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DutchNugget DRAFTING FOR THEPanthers
Draft Selections
Draft Picks Received
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Players Gained
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Draft Grade — Panthers
Overall
F
ValueB-
NeedB+
TradesF
FutureD
The Panthers went off-script early, and it cost them a F. Somewhere a scout is still blinking. The Panthers spent No. 181 on Stefon Thompson, a name the board had a full 104 spots lower. The warnings were there, and the F is the bill.
They handed away value on the phones that the picks cannot earn back. They will answer for taking DT-EDGE early while safety and tight end went begging.
They covered a lot of ground and still skipped safety, which is a strange place to end up. They banked enough surplus on Egbuka to cover a lot of smaller sins.
They are betting the present roster is worth a lighter draft next spring.
There is no soft landing here: they fought the board and left safety open, and the grade is the bill.
Pick Analysis
Pick10
Rnd1
Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kool-Aid McKinstry in No. 10 is fair value, right on his grade. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Pick16
Rnd1
Dallas Turner
In the Round 1 slot they get a double-digit-sack hope at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Pick29
Rnd1
T'Vondre Sweat
In Round 1, Pick 29 they get a wrecking ball inside. More want than need.
Pick33
Rnd2
Edgerrin Cooper
Edgerrin Cooper at the 33rd overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick40
Rnd2
Emeka Egbuka
They read the board right and Emeka Egbuka was the payoff at slot 40. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick65
Rnd3
Jermaine Burton
Jermaine Burton in pick 65 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick72
Rnd3
Maason Smith
The needs board was loud and they turned it down, spending pick 72 on Maason Smith with safety and tight end unsolved.
Pick75
Rnd3
Christian Mahogany
Christian Mahogany in the 75th pick is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick82
Rnd3
Zach Frazier
A conviction pick on Zach Frazier at No. 82 that the board grades a round light. The roster fit checks out.
Pick90
Rnd3
Michael Pratt
Fair-plus on Michael Pratt, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick101
Rnd4
Braelon Allen
They paid sticker price for Braelon Allen in the 101st overall pick, and that is fine. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Pick108
Rnd4
Cam Hart
They did well to land Cam Hart in the Round 4 slot, just ahead of his grade. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick138
Rnd5
Shemar Turner
Shemar Turner in pick No. 138 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick168
Rnd5
Ainias Smith
Nothing to complain about; Ainias Smith went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick181
Rnd6
Stefon Thompson
A wild overpay on Stefon Thompson in pick 181, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. It fits a board better than it fits this team.
Pick217
Rnd6
J.J. Weaver
A big swing on J.J. Weaver at the Round 6 slot, well ahead of any board in the building. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick222
Rnd7
Jordan Jefferson
They reached a country mile for Jordan Jefferson at the 222nd overall pick, and the board is aghast. It is more luxury than necessity; they were already set here.


















