Norris Thornburg

2021 College Prospect Visit List

College Prospect Visits, NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


It’s Scott Fitterer season! The Panthers have a new general manager and he has already injected some excitement into the fan base. He’s making a lot of cap room right now by releasing veterans with high cap hits. It seems as though the Panthers have a general manager that knows what he’s doing. Gone are the days of conservative spending. Fitterer is a self-proclaimed aggressive general manager and he’s ready to build a winner. Free agency starts on March 18th, but the draft is where you build your team.

Here is a list of college prospects with whom we’ve met. With help from the  @4ourmanrush crew, we find any and all college prospect visits by our Carolina Panthers. We will add more as we get more info. At the bottom of the page, I will post the local visits and the 30 private visits. Teams are allowed 30 private visits.Local visit means that we have met with a player that either goes to school locally or they were born locally. Local visits are not counted against the 30 private visits.
Due to COVID-19, all private visits have been canceled. Teams can only time, test and interview draftable players at their pro-days and the All-Star game. Teams will not be allowed to have more than 3 representatives at any pro-day. Carolina (and Miami) had the upper hand this year since they were able to coach the Shrine Bowl. Teams will be allowed to have video conferences with players of interest. Teams will meet with most of the draftable players since Zoom calls don’t require travel and don’t take long. I will update the list with the specific players as the information comes in, so check back often! Enjoy!! #KeepPounding #4MR #WhatARush

**If the name is blue, it means there’s a Draft Network or 4 Man Rush draft profiles linked to the player, if available. Click on the link to learn about the players**

QUARTERBACKS

• Mac Jones – Alabama

6’3  214 lb

• Jamie Newman – Georgia

6’4  230 lbs

• Kellen Mond – Texas A&M

6’3  217 lbs

• Trevor Lawrence – Clemson

6’6  220 lbs

RUNNING BACKS

• Jaret Patterson – Buffalo

5’9  195 lbs

• Larry Rountree III – Missouri

5’10  210 lbs

• Kylin Hill – Mississippi St

5’11  210 lbs

• Chris Evans – Michigan

5’11  216 lbs

• Elijah Mitchell – Louisiana

5’11  218 lbs

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Austin Watkins Jr. – UAB

6’2  207 lbs

• Racey McMath – LSU

6’3  224 lbs

• Shi Smith – South Carolina

5’10  186 lbs

• Marquez Stevenson – Houston

5’10  182 lbs

• Josh Palmer – Tennessee

6’2  209 lbs

• Cornell Powell – Clemson

6’0  210 lbs

• Amari Rodgers – Clemson

5’10  210 lbs

• Kadarius Toney – Florida

5’11  189 lbs

• Trevon Grimes – Florida

6’4  217 lbs

• Michael Strachan – Charleston

6’5  225 lbs

TIGHT ENDS

• Tre McKitty – Georgia

6’4  247 lbs

• Kylen Granson – SMU

6’3  236 lbs

• Noah Gray – Duke

6’3  240 lbs

• Quintin Morris – Bowling Green

6’4  251 lbs

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

• Alex Leatherwood – Alabama

6’5  312 lbs

• Dan Moore Jr. – Texas A&M

6’5  309 lbs

• Alaric Jackson – Iowa

6’5  318 lbs

• Jaylon Moore – Western Michigan

6’5  315 lbs

GUARDS

• Ben Cleveland – Georgia

6’6  354 lbs

• Trey Smith – Tennessee

6’6  330 lbs

• Deonte Brown – Alabama

6’3  364 lbs

• David Moore – Grambling St

6’3  320 lbs

• Robert Jones – Middle Tennessee St

6’5  295 lbs

• Jack Anderson – Texas Tech

6’5  309 lbs

CENTERS

• Drake Jackson – Kentucky

6’2  290 lbs

DEFENSIVE ENDS

• Wyatt Hubert – Kansas State

6’3  270 lbs

• Janarius Robinson – Florida State

6’5  266 lbs

• Quincy Roche – Miami (FL)

