PRIORITIZED Needs as of 3/28/2024

[MHS831]

Hi Gang, after talking a look at the roster (I will post below because it has been updated) I no longer see (or think they see) OL as a need that MUST be addressed in the draft.  They added 2 starting guards, creating a starting and backup center (jury still out, I know), and a solid swing OT.  Behind that, they have former starter Brady Christensen and at least Cade Mays.  Most all NFL lines have areas they would like to upgrade, but if they can get Ickey balanced, this could be a very special OL. 

This list represents a shift away from a prioritized need at Edge as well.  Based on Canales' comments, they are going to go with Clowney and Wonnum and develop players like DJ Johnson, Barno, Leota, and Chaisson.  Good plan.  It suggests that Canales thinks these players were not coached up or developed, but he would never say that.  Athletically, the OLB room is full of studs.

I still think our biggest need is a solid WR and if I were the GM, I would take 2 in this draft.  But nobody on the Huddle is talking that much about the second and third biggest needs, imo.  So here is what I put together this morning for you hacks to attack (includes long term needs--to me, since most rookies do not produce immediately, it is stupid to draft a player based on immediate needs):

1. Wide Receiver:  Johnson and Thielen, the top 2 WRs at this moment, are possibly in their final years.  Mingo was overdrafted and his performance has not matched expectations.  In my opinion, in a WR-deep draft, you grab 2 Wideouts.  Longterm:  You do not want to enter 2025 with Mingo, draft pick, Smith-Marsette, and Marshall (who may not be on the team by then).  In my view, you can take two and still find the essential depth pieces at ILB and CB.

2. Cornerback Depth:  Of course, signing Dane Jackson to replace "Action" Jackson and re-signing Troy Hill is not enough, considering Horn’s injury history--and even if Horn stays healty--you need 3 starting caliber CBs and a nickel.  I think we have to proceed as if Dane Jackson is the only starting caliber CB without an injury history and Bootle is a roster fringe CB at best.  We need a CB who can start if necessary.  Longterm:  Horn is a huge question mark at this point, so we have to draft as if we are taking a developmental starter.  For this reason, I see a second rounder being spent on CB. Dane Jackson is not elite by any means, and if we do not get pass rush this season, the secondary will be exploited. Troy Hill is 33 and this is obviously his last season here.  

3. Inside Linebacker Depth:  With only Thompson and Jewell with Wooten behind them, ILB Depth is needed.  I fully expect Morgan to go after an ILB on day 2.  He understands their importance to a defense.  I am assuming the new kickoff rule may make LBs more valuable as well. Longterm: Jewell was just signed to a 3-year deal, but I doubt Shaq is back, having just signed a 1-year deal at age 30 for 2024.  We will be signing an ILB early in this draft.  Morgan guarantees it (not really, but I bet he does)

4. Tight End:  I think they feel that TE is “covered” for now, but if they can upgrade the position, they will.  In my estimation, they want to see what they have in Tremble; that suggests they do not think the TE position was used properly in 2023.  Pure speculation.  Sullivan flashed as a pass-catching TE, and Ian is a suitable #3 TE as a blocker, but I have not seen that much from him in that area.  The could add a TE to the room, but with three other needs that are more pressing, I am not sure they will add someone who helps them improve.  However, they want to surround Bryce with weapons, so a TE would kinda be necessary–See the Super Bowl–their TEs were pretty good. Longterm:  This team needs an Alpha TE, and if Tremble cannot be that guy, they will bring one in.  I do like some of the TEs later in the draft, however.  A player like Ohio State’s Cade Stover would be a nice addition.  

[MHS831]

Oops

Offense (22)

Left Tackle	Left Guard	Center	Right Guard	Right Tackle
Ickey Ekwonu	Damien Lewis	Austin Corbett	Robert Hunt	Taylor Moton
Yosh Nijman	Brady Christesen	Cade Mays	Brady Christesen	Yosh Nijman
Brady Christesen	Cade Mays	Brady Christensen	Cade Mays	Brady Christesen
	Chandler Zavala
Wide Receiver	Running Back	Quarterback	Tight End
Diontae Johnson	Chuba Hubbard	Bryce Young	Tommy Tremble
	Miles Sanders	Andy Dalton	Ian Thomas
Adam Thielen			Stephen Sullivan
Jonathan Mingo	R. Blackshear
I Smith-Marsette
T Marshall Jr

