Cat Scratch Reader - All PostsKeep Pounding!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48401/catscratchreader_fave.png2024-03-28T08:54:26-04:00http://www.catscratchreader.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T08:54:26-04:002024-03-28T08:54:26-04:00CSR Weekly Mock Draft 1.0
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<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A weekly projection on what all 32 teams will do with their picks at the 2024 NFL Draft</p> <p id="GfBmX1">As the first wave of NFL free agency begins winding down, team needs and preferences become more clear. While there are still some bigger names available in free agency (Justin Simmons, Stephon Gilmore, etc.), teams now have a clearer picture of what they’ll be looking for in the Draft. While mock drafts are still largely a guess, I decided to take an educated(-ish) guess on how the first two rounds will go next month. I guess since Kiper and Yates number their mocks, I’ll call this my Mock 1.0 to keep in line with the “experts.”</p>
<p id="uq6XLx">For this mock draft, I used the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-draft">NFL Mock Draft</a> Database simulator and took control of all 32 teams for two rounds. I had fun with some interesting trades, using Drafttek’s draft pick trade value chart to make the trades as even as possible. For this iteration, I have the Vikings, Jets, and Bucs all moving up in the first round. The other trade saw the Raiders move up in the second round.</p>
<p id="dd893V">Without further ado, here it is, this week’s CSR Mock Draft:</p>
<h3 id="0wgH96">First Round</h3>
<p id="oG7mwU">1. <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>: Caleb Williams, QB, USC</p>
<p id="nI2lI2">Come on, Chicago. Be smart. </p>
<p id="VJSvhh">2. <a href="https://www.hogshaven.com/">Washington Commanders</a>: Jayden Daniels, QB, <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a></p>
<p id="RQn3Ij">The Commanders have a new regime and decide to take the bigger running threat of the two QBs left. They could build a Lamar Jackson type of offense around Daniels.</p>
<p id="EUBAuD">3. <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>: Drake Maye, QB, UNC</p>
<p id="RU9ryG">No brainer here for the Pats if this is how the board falls.</p>
<p id="RwHFD4">4. <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>: Marvin Harrison, Jr, WR, Ohio St</p>
<p id="m1VCWR">Come on, Arizona. Be smart. </p>
<p id="WggoiB">5. <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> (via LAC): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan</p>
<p id="ENM7kE">Former Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh helps his former quarterback get drafted higher. The Vikings are desperate for a QB since Sam Darnold is currently the best one on their roster. Here are the details of the trade:</p>
<p id="EBOBMa"> Vikings Receive: Picks 5 and 101</p>
<p id="wkOMD8"> <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Chargers</a> Receive: Picks 11 and 23</p>
<p id="HNjRRt">6. <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU</p>
<p id="Wp5e7N">The Vikings jumped the Giants, so no McCarthy for them. Instead, they get an insanely talented deep threat for whoever ends up being the QB. </p>
<p id="98wvXC">7. <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>: Joe Alt, OT, <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a></p>
<p id="9PNxH9">What a way for the board to fall for the Titans. They’re practically sprinting to the podium at this point.</p>
<p id="StAS88">8. <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> (via ATL): Brock Bowers, TE, UGA</p>
<p id="0dd2eH">The Jets jump up to eight to get their hands on possibly the best offensive weapon in the Draft. They’re all in with Aaron Rodgers, and adding another weapon to go alongside Garrett Wilson is the route they decide to take. Here are the details of the trade:</p>
<p id="7k3t5A"> Jets Receive: Picks 8 and 197</p>
<p id="FAOWiH"> Falcons Receive: Picks 10, 111, and 134</p>
<p id="F8IZBA">9. Chicago Bears: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn St</p>
<p id="NaCgdC">They got their QB, now they have to protect him.</p>
<p id="uFESkd">10. <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> (via NYJ): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama</p>
<p id="TkWxGs">The Falcons drop a couple spots, picking up some draft value in the process, and still manage to land the first defensive player off the board. The Falcons’ offense should be explosive, but the defense leaves a lot to be desired. </p>
<p id="F7EElG">11. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington</p>
