Actual team needs

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I think I did mention that for the OL and edge (because I doubt we re-sign BY). WR is also more for the future with Adams' age.

So that was absolutely baked in there....but we've been in a unique position with Stafford where the now matters more as well. So T and WR, for example, would be my two highest needs because they fit the future while also being spots where the depth needs to be upgraded for a Super Bowl run.
I didn't see any mention of pending free agents in your OL write up, but I do see where you said that OT is likely to be drafted early, which I agree with.

I agree that WR would be a top need for the present and future.

I don't think we can discount the possibility of QB at 13. Comes down to their eval of Simpson, of whom it's already been reported they will take a close look at.

You dismissed the possibility of drafting TE like Sadiq but I wouldn't assume Allen is safe, and both Parkinson and Allen are free agents after this season. So, a TE is on the possibly drafted list, IMO.

Moreover, any player that can possibly give you an edge or be a difference maker is in play. Sadiq could fit that definition.

DL is designed to be the strength of the defense, and they excel in drafting and developing that position. (Contrast this with CB where they don't draft and develop well.) If they can draft a difference maker there, I can see them doing that. That 5T spot with Fiske is still not strong on early run downs. I don't think they would avoid drafting a DL player just because it pushes Johnson or Hamilton off the team.

The only position I'd be surprised to see drafted is K, and maybe RB.
 
Is there a world where Bennett is the backup qb behind Stafford?

No Way Cat GIF
 
I didn't see any mention of pending free agents in your OL write up, but I do see where you said that OT is likely to be drafted early, which I agree with.

I agree that WR would be a top need for the present and future.

I don't think we can discount the possibility of QB at 13. Comes down to their eval of Simpson, of whom it's already been reported they will take a close look at.

You dismissed the possibility of drafting TE like Sadiq but I wouldn't assume Allen is safe, and both Parkinson and Allen are free agents after this season. So, a TE is on the possibly drafted list, IMO.

Moreover, any player that can possibly give you an edge or be a difference maker is in play. Sadiq could fit that definition.

DL is designed to be the strength of the defense, and they excel in drafting and developing that position. (Contrast this with CB where they don't draft and develop well.) If they can draft a difference maker there, I can see them doing that. That 5T spot with Fiske is still not strong on early run downs. I don't think they would avoid drafting a DL player just because it pushes Johnson or Hamilton off the team.

The only position I'd be surprised to see drafted is K, and maybe RB.


They wouldn't avoid drafting DL because it'll push those guys off the team - they'll avoid it because we already have our starters there, AND we have solid depth
 
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Just sophomore for that example.

Van is actually a great example for why I think all those guys will stick. He as our deep threat in 2021, and had a decent year - but always felt below average as a player. We stuck with him for four years anyways.
Van was also a 2nd round pick thus a longer leash. He made the team for 4 years but they dealt him very early in that 4th season with the emergence of another weapon named Puka.

Either way, I'm hopeful that McVay doesn't go into this draft with the mindset you present and is looking to churn the back portion of the roster if better players can be had by drafting more towards BPA. And my hope is that the new special teams coach has more say in that aspect. The team shouldn't have to kick the ball in the endzone most of the time on kickoffs or offer little to no return threat on either punts or kickoffs because of the current depths lack of physicality and/or talent.
 
They wouldn't avoid drafting DL because it'll push those guys off the team - they'll avoid it because we already have our starters there, AND we have solid depth
The solid depth is Tyler Davis. That's it.

Besides, one of the starters is entering the final year of his contact and might prove to be too costly to re-sign.
 
The roster is pretty well set. They addressed the weak link in the secondary. Signed a proven special teamer and LB backup. Changed special teams coordinator.

What is needed now is a little tweaking to make it even better. I have a feeling the draft will be an eye to the future. I won't be surprised if Les trades down and stocks up for future talent and depth. If they do use that pick I would like to see one of those good receivers who can be paired with Puka for the next 5 years. Puka's not even 25 yet and he's the best receiver in the league.
 
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Needs have been covered in the comments, an addition I would like is another guy that gets after the QB.
We had periods where we weren't as effective as I would like to see. The addition of Mc-Watson will help but one more guy off the edge or backer/safety would really be nice.