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- Jan 14, 2013
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Well, our season ended. It sucked. We blew so many chances. But there's always next year. While this draft is lacking at the top, there are a lot of talented guys in the 20 to 45 range. Good news for us.
Cut
TE Colby Parkinson (Post June 1st)
CB Darious Williams
Unfortunately, our 2024 FA class was mostly a dud. Parkinson is one of those duds. His snap count dropped as the season progressed. I don't know what McVay saw, but he clearly didn't love it. D-Will provided solid play, but he's aging and not worth the cap number. Plus, we need more size at CB. It's why I am choosing Spoon on a cheap deal over D-Will.
Re-sign
LT Alaric Jackson (franchise and extend)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
EDGE Michael Hoecht
DT Bobby Brown III
OL Dylan McMahon (ERFA)
I think we have to keep Jackson. He's a solid LT, the position is in demand, and we don't need to be trotting out a rookie on Stafford's blindside. I expect Witherspoon is a cheap re-sign. He's not great, but he's a competent player and gives us size in the secondary. Hoecht is a steady role player, so I'd try to keep him on a reasonable contract. Same with Bobby Brown III. While I'd love to bring back D-Rob, he's likely looking at a 3-6 game suspension due to the two DUI arrests.
Free Agency
ILB Nick Bolton
If this game drove something home to me, it's our desperate need for a dawg at ILB. We have that guy on the DL (Verse). Bolton will do a lot to solve our run defense woes. I considered Dre Greenlaw or Charvarius Ward here. I opted for Bolton over Greenlaw due to youth and durability. I opted against Ward because this draft is stronger and deeper at CB than ILB and Ward is turning 29, while Bolton is still only 24 (25 in March).
WR Allen Lazard
I am anticipating that the Jets will cut Lazard due to his cap number and the likelihood of Rodgers departing. With D-Rob likely to face a lengthy suspension due to his DUI arrests, Lazard would be an interesting addition. He's a big WR (6'5" 225) who can block and is capable of getting vertical. He put up 412 yards and 5 TDs in only 7 games. Seems like a worthwhile veteran additional on a one or two year deal.
OT Josh Jones
After watching Noteboom and McClendon struggle when Havenstein went down, it's clear we need a swing OT. While Jones can play both OT and OG positions, his best snaps have come at OT (LT, specifically). Important depth signing.
DT Greg Gaines
A blast from the past here, Gaines has mostly been in a rotational role in Tampa. It should make him relatively cheap to bring back. He'll give us additional depth inside. It won't hurt us to have a high-motor run stuffer.
Trades
Falcons trade TE Kyle Pitts
Rams trade Round 4 Pick #26 and Conditional 2026 Round 5 Pick (4th if Pitts has 1000+ yards, 3rd if he makes the Pro Bowl or All Pro team)
Pitts is headed into the final year of his rookie contract (the option year). Things haven't worked out in Atlanta. I'd give him a shot here. Here's why: Pitts is still only 24 years old, he's still a 6'6" 245 pound man who ran a 4.40 40, and I think McVay is smart enough to understand how to use Pitts's unique skillset. We can show 12 personnel with Pitts and Higbee and create mismatches based on the personnel packages defenses use in response to Pitts. There is a long list of TEs who didn't blossom until they found the right offense later in their careers. I think Pitts can be that guy.
Rams trade OL Jonah Jackson and Round 6 Pick #19
Giants trade Round 5 Pick #16
The Giants were reportedly interested in signing Jackson last offseason. While we could just keep Jackson for another year to provide (incredible) depth, I think we're okay with Justin Dedich and Dylan McMahon. I think Jackson will have some trade value because starting caliber OLs are always in demand, and he's still relatively young.
Rams trade Round 6 Pick #14
Titans trade QB Will Levis and Round 7 Pick #23
The Titans did this last year with Malik Willis (traded for a 7th to the Packers). They are taking a QB at #1 and will want to have a veteran backup. (I'm guessing Gardner Minshew or Mason Rudolph.) While I harbor many doubts about Levis, he has two things going for him: (1) top-notch physical tools and (2) successful play under McVay's former OC Liam Coen (at Kentucky). Levis has shown flashes in the NFL and was in a rough situation in Tennessee. We can see how he develops with our coaching staff and Stafford. Low risk move. This is basically the same compensation the Jets received for Zach Wilson last year.
Rams trade Round 1 Pick #26 and Round 3 Pick #36
Patriots trade Round 2 Pick #6, Round 3 Pick #13, and Round 4 Pick #8
The Patriots need to get Drake Maye some help. They trade up for either an OL or a WR. The Rams are comfortable moving back to the second round.
