MasterStrategist

Healthy, being the key word. Bad luck, however he's essentially not been healthy since mid-2021. Hopefully he can stay healthy for LA. Difficult to make it work, financially, when Rasul played so well for us and Benford is continuing to ascend (cheap contract). Then a backup, former 1st rounder, who flashed but inconsistent. Time to draft another mid-late rounder, coaching/staff has been solid with developing late round picks.

Probably mentioned already by others, but finding a reliable/good KR is a decent need. This could easily be a draft pick, but sure the team will be looking over available returners after draft. Not a fan of Shakir or Johnson being deep on KR or PR

Exactly. Tre is either gonna be an NFL starter OR he'll retire. He was close in 2020, he has a bright future after football. Wish Tre well, hopefully he gets fully recovered and avoids any other major injuries. We're in good hands with Rasul/Benford/Elam, but Tre was one of the best in Buffalo when healthy.

If Legette had a similar 2022 to his 2023, he'd be a guaranteed top 15-20 pick. Definitely risky, but I think that teams offense/coaching/QB situation was quite poor in early years. I'd be happy with him at 28, but it's a risky move due to 1 year production/age. Not sure I've seen Beane go for this type of prospect in past (at least on Day 1). I'd guess he has a Day 2 grade on him. I think Leggette is more of an option if we trade up in Rd 2. Another Rd 2 WR to look out for, is Tez Walker. Highly athletic/RAS score, big time downfield threat. Bounced around colleges/transfers, I think he could have had more production but he produced across his career. I think he's certainly got WR2 potential, possible WR1 potential. Vertical threat that we need

It didn't show up that day. That's not on what McD/Frazier was coaching them to do. It's that the players didn't perform. Missing Daquan and Phillips playing with 1 arm killed us there. Mixon could have ran for 200 yards, if they wanted to. That had nothing to do with McD/Frazier playing off coverage...should we need to run blitz a team with 3rd stringers on the IOL? That was lack of effort/talent, not on Coach

I disagree on first/third paragraph, but agree with 2nd point. 1st paragraph: McD doesn't go into Conservative mode in playoffs, we just into better talent. Over the past few years, there's a reason our defense is very good on wildcard weekend (except Colts game). And that's solely based on us playing a 6/7 seed (less talented team). 3rd: I don't recall McD making same mistakes year to year in playoffs Looking at who've we lost to, 2020-2023: Chiefs 3x Bengals 1x We were severely outplayed in the trenches in each game. We used our same defensive philosophies/schematics, that we did in regular season. It's just that we didn't have the talent, even against a poor Bengals OL. Key to our defensive success: 1. Generate pressure/disrupt run game with front 4 2. LB/nickle/safety play In particular against Chiefs this past year, having to play without Milano/Bernard really killed us. Then on top of that, our primary disruptive player in front 4 (Ed) got manhandled (refs also tucked away their flags). Our DL has enough to talent to be somewhere in the range of "not liabilty"-"solid", vs playoff teams. But we're inconsistent AND I think we should be able to agree that Ed is our only 1-1 disruptor. Teams like KC, Bengals, Ravens, SF, Eagles (2022), have multiple guys and its no conincidence these teams are top tier/elite.

I know what you're trying to debate, but alot of what you just said above is on Beane. Coach isn't a magician, I'd say he's a guru in running a very effective scheme and his ability to "coach up" the secondary. I'd agree Coach has his flaws/made mistakes, all coaches have. The 13 seconds has been mentioned a million times, it's about learning from mistakes and moving forward. If you want to continue holding something over someone's head, go for it. We also could have been a 1 seed that season if Daboll/offense didn't lay an egg against the Jags. Look at Kyle Shanahan/Mike McDaniel. Two very talented offensive minds. Yet, they continue to spend resources on offense, even while being called a "guru". Should they be held to a different standard? Each team/coach/staff have their philosophies on team building, schemes, ability to identify and acquire talent in the draft, etc. I think Coach is better than Beane personally, even though I agree with most of Beanes moves (except holding onto aging vets too long, poor DL ROI, missing on too many early pick). It's just that other organizations have a better GM/Coach combo. We are lacking talent on DL AND WR, plain and simple. By your and 808's arguments, should we target offense early in draft? We've been a top 5 offense, does that mean we have good enough talent? No, Josh is primary reason and we need better WRs for him. Just like we've had a very good defense, we need better DL to impact the likes of Burrow and Mahomes in playoffs.

