Travdogg's FA/1st round predictions (1 Viewer)

[King of the Jungle]

Darnold is probably a greater threat than Will Howard on the ground and it worked out fairly well at Ohio St anyway.

Edit: Will Howard’s 40 time is projected to match Darnolds at 4.85.

This is a good point but for a different reason than you cite. Running the read option is a lot more than 40 time, it's about making that initial read on the edge and making the right decision fast and getting the play going. It takes a lot of reps to learn that read, and Will Howard didn't even really execute it very well a lot of times. There were a lot of instances he made the wrong read and many times it looked to me like it was a predetermined decision where the mesh was just to sell it and create hesitation. I think it was the Penn State game where he didn't even keep it once until about 6 minutes left in the game. Howard's throwing was much more key to the success of the offense and the threat of the run option was the important part, not the QB's actual stats.

If Darnold has the chops to run it I'd be all for it. I doubt it comes to that though, I'd be shocked if MIN didn't tag him. Justin Fields is who I have on my wish list.

If brain size is correlated to head size, Darnold should be fine. Your assessment makes sense however and maybe Darnold would struggle with that type of offense. The honestly have no idea and was just thinking of the mobility of element. I do disagree about MIN tagging Darnold, I think they will move forward with McCarthy.

 

[Insein]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

 

[JohnnyU]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.tal

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

While I agree with you about the weather, those outrageous taxes, regulations, and overall cost of living is brutal.

 

[cheese]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

Higgins will almost definitely get franchise tagged again so it's not going to be as clean as weighing his favorite destination to sign. We're probably talking about a trade, even if it's not for much. I could see the Bengals tagging him and then trading for like a 4th round pick and his new team tearing up that deal and giving him an extension. If that doesn't happen, we basically go into next season the exact same as we went into this one.

 

[Mitchie]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

Well sure but not every FA ends up in LA, players make decisions for a variety of reasons, sometimes money, maybe for family/friends or who knows what else.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure Bosa is gone. I think there could be some restructuring to play with there. I think Bosa (or Bosa's agent) will realize his market is nowhere near what it was 2-3 years ago now that's he's gonna be 30, I don't know that a better deal/situation exists for him.

He is in decline. He has only played more than 563 snaps in a season 3 times, and the last time was 2021. The 2024 seasons was the worst of his career by far. Consider his PFF grades:

• 2016 - 86.6
• 2017 - 88.8
• 2018 - 71.5
• 2019 - 89.6
• 2020 - 90.2
• 2021 - 85.8
• 2022 - 76.0
• 2023 - 78.4
• 2024 - 61.1

I can't see the team keeping Bosa at his current cap hit when they could clear $25M in cap space by trading/releasing him. I suppose he could take a pay cut, as he did last season, but it would need to be really substantial, like a $10M to $15M pay cut. It would surprise me if he was willing to do that. I suppose the Chargers could sign him to a contract extension that lowered his 2025 cap hit, but he isn't worth what I expect it would take to sign him.

Agree with you on his market, just not sure he will go along with accepting his true market value from the Chargers.

I don't see TE1 as a hole at all. I think Will Dissly is an above average NFL starting TE. He's not explosive, but he's good at everything, hands, routes, blocking.

I like Dissly, and I'm not suggesting that he shouldn't still have a big role... maybe it is a 1a/1b situation, where Dissly runs fewer routes and blocks more.

Unfortunately, Dissly is not strong in the passing game. PFF graded 43 TEs this season with at least 30 targets, and Dissly's receiving grade ranked #26. You say he has good hands, but he was #38 in the group in drop percentage at 8.8%. His YPC is low at 9.6, and he had just 2 TDs. Adding a TE that is better than Dissly as a receiver would help the Chargers play more 2 TE personnel groupings, which I think they would like to do.

I think Dissly's numbers were a little bit more about the function of the offense than about him. His career YPC was 11.1 coming into the season, so I put the 9.6 on the offense, not him. His yards per route run was 10th in the NFL, and I think that's a better stat than YPC. The drops were an outlier as well. He had 9 drops in his 6 year career, before having 5 last season.

As for Bosa, I fully agree with everything you said, I just think he'll be more open to taking a pay cut to stay. I do also wonder how much he's declined, and how much has been playing hurt. I think the elite pass rusher is gone, but I think he's still a solid starter, when he's healthy. I think something like 2/25(12.5/year) feels fair. Given his age/recent health, I don't see more than that on the open market.

Yes, but even at a supreme discount why do it? Just move on. Get younger and have more $ to use. I also think he is gone.

Alternatively, if he takes said discount, why create a hole to fill at a key position, when you already have a good player, who is also a team leader? Cutting Bosa and then needing to spend a 1st/2nd round pick on an edge feels like bad resource management to me, just to save a few bucks, that they don't really need.

