The Rookie Cap (And How It Benefits The Panthers This Year)

[Panthro]

Just imagine last year without the rookie cap. Do you think that Marty Hurney would have pulled the trigger Cam Newton if he had to pay him $70M? I'd like to think he would but somewhere in my gullet I believe he may have opted for the safer pick...like a DT. Ugh. Thank The Golden Calf of Bristol for a rookie cap, right?

Well this year the rookie cap might actually help the Panthers once again. Rookie contracts are much lower than they used to be and are set by the league. So there's no holdouts no real negotiations. Sign here and play for us for 4-5 years.

Still, people keep saying that picking a RB like Richardson or reaching for a QB like Tannehill in the Top 5 is way too high. Not anymore.

Teams drafting in the Top 10 can take more chances on prospects and therefor reach for players that 2 years ago wouldn't have made any sense.

Need a QB Cleveland....why not Tannehill? He would have been a huge reach 2 years ago. Now his contract is much more manageable and the gamble isn't as huge. The same can be said for Richardson, Floyd and a host of other picks that people do not think are a consensus Top 10 players.

Teams can worry less about where they are picking and feel safe selecting THEIR guy.

Which means for the Panthers at 9...players with higher grades may be available when their pick rolls around.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

That's a good point. I think we already saw some of that last year with Ponder and Locker going as high as that did (Ponder was a big surprise to me.)

[jayflip]

Agreed! If only we had the 8 pick instead of 9... I think we could have had some great trade back leverage for Ryan T ahead of Miami...

[Panthro]

Tannehill could go to Cleveland at 4.

I could see

Indy -Luck

Wash -RG3

Minn - Blackmon (or Kalil)

Cleve -Tannehill

Tampa -Richardson

StLoKalil (or Blackmon)

Bills - Coples

MIami - Floyd/Ingram

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

[jayflip]

That would be a dream scenario

[Panther53521]

with Buffalo's need mostly WR and CB. I could see some interest in a team trading above them to get to Floyd

[Panthro]

I could also see Miami move up to #3 to secure Tannehill. I know crazy, right. Not good for us bc if that happens Morris goes to Minn at #8. Thats when you wish they had a Minnesota Vikings "draft moment".

[tondi]

Not to mention how much extra money we have this season (and in future seasons) to sign players because we are getting such a great deal on Cam. If he had been paid Bradford money his cap number would be much higher and we would have a lot less room to maneuver for everyone else. Now when his rookie deal expires he is going to take us to the cleaners, as is his right, but at least by that point we will know what we are getting.

[cotblock]

Tampa Bay is gonna pick Claiborne.

[Panthro]

Why do you think that? They have a couple needs....wouldn't a Richardson/Gillmore combo be better than a Claiborne/Lamar Miller combo?

[Frizzy350]

with Buffalo's need mostly WR and CB. I could see some interest in a team trading above them to get to Floyd

bills really dont need secondary help. they don't have any superstars there but they have lots of depth and quality starters at safety and corner. they need offensive tackles, linebackers and wide outs.

[chknwing]

I want Poe in the first, and Burfict in the 2nd.

[PantherBrew]

I want Poe in the first, and Burfict in the 2nd.

It doesn't matter who you want!

[Panthro]

I want Poe in the first, and Burfict in the 2nd.