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #6 - Jahdae Barron CB Texas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmXAK0aKFk
Analysis: The Thorpe Award winner, Barron falls out of the first round because he isn't 6'0+" and doesn't have 4.3 wheels. But Barron is a perfect fit for our scheme and what we need at CB. At 5'11" 200, he's a physical run defender who excels in zone coverage due to his great football IQ, change of directional ability, and ball skills. Barron is also versatile enough to play outside and in the slot, allowing us to get creative with Quentin Lake.
Round 3 Pick #13 - Matthew Golden WR Texas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruw5W5Xea2w
Analysis: Matthew Golden burst on to the scene this year with Texas after transferring from Houston. I love Golden's fit in our O. At 6'0" 195, he's a gifted route runner who has the acceleration and speed to get vertical and the elusiveness to pick up yards after the catch. Natural hands catcher who has tremendous body control. And he is absolutely lethal running the dig route. Willing blocker with good technique too. His weaknesses are play strength and getting off of press coverage. Additionally, while he has the speed to get vertical, he's not a burner.
Round 3 Pick #26 - LeQuint Allen HB Syracuse
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3hB5QBp88
Analysis: Allen reminds me a lot of Tony Pollard as a runner. He has explosive acceleration, quick feet, and is a slippery runner despite running fairly upright and having a higher center of gravity. However, while Allen is a gifted runner, his most valuable asset is his receiving ability. Lethal route runner with soft, natural hands. He'll need to work on his pass pro technique and get stronger, but he profiles as the lightning to Corum's thunder (if we let Williams walk after 2025) and an absolute terror as a receiver out of the backfield.
Round 4 Pick #8 - Hollin Pierce OT Rutgers
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzhXtwCmYLI
Analysis: Hollin Pierce is going to need a redshirt year to work on his game, but you can't teach 6'8" 350 and his natural power. Pierce profiles as an impact player in the running game. He more often than not dominates the defender in front of him on running plays. As a pass protector, he's strong as an ox and has a ton of length, but he has a lot to clean up. Bends too much from the waist, gets beaten inside (with spins especially) when he oversets, and can lose his fundamentals at the top of the arc. He's not the most fleet-footed guy, but he has the athleticism to handle pass pro at RT in the NFL.
Round 5 Pick #16 - Jack Bech WR Texas Christian
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83OazG8REE
Analysis: Jack Bech is a Sean McVay WR. At 6'2" 215, he is physical in all aspects of the game. He will bring it as a blocker, he overpowers defenders in his routes, and he runs like a TE after the catch. Bech is extremely effective against zone defender due to his high IQ, physical play, and reliable hands. Against man, his athletic limitations can show up, as he does not possess great speed or elite quickness. He typically wins with physicality and route running savvy. At minimum, he'll bring it on special teams for us. But I think there's potential here for him to carve out a role in our O. Rich man's Ben Skowronek.
Round 6 Pick #26 - Carson Bruener ILB Washington
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU1vlHiZyj4
Analysis: The son of former Steelers TE Mark Bruener, Carson is a good athlete, a heady player, and very adept in coverage. Where he'll offer the most value to us early on is special teams. He has good speed, plays with a non-stop motor, and really shined on special teams at Washington. Bruener was also a productive ILB, leading the team with over 100 tackles this year in Steve Belichick's defense. He was the Mike and had the green dot. I love him in zone coverage. He has great awareness, good lateral agility, and the speed to carry TEs up the field. He needs some work as a run defender. Needs to trust his eyes and trigger, rather than hesitating and settling for tackling the guy four yards down the field.
Round 7 Pick #23 - Trikweze Bridges S Florida
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnG9NnS4S-w
Analysis: I didn't expect a lot from Bridges when he transferred to UF this year. He started at CB for Oregon back in 2022, but lost his job in 2023. I was pleasantly surprised. He started the year at safety, where he played solid football. Due to injuries at CB, Bridges served as the #1 CB late in the year and again played solid football. He's a versatile DB who can contribute on special teams and is capable of developing into a guy we deploy in sub-packages against athletic TEs, in addition to providing depth at safety.
