MasterStrategist

We need a guy who can make this offense better, gives Diggs and Gabe less bracket coverage (especially Stefon). I'd call that pretty valuable, and we struggled very badly with our short passing game at the end of LY, that we brought Bease out of retirement. Downs and Flowers both give that ability, mainly by projecting as top-end slot options. But they aren't relegated to that role, just what will improve our offense the most...IMO. Drafting another Shakir in the mid rounds does nothing IMO. He doesn't threaten a defense, change how teams defend us.

Clearly... my point is everyone thinks Flowers/Downs are slot only too (built similar to Jahan). Both these guys can move around on offense, but best suited at slot in our offense.

Look to last year, and everyone thought Dotson (penn st) was a slot only guy.... he went 1st round in the teens.

I'm hoping Shakir steps up, but I'm not counting on it. To me, it's less about a known commodity. It truly is a missing element on this offense. We just signed Harty, who is very good at RAC (but not a starter). Cut McKenzie, Crowder contract expired, Beas was brought out of semi-retirement, and that leaves Shakir. Defenses can easily bracket Diggs/Davis, we "need" a slot. We shall see come draft day, but our short passing game is predicated on this

A clear missing piece for us right now is a reliable slot, with RAC ability. Draft actually has a decent value for this. Zay Flowers or Downs would be instant upgrades. I like Shakir, but he's not a difference maker, like the guys above. Good backup, #4/5 type. Draft a G in the 2nd. Sign a backup RT. This offense quickly resets and improves weaknesses from last yr.

I've liked Eluemunor, he'd be a reasonable price and competition at RT. I think they like Spencer enough to give him another chance to start, so don't think they're gonna go for a big name/round 1 pick (jmo). Jermaine gives OT/OG flexibility. In a lot of ways, similar to Quessenberry signing LY, but Jermaine is better in pass protection.

Yeah Zay will be gone by the time we pick round 2, so it's round 1 or trade back and hope he's still there (which is not Beanes way). I just see the stars aligning to draft Zay with our 1st, and then focus on OL. They like Spencer Brown still, so I'd be shocked if they use a #1 on OT. Makes more sense they draft a 2nd-4th rounder to compete, that provides depth at G too.

Maybe, but every year this is said about a position group....it's about doing the research/scouting and finding fits for the team. Downs and Flowers both possess the skills that Beane specifically mentioned at the combine interviews....we also brought an aging Beasley back in the fold LY, alot of signs point to drafting a shifty/RAC slot guy.

Rather we draft a WR early, and not sign Chark. Instead use that Fa money on another def line combo. Watching for Ngakoue and Ionadis, which would drastically improve our pass rush.

They clearly wanted an upgrade, opting for signing Montgomery. I think David is much more dynamic than Williams, Montgomery's style reminds me of Fred Jackson. Beane seeing the need to improve the OL and WR, as higher priorities on offense. I'll be frustrated if we bring back Motor...Hunt would be my top remaining FA choice, but comfortable going to the draft and waiting on RB market.

Fair value, thought Beane would be in at that price. Still a few FA options that would be good fits...ie: Kareem Hunt,D. Foreman. I like Motor, just think he isn't what we need. I'd be open to going with Cook, Hines, 4th round+ rookie. And using remaining FA capital on improving OL/DL. Use draft for Wr, LB, Te, Rb

Jamaal is basically what Beane tried to draft in Moss, just didn't pan out. We do need a running mate for Cook. Williams brings a different skill set, that would help. This is the last position to overpay, so it would have to be the right price...otherwise, I'm looking to 4th round or later in the draft.

Agree on the #s and options. We'd have money for a scenario such as: 1. Wagner or David at LB 2. Elemuenor at RT 3. Williams at RB 4. then a depth player That would leave the draft open for WR, TE, S, and IOL (in no particular order).

Nothing about a supposed "rift". Diggs was getting paid the exact same amount of money over the next 10-12 months. He just collects it now, as supposed to being weekly game checks... To a rich guy like Stefon, that means little...sure he gets the "time value of money" (chance to invest), but let's not turn this into a story about some rumored rift. This is a move to create cap space, plain and simple. If we gave him a raise/more money, I'd buy what you're selling...

Only karma that the poster calling out "fake tweets"/double-check your sources falls for that... Only kidding Alpha, always appreciate your humor and insights.

Vander Esch def not better, but he's not $13m per year worse than Tremaine. Bears way overpaid for what they "hope" Maine turns into. Always liked him, just glad Beane didn't overpay for a very good but not great player

Completely agree. At Pitt, Dane never played nickel but has quickness/aggression to play there. Originally thought that's where he'd focus in the NFL, given he lacks ideal speed for outside. But he's very good depth/low-end starter material. Solid re-signing at $2.7m. I still think we should draft a pure nickle corner in the late rounds, as you said, we need depth at inside corner and could look to deploy more dime looks...depending how MLB is addressed and/or plans to use Benford as a 3rd safety/dime

I'm all for schematic changes to our defense, and think moving to a dime/3-safety look (Benford as 3rd safety) on obvious passing downs makes a TON of sense. It's a league-wide trend and naturally saves us from having to find another MLB to play all 3 downs. I'd still be looking for an improvement on Dodson, but we don't need to replace Tremaine with 1 guy....committee approach and might actually be better for it, if scheme changes

Absolutely not. Taron is a very good nickle/slot, and there's a clear drop off from him to Siran Neal. Keep him there. We should be looking to get some depth at nickle corner though, and alot of teams are moving to 3-safety looks...I think this is what we will do, with Benford as our 3rd safety. Safety is looking like an early draft pick, ie: sometime on day 2 of the draft.

I was thinking he'd be in play for us. Not that I like him, but a Beane type. I like Eleumanor to be competive at RT, likely moves Spencer to swing tackle.

Agree....we love Poyer in Buffalo, but truth is he's coming off an injury riddled season...faded down the stretch/looked horrible against Cincy...and is limited athletically at his current age compared to some of the other options. I think we're better off going younger/more speed, but Po+Hyde= sum greater than parts

Jeudy is who I'd want, but not at the price of #27. We need cap controllable 1st round players on this team.... even with Jerry's 2 years of manageable salary. Denver would have to like Ed. Oliver + our 2nd round selection OR 2nd round + next year's 3rd (if Ed isn't involved). Like others said, Ed is too expensive/inconsistent/undersized. I think we need to be getting bigger/more physical up front. If we can find a way to alleviate his cap + get Jeudy that's a HUGE pickup.

Aggressive/more risky defense to force some key sacks or turnovers has been 2 years in the waiting. It's the key to slowing down Mahomes/Burrow led offenses. Add some firepower to the offense, and some speed at S. Elam in year 2, Tre back healthy, and switch to a dime defense to get more speed on 3rd downs (depending what we do with LB position, and would require likely drafting another slot corner).

Bears are def paying for a projected "upside", yes he improved but was that coincidental with improved DL play...or truly Tremaine. Likely a combo of both. But Tremaine isn't an $18m AAV player right now...and Chicago can afford to spend crazy money, where we can't. IMO, Beane made the right decision and hopefully finds better ways to use that $$$ (WR, OL).

Exactly! Plus in a perfect world of no injuries, perhaps we'd see some of this (not 20 yr deals, but maybe 5 fake years)....but in the NFL, injuries obviously happen alot and a serious injury to said player basically screws this entire strategy.. Too risky and not guarantees a future season of being extremely handicapped against the cap