The Ja'Marr Chase Thread

[Whatever]

(10-10-2021, 12:51 AM)Benton Wrote: Isn't that a bit of a double standard?

People shouldn't judge Pitts because TE's take a season to get going... but do judge Sewell, even though tackles typically take 3-4 years to get going?

I remember an article years ago that had something to do with approximate value at different positions. OL didn't really hit their stride till something like year seven or eight. Which on one hand has me really hopeful with Jonah (maybe considering the injury history, he takes a smaller contract when it's time, but can play the majority of it). On the other hand, it means we need to invest a lot more in tackles, either by competing in FA or doing better at growing our own.

Big difference there.  Pitts is on pace for well over 700 receiving yards, which is still good production for a TE. Pitts is 7th in the league in receiving yards amongst TE's. He just isn't in the elite category that he was projected to, yet.  Sewell has just been flat out bad.  If both guys make a similar jump in year 2, Pitts will be up there in the elite category and Sewell will be a replacement level starter.  It's not a stretch at all based on what we've seen for Pitts to develop into the next Kellen Winslow.  It's a big stretch to see Sewell developing into the next Munoz.  

You're absolutely right about OL typically taking a few years.  I said in the debate during the off-season that Sewell would be a pick that paid dividends a few years down the road.  I researched years worth of 1st round T picks and made the point in the debate that the odds of Sewell coming in and playing at Reiff or even Bobby Hart level were very slim.  I also said that with Burrow on his rookie deal that we should be trying to win now and not spend the #5 pick on a guy who should become good in 2-3 years and peak on his 2nd contract.

However, the line that was repeated over and over was that we had to protect Joe Burrow this year, which meant taking Sewell.  People that said that don't get to then move the goalposts when Sewell is a sieve in pass pro his rookie year when he was presented as this huge upgrade as a rookie.