking more than just very generally though. This time last year Cam and Fairley weren't on anyone's radar. Surely there'll be a number of guys step up this year and put themselves on the map that we haven't heard of yet and some guys will fall into obscurity.

[JawnyBlaze]

Also, we'll be getting some comp picks for King and Marshall, I'd guess a 4th and a 5th or a 5th and a 6th.

[Jackofalltrades]

I appreciate the effort in this thread.

But, I really hate draft talk during the season.

It doesn't belong in the Panther forum anyway.