Tyler Vagyler's Mock Offseason v1.0

[TylerVagyler]

Resign:

 

- Graham Gano: Despite a few shanks here and there Gano has been solid.  I doubt he asks for much. I expect us to give him a 2-year deal and see if he continues to perform well.

 

- Mike Mitchell: Mitchell has been a huge surprise and proven to be a leader on this defense. There is a little concern that he will be targeted due to his somewhat breakout season but he loves it here and I expect him to stay.

 

- Jordan Gross: He has stated that he will never play anywhere else other than Carolina and I don't think he is ready to hang up the cleats. I see him signing a 2-year deal on the cheaper side to help the team out.

 

- Ted Ginn Jr: Explosive ST player and seems to be improving as a WR. He won't be expensive and I doubt many teams are going to be knocking on his door. Should be another low-risk, cheap contract.

 

- Captain Munnerlyn: He has been our best CB but that's not saying a lot. I think we see a repeat of last year where he tests the market, sees that no one wants him, and signs here for less than he wants.

 

- Chris Scott: Bright spot on the OL.  It would be dumb to let him walk considering how thin we are there.

 

- Derek Anderson: Why not?

 

- Greg Hardy: This will be Gettleman's toughest decision this offseason.  On one hand, having a ton of money tied up with one position is something that Panthers fans are all too familiar with and that makes me hesitant. On the other hand, our pass rush is what makes our defense so dominant.  And while Alexander and Addison have shown some promise, neither offer the same tenacity and athleticism as Hardy. At the end of the day, I see Gettleman opening his wallet and giving Hardy a 4 year deal worth around 9 mil per year.

 

Notable Players Exiting:

 

- Brandon LaFell: Although he shows some promise, I don't think he is worth resigning.  It's time to move on and try something/someone new. With Hardy's deal, I don't think we would be able to afford LaFell and another WR from free agency.

 

- Jonathan Stewart: Let's face it, one of the RBs will have to go.  Stewart makes more sense.  A trade would be nice but I doubt any teams bite.  Gettleman will have to work some magic and find a way to release him without the team taking too big of a cap hit. I will admit, I have no clue if this can be done. Stewart leaving also opens up playing time for Barner who has potential to play an important role in our backfield.  Delo, Tolbert, and Barner are a nice triple threat because they all bring a different style to the table.

 

Free Agents:

 

- Hakeem Nicks, WR: This just makes too much sense and fortunately for us his stock may have dropped a bit after this season.  One could say this should be a concern but the Eli has been putrid this year so I wouldn't put too much stock into his performance. He has shown interest in returning home and Gettleman is already familiar with him which should help in negotiations. 

 

- TJ Ward, FS: We need help in the secondary and I think Ward will be a nice option and won't come too expensive with everyone else chasing Jarius Byrd. I know Godfey is coming back from injury and Lester shows some promise but I'd like some depth and competition.

 

- Terrell Thomas, CB: A decent vet to bring in for depth and competition.

 

- Michael Oher, OT: I will admit that I got this idea from another thread but I like the sound of it.  Yes, he has a lot of penalties this season but he shows promise. Jordan Gross had a penalty-filled season before as well so I'm not gonna read too much into that. If he is not too expensive he is definitely worth bringing in.

 

Draft Picks:

 

- Round 1: Eric Ebron, UNC, TE, 6'4, 245 LBs: Ebron is an unbelievable athlete and shows the versatility our offense needs.  He can line up in a traditional TE spot, in the slot, or in the backfield in some of our wacky formations and still be effective. This offense needs weapons and even though Ebron isn't at a "skills position" he definitely brings a lot of skill and would be a difference maker from the start.

 

- Round 2: Greg Robinson, Auburn, OT, 6'5", 250 LBs: I'll be honest, I don't know much about this guy but I have been very, very impressed with his play the last few weeks.  He is clearing the running lanes for Marshall and Mason and even shows the athleticism and ability to get upfield for blocks.

 

- Round 3: Tre Boston, UNC, S/CB, 6'1", 205 LBs: I know, another UNC player....but this is also another versatile player who can play corner or safety. I would prefer to play him at corner in this scenario.  He has nice size and speed to go up against some of the bigger WRs in our division. He is projected as a late second to third round guy so this might be a long shot.  If he falls we shouldn't hesitate.

