[2025 OTAs are underway]

27 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

Same was true of 'Nard Dog himself his rookie year.   The 1 game he started (that close loss to the Jets) did NOT make me optimistic when McDermott announced an MLB competition between Bernard, Spector, and Dodson (Williams was never in it, and Klein fell out rapidly if he was in at all)

But he came out his second year and Did That Thing.  And Williams was OK last season - not Milano but OK

We'll see on Bishop but there's a pretty strong history of defenders being Lost in Space in McDermott's system their 1st season and doing much better their 2nd.  Lord knows we need him to.

Yeah another good example though Edmund’s was still clear preferred starter and with Dorian he was the preference after Milano got hurt. 

[2025 OTAs are underway]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Was clear with Bishop last year IMO. He was out of position so often his teammates did not trust him and it was affecting how they played their own responsibilities.

I think Dorian 2 years ago is another good example. Giants ran the same play twice and TB was pretty grumpy Dorian didn’t see it the second time. 

[2025 OTAs are underway]

6 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Considering they paid more than a million more for Howard than White, at a position considered non-premium (as opposed to White), his release was more surprising than a White cut would be. Regardless of how many reps with the 1's he had.

 

You keep going back to these June reps with the 1's. I think, or at least hope, there's a communication breakdown in our discussion.

 

If you're saying as long as he continues running with the 1's, he's safe - I'd agree. But that's not the verbage you've been using. Your implication is that it doesn't matter how he looks, he ran with the 1's in June so he's safe.

 

My stance is that his run with the 1's in June were at least partly circumstantial. And given his mostly negative reports combined with Hairston getting up to speed, it's possible, if not likely, that time with the 1's will reduce if not come to an end in Training Camp. As opposed to OTA's, Training Camp is when they start positional battles and really start giving the Rookies heavy play. If he continues on the path he was on in OTA's, him running with the 1's in June will not matter as heavily as you're weighing it.

 

 

 

First off, Dane Jackson is only part of the equation. I personally don't believe he'll make the Roster. I think Dorian Strong will be one of those two open Roster spots outside of Benford, Hairston, and Taron.

 

I believe Hancock, being trained as a Cam Lewis clone, will fall under the Safety roster like Lewis did as a Backup Nickel/Safety. However, there's a scenario where they could feel he needs to focus solely on Nickel in Year 1. Which would complicate things on the CB roster as he's almost assuredly going to be here (we've never outright cut a Rookie before Round 6).

 

My discussion on Jackson comes down to your idea that if he looks better than Tre, it doesn't matter bc you can just put him in the Practice Squad and play Tre White. My point was if Jackson looks better than Tre, sticking him on the Practice Squad for a couple elevations doesn't help the team as we'd be only getting 2 elevations out of him while playing someone who looked worse.

 

I'd also add that I think Tre White could be brought back on the Practice Squad. No one was beating down the door for him this offseason. We got him for a small 2.2m guarantee. He didn't look great last season. If we were to cut him bc he didn't look great for us, I don't think anyone's going to be chomping at the bit to put him on their 53 for Week 1 cold.

 

There's much more at play here than Dane Jackson. There's the other Rookies, as I've discussed. There's also Ja'Marcus Ingram, who had a helluva game for us in Miami when we had to start him and is also a core Special Teamer. If Tre continues to performs poorly, any number of those players could take his place. I don't think Jackson is making it. But if Tre doesn't step up and earn his spot, I don't think it's crazy to think they feel Jackson is a safer bet as one of the last CB's.

 

 

This was kind of a surprising post to read from you. As we've discussed CB post-Draft and I thought we agreed that White is likely to make the roster, but not a lock. Saying it's Hairston or White to Start and no other options would imply to me that he's a lock.

 

I don't believe it's just Hairston or White. I think it's very much more likely than not that's the case. But if Hairston isn't ready and White's struggles continue through Training Camp, I could see a scenario where something unexpected happens.

 

In 2022, no one thought Christian Benford would start for us Week 1 over our 1st Round Pick and Dane Jackson. But that's just what happened. Just like in 2022, we took Strong in Round 6 after taking Hairston in Round 1. If it played out the same way where our vet options didn't wow and our Round 1 Pick wasn't ready, but our Round 6 Pick wowed - I could see history repeating itself. I don't think it's likely. But it happened in 2022.

 

I could also foresee a scenario (again, albeit not likely) that if White and Hairston looked bad and especially if there were injuries and Jaiire Alexander was still floating out there that they may hop on the phone. 

