MHS831

I think the Njoku interest revealed intent and the type of TE they want. I really expected more from Sanders.

Defensive tackle (or end in a 3-4 base) is suddenly a rather significant need. It seems to be a forbidden topic on the Huddle. Well I am going to unforbidden it for this thread. When we lost Robinson, it was a salary cap cutting move, saving us about $9m or so, I think. That suggests that we are going to get cheaper, younger, and maybe, more multi-dimensional. First, what did we lose in Robinson: (Charlotte Observer) "Robinson co-led the team in sacks (5.5) in 2024, and he ranked second among Carolina linemen, behind Brown, in sacks (2.5) in 2025. (Derrick) Brown played on 76.4% of the Panthers’ defensive snaps last year, while Robinson played on 62.2% of those reps. No other defensive lineman played more than 38.3%, as free-agent addition, Turk Wharton, dealt with injuries throughout his first season in Carolina. Wharton played in just nine games, producing 36 total tackles and two sacks. He’s guaranteed $14 million this upcoming season. Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article314544998.html#storylink=cpy OK, about Turk Wharton. The Observer claims that he and Bobby Brown III were to rotate into the Robinson DE position, but that is too weird for my head to comprehend. First, Brown III is a NT by trade and Wharton weighs about 280 lbs and is not stout vs. the run. Brown III is not going to provide the internal pass pressure; he is basically designed to take on double teams and dig in. Wharton, on the other hand, had a PFF score in those 9 games of 40 or so. In fairness, he was playing with injuries, but Damn. PFF gives me a higher rating at the Golden Corral buffet. In other words, we need a true DT who can fill the two thirds of snaps that we just released. We can't count on Turk and Brown III is not the answer. Cam Jackson? Same as Brown. Have your people do what they do best. Furthermore, Derrick Brown probably should limit his snaps. Playing more than 3/4 of the snaps is hard on the body. A tired player in the trenches is more prone to lower-body injuries. We need a player who can give Derrick Brown some relief and play opposite him as well. Turk can rotate in but he needs to shoot gaps and give Guards and tackles fits--a change of pace. I have to think we are going to draft DT much sooner than most Huddlers realize. My favorite, you didn't ask? Probable second-rounder Gracen Halton (No. 59 overall, according to ESPN's March 2026 update). Once considered a Day 3 sleeper, his 2026 NFL draft stock has exploded into Round 2 or 3 due to elite interior pass-rush metrics. Projected Round: 2 (Early to Mid) Key Traits: Elite explosive, quickness, 12.2%+ pass-rush win rate, and positional versatility to play inside on passing downs. Combine Highlights: Led defensive tackles in the vertical jump (36.5”) and broad jump, per Sports Illustrated. Draft Stock: Rising fast due to consistent 2025 production (7 tackles for loss) and a "freak show" combine performance, according to Stormin in Norman. Halton is considered a high-motor playmaker and a potential Day 2 standout, notes I would not be surprised to see DT on day 2.

What you are going to see from MHS831, your "source for Panther Predictions that are Unlikely to Happen but if they did, they would be 'real cool,'" is a position-by-position breakdown of needs that we seem to have normalized. Tight End: The team is looking for a "game-breaker" and to improve upon a 24th-ranked red-zone offense. Though they have brought back their own players for depth, the organization is looking for more competition to improve the position's overall impact. In 2025, the unit averaged 8.1 yards per reception, failing to consistently stretch the field or provide a "scary" threat to opposing defenses. I think they were hoping that Sanders would be that person. He is not. I have read some Huddlers demanding the "all-around" TE, and that point is valid. However, you have to think about the focus on developing Young and the new age TE in the NFL. "The Carolina Panthers have heavily utilized multi-tight end sets, ranking among the top NFL teams in using 13 personnel (three tight ends)—a strategy they employed on 7.8% of plays during the 2025 season. Under coach Dave Canales, the team employs these formations to bolster the run game and create diverse passing matchups." This is why a seam-busting, pass-catching TE is so critically important for the Panthers. This need is perhaps much bigger than we realize. Do not discount the possibility of drafting Sadiq if he is there; I have seen him in the top 15 frequently. Too many drops for me, personally, and I am not a fan of a TE in round 1 (gotta think salary cap--grab a position that normally gets a high salary on the second contract--not a TE) Stowers in round 2 is also an option. I am intrigued by Trigg, a TE who should be drafted in the third round. Let our interest in Njoku demonstrate the kind of TE we seek right now. Do we need blocking TEs? Yes, but in a two or three WR set, maybe not as much as a traditional TE. I get the feeling we are not finished at TE. (Njoku? I am predicting that he goes to Chicago or Baltimore or Miami--Chicago #1)