Starting Lineup
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB Kyren Williams
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Kyle Pitts
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Beaux Limmer
RG: Kevin Dodson
RT: Rob Havenstein
DE: Kobie Turner
NT: Bobby Brown III
DE: Braden Fiske
OLB: Jared Verse
ILB: Nick Bolton
ILB: Omar Speights
OLB: Byron Young
CB: Jahdae Barron
CB: Ahkello Witherspoon
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kam Kinchens
SS: Kam Curl
K: Joshua Karty
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Alex Ward
KR: LeQuint Allen
PR: Xavier Smith
Cut
TE Colby Parkinson (Post June 1st)
CB Darious Williams
Unfortunately, our 2024 FA class was mostly a dud. Parkinson is one of those duds. His snap count dropped as the season progressed. I don't know what McVay saw, but he clearly didn't love it. D-Will provided solid play, but he's aging and not worth the cap number. Plus, we need more size at CB. It's why I am choosing Spoon on a cheap deal over D-Will.
Re-sign
LT Alaric Jackson (franchise and extend)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
EDGE Michael Hoecht
DT Bobby Brown III
OL Dylan McMahon (ERFA)
I think we have to keep Jackson. He's a solid LT, the position is in demand, and we don't need to be trotting out a rookie on Stafford's blindside. I expect Witherspoon is a cheap re-sign. He's not great, but he's a competent player and gives us size in the secondary. Hoecht is a steady role player, so I'd try to keep him on a reasonable contract. Same with Bobby Brown III. While I'd love to bring back D-Rob, he's likely looking at a 3-6 game suspension due to the two DUI arrests.
Free Agency
ILB Nick Bolton
If this game drove something home to me, it's our desperate need for a dawg at ILB. We have that guy on the DL (Verse). Bolton will do a lot to solve our run defense woes. I considered Dre Greenlaw or Charvarius Ward here. I opted for Bolton over Greenlaw due to youth and durability. I opted against Ward because this draft is stronger and deeper at CB than ILB and Ward is turning 29, while Bolton is still only 24 (25 in March).
WR Allen Lazard
I am anticipating that the Jets will cut Lazard due to his cap number and the likelihood of Rodgers departing. With D-Rob likely to face a lengthy suspension due to his DUI arrests, Lazard would be an interesting addition. He's a big WR (6'5" 225) who can block and is capable of getting vertical. He put up 412 yards and 5 TDs in only 7 games. Seems like a worthwhile veteran additional on a one or two year deal.
OT Josh Jones
After watching Noteboom and McClendon struggle when Havenstein went down, it's clear we need a swing OT. While Jones can play both OT and OG positions, his best snaps have come at OT (LT, specifically). Important depth signing.
DT Greg Gaines
A blast from the past here, Gaines has mostly been in a rotational role in Tampa. It should make him relatively cheap to bring back. He'll give us additional depth inside. It won't hurt us to have a high-motor run stuffer.
Trades
Falcons trade TE Kyle Pitts
Rams trade Round 4 Pick #26 and Conditional 2026 Round 5 Pick (4th if Pitts has 1000+ yards, 3rd if he makes the Pro Bowl or All Pro team)
Pitts is headed into the final year of his rookie contract (the option year). Things haven't worked out in Atlanta. I'd give him a shot here. Here's why: Pitts is still only 24 years old, he's still a 6'6" 245 pound man who ran a 4.40 40, and I think McVay is smart enough to understand how to use Pitts's unique skillset. We can show 12 personnel with Pitts and Higbee and create mismatches based on the personnel packages defenses use in response to Pitts. There is a long list of TEs who didn't blossom until they found the right offense later in their careers. I think Pitts can be that guy.
Rams trade OL Jonah Jackson and Round 6 Pick #19
Giants trade Round 5 Pick #16
The Giants were reportedly interested in signing Jackson last offseason. While we could just keep Jackson for another year to provide (incredible) depth, I think we're okay with Justin Dedich and Dylan McMahon. I think Jackson will have some trade value because starting caliber OLs are always in demand, and he's still relatively young.
Rams trade Round 6 Pick #14
Titans trade QB Will Levis and Round 7 Pick #23
The Titans did this last year with Malik Willis (traded for a 7th to the Packers). They are taking a QB at #1 and will want to have a veteran backup. (I'm guessing Gardner Minshew or Mason Rudolph.) While I harbor many doubts about Levis, he has two things going for him: (1) top-notch physical tools and (2) successful play under McVay's former OC Liam Coen (at Kentucky). Levis has shown flashes in the NFL and was in a rough situation in Tennessee. We can see how he develops with our coaching staff and Stafford. Low risk move. This is basically the same compensation the Jets received for Zach Wilson last year.
Rams trade Round 1 Pick #26 and Round 3 Pick #36
Patriots trade Round 2 Pick #6, Round 3 Pick #13, and Round 4 Pick #8
The Patriots need to get Drake Maye some help. They trade up for either an OL or a WR. The Rams are comfortable moving back to the second round.