<p id="1Azq5B">The Chargers drop six spots and still land one of the players they might have taken at five. They used Minnesota’s desperation to their advantage. </p>
<p id="pVacv0">12. <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a>: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon</p>
<p id="KaAoCe">Aside from a Hall of Famer who almost went to Miami instead, Sean Payton has not exactly been able to find a franchise QB (sorry Taysom Hill truthers). Denver needs a QB, so they reach for the next best one available here. </p>
<p id="1l9LbL">13. <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a>: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama</p>
<p id="OFis2N">Almost halfway through the first round, and this is only the second defender off the board. That’s good news for the Raiders and Antonio Pierce. </p>
<p id="BOf1Y4">14. <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a>: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida St</p>
<p id="oL16i9">The Saints have gotten old on the defensive front, and even Cam Jordan can’t play forever (thank the football gods).</p>
<p id="fYkvsZ">15. <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo</p>
<p id="NWPgIk">Shane Steichen has the offense looking good, and Anthony Richardson gets back next season. With that in mind, the Colts take the insanely fast corner from Toledo. </p>
<p id="jHNo0s">16. <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon St</p>
<p id="9fSo6R">The Seahawks always seem like they need offensive line help. Fuaga should be able to improve their line. </p>
<p id="VLdOw0">17. <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>: Brian Thomas, Jr, WR, LSU</p>
<p id="uAADQm">The Jaguars always seem like they need help everywhere. Despite plenty of holes, they decide to help out Trevor Lawrence by potentially replacing the departed Calvin Ridley. </p>
<p id="WCkuDy">18. <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington</p>
<p id="t9enK0">Joe Burrow was hurt again last season. The Bengals invest heavily yet again to make sure that doesn’t happen.</p>
<p id="a11xNF">19. <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a>: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson</p>
<p id="kbMHuj">The retirement of Aaron Donald leaves a hole on the defensive front, but the Rams decide to help the back end of the defense instead.</p>
<p id="UGcixW">20. <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa</p>
<p id="YoEfUy">DeJean has the skill and athleticism to stay at corner in the NFL, and I think Mike Tomlin is a coach who would keep him there. </p>
<p id="kg6YVb">21. <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>: Byron Murphy, DL, Texas</p>
<p id="P59Hd6">The Dolphins could not afford to keep Christian Wilkins, so they draft a player who could help try and fill that void.</p>
<p id="eHgYK0">22. Tampa Bay Bucs (via PHI): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA</p>
<p id="pq4tAP">The Bucs are all in with Baker Mayfield in a very winnable NFC South. The Falcons have a new QB, so the Bucs trade up to get possibly the most talented pass rusher in the Draft. Here are the details of the trade:</p>
<p id="nU5zw0"> Bucs Receive: Picks 22, 161, and 172</p>
<p id="yzpmV3"> Eagles Receive: Picks 26 and 92</p>
<p id="2n8R3a">23. Los Angeles Chargers (via MIN): Amarius Mims, OT, UGA</p>
<p id="PmVLS6">With the second first-rounder they get from the Vikings, the Chargers improve their offensive line. Harbaugh wants to run the ball and work from play action, and Mims can definitely help with that when healthy. </p>
<p id="uzlpdR">24. <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas</p>
<p id="Ccwcpf">The Cowboys have other needs, but Jerry Jones likes spectacle. What better way to get people talking about the Cowboys than by drafting this athletic freak to pair with Ceedee Lamb?</p>
<p id="TrL2kD">25. <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama</p>
<p id="jBiZIh">The offense ended last season on a tear, so the Packers try to improve defensively with by far the best name in the Draft.</p>
<p id="CjECnu">26. <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> (via TB): J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama</p>
<p id="PUQxJp">Now with Saquon Barkley sharing the backfield with Jalen Hurts, the Eagles look to beef up their offensive line and really lean into the run game. With Mims and Latham available at 22, they felt comfortable trading down. </p>
<p id="goY2ZW">27. Arizona Cardinals: Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Oregon</p>
<p id="wC70Dc">The Cardinals picked up the best receiver in the Draft and now possibly the best interior offensive lineman as well. Kylar Murray would be thrilled. </p>
<p id="fkUiNP">28. <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas</p>
