Why would you pay someone more than $16M if you're not even sure he's the starter? What's more, you're saying Little was a bust by doing so.

What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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It would be idiotic to name a starting LT before camp even started. I would sit down and explain to both Robinson and Little that there will be an open competition for the starting LT spot. The runner-up would be the starting RT. Make the winner earn it, that way the one who loses out and moves to RT knows they had a chance to be the LT. There should be no whining and pouting about moving to RT, when they had a shot to be the starting LT and lost out.

There shouldn't be any whining but that's not how it works.  Do you know why the Ravens traded Brown?  I don't see Cam moving to RT lol

Then he can stay home and not get paid.

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Why would you pay someone more than $16M if you're not even sure he's the starter? What's more, you're saying Little was a bust by doing so.

What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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There shouldn't be any whining but that's not how it works.  Do you know why the Ravens traded Brown?  I don't see Cam moving to RT lol

Then he can stay home and not get paid.

So if you were the coach you would bring that distraction in your first year because you tag an average LT that doesn't want to play RT?  I'm glad you're not the coach.  Yeah less just bring a stupid distraction to Jax when we don't have to.  Good call

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What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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Then he can stay home and not get paid.

So if you were the coach you would bring that distraction in your first year because you tag an average LT that doesn't want to play RT?  I'm glad you're not the coach.  Yeah less just bring a stupid distraction to Jax when we don't have to.  Good call

Again, it's not a given that Robinson would be the RT. Maybe Robinson beats out Little and Little plays RT. We'd have to see what happens in camp and the preseason. 

Yes, I would absolutely, 100% tag Robinson and have him and Little compete for the LT position with the loser moving to RT and Jawaan Taylor kicking rocks. I then look for a Swing Tackle in the middle rounds who can possibly become the RT of the future. If Little is beaten by Robinson, he can possibly move to LT in 2023 when the OT class is hopefully better. Until then, I'm buying another year by giving Trevor Lawrence the best possible protection at both OT spots. I don't see any rookie OT's that I would trust as a starter in 2022.

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So if you were the coach you would bring that distraction in your first year because you tag an average LT that doesn't want to play RT?  I'm glad you're not the coach.  Yeah less just bring a stupid distraction to Jax when we don't have to.  Good call

Again, it's not a given that Robinson would be the RT. Maybe Robinson beats out Little and Little plays RT. We'd have to see what happens in camp and the preseason. 

Yes, I would absolutely, 100% tag Robinson and have him and Little compete for the LT position with the loser moving to RT and Jawaan Taylor kicking rocks. I then look for a Swing Tackle in the middle rounds who can possibly become the RT of the future. If Little is beaten by Robinson, he can possibly move to LT in 2023 when the OT class is hopefully better. Until then, I'm buying another year by giving Trevor Lawrence the best possible protection at both OT spots. I don't see any rookie OT's that I would trust as a starter in 2022.

Once again, if Pederson likes Little I'm sure he will bring up Cam playing RT, and if Cam tells Pederson that he doesn't want to play RT it's not worth the distraction.  Go upgrade to an even better proven RT like a Trent Brown.  Cam and Little isn't the best possible protection at both OT spots.  Also neither have ever played RT and I don't think Cam will RT.

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Again, it's not a given that Robinson would be the RT. Maybe Robinson beats out Little and Little plays RT. We'd have to see what happens in camp and the preseason. 

Yes, I would absolutely, 100% tag Robinson and have him and Little compete for the LT position with the loser moving to RT and Jawaan Taylor kicking rocks. I then look for a Swing Tackle in the middle rounds who can possibly become the RT of the future. If Little is beaten by Robinson, he can possibly move to LT in 2023 when the OT class is hopefully better. Until then, I'm buying another year by giving Trevor Lawrence the best possible protection at both OT spots. I don't see any rookie OT's that I would trust as a starter in 2022.

Once again, if Pederson likes Little I'm sure he will bring up Cam playing RT, and if Cam tells Pederson that he doesn't want to play RT it's not worth the distraction.  Go upgrade to an even better proven RT like a Trent Brown.  Cam and Little isn't the best possible protection at both OT spots.  Also neither have ever played RT and I don't think Cam will RT.

Trent Brown is not a great RT. I have no clue why you believe he is so good. He is slightly better than average and what makes you think he's come here anyway. That certainly isn't a given. 

You keep assuming Little would beat out Robinson for the LT spot even though he couldn't last season. You also assume Robinson would refuse to play RT. That is a lot of assumptions.

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Why would you pay someone more than $16M if you're not even sure he's the starter? What's more, you're saying Little was a bust by doing so.

What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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There shouldn't be any whining but that's not how it works.  Do you know why the Ravens traded Brown?  I don't see Cam moving to RT lol

Then he can stay home and not get paid.

I’m okay with this option.

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Clearly you can't depend on it by wasting high draft capital on them either then.

