Shaq Thompson/Thomas Davis

[Dyno_7]

Here's my bias arm chair theory. Lol.

Thompson is in year 3 of his rookie contract, so unless Carolina wants to burn the 1st round pick they used on him, they gotta get him on the field in 2017 to see what they have as a full time starter. I could also see Carolina kicking TD over to the strong side and having him play a 2 down role with some sub package snaps based on who they're playing. That way Carolina has their best 3 LB's on the field. As a Thompson owner, that's what I'm hoping for anyway. Lol.

[bruiser]

AZ a Thompson owner, that's what I was calling for for the last two offseasons, lol. I'm not declaring it this year, but cmon man... let's see what he can do in a 3-down role.

[lukkynumber13]

Agreed. I don't care how good Thomas Davis is, if Shaq isn't a full time starter in his THIRD year, then Carolina absolutely squandered their 2015 1st round pick, on a bust.

There's no way a WLB should need 3 years to develop, and while Thomas Davis is a very good player, he ain't Kuechly. Shaq needs to be able to beat him out by this year

[dlf_tomk]

... Carolina has their best 3 LB's on the field...

I know where you;re coming from but which teams play 3 [non pass rusher] LBs on the field any more? No-one uses base more than 30% and there are very few sub packages with 3 LBs in them. Even all the big nickels have turned into 3-S looks.

I can see where you're coming from but it's just so easy to attack LB-heavy personnel these days. They can't cut Davis next year due to his big ol' contract so they're still going to be trying to jam 3 LBs into 2 spots. Given Kuechly is not sharing snaps [when fit] I suspect Shaq and TD will both be annoyingly underused. Again.

[FiremanEd]

I'm not so quick to call Shaq a bust if he hasn't overtaken Thomas Davis this season, as Thomas Davis is no slouch. Frankly, he's still an above average performer and holds a lot of respect within the locker room. That counts for something.

I do agree though that we're verging on the point in time where the Panthers need to have an idea of what they have in Thompson, and think that it is reasonable that in 2017 he's reached a point in time where he should be familiar and comfortable enough to start to excel, forcing the coaching staffs hands to see the field more. I don't know if it will lead to the playing time that owners are seeking, but hopefully it is trending up and 2018 is the big payoff. For 2017 though, label me only cautiously optimistic on his outlook.

[lukkynumber13]

True, I shouldn't be as worried that Shaq himself is a bust, but if he is a part time player through 3 years, then the pick itself was a bust. I understand BPA & everything, but a 1st round pick should be someone who is a major contributer

[bruiser]

They can't cut Davis next year due to his big ol' contract

True. His cap number is $8.3m, but cutting him would be a cap hit of $6.5m according to sportrac.com

I'm not so quick to call Shaq a bust if he hasn't overtaken Thomas Davis this season, as Thomas Davis is no slouch.

Also very true. I'd have loved for Davis to have been a Chicago Bear all these years. He's been a much stronger locker-room presence than Briggs ever was.

I shouldn't be as worried that Shaq himself is a bust, but if he is a part time player through 3 years, then the pick itself was a bust. I understand BPA & everything, but a 1st round pick should be someone who is a major contributer

My thoughts exactly. Hopefully, the Panthers realize some sort of 'embarrassment of riches' and create a franchise identity that lasts for generations. I would love for Shaq to become a franchise LB. Let's see it!

[FiremanEd]

True, I shouldn't be as worried that Shaq himself is a bust, but if he is a part time player through 3 years, then the pick itself was a bust. I understand BPA & everything, but a 1st round pick should be someone who is a major contributer

Definitely see this perspective, but sometimes a player is worth the wait as well. Talent learning the game from the best has its benefits. Also I can't help but assume the Panthers felt there was a risk of both age and injury (given history) with Davis, that ultimately hasn't transpired as they may have been protecting against. A good thing and a bad thing perhaps depending how you look at it.

[lukkynumber13]

I hear you, and that makes sense for a QB, or an elite pass rushing prospect, or WR, etc but how many franchises are built off the back of a Weakside linebacker? It just seems like a foolhardy way to spend a 1st round pick. But I'm beating a dead horse now

[bruiser]

how many franchises are built off the back of a Weakside linebacker? It just seems like a foolhardy way to spend a 1st round pick.

TRUTH! The Panthers didn't make the playoffs this year, either. There's proof in your pudding.

[lukkynumber13]

Haha I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not, Bruiser

[Dyno_7]

... Carolina has their best 3 LB's on the field...

I know where you;re coming from but which teams play 3 [non pass rusher] LBs on the field any more? No-one uses base more than 30% and there are very few sub packages with 3 LBs in them. Even all the big nickels have turned into 3-S looks.

I can see where you're coming from but it's just so easy to attack LB-heavy personnel these days. They can't cut Davis next year due to his big ol' contract so they're still going to be trying to jam 3 LBs into 2 spots. Given Kuechly is not sharing snaps [when fit] I suspect Shaq and TD will both be annoyingly underused. Again.

You're right. Teams are in base much less today. I was thinking (hoping) Keuchly & Thompson would remain 3 down LB's unless a matchup favored Davis to remain in subs. I also think part of the reason Carolina has been slow with Thompson is his age. The kid was only 20 when he was drafted I think. Lol.

[@BillLatin]

I own Thompson and Davis. Is now a good time to sell high on Davis? What will Thompson's role be in the defense next year?

Can anybody provide any insight on how this situation plays out???

It will be tough to get anything for Davis at this point. Last year would have been last opportunity to get anything substantial. I have been waiting patiently for Shaq. If we don't see it this coming year it is not going to happen.

[Hurricane Ditka]

I'm glad this resurfaced. As the same dilemma presents itself 1 year later. There's been nothing to show Thompson doesn't deserve a significant role. He's definitely trending upward. But Davis is not exactly showing signs of age. Something's got to give right?

[Pantherbro13]

TD isn't going anywhere. Shaq will be Luke's right hand man in 2018 when TDs contract is up. I think Carolina will give TD the option to come back for another year but it's playing behind Shaq. This year TD should will still play almost all snaps, Shaq will play 60-70 percent.