 

And yes, although I don't see it as likely, there is a scenario where I could see them thinking Jackson looks better than Tre at this stage and he gets the spot over him and is a bridge starter, as we've used him in the past. But only if Hairston and Strong aren't ready and Tre looks bad.

 

All this to say, Hairston or White is almost definitely the plan. But any number of unexpected things could happen where it's neither.

 

 

Yes, I completely agree. The basis of this entire discussion stems from my original post that if Tre continues on the path that the reports from OTA's have said, he may not be safe.

 

Of course it's early. And that's been the crux of the discussion. The guy I'm going back and forth with wants to say that since he ran with the 1's in June, it means he's safe come September. My stance is that if things were to continue looking negative for Tre through July and August - it doesn't matter where he ran in June.

 

And again, I want him to make the team. I want him to look better. But I think people are in their feels when it comes to Tre and want to vehemently argue anyone who even points at the possibility that they may not be a lock. If reports were coming in that he was looking good or if we didn't have such a logjam at CB, I wouldn't even be discussing it.

I think we’re close on opinion and just talking past each other. We only have the OTA data to go on. It’s poor because small sample size and least meaningful reps. But from this data I put more stock in the fact that Tre is only playing with the ones than he’s not playing well.
 

 I am not at all saying he’s safe for September. I’m saying playing with ones is more important than playing poorly. If he keeps playing poorly with ones I think he makes the team cause who you play with matters more than how you play (I think this is a Brucism).  
 

So maybe we’re talking about continuing on the same path differently. You presumably mean badly and against other players and I mean badly with the ones. But if you think he gets cut playing badly with the ones into TC then we’ll have to see if the situation arises. Otherwise we agree on the outcomes.  Plays better with ones and makes the team or plays badly with second string and is cut. 

[2025 OTAs are underway]

6 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

And we guaranteed OJ Howard 3.2m. Didn't save him when he didn't perform well in the Offseason either...

 

I get it. We all love Tre. We all want to see him here. But he's not guaranteed a roster spot just bc he's Tre and we love him. Even if he runs with the 1's in June, if he continues to have consistently negative days like he did in OTA's, he's not safe. He has to earn it.

 

There's too much depth. There's only 2, maybe 3 roster spots if they carry an extra this year. In addition to Tre, there's 2 Draft Picks (beyond Hairston), Ja'Marcus Ingram (who is a core Special Teamer), and Dane Jackson.

 

They're not going to cut someone who is outperforming him with all the guys we have just out of love and respect. 2.2m isn't a safe guarantee number. And with a presumed Rookie starter (and likely at least 1, if not 2 Rookies underneath if Hancock isn't considered a Safety) - we need a vet we can count on. If it isn't Tre, Dane being on the Practice Squad doesn't help, if he's the better player.

Yup, I said that alone doesn’t guarantee him a spot. But I recall fewer reports of Howard with the ones (also no history with the team). Do you not agree contract plus run with the ones means more?  
 

Why is Dane on the practice squad not helping?  he’s in the room when on the PS and he’s available for call up twice and can be signed if needed cause of injury. They are familiar with both players and made a clear preference choice over the years. Not sure why youre resisting the idea that white is ahead of Jackson cause white is running with the ones, has more guaranteed money, and both players are well known to staff?  I get that it’s June and things can change but you got to admit there’s a clear preference towards white over Jackson at this time (I haven’t seen reports of Jackson doing much of anything)

[2025 OTAs are underway]

5 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

It had nothing to do with Bernard being hurt. They were giving everyone a shot with the 1's in a completely open competition.

 

 

 

My stance is, like Gunner said, they most likely want Hairston to be that #2 CB. But they don't want to overwhelm him and the other Rookies, who just got the Playbook. So they're starting Hairston out slow and putting White out there for the time being. So his being with 1's now seems more circumstantial. There's lots of guys running with 1's in June that aren't going to be Starter's. Forrest, through circumstance, ran with 1's at times and I think he's a longshot to make the team.

 

I also think, given how he looked last season, they also wanted to test where White is at by putting him against the toughest competition. And the results didn't seem great.

 

I think Training Camp and the Pre-Season are a different animal than Non-Contact June OTA's. I believe even if Tre responded better than he did in OTA's that Hairston is going to run with the 1's in August. I doubly think that given the reports of Tre's performance.