<p id="HhXLuW">The Bills watched Tyreek Hill destroy them year after year in Kansas City. Now they get their own smaller but insanely fast target for Josh Allen. Worthy is more than just a track star, and he’ll be very useful on intermediate throws with YAC potential.</p>
<p id="Zrw9Wu">29. <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>: Demeioun “Chop” Robinson, EDGE, Penn St</p>
<p id="yzWDNq">The Lions very nearly did the impossible last season. Aiden Hutchinson was a one man show in terms of pass rushing, so the Lions look to add another guy opposite him to help out. </p>
<p id="iL4kFh">30. <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida St</p>
<p id="tM9i9g">The Ravens saw success in their new offensive system last year with Lamar throwing the ball more. Coleman will provide a large, athletic target to stretch the field. Lamar and Derrick Henry running the ball will open up some deep shots for Coleman.</p>
<p id="KVtTmp">31. <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma</p>
<p id="qDk3wX">Outside of Trent Williams, the 9ers offensive line is inconsistent at best. They take Tyler Guyton here to plug in probably on the right side of the line. </p>
<p id="zqJVW0">32. <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>: Ladd McConkey, WR, UGA</p>
<p id="241Zpq">The champs get better on offense. Travis Kelce is getting older, and retirement rumors swirled last year. Ladd McConkey could fill a similar role as the guy who just gets open, especially underneath. If McConkey and Mahomes can get a similar rapport as Kelce and Mahomes, look out for a three-peat (at least).</p>
<h3 id="xMOJ5q">Second Round</h3>
<p id="hCypXq">33. <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke</p>
<p id="vUhRn7">Finally the Panthers are on the board! While many of the receivers they’d like have already been taken, interior lineman Graham Barton falls in their laps. Barton recently played tackle at Duke, but can play all five positions. In this scenario, he would likely play center since the Panthers spent a ton of money on the guard position in free agency. He could also be the primary backup at all three interior positions if Austin Corbett plays well enough at center. </p>
<p id="lMuvDR">34. New England Patriots: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona</p>
<p id="G4a2hJ">The Pats got a new quarterback in the first round, now they need to protect him. </p>
<p id="i88svz">35. Arizona Cardinals: Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois</p>
<p id="2ytH9x">Arizona’s first two picks were on offense. Here they’re able to bolster their defensive line with an explosive interior player.</p>
<p id="ppqYrB">36. Washington Commanders: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon</p>
<p id="WQscPB">The Commanders need a weapon for their brand new rookie quarterback. </p>
<p id="iJta4J">37. Los Angeles Chargers: Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri</p>
<p id="8XJvR8">The Chargers are getting old on defense, and they’ve underperformed based on talent level. Harbaugh brings in some young blood with this pick.</p>
<p id="fSeE99">38. Tennessee Titans: Kamari Lassiter, CB, UGA</p>
<p id="1fGggx">The Titans grabbed an offensive anchor in round one. This time around, they look to improve their defensive secondary.</p>
<p id="N76wIM">39. Las Vegas Raiders (via CAR): Michael Penix, Jr, QB, Washington</p>
<p id="9s0aIK">The Raiders missed out on most of the potential first-round quarterbacks. Here, they move up to get a guy who could get drafted much earlier than this. The Panthers turn one of the Brian Burns picks into even more draft capital for a very needy roster. Here are the details of the trade:</p>
<p id="YsdE0s"> Raiders Receive: Pick 39</p>
<p id="OKZDXD"> Panthers Receive: Picks 44 and 112</p>
<p id="XHsQmh">40. Washington Commanders: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU</a></p>
<p id="rTwQ27">The Commanders continue giving Daniels some help on offense.</p>
<p id="bjLZ5C">41. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota</p>
<p id="DxM5cC">The Packers focus heavily on their defensive secondary in this mock draft.</p>
<p id="aZf51J">42. <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida St</p>
<p id="vSHvz9">The Texans did not have a first round pick because of the Will Anderson trade last year, so this is their first pick of the Draft. They use it to give Will Anderson more help on the defensive line to hopefully improve on his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign last season.</p>
<p id="wTVmrM">43. Atlanta Falcons: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a></p>
<p id="VNFW5i">The Falcons’ defense was pretty bad overall last year, so they take another defender with this pick. </p>
