Let's talk 2025 roster build (12/7)

[pugsnotdrugs19]

I know we got a threepeat to complete, but I'm thinking ahead today... let's take this position by position:


QB: I'd bring Wentz back. Perfect backup and IDK where else he can go and find a better job unless (God forbid) he plays this year.

RB: I'd bring Hunt back on a minimum deal. Go into the draft with Pacheco and Hunt, find a speed back in the draft who is capable of taking the job post-2025.

WR: If not for Rice's impending suspension, I'd feel good here. I'd look to bring Hopkins and Hollywood both back on 1-2 year deals. If the group will stay healthy, I think we will find they're really good. Rice and Worthy will be perfect complements to one another as WR 1 and 2. But you need to get by while Rice is out and you need depth for injury. I'd be fine with Hardman and Watson as WR 5 & 6.

TE: Does Kelce retire? If he doesn't, this can be left alone probably unless they think Wiley sucks. If Kelce does retire... I'd think you need to at least slap a solid vet bandaid on and see if Gray can take the TE1 reigns. I think he can simply because he's so steady. Not Kelce, but damn solid.

OT: Biggest need obviously. We will see if Humphries earns a new deal. Scares me with his injury history but if he looks good... we can't let a good LT walk away. Hopefully Kingsley can become a legit swing tackle at minimum with a shot to take over a starting job in 2026. Taylor is here another year, perhaps two more.

IOL: I'd give Thuney a short extension to alleviate his cap hit if he plans to play much longer. Let Wanya, Nourzad, and Hanson compete for the RG job. If someone falls to you in the draft, take it and run. Protecting Pat is always priority #1.

---

DL: Need another legit pass rusher with juice. I'd hope that also retaining Omenihu is a priority. I'd prefer that over Trey Smith and maybe even Bolton at this point, especially if it can be a one-year deal that he takes to try and get paid in 2026. Need to bring our big run stuffers back on 1-year deals per usual.

LB: Tranquill hasn't been as good this year, which makes keeping Bolton seem a bit more important. I hope he can be retained at a reasonable cost, and if he can, we can roll with the same trio into 2025.

CB: Have to get another slot corner who can be there in case Trent can't -- which only takes a single injury to the room. Get another young guy or two in the room for in the inevitable departures of some of our 2022 Fab Five guys. Preferrably mid rounds.

S: I think Hicks is ready to take over Reid's role by next year. Not an urgent need at the position, especially if you add another viable slot corner that lets Conner stay at safety.

Specialists: Bring Araiza back on RFA deal, everything should stay the same there.

Rough stab at what a 53-man could look like in '25:

QB - Mahomes, Wentz
RB - Pacheco, Hunt, draft pick
WR - Rice, Worthy, Hopkins, Hollywood, Hardman, Watson
TE - Kelce, Gray, Wiley
LT - Vet (Humphries?), Morris
LG - Thuney, Nourzad
C - Humphrey, Nourzad
RG - Kingsley, Hanson
RT - Taylor, Driscoll

-

DE - Karlaftis, Danna
DT - Jones, Wharton or an early draft pick
NT - A couple cheap fatties, vets or rookies
DE - Omenihu, FAU, draft pick (first two days)
LB - Bolton, Tranquill, Leo
CB - Trent, Watson, Williams, vet slot corner, draft pick
S - Hicks, Cook, Conner

Feel like I'm probably leaving out a fairly nice FA signing or two but hard to project there until we see what the market will be.

[O.city]

You don't know what holes you have until they're gaping.

Just keep stacking good players wherever you can.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by O.city

Taking guys that can't play is the quickest way to end a dynasty.

That's not the point. Spending high picks on guards when you need skill players is dumb. Yeah, let's follow the Chargers blueprint. Sure worked for them since they are 0-2 against a team with no outside pass rushers.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Yeah I'm starting to think chasing positional value even isn't worth the squeeze unless it's your BPA.

