(01-23-2023, 09:48 AM)Caldrac Wrote:

(01-23-2023, 08:07 AM)wassy04 Wrote: We do seem to have a lot of cap space tied up in WR/TE (assuming Engram is re-signed). I think this definitely shows the need to look to the draft at some point to fill the positions to lower the cap hit. Whether that be early-middle this year or next year. Watching Burrow and Chase on Sunday and thinking damn, it would be good to have a top rookie tied to Trevor (we do have Ettiene I suppose if that counts)

I think we've seen enough to commit to Trevor, that means getting the succession planning on offence ready for the next few years knowing that we need to lower the cap hit and that Trevor's contract is potentially only a year away. I reckon draft a TE high, sign Engram with room to escape in two years when the rookie TE has reached a point where he can replace him (if needed). Draft at least one mid round receiver for depth with a hope they hit. Can take the year to assess Ridley to see whether he is still the player he was and then regardless need to be drafting a receiver high in 2024 to eventually replace Kirk/Ridley.

I think the strategy has to be having one top receiver at WR that is paid that way, a good 2nd that is paid mid money and a highly drafted one that is the long term plan at the position as per what the Chiefs have done.

Either way succession planning is going to be key now we've had the short term leap.

This. This is why I am saying you keep building around Lawrence and you find pass rushing talent later on in the draft. Buffalo has Diggs and Knox. That's about it. They struggled the most out of the teams remaining in the play-off's. The Bengals made an effort to get Chase, Higgins and Hurst involved offensively. They went out and addressed their offensive line to the best of their abilities to protect Burrow and it worked out great. The Chiefs have Kelce and everything else really boils down to Mahomes and Reid calling and running a phenomenal offense together. 

Look at the NFC teams. They're all front loaded on offense with stellar offensive lineman up front. The 49ers installed Mr. Irrelevant into their offense and kept it going with Kittle, McCaffrey and Samuel. Aiyuk also sneaks up on you and gets streaky and even their back up RB's are solid. But, the offensive line is awesome. Philadelphia has a stellar offensive line. They have Brown, Smith and Goedert. 

Sure. Kirk, Engram and Jones all contributed pretty well as first year players on a new team and new coaching staff. Was impressive. However, the offensive line's inconsistencies caught up to this team from time to time and the Chiefs, once again, had their way with us up front. Lost count on how many times Lawrence had somebody in his face or right on him. Can't win like that deep in the play-off's. 

The Bengals imposed their will on the Bills yesterday. When they wanted to run it late? At will? They did it. The 49ers closed their game out late. Why? Purdy had all day to get rid of it late in the game and McCaffrey finished it out? Why? Because the offensive line imposed their will. We have a mix bag of players on our offensive line but it lacks consistency due to injuries and lack of experience. 

There has to be a back up plan to get this resolved in the event Fortner doesn't step up, Scherff continues to slide down, Robinson struggles at staying healthy at LT, LG being a revolving door with underwhelming performance. Again, a lot of those issues were masked due to play calling and quick releases. Still lead in drops all season as well. 

Need to go the Bill Polian route like he did with Peyton Manning. Offense early and often until the line is consistently good enough to give Lawrence more time in the pocket to where double digit wins are routine.

TE, O-line, WR in draft, need to get more rookies into these key positions. Get out from under the Cam/Kirk (depending on Ridley, draftees etc) contracts in 2024. Fortner worries me too, can he step up or do we just go again in that position in mid round of draft. You probably have to give him another year and hope he improves, can't really give up on rookies so early but it's a worry.

We do obvously need to find a way to stop TEs too, can't be the worst in the league at that and expect to make it deep in playoffs. Not sure whether that's a scheme issue or personnel or both. Maybe one to try and fix in FA (somehow). Agree though ultimately fix the offence in the draft and plug the defence in FA/later in the draft. Plus we have some high picks already on rookie deals on the defence so we need to get the best out of them rather than add to them. Ie not drafting push rush although I get that is probably not popular.

Anyway, my main point was the best teams succession plan at the key positions (which tbf we have done sort of unintentionally with Little) so you don't have to panic buy in FA and can also let your players walk if necessary and get lots of comp picks. Players like Cam, Kirk etc on big contracts will get high comp picks if/when they leave. Then if the succession plans don't work, that's when you turn to FA or big trades if a real opportunity appears.

If we're picking between trying to improve O-Line or Pass rush, I choose O-Line all day. Rely on scoring lots of points and then defence will have more opportunities to attack as teams will be throwing more. Therefore pressure will likely be more effective jsut situationally. A bit like the Lions this year, basically the worst secondary in the year first half the season but as the offence improved the defence improved just through having better field positions and better chances to get home.

Anyway good luck Trent...

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