Hoped for changes in 2025

[BoomerFan]

Question I am asking myself: Would 2-3 Mike Gesicki players = 1 Tee Higgins? I mean, I think the answer is "it depends" but mostly yes. That is probably how the FO thinks too. But finding Mike Gesickis is not an easy or sure thing. Practicing the plays isn't either. And when you are in a clutch situation, one Tee Higgins might be better than 3 Gesickis. Maybe. OTOH, defenses can only cover so many guys so I dunno.

I am excited for the prospect of getting Erick All back next year too. Maybe we've found something in Devin Cochran on the OLine. Matt Lee may be an untapped resource. I could even see bringing Trenton Brown back on an even cheaper deal as a backup OT (even if you can only stay healthy for 4 games a year you shouldn't *need* to stay healthy for more than that as a backup). And recent games have shown that some of our defensive rookies are coming along nicely (McKinnley Jackson, Cedric Johnson, Kris Jenkins, Daijahn Anthony, Josh Newton (struggles sometime), and FA Marco Wilson.

So what do I want and think is reasonable? Continue drafting DLine (this is the draft for it). Let BJ Hill and Ossai go and cut Sam Hubbard. Consider re-signing Cam Sample and at LB, ADG for depth if the price is right. I'm not sure what is going on with Shelton Rankins, I'd be inclined to cut him. It isn't that I lack sympathy for someone who is sick but he'll get a payout and maybe that is best for him in the long run. Draft a 3T, and maybe one more IDL after that (could be another NT type). Draft 2 DEs. Draft another defensive player (corner, linebacker, even safety).

Basically I would only spend 1-2 picks on the offense, and that is only if you can find a good offensive line player. As for targets, you're gonna have to make do with what you have. Maybe we bring in an FA at a skill position on offense. If Marquis Brown is under 10 million I'd go that direction, though I know the powers that be hate short WRs. Darius Slayton might be another option for the right price. I'm not a fan of having too many RBs and I might re-sign Zach Moss, but I'd at least look at Najee Harris. Drive the price up for the Steelers if nothing else.

In the draft I would trade down if possible. Right now I'd look at Washington as a trade partner. Swap 1st round picks (move down from 16th to 26th), send them our 5th and we get their 6th, and for all of this we get an additional 2nd rounder (58th overall).

I'd agree that adding assistant coaches and scouts would be helpful as well. I see that we don't develop players sometimes and I wonder if we just didn't dedicate the resources to A) Understand who we are drafting/draft the right players for our team and B) Coach those players to achieve their potential by giving all they have.

Sorry, this has all been a bit rambling. tl;dr I'm optimistic about 2026, even without Tee.