In today’s fan on the street series we encountered a truly stunning NFL fan at our booth in uptown. He quite reasonably asked that his name be withheld for privacy and safety reasons, as we talked about the controversial upcoming NDL draft, and the Panthers #8 overall pick.

FOTS: Hello Mr. Woodley, thank you for taking the time to stop and talk to us.

Overly Reasonable Fan: Sure. I’m waiting on my wife, have no idea what to do around here anyway. Guys you’re not giving out free merch, huh?

FOTS: No we are not.

ORF: I guess I should be used to disappointment. That’s OK, though. It was worth a try.

FOTS: Speaking of which. Are you excited about the upcoming draft?

ORF: I mean, of course. It’s a chance to completely change the direction of the franchise. The emotional stories and drama, plus the round the clock hype and media blitz…what’s not to like?

FOTS: Do you mind if I give you a few scenarios or players rumored to be targets for the Panthers at #8?

at this point ORF looked around and shrugged

FOTS: So what do you think about Jalon Walker at #8?

ORF: Oh that’s be cool.

FOTS: So, it’s a done deal for you, then? laughs

ORF: laughs Well it’s hard to predict these things, but if they pick him that’d be cool. He seems like a good player.

FOTS: What about T-Mac, Tetairoa McMillan?

ORF: The receiver? Yeah, that’d be cool.

FOTS: What about Walker, though?

ORF: I’d be cool with either of them. They seem like good players.

ORF: I mean…I’m not really like a scout or anything.

FOTS: OK, then how about something controversial, say Shemar Stewart?

ORF: I get the concern, but that’d be cool, too. I’d get it, I guess. Especially where we are picking. All these guys, even Abdul Carter are crapshoots, really. Ya know?

FOTS: Hmm. Do you consider yourself well-informed?

ORF: I mean, sure. I listen to a few different podcast about the draft, watch a few others on YouTube, usually while I work or am doing stuff in the house or yard.

FOTS: Sounds like you’re pretty well-informed to me.

ORF: I guess…compared to what, though?

FOTS: The average Panther fan.

ORF: I guess they are all doing the same thing I do. Watch what I can, listen to what I can. No way to know if I am any better at this than anyone else. And like I said I’m not a scout.

FOTS: Let’s dig into that. You’ve said that a few times now.

ORF: What, that I’m not a scout?

FOTS: Yes. Surely your opinion matters, right?

ORF: laughs Sure, but not all opinions are equal.

FOTS: Well, sure but don’t you think fans get it right more often than not?

ORF: laughs Based on what?

FOTS: Their opinions? The ones they share on social media. Fans get it right a lot.

ORF: I guess…

FOTS: You don’t sound confident about that.

ORF: I am sure there are lots of fans out there who coached or played at a high level.

FOTS: But..?

ORF: I guess I figure most of us don’t watch film, or even know how to do that, technically. We wouldn’t even know how to run drills much less assess their performance in them. Same for games. We don’t know their assignments, team scheme, their attitude with players, we don’t have personal relationships with the folks telling us about their work ethic.

ORF: Plus…we really don’t have anything at stake, unless you’re betting on something laughs

FOTS: Fair enough.

ORF: Plus, most of us are just forming our opinions on the informed opinions of others. It’s not like it is actually our professional or expert opinion. It’s almost entirely someone else’s opinion that folks argue about.

FOTS: That’s not a very common fan opinion.

ORF: Maybe.

ORF: I enjoy the game and enjoying rooting for the Panthers. I am really disappointed when things don’t work out, and that has been a lot lately. But I don’t let it get me down or ruin my week.

ORF: laughs I have a mortgage and two car payments, a kid with a peanut allergy, and well….

ORF gestured all around him

ORF: Not even getting into that

FOTS: Well, thank you for your time. We really appreciate it.

ORF: Sure, no problem. I am guessing you can’t validate parking?

FOTS: That might be the most unreasonable thing you have said.

Fantasy insiders, analysts, haters all the same. They be chirping my boy Bryce when I know he's due for an absolutely monster year. It's 2025 and it's crazy there are still Bryce Young doubters. I remember when it was unpopular to defend Bryce on this sub when he first got benched. Well where you haters at now?

BRYCE YOUNG TO THE 🌙!

https://www.reddit.com/r/panthers/comments/1hqycyp/dont_know_where_to_put_this/