Dark Horse Picks for the Year

[CSBill]

DeWayne Carter - the forgotten interior lineman. I think this is his year.

[Ayjent]

I think that there is a lot of mystery around the D and who, if anyone, will emerge in this different approach.  If the D is much improved and more aggressive, there is going to be a lot resentment directed toward McD, and if it is not better, there will be a lot of resentment towards the FO and Beane.  I can understand a lot of people looking at the DL and thinking that there may be some impact from a new Defensive philosophy, because no matter who we drafted or brought in as a FA, the results weren't really all that different in terms of consistent pressure and ability to dictate a game up front.  And the team was always susceptible to physically imposing offenses that wanted to ram it down their throats, and good playcallers like McVay and Reid that knew exactly how to attack the Bills philosophically bc they could find ways around whatever the Bills threw at them, which was never enough pressure without blitzing.  I actually think this unlocks Oliver and Groot more than people may realize, but those definitely aren't darkhorse picks - those are our 2 best DL players.  They have a deeper DL than people may realize and I think it is going to be hard for Solomon, Jackson, Carter and fringe roster guys to make that much of an impact, except barring injury - you also have Walker, Sanders, Chubb, Hoecht, and Parker who all likely project way more snaps than Solomon, Jackson, Carter, Durant and others.  I don't know anything about Zane Durant so lets just pick him to be the darkhorse late round pick that makes a huge impact.  We know Beane loves to hit on those late round picks.

 

On offense, the darkhorse pick to make a huge positive difference is Alec Andersen - I think he is going to take the Guard position battle and put it to bed quickly, being exactly what this team needs to make the OL better than last year.

Edited June 2 by Ayjent

[BullBuchanan]

Jackson Hawes just might be the best TE on the team by the end of the year and one of the more talked about players in the league. If he had a monster year, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

[H2o]

53 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

Jackson Hawes just might be the best TE on the team by the end of the year and one of the more talked about players in the league. If he had a monster year, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

I actually think we may see him used more in the blocking capacity like Gilliam was, but he's a much better threat as a receiver out of the backfield. It's also a different way to get all three of our TE's on the field at the same time. I do think he still sees a lot of snaps at the traditional TE spot, but I think he will be used on offense to help in multiple ways.   

[stlbills13]

If I'm gonna go very outside the box, I'll go with Ray Davis having a much bigger role than previous years and not because of injuries or anything to do with James Cook. 

[transient]

On 5/28/2026 at 10:03 AM, hondo in seattle said:

For those mentioning Coleman, let me ask:  What have you seen in this kid that suggests he'll ever be more than a JAG in this league?  

 

His speed?  His ability to separate?  His exquisite route running?  His hands?  His work ethic?  

 

Maybe I'm missing something - and I hope I am - but the only thing that stands out to me is his draft status - being our top pick in 2024.  

Not a Coleman defender BUT prior to his wrist injury his rookie year he was improving. He finished the year with 550+ yds and a 19.6 yd/catch average. His second season was a wasted season. I wonder if he's someone who didn't respond well to McD's doghouse approach, which at times could border on self destructive. It's still unconscionable that he basically benched Cook until game 10 of his rookie season after his first carry fumble. 

[hondo in seattle]

11 hours ago, transient said:

Not a Coleman defender BUT prior to his wrist injury his rookie year he was improving. He finished the year with 550+ yds and a 19.6 yd/catch average. His second season was a wasted season. I wonder if he's someone who didn't respond well to McD's doghouse approach, which at times could border on self destructive. It's still unconscionable that he basically benched Cook until game 10 of his rookie season after his first carry fumble. 

 

Maybe you have a point.  And maybe I don't understand the nuances of the position well enough.  But I just don't see anything about this guy that suggests he'll ever be more than a JAG.  Not his hands.  Not his routes.  Not his speed.  Not his footwork.  Not his work ethic.  

 

But I want to be proven wrong.