6’3  243 lbs

• William Bradley-King – Baylor

6’4  248 lbs

• Malik Herring – Georgia

6’5  245 lbs

• Carlos Basham Jr. – Wake Forest

6’3  281 lbs

• Cameron Sample – Tulane

6’3  280 lbs

• Chauncey Golston – Iowa

6’5  235 lbs

• Payton Turner – Houston

6’5  270 lbs

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

• Marvin Wilson – Florida State

6’3  319 lbs

• Marlon Tuipulotu – USC

6’3  305 lbs

LINEBACKERS

• KJ Britt – Auburn

6’0  243 lbs

• Jabril Cox – LSU

6’3  233 lbs

• Monty Rice – Georgia

6’0  238 lbs

• Paddy Fisher – Northwestern

6’3  239 lbs

• Charles Snowden – Virginia

6’6  232 lbs

• Grant Stuard – Houston

6’1  225 lbs

• Jordan Smith – UAB

6’6  255 lbs

• Riley Cole – South Alabama

6’3  225 lbs

CORNERS

• DJ Daniel – Georgia

5’11  183 lbs

• Mark Webb – Georgia

6’1  200 lbs

• Robert Rochell – Central Arkansas

6’0  195 lbs

• Aaron Robinson – Central Florida

5’11  190 lbs

• Bryan Mills – NC Central

6’2  170 lbs

• Ifeatu Melifonwu – Syracuse

6’2  212 lbs

• Deommodore Lenoir – Oregon

5’11  202 lbs

SAFETIES

• Richie Grant – Central Florida

6’0  194 lbs

• Hamsah Nasirildeen – Florida St

6’3  213 lbs

• Shawn Davis – Florida

5’10  199 lbs

• JaCoby Stevens – LSU

6’1  216 lbs

• Joshua Bledsoe – Missouri

5’11  201 lbs

• Tyree Gillespie – Missouri

6’0  210 lbs

KICKERS

PUNTERS

 

4 Man Fix: Building a Winner For 2021

NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


By: 4MR Norris Thornburg

The disappointing 2020 season has ended and there’s a new General Manager in town. Free agency starts in a little over a month and fans are getting more excited about the aggressive approach of GM Scott Fitterer. Fitterer stated that he will be in the mix for all trade offers and free agent signings to build this roster into a winner. Needless to say, this Carolina Panthers roster will look a lot different in 2021. 

Even though COVID took fans out of the stands and lowered the overall league salary cap, there are still a few things that Carolina can do to improve the team. Some of these moves aren’t going to be flashy, but they need to be done to help push this team over the hump. Carolina being 5-11 and losing eight of those games by a score or less, isn’t going to cut it anymore for owner David Tepper. So what can Carolina do to improve their situation? 

RE-SIGN TAYLOR MOTON

Taylor Moton was the most consistent player on the offensive line this year. He’s slated to be a free agent when the new league year starts on March 17th, but Carolina can’t let him walk. According to Spotrac, Moton’s market value is $14.7 million per year. That sounds like a lot, but Fitterer can backload the contract or use incentives to make this a cap-friendly deal. If Carolina can’t get a deal done, they can Franchise Tag him but it won’t save any money, as the tag value is estimated at $14.5 million for offensive linemen. Either way, Moton can’t be allowed to walk. 

MAKE NECESSARY CUTS

This step is probably stating the obvious, but needs to be said. There are some players that could be cap casualties based on the lack of space the team currently has. According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have $17,863,434 in salary cap space for this offseason. That’s not nearly enough to make any moves to improve the team. Especially if Moton gets tagged for $14.5 million. Here are some players that Carolina could cut to make room:

STEPHEN WEATHERLY

To say Weatherly was a disappointment would be an understatement. After signing a two-year contract for $12.5 million, Weatherly only played in nine games and had 17 tackles on the season. Weatherly should be the first player cut, as that would create $5.9 million in cap space. 

JUSTON BURRIS

Burris didn’t play bad, but the emergence of rookie Sam Franklin, who played really well as an undrafted rookie free agent, could make Burris expendable. Cutting Burris would save the Panthers around $3.8 million in cap space. 

KAWANN SHORT

This one may sting a little to Panthers fans. Short is a fan favorite and an all-around nice guy. The issue is, he’s only played five games in the last two seasons. The emergence of Zach Kerr opposite Derrick Brown makes this cut a little easier. As does the fact that cutting him saves the Panthers a whopping $13.2 million in cap space as a post-June 1st cut. If Carolina designates Short as a post-June 1st cut, they could still sign players and go over the cap and then they’ll get that $13 million on June 2nd. 

With these three cuts, the Panthers would save a total of $22.9 million and it would bring their total cap space to a little over $40.7 million. That is more than enough to sign key free agents at positions of need. The only drawback to these cuts are, it would create almost $9.4 million in dead money. The Panthers already have $9.1 million in dead money, so that would bring the total to $18.5 million. All of which should fall off in the 2022 offseason. Which is fine, because the league should have increased revenue in 2021 and the salary cap should go back to normal. So this could mean a large cap number next offseason. 

SIGN KEY FREE AGENTS

Every successful team has a smattering of key free agents that help the overall success. Now that the team has $40 million in cap space (in this scenario), they can sign a couple key players in positions of need. If Carolina tags Moton, they would still have around $26 million in space. If they sign him long-term, they could make the contract back heavy to help with space this year. Here are some players that the aggressive GM Scott Fitterer could target: 

JONNU SMITH

It’s no secret that the Panthers lack a true difference-maker at the tight end position. Smith is likely the top free agent at his position this year. He had 41 catches for 448 yards and 9 total touchdowns (1 rushing) in 2020. He’s basically a receiver playing tight end and a true red zone threat. Smith is also a very capable blocker. If Carolina signed him, fans should be ecstatic. 

