Similar to thread I did a couple months back… I like many am not yet familiar with the draft prospects so I’m going to keep it somewhat vague and just discuss where I think we have a shot to improve the roster, and the roles we need to fill.
QB: Just try to bring Wentz back for all I care. Not the offseason to be losing sleep over this one especially in the draft.
RB: Need speed. Need that McKinnon role filled with a vet who can execute it at a similar level. My hope is the room next year is: Rookie, Vet (McKinnon-esque), Pacheco, Hunt (instead of Steele)
WR: By the time playoffs arrive, offense should be running through Rice and Worthy. No secondary should be able to have all the answers to that duo. I’d personally try to get Brown back on a one-year deal that at least alleviates the Rice suspension window. Speed in that #3 WR role is key. If Brown leaves, who is the vet you can trust to fill the void so you don’t have to force another early draft pick?
TE: Will Kelce retire or won’t he? If he doesn’t, he can come back and be a leader of the offense as a #3 target. If he does, I don’t think you make a big investment here besides if it’s your BPA in the draft. Offense is running through the WRs.
LT: Elephant in the room. What will be available in FA? Do they have any belief left in Kingsley? Think we need to sign one and then be ready to attack it in the draft too, unless the signing is Ronnie Stanley (a sure long term fix).
LG: Try to extend Thuney for a couple more years if possible to alleviate the cap number. Can’t lose him and Smith both this offseason and Smith is going to be paid too much to keep him. Hopefully he can get through a few more seasons for us while we try to identify the next Trey Smith.
C: Creed followed by Nourzad.
RG: Could it be Kingsley or Nourzad? I think it will be.
RT: It’s Jawaan followed by Wanya.
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DE: I know trading George has been floated, they aren’t going to do that just yet. He’s still under relatively cheap team control for two more years and is improving. Danna returns. I’d try to keep Omenihu on one-year prove-it deal in hopes that another year off the ACL does wonders. Can you get another leap from FAU? Could be a draft choice in the first three rounds easily.
DT: This is the position I have circled as a R1 option for sure. We’ve went cheap here around Chris forever, that can’t continue always. With Wharton likely gone, would love to add another young dual-threat here that improves the early down pass rush. Sure, sign your run stuffer(s) you need for cheap. But we need more here long term.
LB: I don’t think we can afford to let Bolton go. Not in the same year we may also lose Reid. It may take a slight overpay, but Tranquill didn’t play well enough this year to put us in an advantageous position. If/when the news pops that Bolton is staying, I’ll be happy. What would bringing back Gay cost? He filled a nice role. If you can get another BPA in the draft, go for it.
CB: McDuffie is going to need paid. Watson returns for the contract year. Can’t risk having another repeat of this year with an injury. Depth is needed. I’d aim to draft a CB in the first two days this year to guard against Watson’s departure and McDuffie’s deal.
S: I love Reid — you have to let him go if he’s going to be paid what he should be paid. You have an ace in hand, it’s a no-brainer. Cook should be better another year off his nasty injury and entering the contract year. Find another Mike Edwards type role player to bring in as depth.
By all means, draft guys fill in some names to get familiar with. I think we will go role players exclusively in free agency and that’s OK because you need those guys to win big. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I really think this needs to be a rebuild of the trenches off-season, with the side quest of adding a weapon at RB.
Not opposed to a corner early in the draft, but I don't want to lose games on the line of scrimmage anymore.
Round 1 should be trenches unless you have a Trent McDuffie type of BPA situation at a position like that. I just don't subscribe to the "has to be LT" line of thinking. We would benefit greatly from any big fella who is a really good player.
And look at our division. If we don't keep the trenches strong, we will fall down to the rest of the pack. LA and Denver are really good there right now. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
Round 1 should be trenches unless you have a Trent McDuffie type of BPA situation at a position like that. I just don't subscribe to the "has to be LT" line of thinking. We would benefit greatly from any big fella who is a really good player.
And look at our division. If we don't keep the trenches strong, we will fall down to the rest of the pack. LA and Denver are really good there right now.
No, I agree with you. I would not draft a LT in the first I don't think. You have a project LT already, and it's too soon to give up on him, but you also can't pencil him in as a starter.
You need a vet, and you're going to have to pay for it. Just my current thoughts. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
Still think he's as good as we can do just about.
Mahomes would've struggled big time too Week 18 with the surrounding circumstances Wentz had.
Wince is terribad, the Denver game just emphasized it to me.
I'd rather see a younger reclamation project like what Minny did with Darnold. There's the chance to flip a success there for a pick, like Andy used to do in Philly. I don't Wince is anything but a back-up ever again. And we ain't winning anyway if Patrick goes down, so what's the point? [Reply]
I say if we can get Drew Lock in here to take the #2 QB at a 3/12 mil type of deal, do it.
This offseason may actually be the biggest hill Veach has had to climb so far in his GM life. Our depth, basically across the board, is SUPER thin, and we have high dollar guys that we need to take a run at (not to mention glaring holes at very important positions to fill). He's going to earn his paycheck this offseason. [Reply]
I think Whartons a nice piece but probably not going to get paid by us. That's just not the type of guy teams with expensive QBs usually get to keep. Especially when highly paying a G,C and soon ILB, possibly a second G. [Reply]
However, if we can figure out the offensive line (my hope is we draft a LT and Kingsley can replace Smith)....then I think we get back to being an offense that can take deep shots and more effectively move the ball.
The defense likely takes a step back next year, but if we can offset that by putting up more points, there's no reason we can't be right back in the thick of it next season. [Reply]
I REALLY don't think Kingsley is a G, I think they put him there to get him some PT and get used to NFL gamespeed. He's a dancing bear, not a mauler. I could much easier see Morris move inside than Kingsley. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I REALLY don't think Kingsley is a G, I think they put him there to get him some PT and get used to NFL gamespeed. He's a dancing bear, not a mauler. I could much easier see Morris move inside than Kingsley.
You think so?
Just feels like speed killed him at LT this year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
You think so?
Just feels like speed killed him at LT this year.
Look at his legs. Those aren't offensive guard legs. Maybe I'm wrong, but I see OG's as needing more weight lower to drive block in the run game, and don't need as nimble of feet to pass block in the phone booth.
Kingsley looks more like a Roaf-type build to me. Speed killed him because he's not used to NFL game speed (and because WE don't have speed rushers, so he never sees one in practice.)
Morris looks more proportioned, and like a guy that could play inside or maybe RT.