If Bosa is open to the type of deal I'm suggesting, the only reason to get rid of him to save money, is if they are planning a huge splash, and I mean a huge splash, like a trade for Myles Garrett, or Tyreek Hill. Which feels like wishful thinking.

I disagree with the bolded. Cutting Bosa and drafting the best edge available at #22 should be an upgrade at one starting edge position -- hopefully an upgrade in quality of play and availability. It would also inject youth into a position group that should include Mack and Dupree.

If they cut or trade Bosa, RG Pipkins, and RB Edwards, IMO the Chargers have 27 core players currently under contract for 2025. They have 10 draft picks, and most of those should make the team.

But they will also have more than $90M in cap space to fill the other 16-20 positions with free agents. I think they should be aggressive in using that cap space and those roster spots to seriously upgrade the roster. They will have enough cap space to re-sign 10-15 internal free agents and also sign 3 or more premium free agents.

For example, they could sign all of WR Higgins, G Trey Smith, and IDL Milton Williams. It doesn't have to be those players, but the point is they can sign 3 players of that caliber and price while also keeping most of their internal free agents. But using my example here, WR, G, and IDL are removed from consideration at the top of the draft, which frees the team up to draft edge, RB, TE, all additional positions where they need upgrades.

I would much rather they take this kind of approach than trading for Myles Garrett, Garrett Wilson, etc.

They have a real opportunity to transform this roster into a contender. They have never had an offseason with anything close to this amount of available cap space and draft picks. I'm looking forward to watching how they attack it.

I haven't had a chance to have my say on the Chargers but I was a huge fan of Harbaugh being hired and felt easily he was the best of the bunch last off season when you saw inexperienced head coaches like the one in Tennessee and the one fired in New England already, it was a good match.

That said I was disappointed in how little Harbaugh gave Herbert to work with last season. Waste of a prime year but several Bolts' fans beyond the Shark Pool have felt it was needed to clear the books. I never allow the management of the cap to dictate how I rate moves and grade overall performance, that's mostly the owner's problem and I have little sympathy.

-I have heard or read some folks talking about more needed along the OL, the IOL definitely could use a jolt. Beyond that the team needs at least 1 strong RB because Harbaugh's game plan is never going to be unleashing Herbert and that's going to be where I look critically this off season, I hope Harbaugh proves me wrong.

It appears the coaching game plan is be tough as nails along both sides of the line, no problem. Then at some point I would like to see a more aggressive offense but we are dealing with a 60 year old HC that is still coming off a big Nat Champ and a previous appearance in a Super Bowl, he's not likely to change his approach.

What I like in this thread is we're discussing NFL vs just the FF angle but I will say that I don't value the skill positions for the Chargers as highly as I do other teams at this juncture
Something that would make me rethink Harbaugh's approach is if they go out and bring in an established Top-10 to 15 WR that is a bonafide alpha and can rip a cover off the defense
There's a short list but I would like to see the Chargers focus on areas in the skill positions, on Defense I think they will need to shake it up some at Edge and I wouldn't put it off their list of potential 1st round selections. I also see them bolstering their IOL be it the 1st or 2nd round, that's likely their path.

What is the window for making a Super Bowl run? Is there an actual window while you are retooling and reshaping the team?
I like a lot of what i saw from the Chargers, they're a much tougher team than they were prior to Harbaugh and I imagine they will bring in some more tough guys that he wants to coach.
I have doubts that he can take the Bolts to the promised land but I am keeping an open mind and don't fully understand their cap situation yet.
Will they go out and bring in a couple high profile free agents or do they try and add additional draft picks to continue a youth movement and injection of new talent?

This is one of the more exciting teams to follow in the off season

 

[Pip's Invitation]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.tal

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

While I agree with you about the weather, those outrageous taxes, regulations, and overall cost of living is brutal.

The Northeast has that too, just not to the same extent.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm doing this by draft order, with FA signings between each pick. Not every team will be projected for FA signings, and many FAs (those I don't expect to get starting jobs especially) will be left out. Here goes nothing:

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

2. Cleveland=Cam Ward QB Miami, plays bigger than his size in my opinion as he has a huge arm, and is fearless in the pocket. The ceiling is extremely high here, but he's a little riskier than you'd like for a QB1 in a class. Browns need a QB and also can't spend money on one. This is a best of both worlds scenario, even if Travis Hunter is a MUCH safer pick.