HUNTER HENRY

Another tight end who would be a significant improvement. Henry had 60 catches for 613 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games. His injury history could make teams a little weary, but he’s still a stud at tight end. Henry might not make it to free agency though, as the Chargers want to keep as many weapons as possible for Justin Herbert. 

GERALD EVERETT

Everett is an athletic tight end with plenty of upside. If the Panthers miss on Smith and Henry, Everett would be a nice consolation prize. In 2020, he had 41 catches for 417 yards and a touchdown. He’s not a red zone threat like the first two players mentioned, but he’d still be an instant upgrade to Thomas. 

JAQUISKI TARTT

Yes, the team just released Burris to make cap room (in this scenario), but Tartt is a difference-maker on the back end. If Carolina wants more experience at strong safety, Tartt could be a target. He has good coverage skills in the middle of the field and is an aggressive tackler. 

CHIDOBE AWUZIE

The Panthers are in desperate need of an outside corner and there are a couple worth a look in free agency. Awuzie is young, has good speed and coverage skills. The injury bug bit him last year, so his contract may be fairly cap-friendly. 

PATRICK PETERSON

An obvious fan-favorite to land in Carolina, Peterson has done fairly well over the years. He was invited to eight straight Pro Bowls in his first eight seasons. He’s on the wrong side of 30 and has lost a step, but he’s still a premier corner in this league. He would bring a much needed veteran leadership to the defensive back room and fill a position likely vacated if Carolina doesn’t re-sign Rasul Douglas. 

JASON VERRETT

Verrett is also a name to watch if Carolina decides to fill the corner spot in free agency. The former first round pick has had a solid career and had a really good 2020 campaign. He will be 30 in June, but he hasn’t shown that he’s lost a step. Interesting note: Carolina held Verrett’s only private workout prior to the 2014 draft. 

WILLIAM JACKSON III

This would be an under-the-radar signing for the Panthers and would fill a need. In Cincinnati, Jackson had a decent season. He earned a 71.4 grade on Pro Football Focus and graded out well in coverage. The Panthers could also get him on a fairly team-friendly deal. 

IDENTIFY AND SECURE YOUR QUARTERBACK

Quarterback is the most important position on the team and it looks as though Carolina is in the market to find a new one. If this is the case, Carolina should identify their guy and try to get him. Deshaun Watson is definitely a target for Carolina, but the compensation would likely exceed what they’re willing to spend. 

Carolina made a move to get Matthew Stafford but Detroit decided to take the offer given by LA. Scott Fitterer said he is going to be in on every player and it seems as though he will be aggressive in doing so. That said, here are some options that the Panthers have at quarterback:

DESHAUN WATSON

While the compensation might be too much as stated above, Carolina is prepared to throw draft picks at Houston like they’re Oprah. There’s no doubt that Watson would turn Carolina’s offense into a winner if they win the bidding war for him. Watson led the league in passing despite having no weapons on a terrible team. He is a franchise quarterback and those don’t become available often. So if that’s who they want, they’ll find a way. Of course, it also comes down to where Watson wants to go due to his no-trade clause. 

RUSSELL WILSON

This week, Wilson and his camp basically announced that they’re tired of the team not placing enough emphasis on the offensive line. Now, it looks like they’re heading for a full-fledged divorce. A trade for Wilson seems even more unlikely than a Watson trade. Even though Carolina has a familiar face in Fitterer, who helped draft Wilson in Seattle, it doesn’t seem likely that Carolina would be in the mix. Although, they will inquire about him. 

SAM DARNOLD

Some people might like this, but others won’t. Darnold is a young quarterback with plenty of talent who went to a dumpster fire of an organization and was surrounded by little help. The former first round pick (3rd overall) is still only 23 years old and a change of scenery might do him good. Obviously he still needs to progress more, but the arm talent is there. If the Panthers gave up their second round pick and a future fifth, they’d get a potential franchise quarterback on a rookie contract. That would give Carolina more cap space to build a team around him. The team could also still get a superstar corner or left tackle at pick eight. Interesting note: A lot of scouts had a higher grade on Darnold than they do Zach Wilson. 

