Panthers' Linebacker Hunt: Rodriguez vs. Hill

0:00It's April 23rd, this is NFL News Today, your AI-powered source for everything NFL. The Carolina Panthers are hunting for a linebacker in this draft, and two second-round talents top their list, Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech and Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas. Their general manager, Dan Morgan, a former linebacker himself, met both guys at their pro days and chatted them up personally. Rodriguez has been climbing boards fast, with scouts calling him the next off-ball linebacker off the board, after sunny styles, who's projected as a top 10 pick. Panthers have done heavy homework on him, per reports from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fans and analysts are buzzing about a possible first round grab at the 19th overall pick, but that'd be a massive reach. Rodriguez is solid second-round value, and snagging him mid-first round ignores bigger team needs, like bolstering the line next to Devon Lloyd. Tech Brandt is in Morgan's ear, pushing back on these late risers. He prefers prospects with long-term buzz over draft season hype, which could keep them

1:03from overpaying. Sticking patient or trading smart in the second round makes way more sense to lock in Rodriguez without burning that prime spot. Keep pounding Panthers, value over impulse.