Changes in scouting departments and front offices are customary during this period of the year. Typically, following the conclusion of the draft, scouts, executives, and other prominent front office personnel transition to new roles. This holds true even in years when an organization undergoes leadership changes, such as the Carolina Panthers did this past winter.
Earlier this week, Joe Person of The Athletic reported the dismissal of Director of Pro Scouting Rob Hanrahan and Assistant Director of Pro Scouting Tyler Ramsey. Subsequently, on Saturday afternoon, the team experienced further front office restructuring with the departure of area scout Michael Coe and the retirement of personnel executive Jeff Morrow, as reported by Person and Neil Stratton of Inside the League.
Changes in the Panthers' front office: Director of pro scouting Rob Hanrahan and asst. dir. of pro scouting Tyler Ramsey have been let go, according to league sources.
New GM Dan Morgan said there could be movement after the draft.— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 2, 2024
Hanrahan has served the Panthers for the past seven years, while Ramsey was brought on board by Scott Fitterer in 2021. Coe joined the organization most recently in 2022, representing the shortest tenure among the group. Morrow, on the other hand, held the longest tenure, having been with the Panthers since 1998.
Dave Gettleman’s Candid Critique of NFL Draft Analysts.
Dave Gettleman remains steadfastly traditional in his approach.
In a recent interview conducted by Neil Stratton of Inside the League, the former general manager of the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants shared his candid views on NFL draft analysts. Included in a regular newsletter from the publication, Gettleman expressed strong criticism towards these analysts.
The excerpt from the interview reads:
“The landscape is vastly different from when I first started, and it’s become increasingly problematic, especially with the influence of the media. I eventually caved and subscribed to The Athletic, partly due to its promotional offer, but it’s indicative of a broader trend.
You have individuals assigning grades to every team, but it begs the question: Who are they? What experiences do they bring to the table? When have they taken significant risks? Unfortunately, some team owners and even general managers heed the opinions of these individuals. The NFL landscape has undeniably become more challenging, and scouting has grown increasingly complex.”
While Gettleman’s remarks about the challenges of scouting are valid, his own track record in the draft, particularly during his tenure with the Carolina Panthers, has seen both successes and setbacks.
Noteworthy misses include the selections of Kelvin Benjamin in the first round of the 2014 draft, Devin Funchess in the second round of the 2015 draft, and Vernon Butler in the first round of the 2016 draft. However, to his credit, Gettleman also secured key acquisitions such as linebacker Shaq Thompson and offensive tackle Taylor Moton, both of whom remain integral to the organization.
The draft process, as evidenced by Gettleman’s career, is inherently unpredictable. Success and failure are part and parcel of the drafting experience, whether one is a seasoned executive or an aspiring analyst. In Gettleman’s case, it’s apparent that his adherence to traditional methods remains unchanged, despite the evolving landscape of the NFL draft.