DAK PRESCOTT

Prescott is the only free agent on this list, and it’s because he’s the only available quarterback that’s worth signing. A lot of people don’t like Dak simply because he plays for the Cowboys, but there’s no denying his talent. Even with awful offensive line play last season, he was on pace for a record-breaking year before his injury. There’s not a throw he can’t make and he goes through progressions quickly. At age 27, he’s still young enough to be a franchise quarterback for another team. The only thing Carolina will have to give up is cap space. Dak turned down $35 million per year and bet on himself but then had a severe injury that likely cost him a few million dollars per year. If Fitterer backloaded the contract, it would be a little more team friendly for 2021. 

JUSTIN FIELDS 

Carolina could ultimately decide to trade up in the draft and take Ohio State product Justin Fields. Fields has a big arm, good pocket awareness, good field vision and good athleticism. He also has a high football IQ and is accurate on just about any pass. It would probably cost Carolina pick eight, as well as, either a 2022 first or a couple second rounders to move from eight to three. If they decide to go that route, fans should be very excited. Too many people are overthinking Fields’ struggles against Alabama. Don’t do that. The guy is a stud. 

TREY LANCE

Lance is the fourth best quarterback in the draft with potentially the highest ceiling. He’s a little raw and there isn’t any recent film because North Dakota State opted out of the 2020-21 season. Lance is a little raw but he has really good traits. In 2019, he set an NCAA record for most completions without an interception (287), so he has really good accuracy. Lance has good awareness, good arm strength and never panics when the pocket collapses. Carolina could may be able to get Lance at pick eight, but it’s more likely they’ll have to move up to pick four. 

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER

Carolina could elect to let Bridgewater start in 2021 and build the trenches in the draft. Bridgewater is a good starting quarterback and could use a little more protection. Plus, the draft class next year has a few good quarterbacks, so you can build the line in the draft this year and get a quarterback in the draft next year. It would work well for your rookie quarterback to have a solid offensive line. 

WHAT TO DO WITH TEDDY

First and foremost, we here at 4 Man Rush really like Teddy Bridgewater the person and player. Yes the team struggled at times and even Teddy would admit that he could be better, but he made some really good plays last year too. That said, if the Panthers are ready to move on from Teddy, they need to do right by him and trade him to a team that needs a starting quarterback. 

Taking a look around the league, there are several teams that may need a new starter. Two teams in particular that may be looking are two teams he’s very familiar with: Minnesota and New Orleans. Rumors are swirling that Kirk Cousins is being targeted in a trade by San Francisco, so Minnesota could be in the market. Teddy is beloved in Minnesota and would welcome him back with open arms. New Orleans is also a logical choice after Drew Brees’ retirement. Bridgewater won five games in Drew’s absence in 2019 and the Saints would like him back as well. 

Minnesota has two third round picks and four fourth round picks. New Orleans only has four picks in the entire draft this year. One of which is a third round compensatory pick they will receive for losing Teddy last offseason. Carolina would likely take a third round pick for Teddy if they’re truly ready to move on. According to Spotrac, the team would incur $10 million of dead cap, but would save $12.9 million in cap space this year. They would also incur $5 million dollars in dead cap space in 2022 but would save $21 million in cap space next year. The dead cap would fall off the following year. 

GET A LEFT TACKLE 

There’s two things that need to happen along the offensive line: Retain Taylor Moton, which is mentioned above, and find an answer at left tackle. Whether that be through a trade, or the draft. There aren’t really any young, quality left tackles in free agency this year. Cam Robinson is a free agent but he struggled this year. Here are a couple of options at left tackle:

PENEI SEWELL

If Carolina decides to either keep Teddy or trade for Darnold, they may elect to trade up a bit for Sewell. Wouldn’t be a bad idea since Sewell is an absolute beast and has no weaknesses in his game. Sewell would provide consistent left tackle play for 10 years with Carolina. 

RASHAWN SLATER

Carolina could also decide to trade back and gain some picks while adding a solid left tackle prospect. Some scouts are pegging Slater as a center or guard, but he should be successful at the tackle position. Adding a player with such position flexibility is right up Matt Rhule’s alley. 

LIAM EICHENBERG 

Carolina could go with a second round tackle and still have a solid starter in Eichenberg. This is one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the draft and is a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. If Carolina goes quarterback in the first, Eichenberg fits the bill as a franchise left tackle. 

ORLANDO BROWN

Brown moved from right tackle to left tackle after an injury to starter Ronnie Staley. Brown excelled at the position and even earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020. Its hard to say what kind of compensation the Ravens want for Brown, but the Panthers will definitely call to check. It’ll likely be a first rounder or two second rounders. The team would have to extend his contract, but it wouldn’t go into effect until next year when Carolina has a lot more cap space. 

If Carolina can do these things, they will be well on their way to being a contender. They are getting a head start compared to the rest of the division. The Falcons’ Ryan is getting older, Drew Brees of the Saints retired and Tom Brady is on his last leg in Tampa. Keep in mind that some of these players will be re-signed by their teams. However, other good players will be cut by their teams to make cap space more than ever before. Either way, the future looks bright in Carolina. 