 

- Round 4: Tevin Reese, Baylor, WR, 5'10" 170 LBs: Reese's season ended earlier due to a wrist injury but that doesn't concern me like a knee injury would.  He played 7 games this season and had 33 rec and 884 yards with 8 TDs.  He is a speedster that would be ideal for quick screens and also gives us another deep threat, both of which our offense needs. Smitty, Olsen, Ginn plus Nicks, Ebron, and Reese is a solid way to upgrade our offensive weapons.

 

- Round 5: AJ Tarpley, Stanford, OLB, 6'2" 238 LBs: Depth at linebacker is never a bad thing. Davis and Blackburn both have some age on them and we need to look ahead and keep our depth solid.  Tarpley, like Klein, could be another sneaky pick. Finished the season with 82 tackles (5+ for loss), 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, and 3 PDs while playing on a great defense. He just seems like that type of guy that'd shine under Rivera. Tarpley, Kelin, and Keuchly could be a nice trio in the future.  

 

- Round 6: Trey Burton, Florida, FB/TE/WR, 6'3", 229 LBs: Burton is a very unique player and can play several different positions.  He came to Florida as a spread-option QB but was later transitioned in FB under Charlie Weiss. Burton has continued to add bulk and improve on his blocking abilities which was a concern heading into the season. Burton is simply another OW (offensive weapon) with great size.  He can be moved around to several spots on the field and would be a nice project to take a risk on late in the draft.

 

- Round 7 (Giants): James Franklin, Missouri, QB, 6'2", 230 LBs: We can't keep signing DA to one-year deals every season.  Eventually we have to draft a backup QB and Franklin could be that guy. He looked solid this season until he went down with a shoulder injury. He had completed 68% of his passes for 1500+ yards and 14 TDs with only 3 INTs. With this being such a deep QB class and Franklin coming off an injury, he could drop pretty far down into the draft.

 

- Round 7: Deven Drane, Cincinnati, CB, 5'11", 186 LBs: This is a complete shot in the dark. I don't really know anything about this guy but he is projected to go late, possess decent size with good speed, and has had a pretty good season as a starter for the Bearcats. 

 

 

It's still early. The draft projections and cap situation will be completely different in March than they are now.  This is sorta a rough draft but I would be overly happy if the offseason played out similar to this scenario. I want the key to this offseason to be offensive weapons. This mock adds Nicks, Ebron, Reese, and Burton while retaining Ginn and making room to implement Barner more effectively. This would allow Shula to expand our offensive scheme and add a little excitement.

[Ruff]

I'm pretty sure we don't have a 6th round pick this year.

 

Other than that, though, that free agency would be incredible. The amount of money Oher is going to want, though, is going to be huge. Between him and TJ Ward, you could be looking at around 16m NEXT season. That's ridiculous.

 

The draft is good. I'm not as high on Ebron as some others are. That doesn't mean I don't think he's a great player, because he is, but I think that with the offense that we run, a compliment to Olsen could be found in the later rounds (possibly 4th or 5th), which would give us the ability to get a quality player in the top of the draft.

[*FreeFua*]

I will never understand peoples obsession for Nicks. His stock is dropping because he's just not that good. Plain and simple. Do not want.

Reese would be a reach in the fourth. He'll be available in the 6th. Devante Parker, Rashad Greene are 2 guys that may be still around in the 4th that would be alot better to take.

Plus, I'm not sure how DG would be able to come up with enough money to pay Hardy, Nicks, Oher and Ward.

Godfrey is a goner if you ask me.

And unless Hurney is hired by another team, I just don't see how it's possible to move Stew. If they cut him they will take a hit greater than what they pay him. He's here next year barring a miracle.

[TylerVagyler]

I don't see Oher or Ward getting as much as you guys seem to think but I could be wrong.

 

Like I said, this is a very rough version.  Just throwing stuff at the wall.  Main goal, as said above, is to add multiple weapons.

[*FreeFua*]

Main goal, as said above, is to add multiple weapons.

Agree.

I love Ebron but unless we get bounced first round of playoffs I think he'll be gone. Love Kelvin Benjamin and Allen Robinson too though.

By the end of the draft I want to see TE and WR both addressed. This offense needs playmakers. Dream scenario would be like Ebron in the first (like you said) and Moncrief in the second. This franchises lack of urgency to address the WR position has me doubting them when it comes to draft time again this year.

[TylerVagyler]

Agree.

I love Ebron but unless we get bounced first round of playoffs I think he'll be gone. Love Kelvin Benjamin and Allen Robinson too though.

