52Beast

Yup. You nailed it.

I think we all went into this season knowing this was going to be Bryce’s evaluation year. I have (will be past tense very soon) high hopes, but low expectations. Anticipating 3-6 wins with some signs of life. All in all, my hope is that we see improvement in key areas, including the QB position. After the end of the season, we should be sitting in decent position to add talent via the draft and free agency when we get out of dead-money purgatory. Until then…eeesh…let’s be real - the idea that BY can lead this team out of the cellar and eventually to a SB win is far fetched. Just doesn’t seem to have the skill, size or ability to get it done.

Ronnie Staley disagrees.

This is an evaluation year for Canales and his staff to really see what the roster can do in his system. Based on the status of our roster, a new regime, the same meddling owner, etc… I have a hard time believing that we’re going to come out and shock the world. In all likelihood, this season will set us up for the top draft pick in ‘25. Sadly, that’s my expectation.

I can buy that. That’s the will that I mentioned. He’s got fight in him and he will win some of those fights for the ball. I also think he’s a guy who you’d want in the foxhole. I’ll think he’ll feast on an offense with a WR1.

I like Legette. He’s athletic and his will alone will enable him to succeed to some degree in the NFL. McConkey is simply more polished and, in my opinion, would have a greater immediate impact on this team. Thielen isn’t getting any younger. Drafting McConkey gives us options with Thielen that will expire after the ‘24 season. In essence, you can draft his replacement AND get something in return for him. As an armchair GM, that’s the move I’d be looking to make.

Will Shipley can ball. He terrorized Charlotte and State HS football, and had a strong career at Clemson. Good hands, good vision and he’s always been a hard worker. He’d fit well.

Don’t forget, this is their 2nd swing at QB in only a few short years. They swung, missed, recognized the miss, created an opportunity, worked the #1 pick trade (to perfection), and they are now getting their 2nd shiny new QB. Remember the timeline. Ours may mirror this in the near future. Or it may not. Time will tell.

I agree, and that’ll be our weakest area this season…BUT, it sets us up for a DE splash signing in ‘25 with our cap space. PLUS, if we have a high first round pick, we can also get a stud rookie DE on a rookie contract. That’ll stagger the money flow for 4+ years, and solidify the defensive line. By this time next year, this rebuild can potentially be looking really damn good. With the cap room in ‘25, we’ll also be able to sign some of these guys to longer term deals should their play demand it this year. In the meantime, it’s critical for us to add 3+ starters in this years draft. If it works, and we won’t know that for 2+ years and the jury is out, Morgan will be crowned King of the Queen City.

Or Mike Rucker and we pick up Pep 2.0 next year

I know…it was tough writing that, but I’m hopeful.

This is exactly why I think we’ll be quiet at RB this offseason. We’ll bring in some serviceable young guys that have little to no risk, but I doubt we’ll go beyond that this year.

Bingo

Brown, Queen and Horn would be a strong core to build around. Do it.

THIS is why it happened so quickly.