What Would A Draft Look Like if Carolina Traded for DeShaun Watson?

4 Man Forum, 4 Man Mocks, Uncategorized


By: 4MR Norris

It’s been less than two weeks since news broke that DeShaun Watson was unhappy with the Texans’ brass and wanted out of Houston. The very minute that the news broke, a lot of Carolina fans started drooling over the fact that a young franchise quarterback could be available via a trade. A trade that would likely involve three first round draft picks or, at the very least, two first rounders and an established player like Brian Burns or DJ Moore. 

If you go on any social media platform, you’ll see fans giving their opinions on whether or not to trade for Watson if he becomes available. Personally, I love Watson and think he’s one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. He led the league in passing yards this year without having a number one wide receiver. However, I’ve been fairly vocal about not wanting to give up a lot for Watson. Mainly because we’d have a quarterback but wouldn’t have any draft picks to build a team around him for at least 2-3 years. (If that sounds familiar, see Newton, Cam) 

Recently, I’ve started thinking about the “what if’s” of a trade for Watson. Mainly because Carolina just hired Sean Ryan, who has coached Watson, to be their Quarterbacks Coach. Given the fact that we still need a franchise quarterback, it could be worth a shot to try to trade for him. There’s already a pretty good core group on both sides of the ball, so maybe it wouldn’t be that bad, right? 

Let’s say, Carolina lands Watson and gives up pick 8 and first round picks in 2022 and 2023. Could Carolina still build a pretty good team around him this year? Here is a mock draft that shows what Carolina could potential do if they traded for DeShaun Watson: 

2nd Round

Liam Eichenberg OT Notre Dame 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High School Athlete

Eichenberg is a three-year starter for the Irish as a left tackle. He would be an instant starter at a position that the Panthers have needed since Jordan Gross departed in 2013. The 6’6 305 pound prospect is a monster in the run game and will hold his own in pass protection. He has good hands and decent lateral mobility. This would solidify a position needed to help Watson succeed. 

The Draft Network NFL Player Comparison: Mike McGlinchey

3rd Round

Paulson Adebo CB Stanford 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High School Athlete 

Corner is a position that the Panthers desperately need going into next season. Carolina opted to pay Shaq Thompson instead of retaining James Bradberry, who had a Pro Bowl season in 2020. The Panthers have Donte Jackson, but that’s the only starting caliber corner on the roster. Hopefully Carolina re-signs Rasul Douglas, who played well last year, but getting Adebo here would help catapult the secondary. Adebo has good length and has really good man coverage and zone coverage skills. He’s also willing to lay someone out when given the chance. 

The Draft Network NFL Player Comparison: CJ Henderson

4th Round 

Anthony Schwartz WR Auburn

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High School Athlete

With Curtis Samuel possibly leaving in free agency, Carolina could use another speedy receiver. Schwartz’s fastest recorded 40 yard dash time is 4.27 seconds. He has soft hands and great suddenness off the line of scrimmage. This pick would give Watson another weapon to use in Joe Brady’s offense. 

5th Round (A)

LaBryan Ray DT Alabama

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High School Athlete

Newly hired General Manager, Scott Fitterer, could be looking for different avenues for getting more salary cap space for the Panthers. Kawann Short could be one of the salary cap casualties due to the fact he has only played five games in two seasons and the Panthers could gain $9.7 million in cap space. Zach Kerr played well with Derrick Brown, but Carolina needs to add another defensive tackle to the rotation. Ray is a force against the run and would be a good two down threat. He won’t offer much on third down, but he’s the space eater that the Panthers could use right now. 

5th Round (B) COMPENSATORY PICK

Tommy Kraemer OG Notre Dame

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ High School Athlete

With Matt Paradis being the only starting offensive lineman (from 2020) under contract right now, offensive guard is a huge need. Kraemer could be a starter year one in the right offense, and I think that could be in Carolina. Pairing him beside Irish teammate, Eichenberg, could help his development tremendously. He’s a beast in the run game and will be sufficient enough in pass protection to offer Watson enough time to throw the ball. This would be a solid pick at this position. 

6th Round (A)

Brenden Jaimes OL Nebraska

Jaimes would come in and compete for a guard spot right away. He’s a versatile player that can play either tackle spot and either guard spot. Position versatility is something that Coach Rhule loves on his roster, so this is a no-brainer here in the sixth round. 

6th Round (B) COMPENSATORY PICK

Paddy Fisher LB Northwestern

Fisher is one of the linebackers that Carolina gets to coach in the Senior Bowl this year, so they’ll get a real close look at him. He plays fast and physical. He’s mastered the Peanut Punch, as he’s caused ten fumbles in four seasons for the Wildcats. Fisher would give the linebacker room some much needed depth coming out of the sixth round. 