-The Titans IMHO would be foolish to bring in several old or aging vets to try and patch holes, they need an influx of fresh talent and nobody knows if this head coach is gonna make it
I like Carter but if they are going to go that route than they need to trade down which is partly what I expect here as a short list feeding frenzy begins for Cam Ward as teams will want to slide in front of the Cleveland Browns to try and steal the top rated QB in this Draft class, especially if you are not as high on Sanders who is watching his stock drop of late.

I have a couple of scenarios but I can see Tennessee even trading with Cleveland who might be hot for Cam Ward. If they can get one or two teams to cough up a 1st to move up to No 1, they could easily talk Cleveland into a trade and even if they don't they likely still draft Carter at No 3-4-5 possibly, 2 QBs and Travis Hunter are going to have some suitors, the Titans need more draft picks to fill the many holes they have. And they can still take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round early if they want while building up their OL/DL, they are a lot more than 1 QB away

I am not saying what you project won't happen, but I would not want those players if I were a Titans' fan

-Cleveland is going to be tough to figure out until you realize Watson is pretty much gone again in 2025 so the position in all reality is wide open, sure they don't really have the money to go sign Darnold but they can draft a QB at No 2 or use their early 2nd perhaps on a Jalen Milroe if he's still on the board, many ways they can go. Do they trade Garrett and become a team armed with more draft picks and make deals up and down the board? The Browns are entering Year 5 or 6 of Stefanski, they seem more likely to sign fading cheaper Vets at this point

Awesome thread, I plan on sharing thoughts on many of these teams, you did all the heavy lifting, thank you!

 

[Insein]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.tal

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

While I agree with you about the weather, those outrageous taxes, regulations, and overall cost of living is brutal.

Massachusetts is the same.

 

[JohnnyU]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.tal

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

While I agree with you about the weather, those outrageous taxes, regulations, and overall cost of living is brutal.

Massachusetts is the same.

Yeah I wonder why

 

[Ray_T]

Don’t underestimate Howie Roseman’s contract/cap wizardry. You have the Eagles losing all four of their top free agents. I think he manages to hold onto at least one, and I think it’s Baun.

They really like Mauro Ojono and I expect him to take Williams’ place as the #3 DT, so I can see them deciding not to spend major funds on that position in FA.

Pick #32 will either be used on BPA OL/DL or traded in some deal none of us see coming.

Baun would be the most important (and also most difficult) one to keep in my opinion. I think Becton would be the easiest to keep, as I think many teams will be wary of his Jets run/durability.

I don't consider Rankins to be major funds. I like Ojomo as well, but I think they'll want to stay 4 deep, as Davis isn't really a full-time guy, and Carter is a knucklehead who is a suspension threat at any time.

I do think LB/DE will be a target as well at some point (day 2 perhaps?) and it wouldn't blow my mind if Roseman pulled off some mega-deal for some pass rusher. Though they'd likely have to clear more cap space for that. A part of me wonders if a guy like Dallas Goedert could be a cap casualty if they re-sign some FAs or make a big deal, as they have so many offensive guys signed long term (Hurts, Barkley, AJ, Smith, Mailata, Johnson, Dickerson) that Goedert could be numbers gamed, even though he's clearly a high-end starter.

If Roseman takes a TE in the 1st or 2nd, that's a signal they'll be moving on from Goedert not long from now. Otherwise, there's no succession plan in place. Calcaterra is a good pass-catcher but a liability as a blocker. He's not the next TE1 on this team.

I would argue it may not be a bad time to draft a TE even if they are not ready to move on from Goedert this year. it usually takes at least 1 and probably 2 years for a rookie TE to adjust to the NFL. so assuming they dont take the top TE on the board, they can let him learn behind Goedert for a season.

the guy is 30 after all, and not many TE are all that productive beyond 30 so this is likely Goederts last hurrah.

 

[pinkstapler]

WR Tee Higgins, I think its 50-50 he stays in Cincinnati, but if he leaves, this is 99.9% his destination. I don't know if he's truly a #1 WR, but he'll easily be the best Pats WR since at least Edelman.

You think Higgins would choose Maye and NE over Herbert and LA? I'm skeptical, unless NE is willing to pay a non-trivial premium.

Higgins is a perfect match for what the Chargers need, and I am hoping they will go after him aggressively.

I do, think Maye is a draw, and NE has cap space to improve their roster, maybe they will have to pay more but not a lot more and think they are willing to do it.tal

Do you think Maye > Herbert as a draw? Do you think NE roster > LAC roster entering 2025 season? I think no to both.

Another way to frame that second question: Do you think it is more likely LAC or NE will get into true Super Bowl contender status sooner? IMO the answer is obviously LAC.

Do you think Vrabel > Harbaugh as a draw? That one is close, but I think edge to Harbaugh for offensive players. That said, any given player could prefer either one.

Living in LA > NE for most people, even if only due to the weather.

