(01-15-2022, 10:27 PM)TheDuke007 Wrote: This would be my general plan.  I would note that when I say "mid-round pick", I'm referring to our 3rd/4th round picks which includes the top pick in the 3rd round, the sixth pick in the 3rd round and the top pick in the 4th round, so those are pretty good picks.  For "late round pick", I'm referring to one of our seven picks in the 5th through 7th rounds.  I would likely use some of those late round picks to trade up when beneficial.

Quarterback:  No change.

Running back:  Because of injury concerns, we should get a free agent running back to add to JRob and ETN.  I'd also use a late round pick at the position.

Wide Receiver:  I use what I call the 1-1-1 approach.  We resign 1 player who was mostly injured last year (Chark).  We sign 1 free agent (the best we can get).  We also draft 1 player (likely in the 2nd round).  That's the 1-1-1 method of upgrading.  We then add MJJ to get our four main receivers.  Agnew returns largely to be a returner.  Although not popular with some, Shenault returns.  I think he was misused and might be able to improve with better coaching.  However, he would likely be a game day inactive if the others are healthy.

Tight End:  If we can sign Mike Gesicki, I do.  If not, I use a mid-round pick at tight end.  I see many tight ends projected as day 2 picks, so I think value may meet need with our 3rd or 4th round picks.  I bring back Arnold, Manhertz and Farrell.

Offensive Line:  This is a tough one, but my inclination is to franchise Cam Robinson.  I move Little to right tackle.  I get the best guard we can in free agency for one of our guard positions.  I think Linder is a good center, when healthy.  He has one year left on his contract.  My strategy would be to keep him, but draft his future replacement with a mid round pick.  For 2022, the rookie can be depth and assuming he looks good, take over in 2023.  Besides, with Linder's injury history, the rookie will likely get a significant amount of playing time in 2022.  I then likely keep Bartch.  He's young and low cost.  He improved this year and I hope he continues to improve next year which he might with better coaching.  I would resign Shatley for depth.

Defensive Line/OLB:  Most of the major players return.  The big addition is Thibodeaux.  However, some of our depth players are free agents.  I resign Gotsis if the price is right.  I'm pretty "meh" over free agents Ward and Bryan.

Inside Linebacker:  I use a mid round pick in hopes of finding a starter and a late round pick to get more depth.  I also trade Myles Jack if we can get a third rounder or higher.  If so, I use the pick to draft an inside linebacker better suited to our scheme.

Cornerback:  Griffin and Campbell return as starters.  I sign a nickel back.  Ford played well at times, but I think we could also use a more prototypically nickel back.  I also upgrade depth on the outside through a free agent signing and a late round draft pick.  I think this is an area that some under-rate.  Our depth at cornerback last year was terrible.  When we were using Herndon and Claybrooks, we were basically playing with just 10 people on the field.  They just got abused.  Claybrooks played the majority of the defensive snaps in the three games.  The other teams scored 31 points, 37 points and 50 points in those games.  Tell Herndon and Claybrooks to not let the door him them on their way out.

Safety:  No change to the roster, although I expect Cisco to start.  I do resign Wingard.  He's a restricted free agent, so we basically can have him if we want him.  I'm not a fan, but he does provide good depth and can play special teams.

Special Teams:  We have a punter and a return specialist.  Either sign a kicker in free agency or use a late round pick at the position.