ESPN comments on free agency

Which is the most improved team after free agency?

Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Carolina Panthers. Carolina's defense was the league's thinnest last season, so the front office aggressively pursued quality starters and depth. Most teams agreed that Tre'von Moehrig played better than any other free agent safety in 2024. The Panthers secured him for three years as a dynamic player in the secondary. They missed on Milton Williams but got two interior rushers -- Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III -- for a combined $22 million per year, less than what Williams got on his own ($26 million). Couple that with some quality adds at other positions, and Carolina is much better positioned for success than it was a year ago


What was the best bargain signing of free agency?

Moody: The Panthers signing running back Rico Dowdle. The Panthers needed another proven running back behind starter Chuba Hubbard, especially with 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks still rehabbing from ACL surgery on the same right knee he injured in college. It was impressive for the Panthers to land Dowdle on a one-year, $3 million deal (up to $6.5 million); he shined for the Cowboys after Week 11 with 22 touches and 108.0 total yards per game.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4424...-contracts

There's a lot of TRUTH here...

Rico is a great football player and a great human being. He is still young and improving. I expect to see him and Chuba Hubbard make some waves this season. They might be the first two headed monsters we have seen since Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams. ;)

Rico is a great football player and a great human being.  He is still young and improving.  I expect to see him and Chuba Hubbard make some waves this season.  They might be the first two headed monsters we have seen since Jonathan Stewart and Deangelo Williams. ;)

That was quite the duo.   I was at the game where they both nearly rushed for 200 yds,  it was a Thurs night game.  Control of the NFC South was on the line and the Bucs were heavily favored.  I do not think anyone in the stadium sat down the entire game. BOA was rocking!  It is credited as the game that ended Gruden's career in Tampa.

I agree...Rico and Chuba could give this team some fire!

Yes.... A good tandem setup.  However....

Are we going to draft a RB.??  

Yes.... A good tandem setup.  However....

Are we going to draft a RB.??  

I don't think so.

By the way, I read an article yesterday that the Panthers are quietly very high on Safety Nick Emmanwori, and may consider trading down and getting him around #18.  I remember a Safety we drafted and turned into an fantastic Linebacker.  Nick-E is a little bigger than Thomas Davis was, but has that elite skill-set.  Thomas Davis was drafted in the first round at #14.   Nick's official role at South Carolina was Free Safety, but he also lined up frequently at linebacker. Just saying I read it. 

Yes.... A good tandem setup.  However....

Are we going to draft a RB.??  

I don't think so.

By the way, I read an article yesterday that the Panthers are quietly very high on Safety Nick Emmanwori, and may consider trading down and getting him around #18.  I remember a Safety we drafted and turned into an fantastic Linebacker.  Nick-E is a little bigger than Thomas Davis was, but has that elite skill-set.  Thomas Davis was drafted in the first round at #14.   Nick's official role at South Carolina was Free Safety, but he also lined up frequently at linebacker.  Just saying I read it. 

 Hope you're right.  If you look at the thread I posted about "visits", you'll see that we have scheduled visits (one.??) with Emmanwori. May not have another one. Probably wouldn't want to 'telegraph' any intentions. Nick Emmanwori would make a terrific Strong Safety. Move him up close to the box and he could wreak havoc against the run game. I would almost rather have him than an Edge guy.

But, I would still LOVE to have Skattebo..

Yes.... A good tandem setup.  However....

Are we going to draft a RB.??  

I don't think so.

By the way, I read an article yesterday that the Panthers are quietly very high on Safety Nick Emmanwori, and may consider trading down and getting him around #18.  I remember a Safety we drafted and turned into an fantastic Linebacker.  Nick-E is a little bigger than Thomas Davis was, but has that elite skill-set.  Thomas Davis was drafted in the first round at #14.   Nick's official role at South Carolina was Free Safety, but he also lined up frequently at linebacker.  Just saying I read it. 

 Hope you're right.  If you look at the thread I posted about "visits", you'll see that we have scheduled visits (one.??) with Emmanwori. May not have another one. Probably wouldn't want to 'telegraph' any intentions. Nick Emmanwori would make a terrific Strong Safety. Move him up close to the box and he could wreak havoc against the run game. I would almost rather have him than an Edge guy.

But, I would still LOVE to have Skattebo..

Either would be great.  Hey, you'd think Dave Canales would have learned after Xavier spilling the beans before the Draft last year lol

Oh, and by the way, Nick-E was originally signed by South Carolina as a Linebacker, but due to injuries that season, they asked if he would switch to Safety.  He did, and did so seamlessly.  He was a top Linebacker out of high school.

Hope you're right.  If you look at the thread I posted about "visits", you'll see that we have scheduled visits (one.??) with Emmanwori. May not have another one. Probably wouldn't want to 'telegraph' any intentions. Nick Emmanwori would make a terrific Strong Safety. Move him up close to the box and he could wreak havoc against the run game. I would almost rather have him than an Edge guy.

But, I would still LOVE to have Skattebo..

Either would be great.  Hey, you'd think Dave Canales would have learned after Xavier spilling the beans before the Draft last year lol
 ---- yeah.!! That was funny.!! -- SMH

Oh, and by the way, Nick-E was originally signed by South Carolina as a Linebacker, but due to injuries that season, they asked if he would switch to Safety.  He did, and did so seamlessly.  He was a top Linebacker out of high school.

Oh, I believe he can play ILB. But like so many players, he is just a little "off" size wise at that position (for the NFL..). Probably was superb in HS and maybe would have done OK in college, but he's better as a S Safety (IMO). Quick (and fast) enough to cover slot guys, slants, crossing routes, and TEs in the middle and along seams, but still strong enough to bring the hammer against the run. I think he'd be perfect as the 8th man "in the box" and still able to cover. NOT as a 'FREE' Safety though. He's be wasted as a single-high, deep cover guy, although he could probably do it.

Hope you're right.  If you look at the thread I posted about "visits", you'll see that we have scheduled visits (one.??) with Emmanwori. May not have another one. Probably wouldn't want to 'telegraph' any intentions. Nick Emmanwori would make a terrific Strong Safety. Move him up close to the box and he could wreak havoc against the run game. I would almost rather have him than an Edge guy.

But, I would still LOVE to have Skattebo..

Either would be great.  Hey, you'd think Dave Canales would have learned after Xavier spilling the beans before the Draft last year lol
 ---- yeah.!! That was funny.!! -- SMH

Oh, and by the way, Nick-E was originally signed by South Carolina as a Linebacker, but due to injuries that season, they asked if he would switch to Safety.  He did, and did so seamlessly.  He was a top Linebacker out of high school.

Oh, I believe he can play ILB. But like so many players, he is just a little "off" size wise at that position (for the NFL..). Probably was superb in HS and maybe would have done OK in college, but he's better as a S Safety (IMO). Quick (and fast) enough to cover slot guys, slants, crossing routes, and TEs in the middle and along seams, but still strong enough to bring the hammer against the run. I think he'd be perfect as the 8th man "in the box" and still able to cover. NOT as a 'FREE' Safety though. He's be wasted as a single-high, deep cover guy, although he could probably do it.

I get it, but when you look at comparisons:

                                    Draft Height    Weight    Speed

Thomas Davis                           6'1          235        4.6

Nick Emmanwori                      6'3         220        4.3


Not saying it's going to happen, but just saying he's not all "that small" for a linebacker, either. ;)  And he will put on muscle and pounds once he gets to the NFL.  But you can't teach raw talent and natural instinct like this kid has.