7th Round 

Jimmy Morrissey OL Pittsburgh 

To close out the draft, Carolina could snag a back up center. A three year starter for the Pittsburgh Panthers, Morrissey blocks with good hand placement and sufficient strength. Give him a year or two to learn from Paradis and he could possibly take over at center. 

This would probably be a best case scenario draft outcome for Carolina and it would make Watson happy. Is a trade likely to happen? Probably not. However, the rumors are gaining some momentum. General Manager Scott Fitterer came out and said he will be aggressive with the roster while exploring every trade and free agent option. Make no mistake, Carolina WILL go after Watson this offseason, but they aren’t likely to have enough to beat out the Jets or Dolphins. 

There’s no doubt that Watson would make the Panthers a much better team, but is it worth giving up the future? Scott Fitterer will also trade back some in this draft, as that was his M.O. in Seattle. Also, these draft rankings will change throughout the offseason, so some of these players will rise and fall. Either way, this will be an interesting draft and offseason for the Panthers.

Edit: It’s worth noting that Watson has a no-trade clause in his contract, which means he can’t be traded to any team without his consent. This could drive down the asking price and takes the leverage out of Houston’s hands. Fitterer will be aggressive this offseason and this roster will look a lot different.

Would this draft work for Panther Nation if Carolina also got DeShaun Watson? 

A Look Ahead: Buccaneers

Game Breakdowns, Prime Cuts with Norris

Panthers 
at
Buccaneers 
1:00

Well, that’s not the way fans wanted to start the Matt Rhule Era. There were some things to like about the team (mainly on offense), but there were also some things to work on. The Carolina defense looked lost at times, but you’ll have that when there is so much inexperience. Tampa, who also went through some changes in the offseason, started off with a loss too. It was an odd week one to say the least, as most stadiums didn’t have fans in the stands to help swing momentum. Here’s a look ahead to the Bucs:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Head Coach

Bruce Arians

Offensive Coordinator

Byron Leftwich

Defensive Coordinator

Todd Bowles

Key Acquisitions

QB Tom Brady

RB Leonard Fournette

TE Rob Gronkowski

Key Losses

QB Jameis Winston

RB Peyton Barber

WR Breshad Perriman

Key Draft Picks

OT Tristan Wirf

S Antoine Winfield Jr. 

The Bucs’ offense looks a little different this year. They signed Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette and traded for Rob Gronkowski. Tampa didn’t get off to the best start, but neither did Carolina. The Bucs drafted one of the best offensive tackles in the 2020 draft, and one of the best safeties as well. 

Carolina Panthers

Head Coach

Matt Rhule 

Offensive Coordinator

Joe Brady

Defensive Coordinator

Phil Snow

Key Acquisitions

QB Teddy Bridgewater

WR Robby Anderson

LT Russell Okung

G John Miller

G Michael Schofield

LB Tahir Whitehead

CB Rasul Douglas

S Juston Burris

CB Eli Apple

KR Pharaoh Cooper

Key Losses

QB Cam Newton

DT/NT Dontari Poe 

LG Greg Van Roten 

K Graham Gano 

TE Greg Olsen

LB Luke Kuechly

DT Gerald McCoy

CB James Bradberry 

S Eric Reid

G Trai Turner

Key Draft Picks

DT Derrick Brown

DE Yatur Gross-Matos 

S/LB/N Jeremy Chinn

CB Troy Pride Jr. 

There has been more turnover on this team than any other team in the league. From coaches, to scouts, to players….This is an entirely different team. Carolina used all of their 2020 draft picks on defensive players, which is where most of their issues lied. 

Things to Watch

Carolina Panthers

Teddy Bridgewater played well for the Panthers, as he amassed 270 yards and a touchdown, with a quarterback rating of 98.9. Bridgewater will have his hands full on Sunday against the Tampa front seven, who was able to rush Drew Brees some on Sunday. Teddy does a good job of eluding pressure and stepping into the pocket. If he continues that, he should be able to take advantage of the Bucs and their lackluster secondary. Let’s hope the offensive line can hold off the Tampa pass rush. 

Christian McCaffrey started the game off slow on Sunday, but managed to get 134 total yards and 2 touchdowns against the Raiders. There’s no doubt that McCaffrey is still the best running back in the league. Last year, Tampa’s defense held McCaffrey to 110 total yards and 2 touchdowns in two games. That’s amazing when you consider he had a record breaking season. With Tampa’s front seven in-tact, the Bucs could give CMC some fits. Look for Joe Brady to get McCaffrey involved heavily in the passing game. McCaffrey should see some screens, intermediate sideline routes and possibly a deep throw or two so that he can take advantage of Tampa’s secondary. 

