deacfan123
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They didn't actually practice yesterday, just had to release an estimated practice report. But I'd expect Funch to play, if not that would be a huge loss.
Pretty funny how Funions has gone from a perceived waste of space (I wanted him to move to TE) to arguably our most productive offensive weapon, behind HOF Dixon of course. Still wish the Byrdman wasn't injured. We need a deep threat, and I don't think Samuel or Shep are going to be that dude out of the slot.
Why did we draft Samuel if that's not his exact role?
So for those that think the Panthers wasted their No. 8 pick, who would you have preferred the Panthers take in that spot?
I mean discount anyone selected mid-second or lower, because they wouldn't have been an option at No. 8 anyway. So that leaves a maximum of 40 players, one of which was Samuel so really 39 players. No. 10 and 12 were QBs, so wouldn't have been picked. Picks 11, 16, 18, 27, 33 (R2P1), 43 and 46 were CBs and, considering the investment we made in CBs last year, most likely were not going to happen (although Lattimore would have been nice). Picks 13, 21, 30, 31 and 47 were LBs and wouldn't be starting, so I am guessing would also be drawing comments of a wasted pick. Thus, already we are down to 25 possible names.
Joe Mixon would never have been drafted by the Panthers and Dalvin Cook is already hurt, as is Malik McDowell. No. 9 pick has one catch on the year, No. 14 has 5 total tackles and isn't a starter, No. 15 has 9 total tackles and isn't a starter, No. 17 has 7 total tackles and 1 sack, No. 19 has four catches for 9 yards and isn't a starter. Evan Ingram, at No. 23 does have 19 catches, 200 yards and a touchdown, but would anyone have been happy with a TE not named O.J. Howard at No. 8? Or a TE period at No. 8 (which also eliminates No. 29, 44 & 45)? Jabrill Peppers has 21 tackles for the Browns, maybe people would have been happy with him, but if I recall correctly, 8 was a stretch for him and he was taken 25. No. 26 is a third-stringer. No. 28 is a second stringer with 2 tackles and No. 32 is also a second stringer. That does it for the first round and I am having a tough time coming up with a replacement for CMC.
Getting out of the first round and looking at those that are left in the top half of the second round, you have Cam Robinson at OT, who is a starter (I would have been happy with him, but possibly a reach at No. 8), Budda Baker (second string FS), Zay Jones (16 catches, 211 yards, no TDs), OG Forrest Lamp (torn ACL), FS Marcus Maye (14 tackles, 1 int) and FS Marcus Williams (second stringer).
What it boils down to is that it is way too early to make any decisions about any of these players. They are still adjusting to the NFL game and none, at least no one that we would have selected, have been very impressive.
Is CMC going to be a grind it out RB like Stewart? No. Was a grind it out RB like Stewart available at 8? No, at least not one that wouldn't have had fans howling about taking. Did the Panthers make the best selection in talent out of what was available? Time will tell, but the early returns suggest yes as CMC's stats thus far are better than anyone that wouldn't have been considered a major reach.
So for those that think the Panthers wasted their No. 8 pick, who would you have preferred the Panthers take in that spot?
I mean discount anyone selected mid-second or lower, because they wouldn't have been an option at No. 8 anyway. So that leaves a maximum of 40 players, one of which was Samuel so really 39 players. No. 10 and 12 were QBs, so wouldn't have been picked. Picks 11, 16, 18, 27, 33 (R2P1), 43 and 46 were CBs and, considering the investment we made in CBs last year, most likely were not going to happen (although Lattimore would have been nice). Picks 13, 21, 30, 31 and 47 were LBs and wouldn't be starting, so I am guessing would also be drawing comments of a wasted pick. Thus, already we are down to 25 possible names.
Joe Mixon would never have been drafted by the Panthers and Dalvin Cook is already hurt, as is Malik McDowell. No. 9 pick has one catch on the year, No. 14 has 5 total tackles and isn't a starter, No. 15 has 9 total tackles and isn't a starter, No. 17 has 7 total tackles and 1 sack, No. 19 has four catches for 9 yards and isn't a starter. Evan Ingram, at No. 23 does have 19 catches, 200 yards and a touchdown, but would anyone have been happy with a TE not named O.J. Howard at No. 8? Or a TE period at No. 8 (which also eliminates No. 29, 44 & 45)? Jabrill Peppers has 21 tackles for the Browns, maybe people would have been happy with him, but if I recall correctly, 8 was a stretch for him and he was taken 25. No. 26 is a third-stringer. No. 28 is a second stringer with 2 tackles and No. 32 is also a second stringer. That does it for the first round and I am having a tough time coming up with a replacement for CMC.
Getting out of the first round and looking at those that are left in the top half of the second round, you have Cam Robinson at OT, who is a starter (I would have been happy with him, but possibly a reach at No. 8), Budda Baker (second string FS), Zay Jones (16 catches, 211 yards, no TDs), OG Forrest Lamp (torn ACL), FS Marcus Maye (14 tackles, 1 int) and FS Marcus Williams (second stringer).
What it boils down to is that it is way too early to make any decisions about any of these players. They are still adjusting to the NFL game and none, at least no one that we would have selected, have been very impressive.
Is CMC going to be a grind it out RB like Stewart? No. Was a grind it out RB like Stewart available at 8? No, at least not one that wouldn't have had fans howling about taking. Did the Panthers make the best selection in talent out of what was available? Time will tell, but the early returns suggest yes as CMC's stats thus far are better than anyone that wouldn't have been considered a major reach.
My post about wasting the #8 pick was more about the rest of the draft than CMC. I don't like taking RBs that early but at least CMC looks like he'll stay on the roster.
#HOTTAKEALERT
samuel and moton aren't going anywhere any time soon. ffs it took funchess until year 3 to not be considered a bust.