04-29-2025, 02:02 PM -
(04-29-2025, 12:32 PM)Hobbit99 Wrote: Good job, LP...
I agree with you (almost all..). There are some questions about this draft that continue to be debated. While I realize that someone has to make the decisions, and Dan and Dave and others have the inside track on information, there is still room for discussion and reasoned discourse.
1) Our Panthers: The worst Defense in the league last year, and arguably, the worst Defense in the history of the NFL. THAT'S A FACT. Given that, why focus attention on a 1st round Wide Receiver.? The argument for T-Mac was he was the "BPA". i'll go on record here and say THAT is BS, plain and simple. All I ask, is "think about it". If the best player available was a QB, would we draft him.? = NO. If the best player available was a RB, would we draft him.? = NO. If the best player available was a Center or a Long Snapper or a Kicker --- would we draft him.?? = NO. This BPA argument is foolish. It serves the purpose of making a statement that allows the team to make a pick that was NOT necessarily in the best interests of the TEAM.
EVERYONE KNOWS .... Each pick, especially in the 1st round, is a model of what the team "wants" and "needs" to be successful. If you "need" a QB, you're going to draft a QB.!! The Panthers have always exemplified that. Look at 2023. The Panthers decided that they "needed" a QB. So they traded UP to #! to get Bryce Young. NOT because he was the BPA, but because we "needed" a QB.
Having said that, the M.O. of drafting the BPA is valid .... as long as the player options are grouped. Such as... BPA - QBs; BPA - O-Line; BPA - Defensive Backs; BPA - D-Line; etc., etc. Nothing wrong with selecting BPA -- as long as that player is in a group that the team "NEEDS". Drafting someone the team doesn't need makes no sense. You don't draft an O-Lineman if you have 3-4 pro-bowl. all-pro, guys already on the roster under contract.!! --- OK, that's enough about BPA...
In that case I would bet they would trade down.
2) I respect Dan (and Dave..??). I sincerely hope that we are a LOT better than we were last year. Our Defense should be improved. I really like our one Safety drafted. Lathan Ransom looks like he could be a real "find". Our two EDGE guys should bolster that area too. However, they are not 1st round talent. Ransom looks good, but he's not Emmanwori (IMHO). The EDGE guys are not Jalon Walker or Mikel Williams or James Pierce (or Ezeiruaku..). Our DT selection, Cam Jackson is a SOLID pickup. Still, probably not Walter Nolan or Sanders or Collins. STILL -- I'm pleased. I think we have improved. And with 31 other teams picking, you just don't get all of your choices.!! SAD but true.!
They have said they would have taken Graham if he had been there at 8...otherwise did not see the value compared to the value they had for TMac.
I guess I will buy that and hope he is great here for a long time. But also not willing to risk a lot betting on whether or not they are telling the truth.?
3) Like LP up there ^^^. I just don't understand the emphasis on WR. The logic escapes me. At my latest count, the Panthers have 14, count 'em, 14, WRs on the roster. We'll never carry more than 5 or 6 (probably..??) on the active roster. Here's my question.... IF the Panthers are indeed a "Run first.." Offense; If the Panthers intent is to "Run the ball & Stop the run..."; Why all of the emphasis on WRs.?? Why pick a 1st round WR, then add another later, then pick up three more as UDFAs, then add another as a FA pickup...???? -- While we have NO surplus at the Safety position, few (competent) CBs and ILB questions. No emphasis on the Defensive questions...... But, we sure have the WRs covered.!!! Will be interesting to see how this plays out for sure!
4) Overall.... I think our draft was pretty good with certain exceptions (WRs emphasis..). We should be better as a team. I think we lack competitive players in several spots on Defense. We drafted a TE that was unnecessary. But overall, a GOOD draft. Questions remain, but they always will. Fingers crossed.!!
I too hope they have a plan for the secondary other than hope and pray....lol