07-29-2025, 03:54 PM
With 24 on D and 24 on O, that leaves 2 open slots.
I feel much more solid about the pecking order on D. The O is cloudier to me with some injuries (Moss, McLaughlin), some guys we could cut to create a bit of space (D. Sample, Volson), a new OL coach and a lot of new faces there, and the the TE situation & recent Fant visit.
But asude from the 5th TE (and who exactly gets cut if we keep 4), I feel pretry good about the pecking order. Jones v Williams for WR5 being a question. And it gets cloudier if/when Moss or McLaughlin get activated.
But sticking with what I did so far: 2 spots left that are not special teams.
I think my choices are:
QB3: Riddler
RB4: Moss/Brightwell
WR6: Williams
OL10: Cochran/Kirkland
DE6: Johnson/Johnson/Thomas
DT3: Bryan
I don't see a viable S5. No way we carry 7 CBs or 6 TEs. And with Slaton, Jackson, and Hill all able to play NT/DT, and Jenkins being a good run stopper, another NT type would really have to shine to make the 53, and I doubt Gregory shines that brightly.
I think Moss is the best player in that bunch, and I would seriously consider carrying 4 RBs if he was healthy. But as of now, he isn't. Brightwell, for me, is not good enough to make choose RB4 over some of my other options.
OL10, probably Cochran, is VERY tempting. Especially if for starts at RG. Then Rivers is OT3. If you use Ford, then 2 spots are disrupted. If Kirkland makes the team, then I am probably cutting Volson. Ditto McLaughlin with Lee. No way I carey 3 Cs with Patrick being able to play there. But, in terms of quality, I don't think Cochran is that much better than Stueber or Kirkland or Etienne. Nor Rivers on the 53. I don't lose that much if he's off the team, nor gain that much if he is on it.
But I start Patrick, or cut Volson and sign a starting quality G, so Ford is a reserve for me. Unless he is clearly better than Patrick of course.
I choose 2 more DL. I think Cedric Johnson played well last year in limited snaps. Both vs the run and in pass rush. Ossai probably gets too expensive for us next year, and Murphy's 5th year option looks doubtful the year after. I want insurance at DE, and I think Cedric is the best guy we have and can play. And, I fear he gets sooped up if I cut him. Ditto Raymond Johnson & Thomas.
Last choice is the toughest. We don't have a 3rd true DT/3T on the roster. Bryan is a former 1st round pick who has some (decent) pass rushing grades. He has starting experience, though diminishing PT. Still significant snaps last year.
Ridder or one of the LBs could shone bright enough to get into "I don't want to risk this guy getting claimed" territory.
Last 2: C. Johnson & Bryan.
Pre-season will obviously impact it. If someone shines or disappoints, it will move.
5 TEs, 6 DEs, and Bryan are my shakiest moves. And most likely to change.
I feel much more solid about the pecking order on D. The O is cloudier to me with some injuries (Moss, McLaughlin), some guys we could cut to create a bit of space (D. Sample, Volson), a new OL coach and a lot of new faces there, and the the TE situation & recent Fant visit.
But asude from the 5th TE (and who exactly gets cut if we keep 4), I feel pretry good about the pecking order. Jones v Williams for WR5 being a question. And it gets cloudier if/when Moss or McLaughlin get activated.
But sticking with what I did so far: 2 spots left that are not special teams.
I think my choices are:
QB3: Riddler
RB4: Moss/Brightwell
WR6: Williams
OL10: Cochran/Kirkland
DE6: Johnson/Johnson/Thomas
DT3: Bryan
I don't see a viable S5. No way we carry 7 CBs or 6 TEs. And with Slaton, Jackson, and Hill all able to play NT/DT, and Jenkins being a good run stopper, another NT type would really have to shine to make the 53, and I doubt Gregory shines that brightly.
I think Moss is the best player in that bunch, and I would seriously consider carrying 4 RBs if he was healthy. But as of now, he isn't. Brightwell, for me, is not good enough to make choose RB4 over some of my other options.
OL10, probably Cochran, is VERY tempting. Especially if for starts at RG. Then Rivers is OT3. If you use Ford, then 2 spots are disrupted. If Kirkland makes the team, then I am probably cutting Volson. Ditto McLaughlin with Lee. No way I carey 3 Cs with Patrick being able to play there. But, in terms of quality, I don't think Cochran is that much better than Stueber or Kirkland or Etienne. Nor Rivers on the 53. I don't lose that much if he's off the team, nor gain that much if he is on it.
But I start Patrick, or cut Volson and sign a starting quality G, so Ford is a reserve for me. Unless he is clearly better than Patrick of course.
I choose 2 more DL. I think Cedric Johnson played well last year in limited snaps. Both vs the run and in pass rush. Ossai probably gets too expensive for us next year, and Murphy's 5th year option looks doubtful the year after. I want insurance at DE, and I think Cedric is the best guy we have and can play. And, I fear he gets sooped up if I cut him. Ditto Raymond Johnson & Thomas.
Last choice is the toughest. We don't have a 3rd true DT/3T on the roster. Bryan is a former 1st round pick who has some (decent) pass rushing grades. He has starting experience, though diminishing PT. Still significant snaps last year.
Ridder or one of the LBs could shone bright enough to get into "I don't want to risk this guy getting claimed" territory.
Last 2: C. Johnson & Bryan.
Pre-season will obviously impact it. If someone shines or disappoints, it will move.
5 TEs, 6 DEs, and Bryan are my shakiest moves. And most likely to change.