The Panthers have one of the fastest wide receiver trios in the league and that was put on display Sunday. Robby Anderson has a 75 yard touchdown from Bridgewater in the fourth quarter to take the lead and then capped it off with a successful two-point conversion. Fans shouldn’t worry about the offense, as they will likely get even better as the season progresses. People don’t realize how much the preseason reps are needed for an offense to sync. Especially in a year where a team has a new coaching staff, new quarterback and three new offensive linemen. Moore, Samuel and Anderson should get ample opportunities to gain separation and get a lot of yards. They must capitalize on a weak Tampa Secondary. Also, look for Carolina to get Ian Thomas involved more, as Tampa had issues shutting down Jared Cook last Sunday. 

Looks like the Carolina defense picked up where they left off from last year…..and that’s not a good thing. Josh Jacobs ran for 93 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Panthers, while Derek Carr added 239 yards and a touchdown through the air. Carolina also had no sacks or hurries on Carr, which is unheard of for a Panthers’ defense. To be fair, this is basically a new defense with a few rookies. Even though the stats aren’t there, Derrick Brown had a good game. Jeremy Chinn flew around the field and had 7 solo tackles in his NFL debut. Troy Pride Jr. played pretty well Sunday, too. He had good coverage skills but he needs to turn his head and look for the ball better. He was in perfect position to intercept that touchdown pass had he just turned his head. Pride definitely outplayed his draft position. 

Not all is bad about the defense, though. Jacobs didn’t break off any big runs and he only averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Teams last year averaged 5.7 yards per carry against Carolina. There was a lot to like about this young defense, but also a lot to work on. Kawann Short struggled against times, but he’s coming off a two game season and shoulder surgery with no preseason to get conditioned. He will get back to his form. Look for Phil Snow to incorporate a few defensive wrinkles to create pressure on Brady. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Tom Brady struggled throughout the first half against the Saints, but started to get into a rhythm as the game wore on. Brady has some weapons to work with, but his offensive line looks a little shaky. 

Tampa has two very good running backs in Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones. Jones will get the start, but Fournette will likely get a few carries this week now that he’s getting acclimated to the offense. They should have some success against the Panthers’ defense. 

The Bucs have a really good receiving group in Godwin, Evans and Scotty Miller. They also have 3 solid tight ends in Gronkowski, Howard and Brate. Look for Brady to try and expose rookie Troy Pride Jr. and also veteran Tahir Whitehead, who struggled in coverage. 

The Tampa defense has a strong and fast front seven who can stop the run and rush the passer. Their secondary struggled last week at times and will need to get to Bridgewater if they want to have a chance. 

Keys to a Carolina Victory

• Get McCaffrey involved heavily in the pass game. Try and establish the run game with CMC and Mike Davis. Tampa only allowed 82 yards rushing last week, but Carolina still needs to let McCaffrey run. He’s a volume runner. Eventually he will break one or two runs off. 

• Protect Teddy. Bridgewater does well under pressure and steps into the pocket, but the offensive line needs to do their best to keep Teddy clean so he can expose the Tampa secondary. 

• Protect the ball. No turnovers!

• Contain Scotty Miller. Brady loves the small slot receivers and will likely feed the ball to Miller. 

• Maintain gap discipline on defense. Also, set the edge. Can’t let Tampa break off runs on the outside or through holes. 

• Utilize the receivers’ speed. Carolina has three wide outs that can take the top off the defense and gain separation. Go after the Tampa secondary. 

• Win the time of possession battle. The offense needs to sustain long scoring drives to keep the defense fresh and take the pressure off of them. 

• Get pressure and hurry Brady. It should be easier this week against the Tampa offensive line. 

Key Matchups

• McCaffrey VS Buccaneers defensive line

• Bridgewater VS Buccaneers defensive line

• Pride Jr. and Douglas VS Evans and Godwin

• Carolina’s pass rush VS Brady

• Carolina offensive line VS Tampa’s defensive line

Injury Report

Carolina

DT Kawann Short OUT

DE Yetur Gross-Matos OUT

G Dennis Daley OUT

Tampa Bay

WR Chris Godwin DOUBTFUL

TE Anthony Auclair OUT

Prediction

You can never discount Tom Brady, even at 43 years old. Once he gets into rhythm, he’s hard to beat. However, there’s a possibility he may be without his top receiver, as Chris Godwin is in concussion protocol and will need to clear it if he wants to play. Carolina will come out with a solid game plan and pull out a 35-29 victory in Tampa. McCaffrey will get 160 total yards and 2 touchdowns. DJ Moore will have 110 yards and a touchdown. Robby Anderson will also have a touchdown. Carolina’s defense will get their first sack of the year and end the game with 4 sacks. Troy Pride Jr. will get his first career interception. 