But if you evaluate them properly and still draft them high, you aren't wasting draft capital (Derrick Henry, Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Taylor).  You are far more apt to get a quality RB in the first three rounds of the draft than you are UDFA.

Prove me wrong.

Sure, you get a quality running back, maybe. And those you named have how many championships between them? The difference between a great running back and a serviceable running back in the NFL is negligible and rarely does the running back make a difference in winning a championship. Just look at the last two Super Bowl winners, Tampa and the Rams had backs that they drafted high (Jones, Akers) that were supplanted by guys that were either claimed off the street or traded for late round picks. This isn't the '60s or even the '90s anymore, running backs are almost fungible commodities in the modern game.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Sure, you get a quality running back, maybe. And those you named have how many championships between them? The difference between a great running back and a serviceable running back in the NFL is negligible and rarely does the running back make a difference in winning a championship. Just look at the last two Super Bowl winners, Tampa and the Rams had backs that they drafted high (Jones, Akers) that were supplanted by guys that were either claimed off the street or traded for late round picks. This isn't the '60s or even the '90s anymore, running backs are almost fungible commodities in the modern game.

This may go against the grain of the board.  But for this year, I'm not team building with an eye on the championship.  I want to reach respectability. I want to be competitive in the division.  So I'm comfortable upgrading from hot garbage to competent pros. (James and Travis are NOT hot garbage.  Carlos Freaking Hyde, oth...) And, btw, both SB teams had good RBs.  Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. RBs are not a dime a dozen.  Ketchman is a gasbag.

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Fix the O-Line!

Sure, you get a quality running back, maybe. And those you named have how many championships between them? The difference between a great running back and a serviceable running back in the NFL is negligible and rarely does the running back make a difference in winning a championship. Just look at the last two Super Bowl winners, Tampa and the Rams had backs that they drafted high (Jones, Akers) that were supplanted by guys that were either claimed off the street or traded for late round picks. This isn't the '60s or even the '90s anymore, running backs are almost fungible commodities in the modern game.

This may go against the grain of the board.  But for this year, I'm not team building with an eye on the championship.  I want to reach respectability. I want to be competitive in the division.  So I'm comfortable upgrading from hot garbage to competent pros. (James and Travis are NOT hot garbage.  Carlos Freaking Hyde, oth...) And, btw, both SB teams had good RBs.  Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. RBs are not a dime a dozen.  Ketchman is a gasbag.

Ketchman didn't invent that colloquialism. And for the record this year's SB teams had Akers a 2nd rounder who was supplanted by a guy they gave up a pair of 6th rounders to acquire and the Bengals' Mixon who had a 1,200 yard season (not bad but not great either) neither of which are as good as the three guys named who haven't even made a Super Bowl.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

I’m not saying Cam Robinson is Tony Boselli because he isn’t, but he did only allow 1 sack last year which is pretty good especially when he is better in the run game than pass protection. I honestly think he would make and top end right tackle if he would be open to it. I would keep Taylor too on his rookie deal because he can provide depth on a reasonable contract unless we could get something decent via trade which I doubt. I would try him at guard as well, if he doesn’t like it, ride the bench and don’t recieve any contact incentives.

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Once again, if Pederson likes Little I'm sure he will bring up Cam playing RT, and if Cam tells Pederson that he doesn't want to play RT it's not worth the distraction.  Go upgrade to an even better proven RT like a Trent Brown.  Cam and Little isn't the best possible protection at both OT spots.  Also neither have ever played RT and I don't think Cam will RT.

Trent Brown is not a great RT. I have no clue why you believe he is so good. He is slightly better than average and what makes you think he's come here anyway. That certainly isn't a given. 

You keep assuming Little would beat out Robinson for the LT spot even though he couldn't last season. You also assume Robinson would refuse to play RT. That is a lot of assumptions.

I never said he was great, but he is good and has been a better tackle than Cam and he is a RT.  If I get to pick between Cam or Brown I'm taking Brown.

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Etienne will be ready in time for training camp for sure. He'll be able to contribute within 2022 BUT he'll never be the same RB. He will have lost some of his abilities to plant his foot while making a cut. Being that Robinson won't be ready until the season has started, we need to draft a RB this year.

Time Will Tell.

NH3...

I would be inclined to sign a stop gap free agent.  We need someone who is ready on day 1 and not a rookie who might take time to develop.  I'm also hopeful that Robinson and/or Etienne rebounds to near full strength.  If so, running back is not a long term need.  If we do find out that Robinson/Etienne's career is over, we can put more resources at it next year.  I would draft a running back in the 6th or 7th round for depth.  We have six 6th/7th rounders.  I don't see six players drafted that late making the team.  My goal with late picks is to find who is most likely to make the team.  The draft pick is worthless if you cut him.  I think a late round running back has a good chance of making this team.

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Good lord, we have 11 draft picks.  You don't think we can afford to spend one on a running back?