Just because resources are spent, doesn't mean we have "talent". Identifying young talent and spending FA $s on DL, has been Beanes/Staff biggest issue. You're making a point targeted at Beane, in your post above. If MCD is driving these decisions, which I'm sure he has some say, but it's the talent evaluators, pro and college, that are failing and Beane. Beane has turned us into a contender, because he got us Josh and Diggs. But beyond that, he's been "solid" not spectacular. Horrible returns on DL and missing on too many 1st/2nd round picks, is starting to show (when we have to eat the low return on Basham, Elam).

pretty certain Gunner wasn't calling you out...instead Mrags

You're talking out of both sides of your mouth. Speaking of inconsistency...

Sure, but it's worth noting: 1. Regular season: we played 8 games against bottom 10 teams in sacks allowed, including 2 games VS absolute worst 2. Postseason: a. Steelers were top 10, in fewest sacks allowed (mostly due to quick passing attack, and got better/Top 5 during their last few games). b. Chiefs: were a Top 2 team, behind us, for fewest sacks allowed. Going against a ragtag group, non even close to full strength/regular season health Not excuses, just a complete picture. Competition matters, obviously we play better teams in postseason. Point is our team wasn't healthy this postseason AND once Ed was ineffective vs KC, nobody else was winning 1-1s. We need either Von to get back to somewhere close to his prior form AND AJE to take another step. OR we somehow find better talent than AJE this draft, which is possible in Rd 1

Worthy is my favorite WR in this draft, that we could possibly get at 28. Speed/YAC/Explosion. He's a Zay Flowers type impact on our offense. I think if the draft plays out, as this mock, we try moving up for Latu.

Alot resting on Von returning close to form. AJE got better LY, but still inconsistent. Toohill is the equivalent of Shaq Lawson, more athletic. Will depend how draft goes, but I like: Latu: if he's there in the early 20s, worth a trade up Chop Robinson: biggest bust potential, but he had a VERY good win rate/just didn't finish with sacks. Reminds me a bit of Jerry Hughes. I'd take him at 28 Darius Robinson: at 28 might be a little early, he's a tweener but he'll be a good player with some team. I'd consider him at 28, but definitely go for him if we traded back into 2nd round Isaac, Kneeland, and Trice: 3 guys who could be there at 60 and add value. Problem with them, is I don't see them much better than AJE (more insurance if Von completely falls apart) Basically 2-3 guys in the 1st, that could make an immediate impact and possibly be around when we pick. Depends what Beane sees in WR class. Could go DL in 1st, then move up for say Keon Coleman or Leggette in 2nd. OR, they might really like Mitchell or Worthy and jump on them a 28. Then see what is left in RD2, possibly DT is better value then at 60. Then go your route of FA, post draft, for a 1 year rental DE. I'm fine with any option, we have alot of potential moves and I agree with OP that DL pass rush is just as big or bigger need than WR

Good depth, likely competing with Anderson and a rookie, for 2 IOL backup spots

Great points, I 100% agree we don't "reach" at 28 if the value isn't there OR at 60. But to be clear, I think the value will meet the need at both picks. I have Darius in Tier 2, but I value your opinion. I think there's more potential with Chop, than Darius, as well. I see a slight chance Lutu slides to the early-mid 20s. Beane might wanna trade up if that happens. Otherwise, I'm in agreement let the board come to you. I still think we will find a DE and WR, at 28 and 60, or even if we move back, that will be very good players/value will be there. Regarding DT/S, much easier to hide a Safety weakness. Behind Ed and Jones, I like Austin Johnson (if we sign him) but still think we need a pure 3-tech behind Ed that can add some interior push. I agree on S, we have 2 high end backups and 1 jack of all trades backup (Cam), I was hoping we went a different direction in FA, but confident McD knows what he wants. I think the Edwards/Rapp combo is just a slight notch below Hyde/Poyer, Hyde lost a massive step and every hit was a huge risk for his neck. Poyer lost a step, still better than both Rapp/Edwards though but not by a lot. I think we can get by, especially if we improve at DL/pass rush

Biggest need is pass rush, the Rd1 WR fans won't like that though. I'd breakdown into "starter needed", "should look to improve", "depth needed": Starters (2): WR-X, DE Improve (4): LG/C, DT3, FS, RB2 Depth (5): T, IOL, DT, LB, CB. Highest need is OL depth IMO, then secondary and then DT4 Coincidentally, that's 11 players=11 picks. I'd be shocked if our first 2 picks aren't DE/WR, in either order. After that, BPA in the improvement category, I'd think DT3 has slightly higher impact than the others (and RB2 could be a FA post draft) This might be the first year that Beane trades back (ie: get a 2nd and 3rd). We might be best off on this path, if we find a trading partner. Theoretically, could then go: Rd2: WR-X (tier 2 of guys, which is like a 1st in any other year), DE (tier 2, which would be all we need if Von rebounds) Rd 3: either Dt or S- I'd prefer a DT, given it's importance in rotation That would fill out our top needs quite nicely, and balance out the DL/pass rush and WR. Just hope Edwards/Rapp overachieve, or we hit on a S in Rd4+

Inside info on what? These aren't PeeWee coaches. They analyze and understand schematics to the extreme level, they don't need "inside info". KC has a better/faster defense than we've had. Snead, Jones, McDuffie, faster safeties, etc. We have talented guys too, but our lack of a true game wrecker up front is the main difference, then KC had two top DBs too.

