04-01-2023, 12:04 PM
(03-31-2023, 09:00 PM)phil413 Wrote: There are some good takes on this thread and I'm surprised it only has 2 pages since DL could actually be in play early if BPA falls. Kancey would be a weapon beside Reader. If they can pull money forward maybe they get Reader to sign for another year or two. They don't have to draft Reader insurance high, but a player like Jaqueline Roy could grow into being a versatile guy at UT or possibly NT if he bulks up.
I think they know they can always use more help on the DL, especially rushing the passer and other needs may not be as high as we think. They can take a TE by round 4 and he could challenge Smith for the starting gig with the depth of this class. We don't know how they view RT. Collins may not be out the door, Jonah may not be movable, they may be high on JC and even see Ford as an actual band aid. I think CB is a bigger need than DL, but again if a BPA falls they could pounce.
We a largely in agreement.
TE is the most pressing need in terms of a starting level player and overall depth. But it is a deep class and you don't want to reach at #28. Jonah's situation and the injuries to Collins and Awuzie could put RT and CB higher than they appear right now.
With the upcoming extensions hits for Burrow, Chase, and likely Higgins/Wilson, getting starter level players on rookie/cheaper deals is valuable pretty much everywhere except QB/LB, and maybe safety if Hill, Scott, and Anderson pan out. Jonah's $12.6 mil and Collins' $9+ spring to mind immediately. Jonah is in his last year and Collins is signed thru 2024. Though IDK what we'd necessarily us $20 mil in cap savings on this year at this point. Though signing bonuses for Burrow, Higgins, & L. Wilson are gonna be pro-rated back in and are gonna be around $15 mil, which, coincidentally, is a little less than the cap cap space we currently have.
Anyway, beyond the $35 mil we are paying iur top 3 OTs, and Mixon's deal, and Boyd's, DL is also VERY expensive. Hendrickson & Reader are both fantastic, and paid accordingly ($15 mil plus). Hubbard and Hill both around $10 mil. We coukd use more pass rush (inside & out) and uogrades to some of the depth with the potential to take over later.
DT/NT is not super deep, but Kancey at #28 would be my pick unless one of the stud OTs (Skoronski, Johnson, B. Jones, Wright), CB's (Witherspoon, Porter, Gonzalez) or DEs (Wilson, Murphy, Van Ness) fall to us. Which seems unlikely outside of maybe Wright. There are some decent ones mid round, but I'd be hunting TE, CB, and DE first. Maybe RB/WR too.
