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I've been meaning to make this post since the weekend when we traded for the #1 pick.

Let's say the Panthers were 100% convinced in the guy they wanted at the time they made the trade.

There still are 5-7 weeks before the draft. (now and time when they may have decided not to announce their intentions).

There is a non zero chance that something happens that changes the pick.

Let's say their "100% convinced guy":

• Gets hurt

• Gets in Trouble

• Pulls an Eli

• Red flags in interviews/meetings

If you broadcast who you are taking and then one of the above happens and you have to pivot to your #2, then you've already poisoned that player in the eyes of the public because he knows he's wasn't your preference. The fans know he wasn't your preference, the media knows, etc. Its going to increase his failure rate by some %.

There really is no huge benefit in announcing who you're taking this early.

On top of all of this, there still lies some additional value in leaving the trade door open for some of the scenarios above that the Panthers learn about before another team and are able to execute a trade down and recoup value.