(02-08-2021, 07:02 PM)Predator Wrote:

(02-08-2021, 10:54 AM)Bullseye Wrote: I agree completely with these sentiments, especially your closing line.  I think Trent Williams, despite his age and contract demands, should be this team's top FA priority.  If he came anywhere close to playing at last year's level, he would represent a huge upgrade for us at the most important position.

While LB would be a priority if we switch to a 3-4, I think ILB would be as much of a priority as OLB/Edge, but there hasn't been much ILB conversation among Jaguars fans/observers.  I am as guilty as not prioritizing them much at all in any mocks I do.  All things considered, I think for our first year running a 3-4, we're decently set up at starting LB, assuming Chaisson is better standing up than in a 3 point stance and depending on the scheme.  If we employ a scheme that requires the OLBs to drop in coverage a lot (think early Patriots) then Chaisson would not fare well.  I think he needs to spend the bulk of his time going forward, after the passer.  Josh Allen, however, could do anything in any scheme assuming he's healthy.  As for the inside guys, I think Jack might have problems taking on guards, while Schoebert might have limits in coverage.  Not sure we have much behind them, though.  Between free agency and the draft, I would think we bring in at least 3 LBs.

I think Trent Williams is more appropriate for a team trying to win now not for one in the process of rebuilding.

With so many positions on this team in need of upgrade, I think it's too early to invest that much cap space in one player.

I think the team would be better served using that cap space to bring in a broad range of players in order to increase the odds of finding a core group of talent that works.

After you find that core, then you can start targeting individual players and offering big contracts to fill the remaining roster holes.

I do think we need to get better play from that position and should be addressed in the offseason, I just don't think we need to break the bank on any player while the roster is likely  multiple years of development away from being able to reap the full benefits of that player.

Also, a big contract now and it's impact on future salary caps could potentially hamstring your rebuilding efforts before they are completed.

As usual we disagree  , but yours is not an unreasonable take by any means.

When TC built this team the first time, his model free agent was 26 years old.  Indeed, as a general rule of thumb, I agree that free agents should be younger, especially for a team like ours that is rebuilding from the ground up.

But there are reasons/advantages to going after Williams.

1.  As discussed earlier, he would provide an immediate and substantial upgrade at a premium position.  After QB, LT is the most important position on offense.  It's not often a LT of that caliber becomes available.  We should take advantage of that opportunity.

2.  We have the cap room now to absorb the cap hit.  Furthermore with the cap going down, we are at an advantage over other teams who are stressed for cap room and will be precluded from bidding on him for that reason.  We'll have the maneuverability we need in the future if we structure his deal right.  By the time we need to re-sign Lawrence, Williams' contract can be trimmed from the cap if too burdensome.

3.  Signing Williams should give us time.  If we have him, we don't have to worry about a rookie LT trying to protect his blind side while he develops.  A left side of Williams, NNorwell and Linder should provide knowledge, experience and ability to provide ample protection for Lawrence-at least from that side of the line.  As Lawrence learns to read NFL defenses and identify blitzers more efficiently he'll have that protection he needs. By the time we have to replace Williams, Lawrence can do a better job of protecting himself.  In his early years, we can draft linemen, develop depth and groom Williams replacement then, with an experienced and savvy Lawrence now at the helm.

4.  Signing Williams helps us in the draft.  As I also discussed earlier, signing Williams frees up our draft after Lawrence.  Instead of maybe forcing a pick on a LT who may or may not be worth it at 25 or 33 or 45, we could feel free to pick the best player.  If we signed Williams, perhaps in the next year or two, we'll be higher in the draft pool and may be able to spend a higher pick on a LT prospect that may be worth it.  LT is a premium position, and the best ones tend to go very high.  This may be a deep T class, but I get the sense that given the draft order and the importance of the position, we may be picking from the remains after other teams have scavenged from the top.  If we sign Williams and there is still a T on the board worth it at 25, we could still draft him there and, by and large, be finished building the O-Line.  The drafted T would compete with Taylor at RT, with the loser either sliding inside to possibly upgrade Cann or at minimum, provide depth at T. 

We saw in last night's game what the lack of quality T depth can do to even a great QB.  We've seen what happened to Andrew Luck's career when he was not adequately protected.  We saw what happened to last year's #1 overall pick.  If we have any interest in avoiding these things with Lawrence, we need smart and effective investment in the offensive line, especially at LT.  Williams would certainly upgrade the most important position.  We have the cap space to bring him in.  Signing him gives us time and draft flexibility to do it, to the point of completing the OL for the next few years and giving us depth.

Though Williams is older and more expensive than what would ordinarily be preferred, he is the smart and effective investment we need at the most important position in the OL.

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