 

Defense (23)

Jack Linebacker	Defensive End	Defensive Tackle	Defensive End	Sam Linebacker
Jadav Clowney	Derrick Brown	Shy Tuttle	A’Shwn Robinson	DJ Wonnum
Amare Barno	Raeq Williams	Nick Thurmond	LaBryan Ray	DJ Johnson
K'Lvon Chaisson				Eku Leota
Cornerback	Will LB	Mike LB	Nickel	Cornerback
JC Horn	Shaq Thompson	Josey Jewell	Troy Hill	Dane Jackson
	Chan.  Wooten			Dicaprio Bootle
	Strong Safety		Free Safety
	Jordan Fuller		Xavier Woods
	Jammi Robinson		Sam Franklin

[CRA]

I mean we fixed our OL….by moving a meh OG into the starting C spot.  Not sure the OL is fixed yet. Think they still got some work in FA there.   Draft isn’t going to solve that.  

I’d feel better with an option B at center competing with a Corbett. 

[MHS831]

I realize a lot of folks will be screaming for center, but I do not see the front office seeing that as a necessity.  I think they feel it is covered.

[L-TownCat]

If the OLB/Edge guys weren’t “coached up” wouldn’t it stand to reason that guys like Mingo and Tremble also will benefit from some coaching?  
 

Evero has done his job better than most everyone else in the building and now we have some guys on the other side of the ball that can teach as well.  
 

I’m curious to see how good this chicken salad can actually be given the ingredients on hand.

[MHS831]

Just now, CRA said:

I mean we fixed our OL….by moving a meh OG into the starting C spot.  Not sure the OL is fixed yet. Think they still got some work in FA there.   Draft isn’t going to solve that.  

I’d feel better with an option B at center competing with a Corbett.  Comparable talent. 

The question I had to ask: Is C depth more important than ILB or CB depth?  Realistically, you cannot expect any draft to address more than 3 needs, but I included 4.  I agree with you, however.

[Soul Rebel]

I'm not a Clemson fan, but would kicking the tires on Isaiah Simmons as a depth/Chinn-type find a role in Evero's defense? 25 years old and can be depth at that hybrid LB/SAF spot. 

Would be cheap and if he looks lost, we cut him in August.

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, L-TownCat said:

If the OLB/Edge guys weren’t “coached up” wouldn’t it stand to reason that guys like Mingo and Tremble also will benefit from some coaching?  
 

Evero has done his job better than most everyone else in the building and now we have some guys on the other side of the ball that can teach as well.  
 

I’m curious to see how good this chicken salad can actually be given the ingredients on hand.

I think the staff was good, but I saw no signs that Campen was coaching anyone (OL).  I think having veterans like Burns, Haynes, YGM caused these coaches to focus on their jobs---and in an environment where you are building the future, you are more willing to spend more time developing the younger players.  I am just speculating.

[CRA]

12 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

The question I had to ask: Is C depth more important than ILB or CB depth?  Realistically, you cannot expect any draft to address more than 3 needs, but I included 4.  I agree with you, however.

I think figuring out if Bryce is the plan past this season and fixing the O…..is the most important thing in 2024.   I don’t care about winning some random this year.  Record doesn’t matter 

We don’t know if we even have a legit starter at C.  So it’s competition I want for that.  Loser is depth 

[PNW_PantherMan]

Great post.  For number 5 I would add a receiving specialist at running back.  Someone to rotate with Chuba.  I would just assume Miles Sanders doesn't exist from this point.

[Captain Morgan]

Corbett is in his last year.  We could sign him again but I'd much rather spend one of our seconds or our third on a Center to learn this year and take over.

Edited March 28 by Captain Morgan

[OneBadCat]

I think you have to sign Gilmore and push CB to 2025. 
 

WR, LB, C  in the first 3 rounds unless an absolute steal of a DE falls to us.  I’d be against double dipping WR in the second. We have to spread the talent around. 
 

We also need some considerations for what TEs could be available. 

Edited March 28 by OneBadCat

[Pejorative Miscreant]

In principal I agree with this and like where your head is on this.  I still think they need to look at BPA and hope it lines up with need though. 

[Khyber53]

13 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I realize a lot of folks will be screaming for center, but I do not see the front office seeing that as a necessity.  I think they feel it is covered.

And I think there's the mistake. Perfect chance the grab the best center available to grow up with the QB.