Steve-o
BRL Player
- Aug 4, 2017
- 37
- 52
BroncosHQ folks, it's been a while since I last posted here. I hope you're all well amidst this coronavirus madness. I was bored sitting at home over the last couple of days, so I put together an analysis of the current depth charts of my two NFL teams - the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers. Read along if you're interested, and if you're really bored, I encourage you to do a write up for your favourite team(s).
'll start with the New York Football Giants.
QB - They are set here. Jones will look to build on a promising rookie year, where he had 12 starts, threw for 3,027 yards (252 yards/game), with 24 TDs (led rookies) and 12 INTs. Obvious area for improvement is with fumbles, where he had a league high 18 fumbles with 11 lost. (Wentz was second with 16 fumbles and 7 lost). Back up is Colt McCoy, who brings good experience with 28 career starts. Alex Tanney is #3, and a good guy to have in your QB room (not so much on the field).
RB – Year 3 for Saquon, who will look for a better 2020 after an underwhelming 2019 where he was hampered by an ankle injury. Behind him is new signing Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman, as well as fullback Elijhaa Penny. No draft upgrades needed here.
WR – Golden Tate, Sterling Shepherd and 2019 5th round pick Darius Slayton are the three starters here. Former Cleveland Browns 1st round pick Corey Coleman provides additional depth, recently re-signing on a 1-year deal after missing 2019 with a torn ACL. No significant upgrade needed here, but Gettleman may try to add depth to the position in the later rounds.
TE – Evan Engram is the lead man here, going into year 4 of his rookie deal after being a 1st round pick in 2017. Good when on the park but needs to stay healthy. He’s backed up by Kaden Smith, a 6th round pick last year by San Francisco, who was waived and then claimed by the Giants. Smith showed glimpses of potential, finishing with 268 yards and 3 TDs. Unlikely the Giants spend any draft capital here.
OL – Current starting lineup would be (left to right): Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Spencer Pulley, Kevin Zietler, Cameron Fleming, with Nick Gates able to fill in at either tackle spot or guard. Centre is a big hole, so expect Giants to look at the position in the mid rounds of the draft. Solder was disappointing last year, and cutting him next year could save the Giants $14M in 2021 (with $6.5M dead cap), so there’s a big chance the Giants use their #4 overall pick on their number 1 left tackle – either Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, or Andrew Thomas. This could allow them to sit behind the veteran for a year and then take over in 2021. Giants look OK at guard.
DT – Giants are set here. Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence and B.J. Hill offer a nice rotation. All are 26 or younger, with two former first rounders (Williams 2015, Lawrence 2019), one second rounder (Tomlinson 2017), and one third rounder (Hill 2018). Take note Gettleman – enough DT hog mollies.
Edge – Holy hell, this cupboard is bare. Current starting OLBs would be Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, two former 3rd round picks in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Behind them is another former 3rd round pick, free agent signing Kyler Fackrell (2016, Green Bay). Expect the Giants to go edge in round 2.
Linebackers – Serviceable but nothing to write home about. Current starters would be free agent signing Blake Martinez (also formerly with the Packers), and 2019 5th round pick Ryan Connelly, who looked promising until he did his ACL in week 4. Depth is another former 5th rounder, David Mayo (2015), who recently signed a three-year extension after being signed last offseason from the Panthers (note that he can be cut after one year with no dead cap). Plenty of Giants fans are wanting Gettleman to use the #4 overall pick on Clemson LB/S hybrid Isaiah Simmons. I’m not convinced the positional value matches up with a top 4 pick, so I’m hoping they stick with tackle at #4 and look to add LB depth in the middle-to-late rounds.
Cornerbacks – Current starters are free agent signing James Bradberry, and 2019 1st round pick Deandre Baker. Baker looked BAD early last year but he did improve as the season went on. His development will be crucial to the Giants secondary fortunes. Nickel is Corey Ballentine (another 2019 rookie, 6th round), while Sam Beal (2018 supplemental draft, 3rd round) and Grant Haley (2018 undrafted) provide additional depth. The Giants have spent plenty of capital over the last couple of drafts at CB (including moving up for Baker), so I don’t expect any CBs in the early or mid rounds.