 

And I think when Training Camp is in full swing, it's a very real possibility that they think guys like Dorian Strong, Ja'Marcus Ingram, and/or Dane Jackson is performing better than he is for those last 2 spots on the 53 for CB.

 

 

I don't want to make it seem like I'm bashing Tre. I am rooting for him and would like to see my penciling him in on the 53 turn to ink.

 

But yesterday didn't seem like he was all that much better. He was in position to make a tip drill pick. But he still was getting beat.

 

All of this to say that I think OP's take that running with the 1's in June secures his spot on the Roster is putting the cart before the horse.

They also guaranteed 2.2 mil. That alone also doesn’t mean he makes the team. But in combination with him running with the ones it starts to mean more. Heck if Dane out performs him you probably can still stash Dane on the PS and call him up for 2 games and save 1.5 mil on the cap. 

[2025 OTAs are underway]

8 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Yes and it's funny because you mentioned him in your earlier post...

 

In 2023, before Terrel Bernard was formally given the job, there was an open competition for Starter at Middle Linebacker. Famously, McDermott still hadn't named a starting Middle Linebacker deep into Training Camp and openly told the press someone had to step up.

 

Everyone from Bernard to Dodson to Spector and Klein was given opportunities with the 1's as they searched for their starter. A.J. Klein ran with 1's in Training Camp and didn't make the roster.

 

It isn't uncommon anytime a position is up in the air or a Rookie is being eased in (in this case Hairston) that a veteran will run with the 1's, when the job likely won't be theirs.

 

I think you're putting too much stock in that right now. Especially since we haven't even gotten to Training Camp yet. If he were looking great, I'd say "yes, that's a good sign he'll make it". But that's not what's reportedly happening. If he continues to consistently have reports of "another bad day for Tre", he won't be running with the 1's for long and it's not far off from there to being lost in the numbers game.

 

I'm not guaranteeing he won't make it. But if things don't turn around, his running with the 1's in June isn't going to supercede his poor performance - as you suggest.

Thats a good example but I think the pertinent context is that there was an injury to the preferred starter (TB).  I think open competitions are sort of a different story than what were discussing with regard to CB.  Yes its a competition but its not nearly as open as MLB was.  I have not seen any reports suggesting that anyone but Benford, White, and Hairston have played first team CB.

 

To note I dont think White gets the starter job but I think its more likely than not that he makes the team because hes running with the first team.  I agree if he stops running with the ones then hes roster spot would be in jeopardy.  But if he keeps playing poorly with the ones all through camp and gets no reps with the twos I think he makes the team.  Is this your position too?  If your position is its too early to know then I agree.  If forced to put money down I would say he makes the team cause hes playing with the ones rather than saying hes getting cut because hes playing poorly.

[2025 OTAs are underway]

7 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I wouldn't, personally. It's June OTA's.

 

They could easily be trying him there just to test him and see where he's at. I also don't think he's been exclusively running with the 1's. A good percentage of the negative reports have come from him being owned by Elijah Moore. 

 

They could easily see him looking bad with 1's and he is no longer out there in Training Camp. There's been a number of guys throughout the years, especially when there's a positional battle, that have gotten time with the 1's at one point or another and not made the team. 

 

Again, I hope he makes it. But I wouldn't look at overwhelmingly negative reports of a player and think "well, he's running with the 1's in June so it doesn't matter how bad he reportedly looks - he's safe".

Moore has been running with the ones. Super excited for him cause his plays are in throws from Josh. I don’t think I’ve seen a single Moore from white tweet. White is QB2 at the moment which is pretty telling for Mitch and his contract.
 

I would say history favors who you’re playing with versus the plays you’re making. Zach Davidson was making all the splash plays last camp (and OTAs) while Q morris continued to be core 4 ST starter. Last preseason game and Q morris with the hat on chilling and Davidson still making splash plays. Playing with the ones on ST was better than the flash Davidson showed. Can you give me an example of someone playing with the ones and then being cut?  I gave you a relevant one that shows who with matters more than what. 

[2025 OTAs are underway]

15 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Yeah, the Lions game last year when he was lined up on Jameo was so tough to watch. Not only him getting torched on the reg, but the look on his face that seemed to read "i'm done". 

