Well, with the Barmore news, you can add DT to the 'dire needs' list. This team is so bad; literally every position needs to be addressed besides QB, TE (if they have plans to keep Hooper), & arguably RB.
It is just so frustrating that a year later, we still desperately need help at our #2/#3 positions, OT/WR, whichever order you prefer.
My players I'm eye-balling in this draft below. Many (if not all) posters here are more knowledgeable than I, so if a name I dropped is not scheme-eligible, please correct me. With that said, hopefully we get a new HC/GM anyway.
While the future outlooks of Will Campbell & Kelvin Banks Jr. have been discussed here often, I still think if the opportunity arises to trade down & they are on the table, it is OK to draft 1 of them with the idea of playing OG. Not the most exciting thing, sure. But it seems based off of my amateur research, the Gs are in a stronger position this draft than the Ts.
And it seems Ersery & Savaiinaea are considered solid OTs, & Josh Simmons up there if not for the injury scares. I've seen Cameron Williams pop up on discussion, but he was flagged very often at UT's RT spot, & that worries me.
Really, we need 4 new starters across the O-Line, and I'm weary about Onwenu's future success. Yes, there are some FAs out there that could help, & Ronnie Stanley is the dream signing, but you can't put all your eggs in 1 basket. Then, there is the Strange problem. Is he our future C?
I think between Campbell, Banks Jr., Wyatt Milum, Tate Ratledge, & Tyler Booker, there are enough bodies there where someone could come in and do a better job with more upside at LG, if Onwenu returns to RG. Then maybe you have an IOL of X/Strange/Onwenu that could do a job. But then there are still the tackles...
WRs aren't any easier. Our WRs are so bad, and while ideally we draft an X high in the draft, really you can make an argument on a trade down to go Isaiah Bond/Luther Burden III/Emeka Egbuka. The only WRs I'm interested in keeping are Pop Douglas, & maybe Bourne to provide some sort of veteran 'presence'. We get excited about the idea of a true #1/X player to slate everybody down a slot to make our corp, but it also wouldn't be the worst thing to double-dip at WRs with one of the Z triumvirate, if we can trade down. Personally, Tetairoa McMillian is my favourite player in this draft, but Elic Ayomanor wouldn't be a bad consolation prize as an X.
Of course, we need help at all 3 levels of defence too. While Mason Graham could fill right in for Barmore's shoes, between the strong classes of DTs available, both FA & draft, that may not be the best value, especially at #3 overall; or, he could be the next Aaron Donald - who knows, this is all a guessing game anyway.
But I'd love to see us pour draft equity into an edge rusher or a CB if we are drafting D high. Travis Hunter's name has been thrown around often, and for good reason, but don't forget Will Johnson too. Him opposite Gonzalez would be great, but how impactful would having 2 great corners be for a team such as this one? We lose often next year as teams gash us with their running attack, & Maye is still having no O-Line nor WR help?
Malaki Starks is a name for S that seems to be flexible in the box or slot or deep cover. I'd welcome him as a trade-down candidate.
Mykel Williams, Abdul Carter, Princely Umanmielen, James Pearce Jr. are all desirable names for edge, & even a guy like JT Tuimoloau for the 2nd round.
And Jihaad Campbell & Harold Perkins Jr. have been scouted and are supposed to be able to support as cover-LBs, which we could also use. I've seen early-to-mid 2nd round grades on them.
So many holes, but there are some names out there that seem they could help us, and in quick order. Time is of the essence: make the most of Maye's rookie deal as you can. Now is not the time to be lax. Try to fill in as many holes as you can this draft, and use FA to supplement. Recruit Stanley/the LAR LT heavily in FA, and go draft some players. It sucks that this draft (& the next) are considered light, but we can't do anything about that.
My personal dream is to trade down, & still be able to draft Tet. Then with (ideally) 2 picks in the 2nd, use that to trade up in the 1st, or grab the best 2 players in the OT/IOL/EDGE/LB/CB/S realm. And of course, in FA, Stanley. Provide leadership for the line, help anchor down that LT spot.
Getting 3/4 new starters for the O-Line is not realistic. Or is it? Lots of turn-around for the final 53 in 2025, but I can count on 1 hand the number of players I'm interested in keeping for 2025+.
