(12-30-2022, 12:15 PM)Bullseye Wrote: There is considerable validity to that approach from an immediate needs and future considerations.  The team has needs for immediate upgrades along the OL, minimally at LG and RT.  Furthermore, the team needs improved depth, and eventually the team will have to purge the salaries of Scherff and Cam Robinson.  Consider the Colts lost Andrew Luck in part because the Colts did not sufficiently re-stock the OL.  I don't think they replace Fortner any time soon.  They thought enough of him to draft him at the top of the 3rd round, and there were alternatives in the draft. I think they want him having an offseason in their weight program to improve his power.


Do you have particular rookie prospects in mind?


I understand your desire to add an experienced G.  I would like Elgton Jenkins, but I believe he'll be way too costly.

A fear I have is the way the offense seems to emphasize fast decsionmaking reduces the amount of sacks and pressure TL gets, and in theory could make OL somewhat less of a priority.

Quote:Moving to defense, which is more the focus here, they need another corner or nickel.
I think given the current cap - you roll with Campbell and Williams outside and try to find an impactful nickel in the draft.
Many of Campbell's stat lines this year are bordering elite level of play. He's the real deal. 
Williams looks more comfortable outside, but we have a bit of a small sample seeing him outside in this system.

Next phase of defense in need is the pass rush. Adding a quality nickel and keeping DW outside will help buy the pass rush more time to get home, but I think an interior disruptor is key. They need a 3-4 end / 3-techDT guy that can collapse pockets and flush QBs laterally to the EDGE guys.

Could they upgrade Josh Allen? Probably. And I imagine they will, but I'd hold on spending big capital on that till 2024 and try to help Walker and Allen by adding some heat on the inside. No guarantee you get Smoot or Key back, and they need a guy with more consistent pressure from that spot if they can find one.

I'm not worried about ILB. Let Lloyd develop and the chips can fall where they may between he and Muma. 
I hope they get creative and find ways to utilize them all.

Regarding standout defensive playmakers: I think we have a chance at seeing any number of guys rise to that role.
Possibilities include: Walker, Lloyd, Cisco, Campbell, and hopefully a 2023 draft pick.

I think the DE out of Texas Tech might be a very nice fit as a 3-4 DE.  I think he may fit at that part of the first round and may have more pass rush potential than Walker.  But even with that, I'm envisioning an OLB who gets after the pass (though of course if we could come up with a JJ Watt, Bruce /Neil Smith, Howie Long type DE, I'd welcome him here and not look back.

All that said, I agree that there is now an open window, but emphasize the urgency of exploiting that now.  In another two years, the contracts of Zay Jones, Brandon Scherff, Calvin Ridley and Kirk might expire or, depending on the terms, might be too expensive to maintain on the roster, especially  itll be about time to re-sign Trevor Lawrence.  We must draft well to keep the cap mangeable and the talent upgraded and suitable for a QB like Trevor Lawrence.