 

I hoped that returning to a zone scheme that he's much more comfortable with and familiar with that provided him help would make him look at least good enough to be the 3rd or 4th Boundary CB off the bench on the 53. But with each day and each new report, it seems like that's not the case, at least thus far. I had him and Strong penciled in after Benford, Hairston, and Taron. But I think he's going to be hard pressed to beat out Dane Jackson and/or Ja'Marcus Ingram at this rate

 

Today was the first time I saw something positive tweeted about him. But even then, it was followed by another negative report:

 

 

 

Im putting more stock in the fact that hes running with the ones more than I am that hes getting toasted.  Given his experience with the team its maybe not too surprising.  However, I think who hes running with tells me he has a better chance of making the 53 than Dane and JaMarcus who also have experience with the team.  Hes already ahead of them on the depth chart (and i dont see reports of them getting any first team reps).  I still think he makes the 53 but is game day inactive (Kair treatment from last year; starting or no jersey cause no ST).  

[Max Hairston injury]

32 minutes ago, JP51 said:

Apologizing to the board in advance... At some point during the season I am going to confuse Dorian Williams and Strong... I just freaking know it....  like what defense has two guys named Dorian for crissakes... LOL 

I apologize for my future use of Spencer Hawes to refer to Jackson Hawes

[2025 OTAs are underway]

20 hours ago, Brand J said:

I am bummed about Bishop, even if it’s a minor injury this early in camp, but you’d like to see this guy become more durable. It’s because of his camp injuries last year that Hamlin started. He needs all the time on task that he can get. As far as Spector, that guy gets hurt crawling out of bed. 

Were in camp?  its OTAs and they said no risk to camp.  Im not sure they even care about OTAs as they often (last year excluded) give them the last day off.  Agree he needs all the time on task he can get but pushing him now might impact reps during TC which are far more important.  

[Keon Coleman success by route - Not pretty]

19 hours ago, Toyo321 said:

To be honest Coleman is not the answer.  He will do a little better this year but nothing mind blowing.  It all comes down to our D Line again.

You have to be able to get the opposing QB on the run and sack him.  The Eagles did this to KC.  We did not.  Our team has failed every year in the playoffs because of this lack of D pressure.

No QB pressure when it counts in the playoffs equals losses every time.  That is why our receivers are so important.  If we cant get the opposing team off the field in a single series of downs.  We need wide receivers that can make the clutch catches and make YAC yards.  Right now Shakir is the only guy that does this.  Coleman has no speed and we signed two more receivers to try and come in and make a difference.  Elijah Moore & Joshua Palmer.  It goes to show that the  faith they have Coleman is not what everyone thinks it is.  I hated us signing Coleman but that ship has sailed so long ago.   

 

All we can do is hope he puts on his superman cape and pulls some sort of miraculous 2nd season performance out of his butt this year, with this team.  

 

We just need to find 3 receivers that when we put them on the field together they wreak havoc on the other team's D and DB's.

 

We have not had that in the JA era.

Coleman doesn't have YAC?  Shakir averaged 7.9 YAC and Coleman averaged 7.4.  I was very pleased with his ability to break tackles (4 broken tackles on 29 receptions is >>> shakirs 6 on 76). 

 

Why do you think we need 3 receivers too?  what teams have 3 receivers in this manner.  2 I get and I can understand saying we don't have that but 3 is a lot.  Do they have to be WR? Per Joe Marino our efficiency to RBs was super high; additionally, there is plenty of reason to think Kincaid can have a big season.  I don't know that well have 3 dynamic WR but I could see 3 dynamic pass catchers (Shakir, Kincaid, Coleman/Palmer) with a game plan specific player involved as well (RBs on LBs, Knox on Safeties, Samuel/Moore).  

[Expectations for Javon Solomon]

I like (as Joe Marino has said) that he brings a different rush skill set than the other DEs.  He does seem to get pushed around in the run game so thats probably the biggest thing holding him back.  His pressure rate was good so def some upside.  With his ST ability I think he makes the roster and gets a game day jersey.  If he can contribute to defense will depend on either game script (forcing teams to be one dimensional pass only) or greatly improving his run defense.  

[Anticipated changes in philosophy/scheme in 2025?]

12 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

OK, let's think about this a minute.  

 

We still have Taron Johnson, our nickel, who is one of the most consistent players on defense.

 

If we're playing more 4-3, that means we're taking Taron Johnson off the field for...who?

I agree with your general sentiment cause he’s so important to the defense. But would also note I’m fine with tarons snaps to come down a little to load manage him some. Especially against run heavy teams. With his importance and age I grimace when I see him take on a block from Ricard.  Not because I worry he’s gonna get blown out of the hole but rather cause he’ll get injured standing his ground.  I want him full health for the playoffs and he’s getting on in years.  To answer your question for who, Dorian or hoecht are the two answers for me against 13 or 22 packages that we’ll see. 