Add it all up, IMO LAC > NE for Higgins.

As for cap space, LAC will have plenty, and would have no problem signing Higgins to a $30M/year contract.

I think NE definitely has to pay more for situation but also lifestyle. Much easier to live in Southern CA than Massachusetts.

Except for Jan / 2025.

Well yes. But 90% of the time, 80° is better than 20°.

While I agree with you about the weather, those outrageous taxes, regulations, and overall cost of living is brutal.

Massachusetts is the same.

Maybe Mass. has their own additions to regular taxes; but I believe once you earn +$1mil a year California is by far the highest marginal state tax rate at 13.3%. I don't believe any other state is over 10%. And most of all the NY athletes live and play in NJ, so that basically makes NY tax rates a moot point. I can't find where I read it, so grain of salt if it's not backed up by truth but it seemed believable to me; athletes who both live in and play in CA can wind up paying 50% of their salary in income taxes. Haven't heard of any other states being close to that.

edit : Found this, still potentially disreputable

 

[travdogg]

I'm doing this by draft order, with FA signings between each pick. Not every team will be projected for FA signings, and many FAs (those I don't expect to get starting jobs especially) will be left out. Here goes nothing:

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

2. Cleveland=Cam Ward QB Miami, plays bigger than his size in my opinion as he has a huge arm, and is fearless in the pocket. The ceiling is extremely high here, but he's a little riskier than you'd like for a QB1 in a class. Browns need a QB and also can't spend money on one. This is a best of both worlds scenario, even if Travis Hunter is a MUCH safer pick.

-The Titans IMHO would be foolish to bring in several old or aging vets to try and patch holes, they need an influx of fresh talent and nobody knows if this head coach is gonna make it
I like Carter but if they are going to go that route than they need to trade down which is partly what I expect here as a short list feeding frenzy begins for Cam Ward as teams will want to slide in front of the Cleveland Browns to try and steal the top rated QB in this Draft class, especially if you are not as high on Sanders who is watching his stock drop of late.

I have a couple of scenarios but I can see Tennessee even trading with Cleveland who might be hot for Cam Ward. If they can get one or two teams to cough up a 1st to move up to No 1, they could easily talk Cleveland into a trade and even if they don't they likely still draft Carter at No 3-4-5 possibly, 2 QBs and Travis Hunter are going to have some suitors, the Titans need more draft picks to fill the many holes they have. And they can still take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round early if they want while building up their OL/DL, they are a lot more than 1 QB away

I am not saying what you project won't happen, but I would not want those players if I were a Titans' fan

-Cleveland is going to be tough to figure out until you realize Watson is pretty much gone again in 2025 so the position in all reality is wide open, sure they don't really have the money to go sign Darnold but they can draft a QB at No 2 or use their early 2nd perhaps on a Jalen Milroe if he's still on the board, many ways they can go. Do they trade Garrett and become a team armed with more draft picks and make deals up and down the board? The Browns are entering Year 5 or 6 of Stefanski, they seem more likely to sign fading cheaper Vets at this point

Awesome thread, I plan on sharing thoughts on many of these teams, you did all the heavy lifting, thank you!

I have a theory with the Titans, that despite earning the #1 pick, they don't see themselves as that far away in the NFL's worst division. It doesn't have to be Rodgers, could be Cousins, maybe they are the ones who trade for Carr, but I think the Titans bring in a veteran QB to start over Levis. Martin was just a marriage of need and guy who is likely not expensive, and a short term fix. Could be someone else, just kind of thought he made some sense as a cheaper starter.

I would very much argue Kirk is not an old or aging vet. He's only 28 and just had some bad injury luck. He's also a perfect complement to Ridley, we literally have evidence to show that, as Kirk was on an 80-1100 pace opposite Ridley before going down in 2023.

Browns are in an interesting spot. I think Stefanski has a lot of job security, so I think the Browns could just do a huge reset. If I were any contender, I'd happily offer 2 1sts for Garrett, who in my opinion is currently the best defensive player in the NFL, and at 29 I think still a few years from slowing down.

I do see the Cousins connection a lot, but like, I don't really get it beyond the Stefanski connection. What's the upside there? This is a team that is CLEARLY the worst team in their division, and Cousins won't change that. Milroe would surprise me a little, just as a weird fit for this offense, but I think rookie QB is the way to go.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm doing this by draft order, with FA signings between each pick. Not every team will be projected for FA signings, and many FAs (those I don't expect to get starting jobs especially) will be left out. Here goes nothing:

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

2. Cleveland=Cam Ward QB Miami, plays bigger than his size in my opinion as he has a huge arm, and is fearless in the pocket. The ceiling is extremely high here, but he's a little riskier than you'd like for a QB1 in a class. Browns need a QB and also can't spend money on one. This is a best of both worlds scenario, even if Travis Hunter is a MUCH safer pick.