Puka Nacua is a high positional value, elite player taken in the fifth round. He looked really good in college. There's a guy like that every year at the WR, CB, or pass rusher positions. If not a few.

Creed and Bolton were not high value positions but I'd make those picks again every single time. Get really good players and let the coaches figure out how to win with them.

Creed and Bolton were both 2nd rounders. Take a guard there if you want - I wouldn't but that's just me.

This team lacks explosion. That last thing they need to do is turtle up.

[RunKC]

It needs to be a corner, pass rusher or tackle in rd 1.

But either way they can’t keep blowing these early picks and getting nothing from them. They need someone to bring something the table as a rookie

[O.city]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

That's not the point. Spending high picks on guards when you need skill players is dumb. Yeah, let's follow the Chargers blueprint. Sure worked for them since they are 0-2 against a team with no outside pass rushers.

They were a 5 win team last year, drafting what, 7th?

Seems like they did the smart thing.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by RunKC

It needs to be a corner, pass rusher or tackle in rd 1.

But either way they can’t keep blowing these early picks and getting nothing from them. They need someone to bring something the table as a rookie

3 of the last 4 first round picks have been contributors right away.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

It needs to be a corner, pass rusher or tackle in rd 1.

But either way they can’t keep blowing these early picks and getting nothing from them. They need someone to bring something the table as a rookie

Their first round pick WR is getting open. Seems to be doing fine.

Most rookies aren't gonna be hits right off the bat, especially where we draft. They need good football players. The rest will sort itself out.

[RunKC]

Referring to FAU and Kingsley. They were developmental players. I get the swing and missed but man they need their 1st 2 picks out there producing year 1.

Sucks but thats needed in the NFL.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by O.city

They were a 5 win team last year, drafting what, 7th?

Seems like they did the smart thing.

They have 3 first round picks on their offensive line. They're a Martyball team. If you're excited by that, I don't know what to tell you. It isn't ****ing 1995 anymore.

[smithandrew051]

And really the last 4 second rounds haven’t been too bad either:

Bolton and Humphrey
Moore and Cook
Rice
Kingsley

Moore is a bad bust. Kingsley is an incomplete grade as of now.

Cook was an okay pick. The other 3 were great picks.

[htismaqe]

I mean the Colts spent a ton of resources to protect Andrew Luck and he still got the shit beat outta him and retired way too soon.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I mean the Colts spent a ton of resources to protect Andrew Luck and he still got the shit beat outta him and retired way too soon.

His last year was the best protection of his career. He was only sacked like 15 times.

He still came away with an injury.

That’s more of a Luck issue than anything (no pun intended).

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

Their first round pick WR is getting open. Seems to be doing fine.

Most rookies aren't gonna be hits right off the bat, especially where we draft. They need good football players. The rest will sort itself out.

Worthy is a star in the making. Kingsley could be moved to RG from what we’ve heard.

NFL is very unforgiving even with one bad year. We all love Spags and Merritt but it’s not been a great year for them aside from Hicks.

Nazeeh isn’t playable, Williams was in the dog house, Conner has struggled mightily in the slot and their day 3 rookie Kamal Hadden didn’t even make it through camp.

It’s not just defense. Kingsley and Wanya haven’t worked out and it’s crippled the offense

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

His last year was the best protection of his career. He was only sacked like 15 times.

He still came away with an injury.

That’s more of a Luck issue than anything (no pun intended).

My point was to show there are no guarantees. They could spend their entire draft on offensive line and still not have enough.

This team makes ZERO big plays anymore. No bombs, no INTs, no sacks, no breakaway runs, nothing.

They've already spent a ridiculous amount of resources on the offensive line. They need to get splash players.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

They have 3 first round picks on their offensive line. They're a Martyball team. If you're excited by that, I don't know what to tell you. It isn't ****ing 1995 anymore.

It's the first year of their new staff rebuild. I'd guess they're ahead of schedule.

Plus they've got the QB part, which is always the limiting factor.