Nope, we have at least 12 positions more difficult to fill for this team including Receiver, Tight End, every line position on both sides of the ball and every LB spot except for Josh Allen's. Running backs are a dime a dozen.

Any position is a dime a dozen if you want people who suck.  If you want a top running back, they aren't.  If you look at the top 10 rushers from last year, below is the breakdown of where they were originally drafted:

1st Round:  2
2nd Round: 5
3rd Round:  2
4th Round:  0
5th Round:  0
6th Round:  1
7th Round:  0
UDFA:  0

In summary, 7 out of the top 10 were drafted in the first two rounds.  9 out of the top 10 were drafted in the first 3 rounds.  You may not need a first rounder, but if you wait until the 4th round or later in the draft, your odds of finding a top running back goes down significantly.

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You are far more apt to get a quality RB in the first three rounds of the draft than you are UDFA.

Prove me wrong.

There was an exhaustive article from many years ago that showed day 2 is where you get the best bang for your buck for RB. The hit rate is just as high as a round 1 RB, and you aren't passing on far more valauble positions and paying the RB a ton.

The major caveat is you have to already be a contender. Spending a valuable day 2 pick on a RB and not contending for a couple years is just as bad, so that when you are hopefully contending they are due for the killer big second contract that you should never pay RBs.

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Why would you pay someone more than $16M if you're not even sure he's the starter? What's more, you're saying Little was a bust by doing so.

What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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There shouldn't be any whining but that's not how it works.  Do you know why the Ravens traded Brown?  I don't see Cam moving to RT lol

Then he can stay home and not get paid.

My problem with this is that I don't believe Cam Robinson or Walker Little have significant experience at right tackle.  They definitely don't at the NFL level.  If we are going to switch one, wouldn't it make more sense to decide up front?  That way they would have camp and the preseason to learn the position.  Do you think they can just switch from left tackle to right tackle on a dime without any practice?

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In summary, 7 out of the top 10 were drafted in the first two rounds.  9 out of the top 10 were drafted in the first 3 rounds.  You may not need a first rounder, but if you wait until the 4th round or later in the draft, your odds of finding a top running back goes down significantly.

I think the counter to that would obviously be: you don't need a top running back. Two average running backs with complementary skill sets is more than good enough.

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Do you think they can just switch from left tackle to right tackle on a dime without any practice?

Either of them could play RT just fine in time. You are right though, we would want to establish which is which as soon as possible so they can start training at RT.

The clear answer then is to tell Cam to start working on it now, because Little already outplayed him in just a few starts and we have him under contract for many more years so we don't want Little flipping back and forth needlessly.

The inferior player (while still being a large upgrade on Jawaan) who doesn't have the long term contract gets to switch to RT. Get to work Cam.

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What are you talking about? He would be a starter either at LT or RT. Both Robinson and Little would be starters. It would just be up in the air as to what position they would be starting at. That would be determined in camp and the preseason. You keep the 2 best options at OT and that is Robinson and Little.

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Then he can stay home and not get paid.

My problem with this is that I don't believe Cam Robinson or Walker Little have significant experience at right tackle.  They definitely don't at the NFL level.  If we are going to switch one, wouldn't it make more sense to decide up front?  That way they would have camp and the preseason to learn the position.  Do you think they can just switch from left tackle to right tackle on a dime without any practice?

Penei Sewell was a LT in college and transitioned beautifully to RT for the Lions. I personally believe it is much, much easier for a LT to transition to RT than it is for a RT to play LT in the NFL. Little played both positions last season, even though it was sparingly, so he does have a bit of a feel for it already.

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Penei Sewell was a LT in college and transitioned beautifully to RT for the Lions. I personally believe it is much, much easier for a LT to transition to RT than it is for a RT to play LT in the NFL.

It actually wasn't beautifully. He struggled mightily at first, even in the preseason, and lots of the usual suspects were like see it's not as easy to switch as everyone says. And then like two weeks later he was already one of the best RTs in the league.

It is easy to switch, it just takes time.

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Penei Sewell was a LT in college and transitioned beautifully to RT for the Lions. I personally believe it is much, much easier for a LT to transition to RT than it is for a RT to play LT in the NFL.

It actually wasn't beautifully. He struggled mightily at first, even in the preseason, and lots of the usual suspects were like see it's not as easy to switch as everyone says. And then like two weeks later he was already one of the best RTs in the league.

It is easy to switch, it just takes time.

He ended up being the highest graded rookie OT and had a very impressive grade among all starting NFL OT's.

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It actually wasn't beautifully. He struggled mightily at first, even in the preseason, and lots of the usual suspects were like see it's not as easy to switch as everyone says. And then like two weeks later he was already one of the best RTs in the league.

It is easy to switch, it just takes time.

He ended up being the highest graded rookie OT and had a very impressive grade among all starting NFL OT's.

I mean...yeah...that's what I said lol.

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