smittywerb

definitely agree, he’s everything Steichen wants and then some. And he’s obtainable. Reason why I said we may need to make moves in the second because there is going to be a run on WRs from the back of the first round and it will probably continue through the second. So may need to get antsy and move from the 46 if he slides a little. Bills, Chiefs, Ravens are just three teams in the first I see going WR. Add in the second round teams and you can see where I’m getting at. Regarding Pierce, unless the person we draft absolutely shows out in camp, Pierce should start. He’s the vet, he’s familiar with what we do. But if pierce isn’t doing the job and the rookie flashes, I can see Pierce moving to WR4. I could be wrong, Pierce may show me up with AR and become that field stretcher we need. But idk, unless Pierce is getting one on one looks, I don’t see anything changing. I personally think not only do we need someone to push back the safties deep, but someone who can do it quickly and even find open spaces deep and that’s just something Pierce has yet to do consistently. We’ll see.

As the leagues landscape continue to change, so does my viewpoint on our draft. I think the first three rounds are very important to our success. We have to help AR but we also have holes to fill or position groups to improve at. Here are a couple bullet points on my thoughts: - At 15, I hope we grab Mitchell if he’s there. The more and more I research him, the more I like him. Everything is there. The speed, physicality, and football IQ. Him and Brent’s on the outside with Moore at the nickel is a deadly trio of CB. You’d have everything you want. I really want us to go WR at 15 but Mitchell is too good of a prospect to pass up on. - This year, we need accelerate ARs growth. We’re essentially down a year. We have 3 years (maybe 4) of his rookie contract left. And no matter how good we make our defense, this team will go as AR goes. With that said, BTJ sounds great at 15, but while the CB class is moreso top heavy, the WR class is deep. However, with the list of teams needing WRs growing, we’re going to have to make moves with the second pick. I don’t want us to end up in the same situation with Alec Pierce. I wanted George Pickens, only for the Steelers to select him the pick before. This time, let’s go get the we want. I’m personally looking at leggette. He’s at the top of that second tier and has that explosiveness we need desperately for our offense. Pittman, Leggette on the outside. Downs in the slot and hopefully Woods at tight end is a formidable offense with the potential to be a great one. Maybe not as stacked as the Texans, but we can even the odds with our dynamic qb and top 5 running back. So basically I’m hoping we get Quinyon and Leggette.

Well tbh, not much to rebuild from. I guess what I really mean we should start looking for another qb to build around. Which may require some different personnel to exploit his talents. I maybe misspoke when I said “hit the rebuild”. Don’t actually mean an entire fire sale. But I’d be down for kicking Bradley to curb and revamping this defense and also finding a QB. Like i said though, if AR struggles and/or can’t survive. Maybe give him third year but that would be the max because then it’s almost contract time.

Honestly, I everyone we resigned was worth it. Pittman, he’s our WR1. Moore, he’s probably the best nickel corner in the game. Grover, one of the best run stopping DTs. Blackmon, we could’ve gotten better but fumbled getting better by waiting on the sneed deal. JT, no brainer, top 5 RB in the league. so with that said, I do think our best bet was to resign to those players. I do think we had a chance to get better at FS (still can) but we stayed in the sneed negotiations too long. I always thought our explosiveness needed to come from the draft. The player we select will be cheap and provide an immediate impact.

Id say if we make the playoffs or come close, I can see Ballard saying to irsay “look how close we are. Give me this off-season to make some big moves” and he’ll do his usual and get fired midway through 25 :’(

After sitting on the Diggs trade for a day, listening to the podcasts and radio shows, here are my thoughts: - We are not in the same position as Houston. Houston had a fire sale, acquired resources, and made this happen. We’ve built the foundation using our own resources. Houston’s rookie QB played a full season and shocked the entire league. Our rookie showed flashes but couldn’t get through 4 games. Houston is doing what we should do next year if AR shows he can play a full season at an All-Pro level like Stroud. - Ballard seat is hot. If AR shows what he has and meet the expectations, we need to go into win now mode. We’d have probably 2 or 3 years left on his rookie contract. We need to spend the resources and do whatever it takes to support AR. Imo, when he gets his contract, we won’t be able to hold onto everyone. So yes, what Houston is doing will hurt them in the long run, but there’s no better time to use resources and money when you have your answer at QB on a rookie deal. If Ballard is once again hesitant to do that, then he needs to go. - It is time for Ballard to start taking risks. Every GM has to do it. It’s fine to play it safe when you’re building the team. But when it’s time to build a contender, you can’t have the same philosophy. This year, I’ll give Ballard a pass because of the people we had to resign. Next year, there isn’t a pass. Spend the money, make the trades and use draft picks if necessary. But no matter what, build AR a winning team while he’s on his rookie deal. - This just reiterate me wanting Stroud last year. I’ve gone on record and said we should’ve traded up to number one, even if it costed us some serious draft capital. I just knew stroud was the real deal. But we have AR who I think can be just as good if not better. AR has a lot of pressure on him this upcoming year. Our future is really dependent upon if he has a good season. If he struggles and play the full season, I’d say hit the rebuild button. If he balls out, I’d say hit the win now button

agreed. We tried going after sneed, failed. But I’m ok with why it didn’t happen. I didn’t like how long we stayed in negotiations. We do need to grab a FS and a vet CB. Also need a DE.

