01-04-2024, 11:07 AM
(01-03-2024, 06:41 PM)Whatever Wrote: Whether Reader is retained or not, he won't be ready to take the field until later in the season, anyways. Quad tears are nasty and take a long time to recover from. However, there's no NT currently rated in the 1st, so it's kind of a moot point.
Higgins is trickier. If he's retained, it's likely on a one year FT. Factor in durability concerns and reduced productivity this year, drafting a replacement makes a lot of sense. If Higgins is retained, Boyd likely won't be, so we need a starting WR at that point, anyways.
Retaining Jonah would be a big mistake, imo. As has been discussed elsewhere, he simply doesn't have the tools to compete with elite pass rushers and gets destroyed every time we play the Steelers and Browns. If he is resigned, it probably takes plus out of a 1st round T, but I really think it's time to move on.
Ironically, TE's and DT's have long learning curves and don't usually give you anywhere near what you would think they would as rookie 1st rounders. Bowers is likely an exception if he makes it to us(unlikely). Newton hasn't exactly had elite pass rush production in the Big-10 and I find it unlikely that he steps in with that steep learning curve and is an immediate 7+ sack pass rusher.
Good assessment feel like we’re in a difficult spot this offseason. We’re a finesse offense thats in jeopardy of having no weapons outside of Chase. I’d tag Higgins and let Iosivas, Jones or Irwin fight for the 3 spot. Far as Bowers goes feel like TE isn’t going to move the needle that much if we can’t win in the trenches. Laporta gets mentioned in Detroit but the biggest reason they win is because they run the ball and dominate on the O-line and use play action pass. Not paying Williams big money he’s probably gonna try to get LT money 1st and some team will overpay for him in FA. Biggest issue is we’ve invested a ton on the O-line and can’t run the ball. In theory Brown, Cappa and Volston are big and should be able to move ppl in the run game we need to reevaluate are system and Pollack. Far as the D goes I’m not investing in the secondary the young guys took there hits this year just need some experience. Most concerning thing is the front 7 was awful with Reader and this is the veteran group. Reader is coming of his 2nd quad surgery plus he’s turning 30. Gotta assume there’s a possibility of this quad not responding and a drop in play. Feel like Reader would only be back on a small 1 year deal if anything. Far as the draft I’d prefer a physical RT or a DT that can rush and play the run in rd 1.