[PFF's top 32 TE's (Dalton Kincaid at 10!!!!!)]

He was open a lot.  Probably a good spot to start eating crow when i said mid-season that there wasnt anything wrong with the Allen-Kincaid connection.  Clearly there was.  Hopefully they get it resolved.  He also had a really good rookie season.

[Taylor Rapp underrated? Espn thinks so!]

1 hour ago, billsfan89 said:

 

I wonder how frequently Rapp was targeted? QBR when targeted is not always the best metric because often times if you aren't being targeted that lower volume can lead to high QBR when targeted because while players are getting open against you they are also not being given many opportunities. All in all I think Rapp is a starting caliber safety but I hope he gets displaced into a reduced role by Bishop and Forrest. 

I can look at targets as a safety later today but should be all available in Pro Football Reference.  My challenge is that the target might not always be well assigned.  Like he made the tackle but someone else blew the assignment (and vice versa).  This happened both ways in the Jets game, but I understand.  In the Jets game he was targeted 5 times with 3 completions.  They were all relatively long completions so with a hail mary that makes his QBR ugly for the game.  

[Taylor Rapp underrated? Espn thinks so!]

15 hours ago, bills_fan said:

He won us the game at NYJ.  He was fantastic in that game.

Such a weird game.  Poor plan for Garret Wilson which Rapp is part of; Poor FG kicking; poor flags thrown; Hail Mary which Rapp is the one at the catch point; but two TD saving plays (one shoe lace run stop and one PBU); also some poor angles on Hall.  So yes he had 2 game saving plays but part of that is cause he didnt stop a hail mary and the safeties overall were giving up chunks plays.  I'm not giving him a fantastic for that game.  

 

[Taylor Rapp underrated? Espn thinks so!]

2 hours ago, billsfan89 said:

 

In 2023 I thought he was not the best coverage safety, he hit hard and made some plays but I also thought he was not the greatest in coverage. I thought he was ideally a fantastic backup or a niche role player in the "big nickel" role. But in 2024 having that second year in the system worked wonders for him. He seemed to be a lot better in coverage and just being in the right places. He still had some lapses here or there but I thought he was overall a better than average starting caliber safety. 

He made a lot of TD saving plays through contacting receiver or shoe string tackles on run plays (his missed tackle % of 2.4% is awesome).  But overall his coverage left a lot to be desired.  QBR of 109 when targeted is not inspiring a lot of confidence (thats with the pass breakups included).  10.9 yards per target is super rough.  We struggled when he wasnt there cause we didnt have the defense set well.  Hope is that Bishop has learned everything that Rapp knows and can apply it cause I expect better secondary play then 109 QBR.

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

5 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

It's tough - maybe lewis can find a market?  Every team currently has like 12 corners though, and they will have them all through camp.  Also there's like 30 corners drafted in 2025, a ton more UDFA's, free agents, etc.  So you have to feel really good about grabbing another player - especially when they're 28, undersized, not particularly effective on defense, and they don't return.  Like are you willing to sacrifice a 23 year old 6th round pick boundary corner to waivers?  

 

Snaps on special teams are great, but end of the day the units were not very good last year.  5th highest KR allowed average, 16th in PR allowed average, 26th in KRs, 8th in PRs.  They also had a punt blocked.  

The reasons you listed are fair for why Lewis might not find a team.  And your point on coverage is also very important which is why Strong and Hancock definitely feel like locks, as I expect both their experience and athleticism make them better teams players than who we rolled out last year.  I think were in agreement on Codrington too but cant quite tell.    

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

49 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I think the idea that we need both Strong, Hancock, Ingram, and Lewis on the 53 is a bit much.  If Strong and Hancock were to both make the 53, i'd assume they're playing special teams, and I'd assume Strong's the likely gameday inactive.  I'd also expect White to contribute on special teams if he is not starting opposite benford.  

 

Ingram and Lewis also have a solid chance to make it to the practice squad (same as shenault), with the potential for permanent call-ups if there are injuries.  

In the case of Strong and White on the team I would expect White to be the game day inactive.  Strong played teams at VT to my understanding and Tre has minimal experience (only 382 snaps his whole career; for reference Ingram had 262 snaps in 2025). I expect White would get the Elam treatment of either starting or being gameday inactive.  