I agree, but there aren’t many more moves to make other than signing a FS. The WRs we can trade for are going to need new BIG contracts which we can’t do because we already have one. Regarding our needs on defense, we tried. I do agree, the time is now. But I will say this, we shouldn’t have traded for diggs. He’s old and expensive. Texans are clearly in win now mode, which is fine. They’ve had the time and resources to do it. Now next offseason, we should be in win now mode and if we aren’t, Ballard won’t be here much longer.

Regarding the Texans and Ballard: im not mad at Ballard. We brought our players back. But now that we have everyone back, ITS TIME TO GET BETTER. Texans just made Ballard seat hotter. This year, I didn’t expect us to make a lot of splashes, maybe one. But next year, now that everyone is locked up, we need to add some serious talent. The Texans are not playing at all. They have given Stroud the weapons needed to succeed. I’ve said it before, the formula for when you have a young stud qb on a rookie deal is to have a star WR getting paid (ex. Diggs, Pittman) and have a stud capable WR1 on a rookie deal (ex. Tank dell). Every team has done it, except for the chiefs because they have pat Mahomes. ballard, the clock is ticking. The world isn’t ending, but it has an end date.

Nice! Guess Blackmon saw what his market was and said screw it. assuming this will be a prove it type deal. Nice that we filled a hole by bringing back one of our own. I hope Ballard isn’t done and signs a FS. He does that, then I’m honestly ok with this free agency period. Tried to make splashes but they fell through, brought back our own. Now let’s hit the draft, grab some players who can come and contribute and maybe even start, and I’m excited to see what we can do in this competitive division.

oh sorry, I was skimming the convo and thought this was regarding only WRs. Personally, based on what we need, I’d say Turner depending on far he falls is worth a trade up. Other than that, if it isn’t MHJ or Nabers, I’m fine staying at 15.

I’d say no. theres Nabers, Odunze, and MHJ who id considered elite (imo, I think Nabers and MHJ are the only 2 worth trading up for) then there’s BTJ who I’d considered fringe elite (I think he’s a good possibility to be available at 15) then there is the worthy, leggette, Mitchell tier who are very good. Could be developed a little bit more (if we go DE or CB with the first pick, I hope to grab one of these players in the second) then there’s everyone else.

if we trade up, I definitely think our next pick should be a WR. I think we’d be missing out if we have to pick a player outside of the Worthy/Leggette-tier of WRs. Sucks because if we go DE and WR we’d miss out on a talented CB (maybe, what if a player like cooper dejean slides?) but I’d be ok with looking at FA to grab a CB1 caliber player. A vet DE and WR, we’d have to pay them +$20million vs a vet CB we can get away with $20-$15 million.

BP1: based on our scheme and current personnel, I think we need playmakers at DE, WR, FS, CB (in that order). we may get one or multiple at DE, WR, and/or CB this draft depending on how it plays out. I hope we don’t go high on a FS this draft as it has been said this isn’t a good safety draft. BP2: if we move up to 7, I’m hoping we grab Dallas Turner. He’s mocked to maybe slide to us at 15 so idk if trading that far up is necessary. But if he’s available at 15 or if we have to move up, that would be my pick. I’d personally go WR with our next pick. WR class is deep and could maybe even get a stud. Note: I am apart of the Arnold/Mitchell club at pick 15 if the draft plays out that way. If Turner/Latu are not there. I’d be hurt about not getting BTJ, but as said above, we can find a good WR to fit our explosive deep threat need in the 2nd (ex. Leggette, worthy)

This. Latu, then Leggette in the second

As time has gone on and pro days are happening, I feel like we’re definitely leaning towards wide receiver in this draft. Don’t know if it’ll be the first pick but I’m thinking we may double dip.. The colts have been at the following pro days: Washington: Odunze, Polk…Jim Bob cooter was in attendance Texas: Mitchell, Worthy…Shane, JBC, and Reggie were here. Don’t know if it’s going to be the first round, but we’re heavily interested in someone there Oregon: Franklin LSU: BTJ…doubt Nabers is even in question as we won’t be able to get him. Saw we were at the Notre Dame pro day also. Don’t know if we’ve been at others. But we’ve been to 4 pro days where talented receivers are. If we could somehow grab Arnold/Mitchell, trade back into the late first and grab a WR, I’d be happy.