<p id="KjY0a5">44. Carolina Panthers (via LV): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina</p>
<p id="10q3V5">The Panthers moved back in the Draft, picked up an extra pick, and still landed a big, explosive receiver for Bryce Young to throw to. The offensive line is much improved after free agency and the Barton pick earlier, and now the receiver room gets an upgrade. The Panthers are hell-bent on finding out whether or not Bryce Young is the guy this season.</p>
<p id="py0r6V">45. New Orleans Saints: Ennis Rakestraw, Jr, CB, Missouri</p>
<p id="4ahP0x">The Saints improved their pass rush in the first round, so they shift their focus to the defensive secondary here. </p>
<p id="EJz7Zk">46. Indianapolis Colts: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas</p>
<p id="2RpLqD">The Colts do the opposite of the Saints in the first two rounds, taking a lineman here after getting a corner in the first.</p>
<p id="WvVcYy">47. New York Giants: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan</p>
<p id="c9Sfau">After making their offense more explosive, the Giants add a raw but talented player on the defensive line next to Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. </p>
<p id="HteRbl">48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zach Frazier, IOL, WVU</p>
<p id="wkys9I">Frazier is one of the top three center prospects in this Draft, so the Jags jump on him here. </p>
<p id="BOHbV8">49. Cincinnati Bengals: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington</p>
<p id="nXVpGw">The Bengals pass rush needs some help if they’re going to get back to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> out of the AFC.</p>
<p id="u0rm9Q">50. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama</p>
<p id="1kPV3n">The Eagles’ collapse last year was in part due to their highly touted defensive line not living up to the billing. Braswell could help with that rotation.</p>
<p id="b7EAZh">51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan</p>
<p id="6JnHq2">The Steelers now have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. They also are now without Diontae Johnson (thanks for that, by the way). They grab a pass catcher here to go with Pickens and Freiermouth. </p>
<p id="NvTm3l">52. Los Angeles Rams: Payton Wilson, LB, <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a></p>
<p id="4THY4d">Payton Wilson would likely be the first linebacker off the board if he did not have a major injury history. The Rams get a potential steal here if he stays healthy. </p>
<p id="NknPuS">53. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan</p>
<p id="2Nqdu1">The Eagles continue adding to their defense, leaning into their preferred strategy of running the football and playing good defense.</p>
<p id="6jcEPr">54. <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida</p>
<p id="xo4JWE">The Deshaun Watson trade made it so this was Cleveland’s first pick in this Draft, and they use it on a receiver to potentially help Watson return to his old self on the field. </p>
<p id="VFS5zy">55. Miami Dolphins: Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas St</p>
<p id="QSpyD6">The Dolphins lost Mike Hunt to free agency, so they take an interior lineman here. </p>
<p id="RPYYVr">56. Dallas Cowboys: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan</p>
<p id="AtFRLH">Leighton Vander-Esch has just medically retired from the NFL, so the Cowboys have a hole to fill at linebacker. </p>
<p id="qogHJC">57. Tamba Bay Bucs: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky</p>
<p id="STM9eA">The Bucs use this pick on the “YAC King” and an excellent punt returner to help jumpstart the offense.</p>
<p id="zShV0c">58. Green Bay Packers: Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson</p>
<p id="oMr7LT">With so many good, young players on offense, the Packers again go defense, this time opting for some defensive line help.</p>
<p id="KkQNSa">59. Houston Texans: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western Michigan</p>
<p id="zMZesT">The Texans are very confident in their offense, led by CJ Stroud and Bobby Slowik, so they get Will Anderson even more help on the defensive front.</p>
<p id="oMuBCL">60. Buffalo Bills: TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa St</p>
<p id="Bc8doW">Tre’Davious White is gone, so the Bills need some help on the outside.</p>
<p id="lPD5nr">61. Detroit Lions: Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington</p>
<p id="c9HPvY">Another wide receiver comes off the board as the Lions continue to surround Jared Goff with weapons. </p>
<p id="Lxjklz">62. Baltimore Ravens: Max Melton, CB, <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a></p>