-The Titans IMHO would be foolish to bring in several old or aging vets to try and patch holes, they need an influx of fresh talent and nobody knows if this head coach is gonna make it
I like Carter but if they are going to go that route than they need to trade down which is partly what I expect here as a short list feeding frenzy begins for Cam Ward as teams will want to slide in front of the Cleveland Browns to try and steal the top rated QB in this Draft class, especially if you are not as high on Sanders who is watching his stock drop of late.

I have a couple of scenarios but I can see Tennessee even trading with Cleveland who might be hot for Cam Ward. If they can get one or two teams to cough up a 1st to move up to No 1, they could easily talk Cleveland into a trade and even if they don't they likely still draft Carter at No 3-4-5 possibly, 2 QBs and Travis Hunter are going to have some suitors, the Titans need more draft picks to fill the many holes they have. And they can still take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round early if they want while building up their OL/DL, they are a lot more than 1 QB away

I am not saying what you project won't happen, but I would not want those players if I were a Titans' fan

-Cleveland is going to be tough to figure out until you realize Watson is pretty much gone again in 2025 so the position in all reality is wide open, sure they don't really have the money to go sign Darnold but they can draft a QB at No 2 or use their early 2nd perhaps on a Jalen Milroe if he's still on the board, many ways they can go. Do they trade Garrett and become a team armed with more draft picks and make deals up and down the board? The Browns are entering Year 5 or 6 of Stefanski, they seem more likely to sign fading cheaper Vets at this point

Awesome thread, I plan on sharing thoughts on many of these teams, you did all the heavy lifting, thank you!

I have a theory with the Titans, that despite earning the #1 pick, they don't see themselves as that far away in the NFL's worst division. It doesn't have to be Rodgers, could be Cousins, maybe they are the ones who trade for Carr, but I think the Titans bring in a veteran QB to start over Levis. Martin was just a marriage of need and guy who is likely not expensive, and a short term fix. Could be someone else, just kind of thought he made some sense as a cheaper starter.

I would very much argue Kirk is not an old or aging vet. He's only 28 and just had some bad injury luck. He's also a perfect complement to Ridley, we literally have evidence to show that, as Kirk was on an 80-1100 pace opposite Ridley before going down in 2023.

Browns are in an interesting spot. I think Stefanski has a lot of job security, so I think the Browns could just do a huge reset. If I were any contender, I'd happily offer 2 1sts for Garrett, who in my opinion is currently the best defensive player in the NFL, and at 29 I think still a few years from slowing down.

I do see the Cousins connection a lot, but like, I don't really get it beyond the Stefanski connection. What's the upside there? This is a team that is CLEARLY the worst team in their division, and Cousins won't change that. Milroe would surprise me a little, just as a weird fit for this offense, but I think rookie QB is the way to go.

Hard to disagree with anything you say, appreciate that you took a moment/day before you posted back
This thread is going to be one of the best of the off season, so much all of us can post back and forth, outstanding!

 

[BobbyLayne]

28. Detroit=Armand Membou OT Missouri, this is a BPA pick, with some eventual Decker replacement potential. Could potentially play G in the meantime.

G Joel Bitonio, fully expecting Browns to release him. Probably an upgrade at LG from Glasgow, who could move to the RG spot to replace Zeitler.

DL Denico Autry, anther expected release, gives the Lions some DL flexibility.

WR Amari Cooper, here's a surprise. I think Cooper does a little bit of ring chasing and takes a below expected deal. I think he's ok with being more of a #3 WR.

Membou would be a good pick if they don’t have an Edge player available at #28. If Grey Zabel is still on the board, he has the versatility they love.

Personally I’d like to see the first two picks to be DL. They might cut Za’Darius Smith, are unlikely to resign Levi Onwuzurike, and Alim McNeil will be on PUP the first third of the season. They need DI & ED - but Holmes rarely does what I think he should do.

Really depends on what they do in FA - Holmes prefers to address needs via low cost signings and focus on talent (irrespective of need / depth chart) in the draft.

IOL - think they might resign Zeitler and ask Glasgow to take a pay cut. Christian Mahogany is likely to earn a starting G spot in Y2.

WR - I would expect someone more modest than Cooper, say Noah Brown or Lil’ Jordan Humphrey.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

interesting. Before Rodgers was cut I was thinking that Darnald was the way to go. I read in some article that Rodgers is willing to play the "mentor" role. Could be kismet if Rodgers went to TN and all Levis really needed was a vet to mentor him to unlock him. I'm on board. Adams could also be a cap casualty, if Rodgers goes to TN would Adams follow?