Safety – Jabrill Peppers (brought over in the OBJ trade) and Julian Love (4th round pick, 2019) are the starters here, with Rashaan Gaulden (3rd round pick by Carolina, 2018) providing depth. Gettleman traditionally hasn’t valued the safety position, so I don’t expect a high pick here either.
Summary – I’m predicting Giants to go OT, DE, C, and LB in the first, second, third and 4th rounds respectively (note the 3rd round pick is a comp pick, after they gave up their regular 3rd to the Jets in the trade for Leonard Williams). In the 5th and 6th rounds I think they take BPA, and then look to add depth at WR/S/CB/OL with their four 7th round picks.
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So you thought the Giants were below-average-to-bad? I raise you, one Carolina Panthers squad.
QB – Sad time in Carolina, as the Cam Newton era comes to end. As long as he goes to a team outside of the NFC South/NFC East, I will be rooting for him all the way. In his spot comes Teddy Bridgewater, who signed a three-year deal, which is more like a two-year deal, given the Panthers can cut him after the 2021 season with only $5M dead cap. Back-ups are XFL stand-out P.J. Walker, who led the Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 record, while leading the league in passing yards and passing TDs. #3 on the depth chart is Will Grier, who looked bad last year; he’ll be lucky to still be on the roster in 12 months-time. I don’t think the Panthers will use their 7th overall pick on a QB; it appears they are trying to position themselves for the Trevor Lawrence/Justin Fields sweepstakes in next year’s draft.
RB – Christian McCaffery is entering year 4 of his rookie deal and the obvious lead back. Behind him are Reggie Bonnafon (undrafted, 2018), Jordan Scarlett (5th round, 2019), and former Seahawk Mike Davis. Not a huge need, but the Panthers could take a flier on a late round RB to upgrade the depth behind CMC.
WR – The Panthers are in a reasonable position here, with recent addition Robby Anderson, 2018 first rounder D.J. Moore, and 2017 second round pick Curtis Samuel the starters. Behind them are return specialists Pharoh Cooper and Brendan Zylstra. The Panthers could do with more depth here, so look for them to add a receiver in a later round.
TE – Probably the weakest of the offensive skill positions, following the departure of Greg Olsen, the TE group is led by Ian Thomas (4th round, 2018). Behind him are veterans Seth DeValve and Chris Manhertz. Look for GM Marty Hurney to find a TE in round 6 or 7.
OL – Current starters left-to-right are: Russel Okong, Tyler Larsen, Matt Paradis, John Miller, and Taylor Moton, with 2019 rookies Greg Little and Dennis Daley providing depth. Having traded 5-time pro bowl guard Trai Turner in exchange for Okung, the plan appears to be for 2019 second round pick Greg Little to sit behind Okung before taking over full time in 2021. After signing Matt Paradis as a free agent last year, the Panthers would’ve been disappointed by his output in 2019. Carolina can save just under $5M by cutting him next year, so spending a mid-to-late round pick on a centre is a strong possibility. The right tackle spot is set with Taylor Moton (2017 second rounder), free agent signing John Miller will be right guard, while Dennis Daley will battle veteran Tyler Larsen for starting honors at left guard. After trading up last year to grab Greg Little, I don’t think the Panthers use their #7 overall pick on an OT, but it would certainly be prudent to investment more in the OL on draft day.
DT – After losing Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy, and Vernon Butler in free agency, this room is near empty, with only Kawaan Short holding the fort. That’s probably why you’ll see a lot of mock drafts with Auburn DT Derrick Brown going to Carolina at #7 overall. Personally, I don’t think DTs are worth top 10 picks unless you’re getting someone the caliber of Aaron Donald, so I’m hoping the Panthers go in another direction.
