(10-11-2021, 12:05 PM)DTWD4∞ Wrote: Top 5 needs? For next year? Before I get into that let's talk about linebackers. Specifically Myles Jack. If he is out for a time we will get to see what Quarterman, Dakota Allen and Russel can do at ILB. We know what we have in  Wilson. Myles is not good at ILB. If he comes back, move him to OLB opposite of Allen. Maybe he can play better there.

Now on to top 5 needs for next year

1. O-line as Trevor gonna need protecting. Norwell will be gone, as will Cann. I fear Linder is going to be a liability at center, at best unreliable to make it through a year. Taylor is not progressing and Robinson isn't worth what he will want. Bartch may run block well but he is getting mauled in pass protection. So unless you want to see Trevor go the route of oft injured Andrew Luck, this better be a top priority. In fact, scouting improvement may top this need.

2. Edge rusher, unless they move Jack over there and he becomes all world but not likely. In any event edge rusher help is Always a priority.

3. ILB. What we have isn't good. Crossing patterns is just about the biggest weakness on defense after pass rush

4. Shutdown corner. 'nuff said

5. True #1 receiver. Whether draft or FA this needs to happen. I like Chark but he just hasn't panned out as a #1. Urbs was right about him playing small. Always did at LSU and has here in Jax. Plus, he gets hurt a lot.

I did not include D-line nor TE position because I feel both are holding their own  now. Especially TE with the addition of Arnold and to a lesser extent Hollister. Safety I reserve judgement on until I see Cisco get significant playing time. But the O-line is far, far and away the biggest need on this team going forward.

All this said, that is a LOT of positions to fill 4 on defense and 5 possibly 6 on offense if you count WR#1, and 4 possibly 5 o-line positions

This is what happens when the general manager does so terribly in the high rounds of each draft. Unless Baalke/Meyer do a much better job in the next couple of off-seasons than they did on their first go-round, Lawrence's immense talent will be wasted. 

The top priority for Meyer and his staff for the remaining 12 games this season is to determine which young players should form the nucleus of the team moving forward. Little, Cisco and Jordan Smith need to be given an increasing number of snaps each game. They will inevitably make their share of mistakes, but this team obviously couldn't be much worse. If they don't play Little, how will they know what he is capable of in the NFL? Better to find out now than at the start of next season when he is starting at left tackle and responsible for Trevor Lawrence's blindside. 

The offensive line must be the priority for the reasons you mentioned. It will take two seasons at the least to meet all the team's needs, but if Lawrence isn't given adequate protection nothing else will matter. Imagine how many fans would show up for a home game without Lawrence at quarterback.

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