 

[Ray_T]

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

interesting. Before Rodgers was cut I was thinking that Darnald was the way to go. I read in some article that Rodgers is willing to play the "mentor" role. Could be kismet if Rodgers went to TN and all Levis really needed was a vet to mentor him to unlock him. I'm on board. Adams could also be a cap casualty, if Rodgers goes to TN would Adams follow?

Levis needs more than that unfortunately.

part of his problem is that hes also miscast. I dont know that hes been in a situation where he legitimately had the opportunity to thrive but part of it is the talent on the team too. the O line fell apart shortly after he was drafted and that really makes it hard on a young player. he did have WR but Dhop is the type of WR that needs a qb who can throw it to a certain spot on the field where he can climb the ladder and get that ball at the high point. I'm not sure hes the type of QB that could take full advantage of that. I've also seen some bad decision making but It is honestly hard to say that this is 100% on the kid. coaches need to take some ownership of this too. and the GM for letting him develop in a bad situation.

It may now be a case where he is ruined as a prospect. I hope I'm wrong. but hes been exposed to enough bad stuff that his only hope is to likely play as a backup in a good organization where they do a good job of developing players and maybe he will come around. but he likely needs to unlearn a lot of the bad stuff hes learned here.

 

[Gally]

it's about making that initial read on the edge and making the right decision fast

Darnold

Making decisions fast and Darnold do not work well together.

 

[Gally]

24. Minnesota=Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina, we'll see if Bynum or Smith are back, but Emmanwori feels like a guy Brian Flores could do a ton with. He has LB size but isn't LB speed.

27. Baltimore=Josh Simmons OT Ohio State, Simmons might be my most underrated player in the class, without the knee injury, he's a top-10 pick in my opinion, and a better prospect (at T for sure) than Banks. So of course, that guy will fall to the Ravens, because someone seemingly does every year. I have him being Stanley's replacement, and probably an upgrade sooner than later.

If this OT is as good as you think he is then I would much rather have Minny take him at 24 and not let him drop to Baltimore.

 

[travdogg]

28. Detroit=Armand Membou OT Missouri, this is a BPA pick, with some eventual Decker replacement potential. Could potentially play G in the meantime.

G Joel Bitonio, fully expecting Browns to release him. Probably an upgrade at LG from Glasgow, who could move to the RG spot to replace Zeitler.

DL Denico Autry, anther expected release, gives the Lions some DL flexibility.

WR Amari Cooper, here's a surprise. I think Cooper does a little bit of ring chasing and takes a below expected deal. I think he's ok with being more of a #3 WR.

Membou would be a good pick if they don’t have an Edge player available at #28. If Grey Zabel is still on the board, he has the versatility they love.

Personally I’d like to see the first two picks to be DL. They might cut Za’Darius Smith, are unlikely to resign Levi Onwuzurike, and Alim McNeil will be on PUP the first third of the season. They need DI & ED - but Holmes rarely does what I think he should do.

Really depends on what they do in FA - Holmes prefers to address needs via low cost signings and focus on talent (irrespective of need / depth chart) in the draft.

IOL - think they might resign Zeitler and ask Glasgow to take a pay cut. Christian Mahogany is likely to earn a starting G spot in Y2.

WR - I would expect someone more modest than Cooper, say Noah Brown or Lil’ Jordan Humphrey.

Membou and Zabel aren't far apart for me, I think eitehr would be solid values at #28, and both could very well be gone by that point.

I think Cooper will be a bit of a modest contract. Like I would bet on him being a 1 or 2 year deal guy, well below his recent contract. I also (and the Lions may feel differently) still don't really trust Jameson Williams. I think guys like Brown, or especially Humphrey and pretty unlikely. Like, if that's the caliber WR they want at #3, why not just stick with Tim Patrick? I'm not locked into Cooper, I just think 3rd WR is a spot worth upgrading, and I think the vet WR market is ripe for cheaper good players who could be ring chasers. DeAndre Hopkins or Mike Williams could make sense too.

 

[travdogg]

1. Tennessee=Abdul Carter DE Penn State, same number, same school, same freakish athletic talent that Micah Parsons has. I think the Titans have a hard time passing on an elite pass rusher at #1. Time will tell if he's as good as Parsons (a very high bar) but he'll be the best pass rusher the Titans have had in a very long time.

QB Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to continue playing (and I think he does) I don't think beggars will get to be choosers. I do think this is maybe the only team where he'd be the unquestioned starter and they can keep Levis as the #2.

WR Christian Kirk, I'm expecting him to be a cap casualty (I'll have many in here) as I think he and Evan Engram are somewhat redundant, and Kirk has finished each of the last 2 years on IR. He's still a solid #2, and compliments Calvin Ridley well.