Edge – This group is lead by 2019 first round pick Bryan Burns. Supporting him are former international pathway player Efe Obada, free agency signing Stephen Weatherly (Vikings), 2018 fourth round pick Marquis Haynes, and 2019 fourth rounder Christian Miller. Clearly, with the losses of Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin, this position needs an upgrade. Look for the Panthers to go edge on day 2.
Linebackers – Following Luke Kuechly’s retirement, recently re-signed Shaq Thompson becomes the lead man here. At this point Thompson will be starting alongside former Lion and Raider Tahir Whitehead, with two 2018 draft picks providing depth - Andre Smith (7th round) and Jermaine Carter (5th round). This is another group that could do with a significant upgrade, which brings Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons into play at #7 overall.
Cornerbacks – If you haven’t realized already, you surely will now – this defense is trash! Following the departure of James Bradberry to the Giants, 2018 second rounder Donte Jackson is really the only recognizable name, unless you’ve heard of Corn Elder, Dominique Hatfield or Natrell Jamerson (kudus to you if so). Clearly, SIGNIFICANT upgrades needed here. Unfortunately Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah will likely be off the board by the time Carolina is on the clock, and it doesn’t seem like any other CBs are worthy of a top 10 pick, so look for the Panthers to grab a CB in the second round.
Safety – The safety group is led by recently re-signed Tre Boston and T.J. Green, a former 2nd round pick by the Colts in 2016. Also from the class of 2016, free agent signing Justin Borris (4th round, Jets) provides depth. Another weak position group that needs resources allocated in the draft.
Summary – Boy, going over that defense was brutal. I knew it was bad, but wow. Similar to the Giants, the Panthers are mostly set at the offensive skills positions, while the OL could do with an upgrade. This defense, left unattended, could single handedly deliver the Panthers their first #1 overall pick since 2011, when they selected Cam Newton. So, given the plight of the Panthers D, I think they have no choice but to use the # 7 overall pick on the highest rated defender still on their board. If available, I think it would be Okudah, but it’s more likely to be either Simmons on Brown. Then they need to load up on other areas of D in rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5, and hope they can find some gems in the later rounds to add depth at OL, WR and TE. This front office has a lot of work to do.
'll start with the New York Football Giants.
QB - They are set here. Jones will look to build on a promising rookie year, where he had 12 starts, threw for 3,027 yards (252 yards/game), with 24 TDs (led rookies) and 12 INTs. Obvious area for improvement is with fumbles, where he had a league high 18 fumbles with 11 lost. (Wentz was second with 16 fumbles and 7 lost). Back up is Colt McCoy, who brings good experience with 28 career starts. Alex Tanney is #3, and a good guy to have in your QB room (not so much on the field).
RB – Year 3 for Saquon, who will look for a better 2020 after an underwhelming 2019 where he was hampered by an ankle injury. Behind him is new signing Dion Lewis and Wayne Gallman, as well as fullback Elijhaa Penny. No draft upgrades needed here.
WR – Golden Tate, Sterling Shepherd and 2019 5th round pick Darius Slayton are the three starters here. Former Cleveland Browns 1st round pick Corey Coleman provides additional depth, recently re-signing on a 1-year deal after missing 2019 with a torn ACL. No significant upgrade needed here, but Gettleman may try to add depth to the position in the later rounds.
TE – Evan Engram is the lead man here, going into year 4 of his rookie deal after being a 1st round pick in 2017. Good when on the park but needs to stay healthy. He’s backed up by Kaden Smith, a 6th round pick last year by San Francisco, who was waived and then claimed by the Giants. Smith showed glimpses of potential, finishing with 268 yards and 3 TDs. Unlikely the Giants spend any draft capital here.
OL – Current starting lineup would be (left to right): Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Spencer Pulley, Kevin Zietler, Cameron Fleming, with Nick Gates able to fill in at either tackle spot or guard. Centre is a big hole, so expect Giants to look at the position in the mid rounds of the draft. Solder was disappointing last year, and cutting him next year could save the Giants $14M in 2021 (with $6.5M dead cap), so there’s a big chance the Giants use their #4 overall pick on their number 1 left tackle – either Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, or Andrew Thomas. This could allow them to sit behind the veteran for a year and then take over in 2021. Giants look OK at guard.
