I think Brad has done a remarkable job again this off-season…. I prefer Reed to Davis, and he paid less for Patrick and Levi than “most” anyone expected. The long term deal for Barnes was a bit of a sleeper move at 8M per as well, and we stole backup NT Lopez…the moves to grab guys like Rock and Maddox for pennies in lieu of Vildor and the Gilmore hope train were sneaky god too.
The confirmation of what many expected- “Alim likely not ready til deep in the season” along with the data points that DJ is in his final year, and Lopez and Levi are also on 1 year deals… lends us to taking the position of greatest talent, and filling a significant need both in round 1…
Here is how I’d love to see us finish off the regular season…. I’m scared of the safety depth currently, and outside a few guys who could be taken in rounds 1-2 (Starks, Winston)- I don’t love the mid round solutions as potential starters in 25’ for any stretch of games…
Julian Blackmon- 2 years 10M- at 6’ and 200 he has the size to play deep or in the box…
I love the 17 total ints over his last 3 years of college and last 3 years in the pros combined. Some nice tfl numbers, a few sacks and a really solid 70 off grade. 26 years old. Two year deal helps if Kerby plays hard ball.
Dalton Risner- 2 years 5M. 76 pass block rating and 2200 snaps at LG over the past 3 years.
That’s a 27… but one QB and either Yeaboah or Zylstra will fall off, and hopefully Awosika to the PS…. That’s a deep, experienced and versatile squad and most of it pours into 26’ as well.
Hutch/Gillotte/Muhammad
Reader/Lopez/O’Connor
Levi/Harmon
Davenport/Stewart/Paschal
Barnes/Stewart
AA/Stuard
Campbell/Rodrigo
Robertson/Maddox
Arnold/Rakestraw
Reed/Rock/Dorsey
Branch/Blackmon
Joseph/Blackmon
That’s 26 with Rock, Muhammad and O’Connor likely be long borderline.
Hutch/Davenport/Gillotte- the typical 3 down 265 pound edge players
Barnes and Stewart- the flamethrowers off the edge
Paschal/O’Connor/Levi if they want to bring in a can crushing edge setter.
Hutch
Alim
Harmon
Gillotte
Barnes/Stewart
Campbell/Rodrigo
Rakestraw
Reed
Arnold
Joseph(extension)
Branch/Blackmon
One thing I realized from this exercise was how deep we really are. If we sign and draft one OL player each… we are likely banishing Awosika and Sorsdal to the PS for good. If we sign a guy like Blackmon with deep safety, box and ST versatility… it would be hard for any rookie to make the team (not taken round 1-2)
Reed
Arnold
Robertson
Branch
Kerby
Blackmon
Rakestraw
Maddox
Dorsey
Rock- a late round rookie would have to beat out Rock for the #10 DB spot.
Alim
Reader
Harmon
Levi
Lopez
Wingo
O’Connor- that’s crazy deep at DT come playoff time.
Hutch/Davenport/Gillotte/Paschal could easily be 24 sacks at traditional edge
Barnes and Stewart- should be 8 plus sacks from edge/Sam
Stuard and Rodrigo as backup Will and Mike works for me… especially with Barnes to play Mike if needed.
Vaki as ST ace and backup slot is pretty interesting and Mullings to backup Monty is sneaky.
A late RB is a waste of a pick. He’ll have to be cut and go through waivers to make it to the practice squad.
The picks after round 3 should be used on positions that we are thin at.
We’re likely 6 deep at RB, now. Finding a diamond that could knock Vaki or Reynolds off of the roster are pretty slim.
Chances are better at Safety, WR, Oline.
Just my opinion. You are definitely entitled to yours.
I feel if they can’t afford or not willing to pay a 9-10 sack guy that can start 11 million, I can’t see them spending 5 million on a 3rd safety. I think they see Maddox in that role
I think you are right about this. I know the attrition rate is high at RB, but would rather take a late round swing at a position of need - even doubling down on a position drafted earlier. Tackle, safety, or another edge.