<p id="0lPZCp">Would it really be a Ravens draft without them taking a secondary player in the first couple rounds?</p>
<p id="OqmbRA">63. San Francisco 49ers: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL)</p>
<p id="8z7yVi">I could see the 9ers doubling up on the offensive line, but here they take a safety to help out on the back end of the defense.</p>
<p id="ei9KBW">64. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Hall, Jr, DL, Ohio St</p>
<p id="AyWFfE">The Chiefs just signed Chris Jones to a massive deal, and now they draft his understudy.</p>
<p id="1ahdcx"></p>
<p id="lFn6Uh">Now that the first two rounds are complete, here are five of the top players remaining at the top of the third round. Tell us which player you would take if you were in the war room on Draft day!</p>
<div id="49YtKG"><div data-anthem-component="poll:12291663"></div></div>
<p id="f033It">There you have it. What do you think, Panthers fans? Sound off in the comments!</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/28/24114444/carolina-panthers-weekly-mock-draft-1-0DBelt2024-03-27T15:52:06-04:002024-03-27T15:52:06-04:00Panthers Agree to Terms With Clowney
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Panthers continue to be aggressive in free agency, signing the Rock Hill native to a two year deal</p> <p id="nm5pbD">After visiting with the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> and <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> last week and keeping in touch with the <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a>, Jadeveon Clowney has made his decision: he's coming home. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Panthers and OLB Jadeveon Clowney have agreed to terms on a 2-year, $20M deal with a max value of $24M. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RapSheet</a>) <a href="https://t.co/5hOX0mZ837">pic.twitter.com/5hOX0mZ837</a></p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1773070425372643676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="dZAhlE">Clowney agreed to a two year, $20 million deal that could push up to $24 million dollars. The deal gives Clowney one of the top five salaries on the team. It is uncertain what cap wizardry Brandt Tillis pulled off here, but bravo to him. </p>
<p id="yAtOWZ">Clowney is coming off a resurgent season with the Ravens, where he tied a career high with 9.5 sacks. Clowney attended South Pointe High in Rock Hill, SC before committing to the University of South Carolina. That background makes this move a coming home of sorts for the 31-year-old EDGE. He's the second South Pointe Stallion to sign with the Panthers, joining previous Panthers corner Stephon Gilmore. The Panthers have reportedly been in contact with Gilmore during this wave of free agency, so here's hoping Clowney can help recruit his fellow high school alumnus. </p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/27/24113926/carolina-panthers-sign-jadaveon-clowneyDBelt2024-03-27T08:00:00-04:002024-03-27T08:00:00-04:00Panthers post-free agency draft needs
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<img alt="NFL: APR 27 2023 Draft" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/J3ds8tVs8gkzfnhHRI35PNWhqa0=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73235829/1252245502.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The important parts of free agency are done, but the Carolina Panthers are still far from a finished product. </p> <p id="kP3A3F">Free agency technically isn’t over, but most moves worth making have been made by now. The <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> were very active in the early days of free agency and did seemingly all they could to stock up the offensive side of the ball. That left the defense with a fair amount of holes, but the offense isn’t quite complete either. Now that the roster of veterans is mostly set, it’s a good chance for us to review what the Panthers would badly want to shore up via the draft. </p>
<h4 id="mKtGS2">Edge Rusher</h4>
<p id="jy75ut">The Panthers have a Brian Burns sized hole on the edge of their defensive line now. Yetur Gross-Matos departed in free agency as well, and the Panthers replaced the two with okay DJ Wonnum and perennial disappointment (so far?) K’Lavon Chaisson. There is a nice blend of no current production and little long term potential at the position. Ideally you’d have at least one of those things. </p>
<h4 id="g9XLxy">Wide Receiver</h4>
<p id="5BSjk8">The Panthers did a good thing trading the departing Donte Jackson for Diontae Johnson. The latter gives Bryce Young a target that can quickly get separation, which is something that was sorely lacking from the offense last season. There’s still a notable lack of pop at the position though, and the Panthers could use another infusion of young talent at this position after Jonathan Mingo’s disappointing rookie campaign. </p>
