I’m thinking it’s PS for Conklin, at least for now.
They could do some roster maneuvering with putting guys on IR/PUP, although most of the injuries they have still on the roster don’t seem like the length needed for those.
Interesting that Dortch signed with the Bills PS, not their active roster.
Dortch probably was a little hurt that the lions were cutting him. Lions likely wanted him back on PS. But since he was cut, went elsewhere.
My guess is they told a couple of those vets they released that they’re keeping Small to play Week 1 while Pacheco/Vaki are maybe out, then Small will get waived when either of Pacheco/Vaki are ready and someone added back in.
Looks like Dortch didn’t want to wait. Conklin did.
That is my guess too. But probably longer than just a week or two. Because if it was less than two weeks, they could’ve just elevated small off the practice squad and he would revert back automatically. However, if it’s four or more weeks, they would’ve put either of them on IR
It was probably right within that window of 3 to 4 weeks
But yes, that was probably the premise.
That’s a huge oversimplification (is that really one word lol). They aren’t just unknowns, the receivers are all 28 or older with zero experience. They’ve had plenty of looks and been set aside. It’s like have 3 starters and 3 Tom Kennedys. Guys others teams just don’t even care to have. Not to mention that only 6 WRs in the entire franchise! Thats absurd. Not only are there only 6, half are legit scrubs.
Then, we are only carrying 5 TOTAL RBs…zero on the PS. 2 of those RBs are Vaki and Small. Defending this is just ridiculous imo.
Conklin was brought back it sounds like. That at least brings mild comfort to the TE depth. Meeks is an intriguing project. For me it’s like saying Seth McLaughlin is a legit backup Center. We don’t know that…it’s still TBD.
It’s ok to be critical of decisions sometimes. It doesn’t make anyone less of a fan. In fact, I am largely behind everything we seem to do. But if you can’t admit the combination of skill players behind the starters is concerning, then that’s just not being honest.
You are just totally ignoring the points being made against. These aren’t rookies, these are young guys who showed something to deserve a spot. They are dudes who have been passed around from PS to PS. Theres no upside to Lucky Jackson. We already have that guy on the PS…it’s Tom Kennedy. AND THATS THE ONLY 2 WRs THERE! On a team who only kept 4 WRS!!! One of which is a special teamer…not experience as an NFL WR. Defending that is baffling…
And why do People do this? Point out the one example that fits their narrative while ignoring the other two? Sure Mooney was a bad example. But you know what Im saying here is 100% truth. But you are trying to win the debate…
They didn’t do enough at WR and RB, period. It’s ok to say that’s true. Not everything has to be defended. 6 WRs?!??? 3 real RBs??? In total! Practice squad included…don’t defend it. It ridiculous.
You are not talking to someone who only pays attention to the Lions. I understand roster construction. No other team in the entire league went as lite here as we did. Not only lite, but with absolutely nobodies.
There’s a reason they only went with only 4 WR, though: Because all 4 are healthy.
The backup RBs are not, so they needed depth there. Should we have kept another WR on the roster and go into the opener with almost nobody behind Gibbs at RB?
Also, Meeks is a WR who also plays TE, so in essence, there are 5 WRs on the roster.
Not debating. Just pointing out there are reasons, and this roster construction is not permanent.
Would I feel more comfortable at WR with Dortch back? Heck yes. But there are other position groups that weren’t healthy, and a body needed to be subtracted to help those groups. It happens all the time.
There’s also a week and a half before the opener, so things can change even more.
Lots of assumptions and opinions (obviously, it’s a message board) but no real facts. Saying 3 receivers are scrubs, but then getting relief bc they signed Conklin, a player every team passed over and played like crap last year, but somehow he isn’t a scrub?
I just don’t get the logic… What do we know? All the players they kept looked better than all the players they cut or they fill a need based on an injury, regardless of position.
I trust the staff and their talent evaluation… Tom Kennedy (a scrub by your own admission) was called up last season, caught every ball thrown his way, handled 6 Punts, returned 3 of them for almost 16 yards per attempt, over twice what Raymond was averaging. Small sample size, but when called upon, the “scrub” delivered. I trust the staff and the players they identified as good enough to make this roster
Conklin isn’t some great add. And I’m not saying he’s good. What I am saying is he has a proven track record in this league that the rest of the depth doesn’t. Conklin getting passed over by other teams isn’t a shocker. They didn’t roll with 4 total TEs with two have no experience whatsoever and the other being a UDFA. I know you are getting what in laying out here…I don’t know why what I’m saying is getting so much push back.