see I don’t know, I’m more intrigued by the people below. The people below tells me that those players were getting open. To get the production of someone like MHJ and be amongst the bottom of this list when it comes to YAC is amazing to me. I doubt bowers fall to us. But this list has me drooling over the possibility of getting Arnold/Quinton with 15 and then grabbing someone like leggette in the second

If that holder article is true, then I have to cut Ballard some slack. Still upset we stayed in the sneed discussions for so long, but I’ll cut him some slack. and honestly not surprised. Houston is a better destination. They have a great young qb. They’re on the up and up. I feel if AR goes out and proves he’s just as good if not better, we’ll see some free agents wanting to play here. I don’t think the colts being in indiana is the main issue. It’s the same reason why a player like McKinney chose to play in Green Bay. He said himself he chose Green Bay over any of his offers because of Jordan love. Houston has stroud who just played like a top 10 qb. We have AR who even us fans hope he can play a full year. So as a player, if I want to compete, id go to a team with a proven qb.

I like Corley. He’s a guy that could fall to the third. He’d be a GREAT pick up in the 3rd round.

arnold at 15, worthy in the 2nd. I’d be a happy colts fan

Agreed, I think right now we need to do whatever is best for ARs development. This is a qb league. Yes, we also need a great defense, but we also can’t fail another qb again. however, I wouldn’t be upset if we went corner at 15. We could be able to get someone in the second. Maybe not as good as BTJ, but good enough. And I trust our team more with developing a WR than a corner. Corner is just a tough position period

if one of those offensive options are available at 15 and trading back would guarantee us not getting them, I’d be happy with getting kool aid in the second without a doubt just my personal opinion, I’d rather get a certified offensive weapon who can come in provide an impact instantly rather than grabbing one in the second and having to develop him. Corners usually don’t come right in and shut it down. Whatever corner we draft, rather in the first or second, it’s going to take some time. Corner is one of the hardest positions to play. And with the moves our division rivals made, we can’t fall behind with a struggling offense.

you bring up 2 great points. Didn’t know that about sauce. Didn’t know that about Arnold either! You might’ve changed up personal board. Yeah, switch Quinyon with Arnold because honestly, that’s all I had against Quinyon.

Well with free agency underway and Majority of the moves being made, I figure I update my personal big board of picks at 15. 1. Dallas Turner/Latu: figure I put these two together because one or the other may be available. I’ve said it in another post, we ranked 30th hurries and 3 of our DL ranked in the top 20 of pass and rush win rate (Samson ranked in both). Kwitty was the only one to not rank in either and rushing with the front 4 is very important in this scheme. We need to pressure the qb more. I know the scheme plays a part but we need personnel for the scheme to work correctly. Either turner or latu would replace kwitty and gives us a nice balanced rush with our front 4. 2. Brock Bowers: in todays nfl, your qb is the end all be all and if he isn’t Mahomes, you need to surround him with great weapons. Brock is that. He can lineup anywhere and produce. He’d fit right in Shane system and the things that he’d scheme up for Brock I can only dream about. 3. BTJ: same reason as Brock, we need to get AR weapons. I’m sorry, I’m not an Alec Pierce believer. Can AP thrive with AR, yes. But go’s and deep posts are only going to get you so far with a 4.4 speed. We need a dynamic burner who can do damage at ALL levels. BTJ is that. BTJ is what JJ was to Chase at LSU. Not saying BTJ can be JJ, but he’s right behind that top 3 group wrs this draft (MHJ, Odunze, Nabers). He fits the Ballard mold and would provide an instant impact opposite of MPJ. 4. Arnold: best CB in the draft. Not the fastest, but his tape shows he can be a CB1 and played in the SEC against tough comp. He can play opposite of Brents and fill an immediate need after not grabbing a CB in FA. 5. Quinyon Mitchell: probably would be CB1 in this draft but he played at Toledo. Tape also is very good. 4.3 speed, and had a great senior bowl. My only knock is he played at Toledo (personal opinion). Other than that, if the above 4 are gone, I don’t mind going with him. note: I know safety is missing. That’s because this draft is considered to be a weak safety class. Think we should go vet with diggs and resigning blackmon

I have 2. Boy and girl. Boy is 6 months, girl is 6 years. Girl a rescue, boy adopted straight from the litter. Total opposites. The girl is so shy and reserved (except with me) and the boy is chaotic and adventurous. Love them both. I like dogs but I also don’t like rodents (phobia) and I’d rather let nature sort itself out than to use inhumane stuff like glue traps lol.