Meet the New Guys: 2020 Draft Class

College Prospect Visits, NFL Draft, Prime Cuts with Norris


Well, this was an exciting draft, wasn’t it? After using free agency to fix the offense, Carolina came into the draft with a plan to fix the defense. Matt Rhule and Marty Hurney had a solid plan and executed it to perfection. On paper, they fixed the run defense, pass rush and began fixing the secondary. They’ll probably have to sign a corner or two in free agency, but there are a few from which to choose. Without further adieu, here are your 2020 Carolina Panthers’ draft picks:

2019 STAT LINE: 54 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered

Derrick Brown fills several needs for the Panthers, as he will help stop the run and rush the passer. Brown is the most disruptive tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft and absolutely worth the number seven pick. He has an unreal motor and is quick for a player of his size. Brown is powerful and knows how to knock a lineman off of his feet. His feet never stop churning and he is relentless when getting past blockers. He has a bevy of rush moves at his disposal and knows when to use them. Brown will wreak havoc and disrupt the flow of the opponent’s offense.

Brown is an extremely explosive player. His first step is unreal. Carolina should have no problem against the run anymore, as Brown has the ability to swallow up running backs in the middle. There really is no weakness to Brown’s game, as he is the most balanced defensive tackle to come out of college in the last few years. Brown was a top three player in the draft and the Panthers lucked out with him being there.

Brown is not only a great player on the field, but he’s also a great person off the field. He was a leader in college and was a man among boys. Brown had the opportunity to be a first round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, but opted to return to Auburn for his senior season. He’s going to anchor this defense for years to come and Rhule has to be happy about this pick. Check out this outstanding breakdown on Derrick Brown here.

4 Man Mock: JaDarius

4 Man Mocks, NFL Draft

In this scenario, I decided against trading up. Here are the possibilities if the Panthers stand pat with the picks we have.

ROUND 1

PICK 7

CB CJ Henderson, Florida

The Panthers could decide to trade back into the early teens for a chance at Henderson. But I believe that the Panthers will look at their cornerback room before the pick, and grab their guy. Coach Matt Rhule recruited Henderson, so it’s no secret Rhule is familiar with his game. Much needed boost to a barren position.

ROUND 2

PICK 38

DL Ross Blacklock, TCU

If the pick happens to be a non-defensive lineman in the first, the Panthers must not pass again come day 2. Ross Blacklock would help fill a room that is frankly bare bones. He has the athletic profile to be dominant in the middle. He provides flexibility to be able to play the 1 and 3 techniques in an even front.

ROUND 3

PICK 69

OLB Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State

There aren’t many linebackers that can move like Gay Jr. He ran faster than 4.5 seconds in his 40-yard dash and is good at pass coverage. He has an attitude that can help set the tone on defense. Some red flags are the reason he lasts this long. Otherwise, he’d be hearing his name called much sooner. Rhule has the personality to reel in those concerns. A match made in virtual draft heaven.

ROUND 4

PICK 113

CB Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech

Amik plays with a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. What he lacks in stature, he makes up for in big-play ability. Whether it’s sticking his nose in the run game or returning interceptions, he’s nothing short of a firecracker. He would make a home at nickel in Snow’s defense right away.

ROUND 5

PICK 148

WR Tyler Johnson, Minnesota

Teams love dependable wideouts. Tyler Johnson is one of them. He did not participate in athletic testing, but he consistently won on the field in Minnesota. Wide Receiver is one of the lesser-known needs on the roster, with all free agent WRs signing deals under three years long. It might take him a while to get snaps with the talent at the position, but this pick is playing the long game through 2024.

ROUND 5

PICK 152

DL James Lynch, Baylor

A player with whom Phil Snow and Matt Rhule are familiar. They know his strengths and weaknesses well, and it helps that he is a talented player with a good motor. Lynch adds versatility along the DL; he can line up anywhere. Because of the lack of depth, he can compete right away for snaps.

ROUND 6

PICK 184

SS Tanner Muse, Clemson

He’s no Isaiah Simmons, but he provides intriguing size (6’2” 230 lbs)  and blazing speed (4.41 40 yard dash). I believe he’ll be more suited at LB at the next level because he isn’t as fluid as you’d like for a defensive back. Not bad at coming up to tackle. His coverage experience from time as a DB will help him matchup against opposing TEs and RBs. A welcome addition in a division with so many offensive weapons. Well worth a late-round pick.

ROUND 7

PICK 221

DT Benito Jones, Ole Miss

Adding bodies to the interior is a focus of the draft. The Panthers sneak in one final addition to the interior DL. Jones isn’t much of a pass rusher, but he makes his money by stuffing the run. If coaches can help him make dents in the pocket, he would be well worth the low-risk selection.