I am hoping that he is depth. We have Moehrig and Ransom and now Simmons--all the same kind of player (Simmons more special teams, but I think they might find a role for him in some packages). We need 2 free safeties---so I get this re-signing, especially if they plan to draft one. Would safety be the biggest bang for the buck concerning 2016? Possibly, now that we have an NFL starting C and LT. Now that we seem to have addressed Edge and ILB. I think too many Panther fans and Huddlers are overlooking DT and I am still curious about TE--they seem to bring it up more than we do. In my view, based on what you say above--is why we need a QB at free safety--not somebody who gets confused and burned due to poor reads.

Not many people talking about DT, but we have a need. (DE) Now this guy is a NT like Brown III

Eric Norwood was like that--of course, you could say Thomas Davis was too as a rookie

Now show me R-boom and BC ion cheap deals and call it a free agency And maybe a DT And that TE you are looking into And the punter And Curhan

Get off the ledge--for depth, this is a shrewd move.

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In a way, if he does not, there are a few others we can grab. I would say that Theineman is the gold standard this year---he would make a lot of people better--ever notice how often DBs turn around and look at each other when they get beat deep? You can almost hear their confusion. Thieneman would minimize that stuff--

Morgan gets a lot of credit--not only did he fill holes, he filled them with upgrades. The top edge in free agency (best fit for us, imo) The top ILB in free agency A starting LT that has slightly better numbers than our LT and he got him for about half what LTs went for last year in free agency A starting C with better numbers than our starting C for half the salary I mean, getting 4 starters in free agency at those positions is incredible. 4 starters of 22 possible starters. We should add two more through the draft (ILB, S) at least

Everytime I do a mock he has moved up 5 spots. I can't keep up with him.

I mean, the average fan is not close to achieving what he has--he messed up by engaging them. I played at WCU and we played a game (back in the day) at Ga Tech. We lost by 7. When we were leaving to board our buses, there was a group of fans standing on the other side of a chain link fence mocking us because we were Division I-AA. I did not see one person who could have played on my high school team. But you learn that the best thing to do is ignore them. We did have a LB who was drafted by the Seahawks jump out and smack the fence in their faces--it scared me, so I know there were some engineer boxers stained that day.

