(12-30-2018, 09:22 PM)Bullseye Wrote: Now that we know the front office triumvirate of Coughlin Caldwell and Marrone are slated to return to try to get this team back on a winning track, it is understandable and predictable that many are upset with the decision.

Knowing your bloodlust will not be sated with their jobs this year, what steps would you take to return this team to the playoffs in 2019?

Specifically:

1.  Knowing we are picking 7th in the draft, how would you address the QB situation?  Would you go strictly with a veteran QB?  If so, who?  Would you be willing to trade for a vet?  What are you willing to give up to get him?  Would you obtain a veteran QB to be a placeholder and draft a rookie QB?  If so, which veteran and which rookie?  Do you go specifically and primarily with a rookie signal caller?  At what point in the draft do you draft a QB?  Why?  Are you willing to trade up to get him?  If so, how far up are you willing to deal, and what are you willing to give up to get him?

2.  I have argued the main thing that sabotaged the team this year was injuries, specifically to the offensive line.  NYCJags has argued (not calling him out) the team did not provide sufficient depth along the OL to withstand the carnage to the team we saw this past season.  I believe there is some merit to that argument.  What would you do to fix the OL going into next season?  Keep in mind, Parnell is likely to be gone, and Cann is a free agent.  So you must come out of this offseason with no fewer than two starting caliber OL, and that's not even considering the depth requirements.  Also be mindful of the team's salary cap situation and the need for at least one, maybe two signal callers.  How do you re-stock and upgrade the offensive line and depth?  How many draft picks do you allocate to this area?  Which players would you like to see?  What about the players not leaving but returning from injury like Cam Robinson, Norwell and Linder? 

3.  What about replacements for departing defensive players like Malik Jackson and Barry Church?  Do you allocate any picks to the defensive side of the ball?  Do you think we have sufficient depth there?

4.  What about WR and TE?  It seems like it's been forever since we've had a guy who can command a defense's attention from the Y position, and almost as long since we've had a true stud # 1 WR.   How much attention do you give those positions?  Do you put off adequately stocking those positions in the hunt for a QB and stockpiling OL depth and starters?

5.  What do you do at RB?  Do you keep or dump Fournette?  If you desire to trade him away, what is the minimum amount you would take for him in trade?  Do you replace him with Kareem Hunt or allocate a draft pick to replace him?  What about Yeldon's and Grant's replacements?

I respectfully ask for specific detailed responses to these questions.

1. I believe in building via the draft. I've let it be known that I am a huge Haskins fan. I believe he is the guy to target. I'd try trading up, particularly to that #3 position. As I believe the Cardinals and Niners would probably want to stay put and take defensive impact players. The Jets on the other hand need a 3-4 OLB and the best one in the draft is Josh Allen of Kentucky who is projected to go lower in the top 10, so they probably want to trade down. If you look at the NFL trade value chart, such a move up would cost us 700 points, which is like a mid first rounder. I would be willing to part with our 2020 first round pick to get the job done. If I get Haskins, I then sign Ryan Fitzpatrick in free agency to be a bridge QB and I bring in an UDFA QB like Kyle Kempt, Taylor Cornelius or Kyle Shurmur to give us 3 QB's. Fitzpatrick will be the starter for the 2019 season, but depending on what Haskins shows, he could start as early as week 6 or maybe not until 2020. 

2. I use our 2nd round pick to fill the RG position. I like players with experience at OG and OT, so I'm looking at guys like Cody Ford of Oklahoma (if he declares), Michael Dieter or Beau Benzschawel. I then use one of my 3rd or 4th picks to add an OT with experience at playing both OT positions. He would then compete with Richardson for the RT job or become a swing Tackle. I also bring in at least 5 UDFA O-Linemen after the draft to add depth and I may target a FA Tackle like Trenton Brown as a backup Tackle if the price is right and either OG Ramon Foster or Jermon Bushrod if the price is right. 

3. We have our replacements for Jackson and Church in Taven Bryan and Ronnie Harrison. Like it or not, that's the way it is. I at least keep them at starters for one year. I use a late round pick to find Fowler's replacement and if I see a NT prospect I like on that 3rd day of the draft, I use a pick on him to be Dareus' eventual replacement. Other than that, I go all offense. I believe we are good enough. I may trade Jalen Ramsey if I can get a good return, but I want at least a 1st round pick, a 3rd round pick and a decent player in return. If I get that, I use a high pick on his replacement. There are some pretty good corners that will go in the 1st and 2nd day of the draft. I also look to deal Telvin Smith. He has looked poor in coverage and has gotten "trucked" way too many times this season. I want at least a 2nd rounder for him as I prefer bigger linebackers. If I get my price, I love Jack to WLB and I find a true MLB via the draft. 

4. I use a 3rd or 4th round pick to find a receiver with decent size who can get deep. Guys who could fall in that area are Preston Williams, Parris Campbell, Keelan Doss, Anthony Johnson, Antoine Wesley and Lil' Jordan Humphrey (if he declares). With Chark getting another year under his belt and a new QB, Lee returning to the slot and Westbrook and Cole competing as well, I believe that would give us a solid core of receivers. 

I look for a TE somewhere in that 3rd or 4th round range. One guy that intrigues me a lot is Josh Oliver of San Jose State. He is a better pass catcher than a blocker, but I like his receiving skills. I also like Foster Moreau of LSU and an early entry of Utah State named Dax Raymond. 

5. I would only trade Fournette if the price was right. After thinking about it, I would want a 2nd rounder. Between the constant injuries and the antics, I'm getting sick of him. If I get my price, I look for his replacement in the draft. This draft doesn't have any superstar RB's in it, but it's extremely deep. Deep to the point where there will be some very good runners who go undrafted. Two guys I like are early entries. One is Darrell Henderson of Memphis and the other is Alex Mattison of Boise State. I also bring in a couple UDFA RB's to compete as well. With this new crop and Carlos Hyde, as well as a revamped O-Line, I believe the running game will find success. There is no way I bring in Kareem Hunt. He is done in the NFL. That would send the wrong message.

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