DT – Giants are set here. Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence and B.J. Hill offer a nice rotation. All are 26 or younger, with two former first rounders (Williams 2015, Lawrence 2019), one second rounder (Tomlinson 2017), and one third rounder (Hill 2018). Take note Gettleman – enough DT hog mollies.
Edge – Holy hell, this cupboard is bare. Current starting OLBs would be Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, two former 3rd round picks in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Behind them is another former 3rd round pick, free agent signing Kyler Fackrell (2016, Green Bay). Expect the Giants to go edge in round 2.
Linebackers – Serviceable but nothing to write home about. Current starters would be free agent signing Blake Martinez (also formerly with the Packers), and 2019 5th round pick Ryan Connelly, who looked promising until he did his ACL in week 4. Depth is another former 5th rounder, David Mayo (2015), who recently signed a three-year extension after being signed last offseason from the Panthers (note that he can be cut after one year with no dead cap). Plenty of Giants fans are wanting Gettleman to use the #4 overall pick on Clemson LB/S hybrid Isaiah Simmons. I’m not convinced the positional value matches up with a top 4 pick, so I’m hoping they stick with tackle at #4 and look to add LB depth in the middle-to-late rounds.
Cornerbacks – Current starters are free agent signing James Bradberry, and 2019 1st round pick Deandre Baker. Baker looked BAD early last year but he did improve as the season went on. His development will be crucial to the Giants secondary fortunes. Nickel is Corey Ballentine (another 2019 rookie, 6th round), while Sam Beal (2018 supplemental draft, 3rd round) and Grant Haley (2018 undrafted) provide additional depth. The Giants have spent plenty of capital over the last couple of drafts at CB (including moving up for Baker), so I don’t expect any CBs in the early or mid rounds.
Safety – Jabrill Peppers (brought over in the OBJ trade) and Julian Love (4th round pick, 2019) are the starters here, with Rashaan Gaulden (3rd round pick by Carolina, 2018) providing depth. Gettleman traditionally hasn’t valued the safety position, so I don’t expect a high pick here either.
Summary – I’m predicting Giants to go OT, DE, C, and LB in the first, second, third and 4th rounds respectively (note the 3rd round pick is a comp pick, after they gave up their regular 3rd to the Jets in the trade for Leonard Williams). In the 5th and 6th rounds I think they take BPA, and then look to add depth at WR/S/CB/OL with their four 7th round picks.
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So you thought the Giants were below-average-to-bad? I raise you, one Carolina Panthers squad.
QB – Sad time in Carolina, as the Cam Newton era comes to end. As long as he goes to a team outside of the NFC South/NFC East, I will be rooting for him all the way. In his spot comes Teddy Bridgewater, who signed a three-year deal, which is more like a two-year deal, given the Panthers can cut him after the 2021 season with only $5M dead cap. Back-ups are XFL stand-out P.J. Walker, who led the Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 record, while leading the league in passing yards and passing TDs. #3 on the depth chart is Will Grier, who looked bad last year; he’ll be lucky to still be on the roster in 12 months-time. I don’t think the Panthers will use their 7th overall pick on a QB; it appears they are trying to position themselves for the Trevor Lawrence/Justin Fields sweepstakes in next year’s draft.
RB – Christian McCaffery is entering year 4 of his rookie deal and the obvious lead back. Behind him are Reggie Bonnafon (undrafted, 2018), Jordan Scarlett (5th round, 2019), and former Seahawk Mike Davis. Not a huge need, but the Panthers could take a flier on a late round RB to upgrade the depth behind CMC.
WR – The Panthers are in a reasonable position here, with recent addition Robby Anderson, 2018 first rounder D.J. Moore, and 2017 second round pick Curtis Samuel the starters. Behind them are return specialists Pharoh Cooper and Brendan Zylstra. The Panthers could do with more depth here, so look for them to add a receiver in a later round.