G Zack Martin, its possible he retires, but I could see him getting one last payday from the Titans who could use a RG.

interesting. Before Rodgers was cut I was thinking that Darnald was the way to go. I read in some article that Rodgers is willing to play the "mentor" role. Could be kismet if Rodgers went to TN and all Levis really needed was a vet to mentor him to unlock him. I'm on board. Adams could also be a cap casualty, if Rodgers goes to TN would Adams follow?

I think the Adams/Rodgers marriage isn't likely to continue. I think Adams will have no shortage of suitors as BY FAR the best WR on the market, whereas I think Rodgers will have very few spots where he can land as an unquestioned starter.

 

[travdogg]

24. Minnesota=Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina, we'll see if Bynum or Smith are back, but Emmanwori feels like a guy Brian Flores could do a ton with. He has LB size but isn't LB speed.

27. Baltimore=Josh Simmons OT Ohio State, Simmons might be my most underrated player in the class, without the knee injury, he's a top-10 pick in my opinion, and a better prospect (at T for sure) than Banks. So of course, that guy will fall to the Ravens, because someone seemingly does every year. I have him being Stanley's replacement, and probably an upgrade sooner than later.

If this OT is as good as you think he is then I would much rather have Minny take him at 24 and not let him drop to Baltimore.

I like Simmons a ton more than Emmanwori as a prospect but given that Josh Metellus is the only guy in the secondary under contact who saw meaningful snaps in 2024, I can't see a luxury OT pick, unless they think Darrisaw's injury is WAY worse than we know.

I am deferring a lot to mocks and prospect rankings as far as range of where a player may go. If I went by how much I like guys, then the draft would be really different.

Guys I have going a lot higher than I'd take them are: Shedeur Sanders, Benjamin Morrison (hip injury scares me for a quickness-based CB, big fan otherwise), Nick Emmanwori (should crush the combine, might be LB/S tweener that requires creative DC), Jack Sawyer, Tyler Booker.

Guys I have going a lot lower than I'd take them are: Ashton Jeanty (I think he's a better prospect than Bijan was) Kenneth Grant, Josh Simmons, Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon (I love this DT class)

 

[Gally]

I can't see a luxury OT pick,

I really don't see an O-Line pick in the first round as ever being a luxury. O-Line is a always a need and if this guy is good he is worth taking IMO.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Cap number as being reported today is something between $277-$281 million, say $280M
I'm guessing we might see $295-$300M+ in '26
We've seen the QB and WR market sky rocket
Is there a position that could take a major jump we haven't seen previously? Or is it likely we some average QBs all getting $50M+ a season even on a1-year deals?
Should Rodgers play next season and a team decides to sign him, what real dollars could he land?
The Steelers can't have much tied up at QB right now, why wouldn't they try to look at Rodgers for a season until they can find a long term solution?
More about the cap than it is the Steelers, that was just a loose example

 

[King of the Jungle]

Cap number as being reported today is something between $277-$281 million, say $280M
I'm guessing we might see $295-$300M+ in '26
We've seen the QB and WR market sky rocket
Is there a position that could take a major jump we haven't seen previously? Or is it likely we some average QBs all getting $50M+ a season even on a1-year deals?
Should Rodgers play next season and a team decides to sign him, what real dollars could he land?
The Steelers can't have much tied up at QB right now, why wouldn't they try to look at Rodgers for a season until they can find a long term solution?
More about the cap than it is the Steelers, that was just a loose example

RBs are due for a raise.

 

[travdogg]

Cap number as being reported today is something between $277-$281 million, say $280M
I'm guessing we might see $295-$300M+ in '26
We've seen the QB and WR market sky rocket
Is there a position that could take a major jump we haven't seen previously? Or is it likely we some average QBs all getting $50M+ a season even on a1-year deals?
Should Rodgers play next season and a team decides to sign him, what real dollars could he land?
The Steelers can't have much tied up at QB right now, why wouldn't they try to look at Rodgers for a season until they can find a long term solution?
More about the cap than it is the Steelers, that was just a loose example

Right now, it's:

#1 QB
#2 WR
#3 Edge
#4 DT
#5 OT
#6 CB
#7 G
#8 LB

I would guess CB takes a leap, given the recent influx of quality young CBs in recent seasons. Surtain just got 24 (pre DPOY) McDuffie, Stingley, and Sauce are all coming due. Bland likely isn't far behind those guys.

I don't think RBs get any major bump. Supply is still>demand. I think the guys who would get paid, already did.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Philly and Baltimore showed it's worth it to pay for elite RB talent if your team is a contender and structured a certain way. Most teams are not that, though.