This is the definition of a backup/ST player. As of now, we have 2 backups (Lewis, Edwards), a fringe starter/better used in subpackages (Rapp), and a likely to be cut player (Hamlin). I was hoping we'd sign a solid starter in FA, possible we still do, but looks like we might be spending an early pick.

Agree, I'm not advocating a "reach" at DE. I however think that the Robinsons, Chop and Darius will be excellent picks. Bring something different in skill sets, but both can "win" matchups and create havoc. Nobody knows which prospects will prosper, so I won't waste time arguing merits of one versus another. But I'll continue to say that we need DE/pass rush help badly. Just a bit more than WR, IMO, after the Samuel pickup. Player evaluation needs to meet the draft slot, but we're a better/more rounded team, if the scouting/evaluation has a DE=a WR at 28....you take the DE and come back with a WR in round 2 (potentially moving up, which I'm mentioned in numerous other posts)

I'll play devils advocate. Disagree with your point about McDermott coaching tendencies/philosophy, and bad defense vs Chiefs in playoffs. We had WAY too many injuries to compete on defense, on every level-especially missing our top 2 LBs against a team with a dominant TE and Coach's use of LBs being paramount. Each postseason, except for 2020, we've entered with too many injuries to key players: 1. 2021: Tre 2. 2022: Von, Tre still hobbled, Micah, Daquan 3. 2023: Milano, Bernard, Daquan coming off a torn pec, Rasul playing at 75% Problem is injuries and not having a dominant player on defense. Easier to overcome injuries, if we have a dominant guy healthy. Instead, we have several very good guys and when 1-2 miss, then we're SOL. Our offense plays lights our because of Josh. Eventually we need to find an equivalent defensive output to rely on. And to me, that's what Beane has been chasing (Von signing, DL investments), and he should keep going that route until he hits. With such a deep WR class, there will be very good WRs sitting there in round 2. Usually is anyhow in each class, it's about proper scouting/etc but it's easier to hit when more talent is there. At DL, such a weak class overall, but there are 1-2 guys who could be there in Round 1 that could be a huge help. Diggs, Samuel, a 2nd round WR with deep ball skills, Shakir, Kincaid, Knox would already be an upgrade on LY and likely our best group since 2020. I just don't think we need a RD1 WR, not after investing in Kincaid LY and Samuel, to go with current group. Our DE room is going to look bare after 2024 season, with Von likely gone and AJE isn't any more than a DE3- need more juice up front.

There will be "close to equal" talent in RD2 at WR, if we move up to 50. WR6-8 at 28, vs WR 10-14 in RD2 isn't much drop-off. At DE, both Robinsons are tier 2 talents to me (potential). Different skill sets, Chop brings the elite athleticism, while the other is more physical and can bounce inside too. Either is worthy of 28

Miller is a wild card, he either gets close to prior form OR he is washed up. I think he'll rebound, but he's not going to be what he was in 2022 pre injury. He's a rotational piece to me. Von is also gone after this year, and AJE isn't a DE2 (he could be, but isn't yet). Groot isn't locked up longterm either. I say DE is something that could impact the team the most. DT, I'm fine with Jones and Ed. Find a viable backup in FA (either at 1 tech or 3 tech), draft the other later rounds.

Agree with both sides of discussion, Samuel is versatile piece. But another reason we don't "need" a RD1 WR. With Diggs, Samuel, Shakir, Kincaid and Knox, that's already a solid group. A WR in RD2, of the deepest draft at WR in history, is all we need.

Exactly. DE and WR are both equal needs but I think DE could have biggest impact on success of team. We don't have a top tier DL player. We have 1 tier two player (Ed), a tier 3 guy (Groot), tier 3-4 in AJE and Von. We need another DL player in the tier 2 category, or ideally potential to be an all-pro. We won't have success late in playoffs with what we have now, just not good enough. We arent in position to get an elite player at DL on draft, but both Robinsons have different skill sets, and bring potential to be tier 2 guys relatively quickly.

Exactly baseline WR2/complimentary piece to the WR room. I mentioned earlier today in the Armstead thread, that Beane is likely targeting Samuel/MVS, then going DL in RD1. Wr in RD2 (trade up to high 40s/#50, to get ahead of Steelers). Will see if draft plays out like that. But hoping we can get our starting FS before draft, and a backup DT.