 

I think Lewis would be able to find a team to pay him for ST and DB depth.  Likely the same with Ingram.  I dont disagree that having all 4 (5 with White) is a bit much but I think Lewis gets cut and they keep the rookies, Ingram, and White (game day inactive unless is a starter).  My previous post was about Codrington.  While he did a good job at punt return thats all he offered and that seems a waste of a roster spot.  

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

6 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

IMO,  they signed 6 defensive players in free agency who won’t make a dime’s worth of difference to the defense.  That was my opinion before we knew of the suspensions.

 

I view each of the defensive signings as backup level players who were signed as insurance in case they didn’t get what they wanted in the draft.  I feel like they did a great job in the draft which further makes the free agent class even less important to me.

 

I am glad they signed tre white.  He is a great fit in the locker room and a great player to have with a young group of cornerbacks on the roster.

 

I just do not see any of the others doing anything worthwhile and in particular helping the defense where it needed help other than just providing a baseline of depth.  I think three of the players they signed not really even have a position clearly defined.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised to see two or three of the free agents on defense they signed cut when they make the roster for week 1 or after the bye and the suspensions are up.  

So Daquan can't be cut because of who they signed wont help the defense?  Its a weird take as I see all of the signed DL to be more impactful than Daquan based on what he put on tape last year.  

 

We spent about 35 mil on Free agents.  Did you want one big splash signing or just different mid level guys than what we got (that 35 mil includes Palmer)?  Im not sure how this is a botch?  Feels like you wanted different players or wanted one big splash signing.  Beane has always used free agency to fill holes so I assume you never like what they do in free agency?    

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

26 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

I'd probably rather keep codrington over Shenault and Ingram.  I think both of the others are likely to make the practice squad, but shenault not being a punt returner is an issue imo.  

Ingram played 67% of ST snaps and 19% of Defensive snaps (including a 2 INT start against MIA on short turnaround in week 2).  Codrington is much more replaceable than him (see the playoffs where Ingram got a jersey and Codrington was a healthy scratch).  Im looking to replace codrington cause i view him as a wasted roster spot; though ill admit he did a good job last year.  Still need to offer more than only doing punt returns (wasnt returning kick offs by the end of the season).    

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

1 hour ago, MikePJ76 said:

Nope.

 

he will get his snaps reduced in hopes that less playing time will maximize his abilities.  I imagine he sees the field less than like 30 or 28 % of snaps or something along those lines barring injuries.

 

had they not, imo, botched the free agent signings in the offseason then there was a chance.  The front office blew it this offseason though with the group of defensive players they signed, again imo so jones job will be safe.  

What is the botch specifically? is it signing Ogunjobi?  He feels more like a 3 tech than a 1 tech so I'm not sure how the suspension affects anything.  Or are you saying the botch was not picking up a 1 tech at all?  The defensive players they signed in free agency are just Ogunjobi and the DEs (Bosa and Hoecht) so I'm not sure how they blew it unless you assume they couldve gotten some other player.  

[Is Daquan Jones a cut candidate?]

17 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Ended the season is different than the initial 53 which is what I posted.  It was 10 each of those years for week 1.   In 2024 both Smoot and Carter were on IR thus the need to add Phillips and Jefferson.  I think the DB situation was a little better in 2023 and 2024(perhaps not much after the Bishop injury in TC).  At this point I have them keeping both Hancock and Strong from the rookie class. Also if the KR is a CB again that's another spot needed for the DBs.

 

As I said above they probably get to 10 after the suspensions are over.  

 

Best way to carry 10 DL for week 1, is to get rid of Trubisky and just go with two QBs.

 

 

Kick returns were Ty Johnson and ray Davis last year. If you mean coddrington then yes that’s a CB for punt returns. A roster spot for only punt returns is a waste imo. You gotta do something besides that one thing. It’s like a kick off specialist used to be. Moore or shakir would both be better use of a roster spot. 

[Strength of Schedule]

AFC east (6 games) and NFC South (4 games) are probably the two weakest divisions last year.  If we played AFC South the only concerning games would be the other division winners.  

[Rookie camp - Post updates here]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

The more I read and watch on this guy, I start to wonder how he was even available in rd 5

Not being able to focus on one thing probably confused the scouting and limited production. Lots of big school players are along for the ride and flame out so I suspect scouts just assumed he wasn’t good enough to take control of a position. I sorta get it but the context is important and in this case does provide a lot of hope.