By the end of the draft I want to see TE and WR both addressed. This offense needs playmakers. Dream scenario would be like Ebron in the first (like you said) and Moncrief in the second. This franchises lack of urgency to address the WR position has me doubting them when it comes to draft time again this year.

 

Kelvin Benjamin is the man.  I would love to bring him in if he declares.  

[Clicheking]

We don't have enough money to sign Nicks, Ward, Oher, and resign Hardy, combined that with Stewart's cap hit......not happening. I do like your draft though

[C47]

Your first two picks won't be on the board when our pick roles around, which makes sense because that's a freaking dream scenario for us. Greg Robinson is going to be one of the hottest names after the Combine, and much like Lane Johnson last year will end up a top 5-10 pick because he plays LT. Also, as others have said no chance Gettleman frees up the money to make all those signings, especially if he cuts Stew. Don't like Boston or Reese where you're taking them, there should be much better options available is those slots.....

[Panthersguru14]

I love this draft scenario! Mostly I just like the positions you chose each round.

Unfortunately Robinson won't be there in the second, he's a redshirt sophomore and he may not even declare. But another right tackle or future developmental left tackle would be awesome.

I love the idea of a top flight tight end early, cam did wonders with shockey and with us going to a power approach, having the ability to have two tight ends that can block and catch would work to the offenses advantage.

I like the big corners and safeties you picked, it's better for us to have big corners and speed rushers on the ends!

Great job! Hope something similar to this happens!

[Evengelion]

Another elite TE would make our OL better without drafting an OT this year and beef up the WR corps. Call me silly, I'm honestly more anxious for the draft than the playoffs. This draft will probably define this team because it can propel us to a perennial playoffs team.

[carolina-chuck]

Tell me how Gman is going to be able to retain Hardy and is able to go out and give money to TJ Ward, Nicks, and Oher? smh

 

This is not Madden.

 

Hardy, Ward, Nicks, and Oher all will get at least 7-8 mil a year. Nothing less. We will be opening up some cap space with cutting Godfrey, Dwill/Stew, and Gross contract, but that still wouldnt be enough. I can see Hardy and one of the three, but not all three. Give me Oher.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

quit reading after resign captain munnerlyn

[ncfan]

Tell me how Gman is going to be able to retain Hardy and is able to go out and give money to TJ Ward, Nicks, and Oher? smh

This is not Madden.

Hardy, Ward, Nicks, and Oher all will get at least 7-8 mil a year. Nothing less. We will be opening up some cap space with cutting Godfrey, Dwill/Stew, and Gross contract, but that still wouldnt be enough. I can see Hardy and one of the three, but not all three. Give me Oher.

Nicks shouldn't be that hard, everyone is crazy thinking he is going to get big money. His stock is dropping like a newton dart to LaFell or Ginn. This is the perfect spot to get his career back on path before its down the tank. If Gettleman (former scout for team that drafted him) wants him Gettleman gets him, point blank simple.

Now Oher and Ward. No way you get both And Hardy. May be able to sway Ward and Hardy, but just don't see us getting Oher. Also think we get Tillman much cheaper than Ward due to him getting towards end of career and ringless added with playing on another team with a Rivera lead strong D just like the Bears squad he was on that carried the team all the way to the superbowl

Lose LaFell, and Stewart

Retain Gross (comes back for another shot at ring), Ginn, (still hasn't done enough in rec to ask for big money), Hardy gets tag slapped on (ultimately expect to sign at some point), Tillman and Nicks (your 2 big offseason pickups, with connections with coaches/team/area/along with state of the team fits right in to their wants)

[IamSoClutch]

I will never understand peoples obsession for Nicks. His stock is dropping because he's just not that good. Plain and simple. Do not want.

Reese would be a reach in the fourth. He'll be available in the 6th. Devante Parker, Rashad Greene are 2 guys that may be still around in the 4th that would be alot better to take.

Plus, I'm not sure how DG would be able to come up with enough money to pay Hardy, Nicks, Oher and Ward.

Godfrey is a goner if you ask me.

And unless Hurney is hired by another team, I just don't see how it's possible to move Stew. If they cut him they will take a hit greater than what they pay him. He's here next year barring a miracle.

 

people want Nicks because he's better than any WR we got and we can probably get him at an affordable price due to 3 things:

 

Hometown discount

Bad season due to eli and the giants oline

at worst he is a VERY STRONG #2