<h4 id="WADCgd">Interior Offensive Line</h4>
<p id="apErnF">The Panthers went out and spent approximately one trillion dollars on free agent guards to beef up the interior of the line for this season. That will presumably shift incumbent guard Austin Corbett to center and on paper form a formidable unit. However, Corbett has seen his last two seasons end prematurely due to injury. The Panthers are pretty thin on depth at the position and Corbett is likely to depart into free agency after next season, so a center waiting in the wings would be a good get. </p>
<h4 id="Sir654">Tight End</h4>
<p id="YRmdFx">The Panthers have arguably the weakest tight end group in the league at the moment. Tommy Tremble is the presumptive starter with Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan serving in rotational roles. Tremble has shown little bits of promise but has never topped 200 yards receiving in any of his three seasons. Thomas hasn’t topped that mark since his rookie season in 2018, while Sullivan is purely a depth guy. </p>
<h4 id="BUbiOi">Inside linebacker</h4>
<p id="OgjKtN">The Panthers watched Frankie Luvu walk in free agency and replaced him with Josey Jewell. A linebacking corps of Jewell and Shaq Thompson is fine, but both will be 30 by season’s end and there is no youth at the position that looks ready to take over if one or both fall off a production cliff. </p>
<h4 id="t4UnV4">Cornerback</h4>
<p id="6DcyUe">2021 first round pick Jaycee Horn has been very good when healthy. The problem is that he hasn’t been healthy often enough. Behind him, the Panthers have a hodgepodge of okay veterans and shots in the dark. They need some more young talent here. </p>
<p id="yOqFM1">There aren’t a lot of positions that the Panthers definitively don’t need anyone, so they can’t really go wrong on draft day. </p>
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https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/27/24113271/carolina-panthers-post-free-agency-2024-nfl-draft-needsJonathan DeLong2024-03-26T12:07:52-04:002024-03-26T12:07:52-04:00How the NFL’s new kicking rule could affect the Carolina Panthers
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<img alt="NFL: JAN 07 Buccaneers at Panthers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/maCc4a775B1rV-xd1uuNi8q3pW0=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73234051/1908158411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Kickoffs are (maybe) back. Will that change anything for the Panthers roster?</p> <p id="g0ehV6">The NFL voted today to introduce a major change to kickoffs for the 2024 season. You can read more about the changes and what they mean for the play and the league in general in <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2024/3/26/24112353/nfl-new-kickoff-rule-explained-xfl">SB Nation’s explainer</a> by our old friend James Dator.</p>
<p id="dPmwW6">The ultimate intention of this rule change is to increase the amount of kick returns while decreasing the amount of injuries sustained during kick returns. Previous rule changes had decreased, for example, the overall number of concussions on kick returns by simply decreasing the number of kick returns. The concussion/return ratio apparently remained relatively consistent.</p>
<p id="DBaHjT">For the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, this paragraph from Dator’s article may prove the most relevant:</p>
<blockquote><p id="lf2hNZ">Ultimately we’ll see return styles alter as a result. Instead of players reaching full speed and looking for a hole, they’ll now need to read blocking more akin to a running back.</p></blockquote>
<p id="91plN1">Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette and running back Raheem Blackshear are currently the two most experienced return men on the team. This analysis would suggest that Blackshear may have a leg up on winning the return duties out of camp.</p>
<p id="xcjXZI">It is also possible the team could look to have a different style of athlete back there all together. Think somebody with demonstrated success in the screen game who may have had trouble gaining traction elsewhere on the field. This could open up opportunities for such former Panthers as Laviska Shenault Jr, D.J. Moore, or Christian McCaffrey to make game altering plays outside of the usual offensive structure.</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/26/24112547/how-the-nfls-new-kicking-rule-could-affect-the-carolina-panthersWalker Clement2024-03-25T08:00:00-04:002024-03-25T08:00:00-04:002024 Questions for ‘24: Why are there reasons for hope in Carolina?