How can it be justified keeping Tay Martin, Tom Kennedy, and Lucky Jackson as the organizations 4-5-6 make anyone feel comfortable? Find me a weaker 4-6 in any organization. Want to add Meeks in there as if he’s some known asset…sounds like more of what I just listed. It’s the weakest 4-7 in the entire league. Is that really debatable? I think I have a legit concern here…even if we all do trust the staff. They make mistakes right? To me it has visions of 2025 Oline.
RB room is the same as the WR room. It’s as weak as any group around the NFL 2-5. Bottom 5 without question.
You won’t be able to find a team with multiple skill position groups as weak as ours. We currently probably own the weakest depth (call it on paper if that gets people off my back lol), as in bottom half of each group, in the entire league.
My concerns are valid…saying they are not…I don’t know what to call that other than blind fandom. And I don’t think you are that…
Could be that, but then Buff picked him up. My guess is that we put such a premium on blocking WRs that maybe he couldn’t compete with the others. Even if he had a niche in ST, they obviously felt that was replaceable.
It’s not great, but Dortch doesn’t make it appreciably better, and I suspect 98% of the time WRs 4-7 have virtually no impact on seasons. That’s why I’m not overly fussed about it. I remember when everyone was losing their mind over WR3 the past couple of years, and Brad filled it fine with two castoffs (Josh Reynolds via waivers and Tim Patrick on the PS)
As unlucky as we’ve been on defense with injuries. We have been extremely lucky on offense not have injuries (specifically skill players).
But I appreciate you at least recognizing my concern is valid. Even if you think it’s only a mild concern. Which I’m not suggest it’s huge…I just think it’s almost negligence to a degree.
Conklin, Dortch, and say a 5th round rookie RB leaves me without complaints. It doesn’t mean I don’t still think it’s fairly weak. But I wouldn’t be putting up such a fuss if that were the type of guys next in line.
I just think the difference between 5th round RB and Dortch are available in regular season FA if we need one. TE less so.
I just think re: WRs 4-7 having Dortch on the roster doesn’t make an appreciable difference. Certainly not the difference between being worried or not. I think Martin or whoever can give us just as much honestly (and potentially a lot more as blockers). I also don’t think Conklin is very good, so I wasn’t worried about losing him either. Much rather keep Meeks.
The approach is what worries me. They’ve done it at other positions as well in the past. They almost don’t even do the bare minimum here and there and at times. The skill position groups were ignored this offseason (all 3). They undoubtedly got worse…and as of now, have done nothing rectify it.
Pacheco hasn’t been himself since 2023. That can’t be your only addition losing Monty.
Raymond was an excellent #4 his entire time here. Your supposed replacement couldn’t hack it. Nothing replaced the replacement.
TE is the least of my worries in terms of depth. But again, nothing happened here.
But it’s the approach every team is forced to use. You just can’t be deep everywhere, every team has to sacrifice depth somewhere, and for me, frankly, WR is a really good spot to do it. Better there than OL, DL, or DB.
I don’t see other teams doing it…and I’m paying attention. The effort to fix all three skill positions was absolute bare minimum.
What they did at safety…that’s what other teams do to patch a weakness. Sign several guys who have had success. Guys with experience in actual NFL games. That’s what other teams do. Not borderline ignore an entire area of your team.
A team might do it at safety, at linebacker, at wide receiver…but definitely not all 3.
I’m as high on this team as anyone. Put a lot of money on o10.5 wins. So I’m not saying it’s some major issue. But if you are suggesting it’s a non-issue, that’s crazy to me.
I think the issue is you saying me not being worried about a spot that is going to churn all season - by its nature - is “crazy.” Call it worrisome, call it “not how I would have done it.” But saying “I think you’re crazy for thinking this way” feels intensely hyperbolic.
Find me the team that needed their WR 4–6 to play and that team mattered
If it gets to that point for any team for any extended period the season is over
The Bills have done it…several times over the last half decade.
The 49ers have still been playoff contenders without Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Deebo…missing time over the last half Decade.
The Chiefs lose Rashee Rice, stretches without Worthy…win SBs.
Packers continue to be competitive without Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and others…
Really silly to think WR depth isn’t important. That’s just off the top of my head.
Depth has been a topic of discussion around here for eternity. Too funny that all of a sudden it doesn’t matter…