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #6 - Jahdae Barron CB Texas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmXAK0aKFk
Analysis: The Thorpe Award winner, Barron falls out of the first round because he isn't 6'0+" and doesn't have 4.3 wheels. But Barron is a perfect fit for our scheme and what we need at CB. At 5'11" 200, he's a physical run defender who excels in zone coverage due to his great football IQ, change of directional ability, and ball skills. Barron is also versatile enough to play outside and in the slot, allowing us to get creative with Quentin Lake.
Round 3 Pick #13 - Matthew Golden WR Texas
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruw5W5Xea2w
Analysis: Matthew Golden burst on to the scene this year with Texas after transferring from Houston. I love Golden's fit in our O. At 6'0" 195, he's a gifted route runner who has the acceleration and speed to get vertical and the elusiveness to pick up yards after the catch. Natural hands catcher who has tremendous body control. And he is absolutely lethal running the dig route. Willing blocker with good technique too. His weaknesses are play strength and getting off of press coverage. Additionally, while he has the speed to get vertical, he's not a burner.
Round 3 Pick #26 - LeQuint Allen HB Syracuse
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3hB5QBp88
Analysis: Allen reminds me a lot of Tony Pollard as a runner. He has explosive acceleration, quick feet, and is a slippery runner despite running fairly upright and having a higher center of gravity. However, while Allen is a gifted runner, his most valuable asset is his receiving ability. Lethal route runner with soft, natural hands. He'll need to work on his pass pro technique and get stronger, but he profiles as the lightning to Corum's thunder (if we let Williams walk after 2025) and an absolute terror as a receiver out of the backfield.
Round 4 Pick #8 - Hollin Pierce OT Rutgers
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzhXtwCmYLI
Analysis: Hollin Pierce is going to need a redshirt year to work on his game, but you can't teach 6'8" 350 and his natural power. Pierce profiles as an impact player in the running game. He more often than not dominates the defender in front of him on running plays. As a pass protector, he's strong as an ox and has a ton of length, but he has a lot to clean up. Bends too much from the waist, gets beaten inside (with spins especially) when he oversets, and can lose his fundamentals at the top of the arc. He's not the most fleet-footed guy, but he has the athleticism to handle pass pro at RT in the NFL.
Round 5 Pick #16 - Jack Bech WR Texas Christian
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h83OazG8REE
Analysis: Jack Bech is a Sean McVay WR. At 6'2" 215, he is physical in all aspects of the game. He will bring it as a blocker, he overpowers defenders in his routes, and he runs like a TE after the catch. Bech is extremely effective against zone defender due to his high IQ, physical play, and reliable hands. Against man, his athletic limitations can show up, as he does not possess great speed or elite quickness. He typically wins with physicality and route running savvy. At minimum, he'll bring it on special teams for us. But I think there's potential here for him to carve out a role in our O. Rich man's Ben Skowronek.
Round 6 Pick #26 - Carson Bruener ILB Washington
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU1vlHiZyj4
Analysis: The son of former Steelers TE Mark Bruener, Carson is a good athlete, a heady player, and very adept in coverage. Where he'll offer the most value to us early on is special teams. He has good speed, plays with a non-stop motor, and really shined on special teams at Washington. Bruener was also a productive ILB, leading the team with over 100 tackles this year in Steve Belichick's defense. He was the Mike and had the green dot. I love him in zone coverage. He has great awareness, good lateral agility, and the speed to carry TEs up the field. He needs some work as a run defender. Needs to trust his eyes and trigger, rather than hesitating and settling for tackling the guy four yards down the field.
Round 7 Pick #23 - Trikweze Bridges S Florida
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnG9NnS4S-w
Analysis: I didn't expect a lot from Bridges when he transferred to UF this year. He started at CB for Oregon back in 2022, but lost his job in 2023. I was pleasantly surprised. He started the year at safety, where he played solid football. Due to injuries at CB, Bridges served as the #1 CB late in the year and again played solid football. He's a versatile DB who can contribute on special teams and is capable of developing into a guy we deploy in sub-packages against athletic TEs, in addition to providing depth at safety.
Starting Lineup
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB Kyren Williams
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Kyle Pitts
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Beaux Limmer
RG: Kevin Dodson
RT: Rob Havenstein
DE: Kobie Turner
NT: Bobby Brown III
DE: Braden Fiske
OLB: Jared Verse
ILB: Nick Bolton
ILB: Omar Speights
OLB: Byron Young
CB: Jahdae Barron
CB: Ahkello Witherspoon
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kam Kinchens
SS: Kam Curl
K: Joshua Karty
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Alex Ward
KR: LeQuint Allen
PR: Xavier Smith