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<figcaption>Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Can the Panthers exceed some very low expectations going into 2024? </p> <p id="YLOddh">As we look forward to the 2024 season, today we are finishing the final segment of our “24 Questions for 2024” that will shape the Panthers present and future. </p>
<p id="S8hLnD"><strong>What does a “successful” 2024 campaign look like? </strong></p>
<p id="w51sTh">No rational fan is expecting the 2024 <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> to pull a 2003 “Cardiac Cats” and make a thrilling run deep into the postseason. </p>
<p id="x2Htwi">Heck, few rational Panthers fans will even have a 2024 playoff berth as a legitimate possibility. </p>
<p id="UH6r8i">The way we ultimately judge something to be a success or a failure is often a function of our expectations going in. A team with preseason Super Bowl aspirations would view a 9-8 regular season record as a disappointment. Conversely, a team that has been generally terrible for the last five seasons (like, for example, the Panthers) would be overjoyed to unexpectedly end up with a winning 9-8 record. </p>
<p id="D6hRFJ">So what does a successful 2024 look like for the Panthers? The answer comes in three parts:</p>
<p id="VWd9rG">First, new coach Dave Canales and his staff prove to be innovative on offense, adaptable on defense, and generally competent. It has been a while since words like “innovative” and “generally competent” have been used in describing Carolina’s coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers are going to lose a lot of games in 2024 and that’s fine as long as Canales & Co. can show they are building a solid foundation for the future. </p>
<p id="6IPDMj">The second measure of success is Bryce Young developing into a serviceable quarterback. By “serviceable” I mean that Young demonstrates that he can at least put the Panthers offense in a position to be competitive most weeks. For lack of a better term, success is Bryce Young becoming a capable game manager. Sure, that’s a disappointingly low bar for the second season of a former No. 1 overall pick, but Bryce is going to need to learn to walk before he can run. At the end of his rookie season, he was barely crawling. </p>
<p id="W8iZLw">Third, the Panthers play well enough that they are still “in the mix” late in the season. When Carolina started 2023 with an 0-6 record, the season was over by mid October. That’s just lame for fans. While we don’t expect a Super Bowl in 2024, we at least want a reason to care in November and December. If the Panthers aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by Thanksgiving, I’ll consider that a successful season. </p>
<p id="L7PoYR"><strong>Why are there reasons for hope in 2024? </strong></p>
<p id="A3ao6I">The beauty of the NFL is every team has a one-in-four chance of winning their division and getting a guaranteed playoff bid. Carolina’s main reason for hope in 2024 lies in the fact that they are members of the chaotic, inconsistent NFC South. </p>
<p id="vDCO1e">The <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> made the division’s biggest splash by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, but in addition to being a solid quarterback he’s going to be 36, coming off an Achilles tear, and is learning a new system. The <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> gave $100 million to quarterback Baker Mayfield after a solid 2023 campaign, but his career has been marred by inconsistency. The <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> went 9-8 last year but their fans spent most of the season booing new quarterback Derek Carr. </p>
<p id="GDGsmL">The NFC South doesn’t have a steamroller. There isn’t any one team that should easily run away with the division. </p>
<p id="N6y0Ux">Maybe - just maybe - if Bryce Young takes a step forward, the Panthers offensive line plays like a Top 10 unit, Miles Sanders gets his groove back, Ejiro Evero can spin straw into gold on the defensive side of the ball…</p>
<p id="q8WfER">That’s a lot of “maybes”, but all the Panthers need to do is outplay three other teams in a division that lacks an alpha. </p>
<p id="865cL8"><strong>Why could rational fans be pessimistic about 2024? </strong></p>
<p id="3r4lXF">Pessimism can abound because over the last five years we’ve all morosely muttered the phrase “Panthers gonna Panther” way too many times. </p>
<p id="kgqzNM">Being pessimistic about the recent past and the current prospects of the Carolina Panthers doesn’t make you a pessimist. It makes you a realist. This franchise has perpetually disappointed its fans over the last half decade, and 2024 is shaping up to be a “soft tank” season. </p>