Once again, I feel the need to lay the cards on the table to see what you all think. I will present my views, hoping that you will share yours and stimulate discussion. Since most of us are lifeless forms who do not have the time-consuming burden of having sex regularly to clog our schedules, I figured you would not be too busy to participate. While some of us want a pure, BPA draft, every GM says it. About that: I have a theory. If you have a need and a player who fulfills that need is there, he may be the "best" option for your team--not the best player. Because he meets your biggest need, he becomes (in your brain) the "best." If my big board had a CB at the top and a QB at #2 and I needed a QB, I am not taking the CB. I will add that the more holes you fill, the more flexibility you have, but simply taking the BPA regardless of need? That is hard to do when nearly everyone in the NFL is expected to produce immediate results. I think need plays a big role, and I think overall play regardless of position does as well, but at some point, both are variables that are poured into the equation. Nobody said it had to be one or the other--it can be a combination of both--and I think that is the case here. Don't believe me? Well, I can predict the positions we are going to draft most years. How? I do not go on who I think will be on the board. I go by our needs and then I look at the players that are available and predict the round they will be taken. If I know the LTs will be gone by pick 45, for example, I am taking a LT early, regardless of BPA. If I think a starting C could be there in round 3, I am probably not taking a C over the LT in round 1, even if the Center is the better player. Enough of my wisdom. So what are our needs for STARTERS now? Free Safety: We have box safeties (Moehrig, Ransom, and Simmons. Ransom can play FS, but he is at his best in the box, imo. We need a smart center fielder. a guy who is a ball hawk. A guy who can call coverages. A guy who is a sure tackler. While I love Caleb Downs, I think Thieneman might just be our pick. We really have no player like him and he would make everyone better. Not sure how he would fit into the Evero system. Will Inside Linebacker: In my view, Lloyd is slated to play the Mike. Wallace, on the other hand, had been better in coverage than run stuffing, so I think they want to play him at the Will ILB. While his coverage is solid, any ILB who has tackling inconsistency is not a starting ILB. In my view, a starting Will ILB is a need. I see this as our second round selection. I see Golday all day. Defensive Tackle: The position nobody seems to be talking about. We lost Robinson, and 280-pound Wharton is not an early-down answer. Bobby Brown and Cam Jackson are big-bodied NTs who are not making offensive centers shiver in the night. With the 320-lb Derrick Brown able to shift to a 1-5 technique, much of the weakness is covered. However, Wharton is rotational. We need a DT who can take Robinson's place and make the front scary. I am hoping we can find a day 3 steal to fill this rotational need. Tight End: I include TE because the Panthers seem determined to find an upgrade. Tremble, Sanders, Evans, and Mitchell is pretty "meh." However, is this need big enough to spend now? I do not see the size of the upgrade we need in the draft, unless we draft a fat, slow, WR and call him a TE. If we address TE, it will be in free agency, imo. Depth: Needs that will be expected to start in 2027 Left Tackle: Walker is on a one-year deal. If he plays well, he will want $$$ and that is a real possiblity if Ickey is not fully recovered and ready to go. So the need or a depth LT who can start in 2027 is genuine, but not as dire as it was. This suggests that we should draft a smart, developing LT with the ability to play other positions. I do not see us going OT in day one or even day 2 (possibly). I like some of the developing LTs who could be available late, and we have a solid OT coach to develop someone with skills and ability. Trey Zuhn III, for example, looked good in pass pro at the SR bowl before rolling his ankle. Versatile. Day 3. Right Tackle: In my view, at this moment, RT is a bigger need than LT. Moton is 31 and has a questionable wheel. Good news. There are some solid RT candidates in this draft at RT. Expect a RT earlier than you think. I am guessing they could take Blake Miller, Clemson, Jennings Dunker, Iowa, or Max Iheanachor ASU, in round 2 (or early round 3), in fact. However, since you do not need day 1 starters, a developmental prospect could be in order. In that case, Dametrious Hightower (Tex AM) in the fourth could be an option. Cornerback: Mike Jackson has been great for us, but he is entering the final season of his contract. While 2025 UDFA Thornton was the second-rated rookie CB in 2025 before his injury, he could be the heir apparent. If you want to upgrade the nickel position, then that's different. Smith-Wade has been unspectacular, but not a liability. How you address CB depends on the love you have for the surprising, undrafted Thornton. In my view, you need at least one, I just don't know what type(s). Center: The is tough because the seem to really like Samac (25) and Fortner (27) is a half-notch above Mays. We could be set with mediocre centers for now, and opt to address the issue later. Quarterback: I think we need to draft a QB on day three with the intention of selecting our backup QB. Someone who is raw but has the skills. Maybe a player whose stock was beaten down. Last year, before the season, there were guys being projected for round 1 of the draft who might not be drafted now on days 1 or 2. Find the gem. Drew Allar, Penn State sure looked good at the Combine and he will be available in rounds 4-5. Guard: We have Zavala as a reserve and that is about it for now. So if I am the GM, what do I do? I can't meet all the needs for starters as mentioned here, and the depth players are too numerous to populate through the draft. Here goes my first mock (NFL Draft Hero) after blabbing and droning through this thread: A few explanations: Pick 113 Brian Parker is ideal for a conversion to center. He was excellent at RT for Duke and could backup Moton in a pinch, but I project him to Center or guard. PIck 152 Aamil Wagner is a Left Tackle project that could use some strength building, but technically sound, a good leader, a solid technician. A year with our OT coach should help. (I missed out on my Tex AM OT Zuhn III because he went in the third--I was going to take him in round 4) Pick 170 Parker Brailsford was a C at Alabama. Should they decide to play Brian Parker at RT or Guard, Brailsford has starting potential. I think he can only play center, however, so that could make Parker a G or T. As you can see, I was able to trade down a few times, enabling me to find a late WR and LB who might develop. Jolly (TE) is a player they have talked to. I would be happy with this draft, but it is not at all what I was envisioning a week ago.