TE – Probably the weakest of the offensive skill positions, following the departure of Greg Olsen, the TE group is led by Ian Thomas (4th round, 2018). Behind him are veterans Seth DeValve and Chris Manhertz. Look for GM Marty Hurney to find a TE in round 6 or 7.
OL – Current starters left-to-right are: Russel Okong, Tyler Larsen, Matt Paradis, John Miller, and Taylor Moton, with 2019 rookies Greg Little and Dennis Daley providing depth. Having traded 5-time pro bowl guard Trai Turner in exchange for Okung, the plan appears to be for 2019 second round pick Greg Little to sit behind Okung before taking over full time in 2021. After signing Matt Paradis as a free agent last year, the Panthers would’ve been disappointed by his output in 2019. Carolina can save just under $5M by cutting him next year, so spending a mid-to-late round pick on a centre is a strong possibility. The right tackle spot is set with Taylor Moton (2017 second rounder), free agent signing John Miller will be right guard, while Dennis Daley will battle veteran Tyler Larsen for starting honors at left guard. After trading up last year to grab Greg Little, I don’t think the Panthers use their #7 overall pick on an OT, but it would certainly be prudent to investment more in the OL on draft day.
DT – After losing Dontari Poe, Gerald McCoy, and Vernon Butler in free agency, this room is near empty, with only Kawaan Short holding the fort. That’s probably why you’ll see a lot of mock drafts with Auburn DT Derrick Brown going to Carolina at #7 overall. Personally, I don’t think DTs are worth top 10 picks unless you’re getting someone the caliber of Aaron Donald, so I’m hoping the Panthers go in another direction.
Edge – This group is lead by 2019 first round pick Bryan Burns. Supporting him are former international pathway player Efe Obada, free agency signing Stephen Weatherly (Vikings), 2018 fourth round pick Marquis Haynes, and 2019 fourth rounder Christian Miller. Clearly, with the losses of Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin, this position needs an upgrade. Look for the Panthers to go edge on day 2.
Linebackers – Following Luke Kuechly’s retirement, recently re-signed Shaq Thompson becomes the lead man here. At this point Thompson will be starting alongside former Lion and Raider Tahir Whitehead, with two 2018 draft picks providing depth - Andre Smith (7th round) and Jermaine Carter (5th round). This is another group that could do with a significant upgrade, which brings Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons into play at #7 overall.
Cornerbacks – If you haven’t realized already, you surely will now – this defense is trash! Following the departure of James Bradberry to the Giants, 2018 second rounder Donte Jackson is really the only recognizable name, unless you’ve heard of Corn Elder, Dominique Hatfield or Natrell Jamerson (kudus to you if so). Clearly, SIGNIFICANT upgrades needed here. Unfortunately Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah will likely be off the board by the time Carolina is on the clock, and it doesn’t seem like any other CBs are worthy of a top 10 pick, so look for the Panthers to grab a CB in the second round.
Safety – The safety group is led by recently re-signed Tre Boston and T.J. Green, a former 2nd round pick by the Colts in 2016. Also from the class of 2016, free agent signing Justin Borris (4th round, Jets) provides depth. Another weak position group that needs resources allocated in the draft.
Summary – Boy, going over that defense was brutal. I knew it was bad, but wow. Similar to the Giants, the Panthers are mostly set at the offensive skills positions, while the OL could do with an upgrade. This defense, left unattended, could single handedly deliver the Panthers their first #1 overall pick since 2011, when they selected Cam Newton. So, given the plight of the Panthers D, I think they have no choice but to use the # 7 overall pick on the highest rated defender still on their board. If available, I think it would be Okudah, but it’s more likely to be either Simmons on Brown. Then they need to load up on other areas of D in rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5, and hope they can find some gems in the later rounds to add depth at OL, WR and TE. This front office has a lot of work to do.
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