<p id="EpnZjj">The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL last year and are <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-post-2024-nfl-free-agency">ranked dead last</a> going into 2024. </p>
<p id="kHPc8U">Oh, man, I feel like I need a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNx_gU57gQ4&ab_channel=SaturdayNightLive">Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley</a> right now. </p>
<p id="JEDf8k"><strong>Should any “second wave” free agent signings give us some hope? </strong></p>
<p id="t0LoFw">Yes, and it’s safety Jordan Fuller. </p>
<p id="fanqO7">Quality and depth is lacking across almost all of the Panthers defensive groups right now, so bringing Fuller into the fold is a boost. Through 48 games over four seasons he has averaged 5.8 tackles per game with a career-high 113 tackles in 2021. </p>
<p id="k0wwUH">After an injury-shortened 2022 campaign he rebounded in 2023 with 94 tackles, three interceptions, and three fumbles recovered. Jordan Fuller doesn’t replace the voids left by Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu, but he could be an impact player in a thin Panthers secondary. </p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/25/24109017/2024-questions-for-24-why-are-there-reasons-for-hope-in-carolinaD.A. Sweat2024-03-25T06:00:00-04:002024-03-25T06:00:00-04:00The Scratching Post: 3/25-3/29
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<figcaption>Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here’s this week’s open thread.</p> <p id="w5Cjti">Greetings, internet users. Welcome to The Scratching Post.</p>
<p id="78dTcJ">Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.</p>
<p id="B7b12x">You know the drill.</p>
<p id="MgdTDv"><em><strong>This is now an open thread!</strong></em></p>
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https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/25/24105178/the-scratching-post-3-25-3-29Walker Clement2024-03-22T18:05:18-04:002024-03-22T18:05:18-04:00The Panthers are signing former Rams and Bengals safety Nick Scott
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<figcaption>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Add another Evero disciple to the defensive backfield.</p> <p id="IdfO1G">Well, his name isn’t DJ Moore, but the Panthers have added another former Rams late round pick to their defensive backfield.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> add one more, agreeing to terms with former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rams?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rams</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> S Nick Scott, source said.</p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1771285121527668792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2024</a>
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<p id="ZAeFgp">The former Penn State Nittany Lion was selected in the 7th round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Rams. He mostly served as a special teams backup from 2019-2020, eventually seeing some time as a rotational player in 2021. Then, he became a starting safety in 2022, starting all 16 games he played in. He logged 2 INTs, 5 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 86 total tackles as a full time starter that year. He then became a free agent and went to the Bengals. He started 10 of 17 possible games and logged 57 tackles for them.</p>
<p id="GZyO8C">Scott is the 3rd safety the Panthers have added this offseason to a room that definitely needs depth after letting go of Vonn Bell and letting Sam Franklin test free agency. He is also one of many former Rams in the secondary that worked with Evero during his time there as the secondary coach. He will slot in as valuable depth, as he was a starting free safety for the Rams in 2022.</p>
<p id="6cAajR">What are your thoughts on the signing, Panthers fans?</p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/22/24109219/the-panthers-are-signing-former-rams-and-bengals-safety-nick-scott-ejiro-everoBrian Beversluis2024-03-22T18:00:00-04:002024-03-22T18:00:00-04:00CSR Weekend Warriors: Oh, Potato, it’s gonna be alright — now that we know who we are!
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<p>Here’s a fresh weekend open thread just for you.</p> <p id="9awUQz">Feel free to use this thread to hang out over the weekend and chat about whatever you want (just make sure you follow the ToS ... the rules still apply here) with anyone who decides to stick around.</p>
<p id="VyD2Ac"><em><strong>This is now an open thread!</strong></em></p>
https://www.catscratchreader.com/2024/3/22/24074010/csr-weekend-warriors-oh-potato-its-gonna-be-alright-now-that-we-know-who-we-areb1gd51