 

[brewer]

I don't think RBs get any major bump. Supply is still>demand. I think the guys who would get paid, already did.

Who got paid other than CMC? When Saquon Barkley is making essentially as much money as Darnell Mooney and Jakobi Meyers, something is seriously out of whack. TJ Hockenson makes more money than most of the top RBs. It's something that has to correct at some point, at least for the game changers.

Sure there are a lot of RBs who can step in and play but Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, etc. are not easy to replace.

 

[Ray_T]

I don't think RBs get any major bump. Supply is still>demand. I think the guys who would get paid, already did.

Who got paid other than CMC? When Saquon Barkley is making essentially as much money as Darnell Mooney and Jakobi Meyers, something is seriously out of whack. TJ Hockenson makes more money than most of the top RBs. It's something that has to correct at some point, at least for the game changers.

Sure there are a lot of RBs who can step in and play but Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, etc. are not easy to replace.

I could see some teams going to a strong ground game simply because a lot of teams are now ill equipped to stop it.

guys like Sequon should be making more than guys like Mooney. dont get me wrong, I like Mooney as a player, but hes not the type of impact player that Sequon is.

so there will be a re shuffling of the deck at some point in terms of money.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I don't think RBs get any major bump. Supply is still>demand. I think the guys who would get paid, already did.

Who got paid other than CMC? When Saquon Barkley is making essentially as much money as Darnell Mooney and Jakobi Meyers, something is seriously out of whack. TJ Hockenson makes more money than most of the top RBs. It's something that has to correct at some point, at least for the game changers.

Sure there are a lot of RBs who can step in and play but Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, etc. are not easy to replace.

Agree, however what should be and what is could be two very different things. I think it will take some more holdouts by RBs to get there, but after last year’s RB performance overall it should head in the right direction. Of course you have a pretty good crop coming in and teams may go the route of drafting instead of resigning/extending in some cases. That doesn’t change the fact that the upper tier backs are severely underpaid in comparison to other positions.

 

[travdogg]

Philly and Baltimore showed it's worth it to pay for elite RB talent if your team is a contender and structured a certain way. Most teams are not that, though.

Henry actually took a pretty good pay cut to go to Baltimore. I wouldn't use him as an example.

I don't think RBs get any major bump. Supply is still>demand. I think the guys who would get paid, already did.

Who got paid other than CMC? When Saquon Barkley is making essentially as much money as Darnell Mooney and Jakobi Meyers, something is seriously out of whack. TJ Hockenson makes more money than most of the top RBs. It's something that has to correct at some point, at least for the game changers.

Sure there are a lot of RBs who can step in and play but Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, etc. are not easy to replace.

Taylor got paid, and I'd argue it wasn't a good deal by the Colts. They got similar production whenever he's been out (except by Sermon, but that's a Sermon issue) I think Taylor is one of the most overrated RBs in the NFL.

I'm fully on board with the idea that Barkley should be making more than Mooney, but I think that's more about Mooney than Barkley. Other than a handful of RBs, everyone is pretty easy to replace at the position. That's always gonna be an issue for all but that handful. Same thing probably applies at TE.

 

[brewer]

There are 6 kickers who make as much or more than the 16th highest paid RB.

Color it however you like but RB salaries don't make any sense right now.

 

[Ray_T]

I'm fully on board with the idea that Barkley should be making more than Mooney, but I think that's more about Mooney than Barkley. Other than a handful of RBs, everyone is pretty easy to replace at the position. That's always gonna be an issue for all but that handful. Same thing probably applies at TE.

agreed. a lot of RB are considered easy to replace and thus, they make far less than other skill positions.

still, If a team invested heavily in a very talented run blocking line and got an above average RB in there I dont think there are a lot of NFL teams capable of shutting it down. So many Defenses are put together to stop the pass that the run game has become an afterthought. suddenly now 2 teams (baltimore and Philly) have shown that a strong run game is important so I can see the pendulum swinging the other way for at least a year or two.

and honestly, its likely easier to put together a top O line with a good RB nowadays than it is to put together a good pass game. easier to pay them too.

a strong O line regardless of whether you run or throw the ball likely costs about the same.

but look at the cost of a top QB along with a Top WR and a good #2 WR?

compare that to the cost of a top RB? the math isnt that difficult. yes you still need to have a QB who is good, but there are so many QBs out there now who are likely capable game managers that are on the sideline because they dont throw for 4500+ yards. and if you are running with an elite run game, all you need is a game manager. in that Scenario, You dont really need a stud at QB. but this is something we have all forgotten.

I think the game is on the verge of a change because of this. I dont know that it will ever be what it was in the heydey of the RB position, but I could see more teams going with a more 'balanced attack' to try to capture some of this success that the Eagles and Ravens have had.