03-14-2025, 12:39 PM -
As we enter the doldrums of Free Agency, we are also sliding down a path toward inevitability. That particular end-game is THE DRAFT...
So, here's a little exercise for you to consider. Who are five (5) players you would like to see the Panthers draft this year.? Doesn't matter if you think they'll "be gone" when it's our turn -- or not. Just your five favorite draft eligible players.
Oh... You can change your mind (of course) as we get closer to the big day.!! I'll probably update these occasionally -- maybe..??
So .... In no particular order, here are five guys who I like for the Panthers, and WHY..??
1) QB Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) -- I want this guy because I think we could use a fresh face as a backup QB. A young guy playing behind starters, learning the ropes. We NEED a SOLID, young QB sitting in the wings..... Probably a later round pick (maybe 5th round.??)
2) LB Jalon Walker (Georgia) -- I want Walker because we need a fast competent EDGE guy. Walker could play OLB or ILB. He's big enough. He's fast enough. And - He's SMART...... Definitely a 1st round talent. If we stay at #8, Jalon Walker would be my pick as of today.
3) RB Cam Skattebo (Ariz St.) -- How do I like thee - Let me count the ways (With apologies to Elizabeth B. Browning). I realize RBs are not all the current rage. However, Skattebo has a little sumpin going on. He's a true "power back". He's rock solid as a receiver out of the backfield, and he throws the ball. A modern-day Triple-Threat..?? The Panthers could mix up their offense. We could play "smash-mouth" on one play, then run a "wildcat" on the next. RUN the ball. CATCH the ball. THROW the ball. Can you imagine the excitement.?? Skattebo is currently sitting sort of late in the 3rd round. I would take him right there, maybe a little earlier.!!
4) S Nick Emmanwori (S. Car.) -- I like Emmanwori because 007 says he's "the best". I'm not convinced of that, but, you know -- 007 is the boss, so there's that. Actually, Emmanwori looks terrific. He would add another whole dimension to our run defense (which we REALLY need..). Play him at S Safety, move him up into the box, let him float, gosh --- he would be a terror at that second level. We could really use this guy. If we trade back aways, Emmanwori could be in play later in the 1st. (Either him or Malaki Starks..).
5) WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas) -- This guy is a potential rare find later in the Draft. probably a mid to late rounder, TeSlaa has rare qualities and a ceiling so high you can't see it. If we decide that we need another WR, then TeSlaa would be my choice later in the Draft.
6) DL Walter Nolan (Ole Miss) -- I like several DL guys. I'm not sleeping on Mason Graham here either. It's just that I believe that Graham will be GONE early and since the Panthers are definitely NOT trading up (are we..???) then Graham is probably not in our foreseeable future anywhere. So, it's Walter Nolan. A real "force" inside and a competent pass-rusher from the inside as well. Nolan and Brown would be the "Dynamic Duo" on the inside of our D-Line.!!
*** YES --- I know that's six (6) not five. I lied. So, sue me.!!
So, here's a little exercise for you to consider. Who are five (5) players you would like to see the Panthers draft this year.? Doesn't matter if you think they'll "be gone" when it's our turn -- or not. Just your five favorite draft eligible players.
Oh... You can change your mind (of course) as we get closer to the big day.!! I'll probably update these occasionally -- maybe..??
So .... In no particular order, here are five guys who I like for the Panthers, and WHY..??
1) QB Riley Leonard (Notre Dame) -- I want this guy because I think we could use a fresh face as a backup QB. A young guy playing behind starters, learning the ropes. We NEED a SOLID, young QB sitting in the wings..... Probably a later round pick (maybe 5th round.??)
2) LB Jalon Walker (Georgia) -- I want Walker because we need a fast competent EDGE guy. Walker could play OLB or ILB. He's big enough. He's fast enough. And - He's SMART...... Definitely a 1st round talent. If we stay at #8, Jalon Walker would be my pick as of today.
3) RB Cam Skattebo (Ariz St.) -- How do I like thee - Let me count the ways (With apologies to Elizabeth B. Browning). I realize RBs are not all the current rage. However, Skattebo has a little sumpin going on. He's a true "power back". He's rock solid as a receiver out of the backfield, and he throws the ball. A modern-day Triple-Threat..?? The Panthers could mix up their offense. We could play "smash-mouth" on one play, then run a "wildcat" on the next. RUN the ball. CATCH the ball. THROW the ball. Can you imagine the excitement.?? Skattebo is currently sitting sort of late in the 3rd round. I would take him right there, maybe a little earlier.!!
4) S Nick Emmanwori (S. Car.) -- I like Emmanwori because 007 says he's "the best". I'm not convinced of that, but, you know -- 007 is the boss, so there's that. Actually, Emmanwori looks terrific. He would add another whole dimension to our run defense (which we REALLY need..). Play him at S Safety, move him up into the box, let him float, gosh --- he would be a terror at that second level. We could really use this guy. If we trade back aways, Emmanwori could be in play later in the 1st. (Either him or Malaki Starks..).
5) WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas) -- This guy is a potential rare find later in the Draft. probably a mid to late rounder, TeSlaa has rare qualities and a ceiling so high you can't see it. If we decide that we need another WR, then TeSlaa would be my choice later in the Draft.
6) DL Walter Nolan (Ole Miss) -- I like several DL guys. I'm not sleeping on Mason Graham here either. It's just that I believe that Graham will be GONE early and since the Panthers are definitely NOT trading up (are we..???) then Graham is probably not in our foreseeable future anywhere. So, it's Walter Nolan. A real "force" inside and a competent pass-rusher from the inside as well. Nolan and Brown would be the "Dynamic Duo" on the inside of our D-Line.!!
*** YES --- I know that's six (6) not five. I lied. So, sue me.!!
This post was last modified: 03-14-2025, 05:21 PM by Hobbit99.
"A Reasoned Response From A Reasonable Mind"
