This year we had 6 new starters with only one (Sean Ryan) coming from within. Two from Free Agency and 3 from the draft. As it looks now, we are going to likely lose 2 starters , Alexander and Myers. It doesn't appear that we'd be able to adequately fill either of these spots from within (perhaps they had hoped Monk would replace Myers, but it appears the has fallen out of favor with the staff). It is going to be interesting to see what positions Gute prioritizes in Free Agency first. If we get just 4 new starters through FA and the draft (WR, CB, C, and either edge or DT), I would think the offseason would be a success.
I don't think it's a given Myers is gone. It's hard to find a competent center that has a good relationship with the QB. While Myers has his warts, I think he's a lot better than his X4 critics give him credit for.
Jaire I am less certain of...if nothing else, he's a raving loon. If they can find a willing buyer that will come close to their reasonable valuation for him, they will deal him...but again, finding a quality starting CB1 is very hard to do. I don't see them getting a straight up #1 pick for him either...best case it's maybe a 2nd or 3rd that can escalate to a #1 if certain metrics are met.
Would have no problem bringing Myers back. I would say Jaire is harder to replace. Yet he hasn't been available. The dreaded accountable and available is a big deal with him. He has gotten paid and looks like he is OK talking it but not walking it anymore.
Not sure what his trade value would be. The fantasy GM in me says if a trade has to be done. See if can trade for a WR or other position of need. Someone in the last year of their rookie deal or approaching FA in 2 years.
I like this WR out of Stanford
Center is the least important position on the OL. Just look at the Eagles - lost a HOF center last offseason when Kelce retired. What happened this season? Their OL blocked for a 2,000 yard rusher, second most rushing yards in the league, the tush push was just as effective, and the Eagles are the favorites to make the Super Bowl. There's a reason why centers are rarely drafted in the first round - the position just isn't that valuable.
You just need a serviceable center. You can't pay a center unless they are true difference maker and Meyers just isn't. Broncos had decisions to pay their centers in recent year - Matt Paradis in 2019 and Lloyd Cushenberry in 2023. Both went on to sign big contracts then disappeared into obscurity. Broncos OL was never worse b/c they let them walk.
@FLPACKER posted:I like this WR out of Stanford
I love Ayomanor. He fits the metrics GB seems to have, has solid deep speed, and can actually catch.
@CUPackFan posted:Center is the least important position on the OL. Just look at the Eagles - lost a HOF center last offseason when Kelce retired. What happened this season? Their OL blocked for a 2,000 yard rusher, second most rushing yards in the league, the tush push was just as effective, and the Eagles are the favorites to make the Super Bowl. There's a reason why centers are rarely drafted in the first round - the position just isn't that valuable.
You just need a serviceable center. You can't pay a center unless they are true difference maker and Meyers just isn't. Broncos had decisions to pay their centers in recent year - Matt Paradis in 2019 and Lloyd Cushenberry in 2023. Both went on to sign big contracts then disappeared into obscurity. Broncos OL was never worse b/c they let them walk.
I disagree, at least somewhat. Cam Jurgens was drafted and developed to be the heir at Center behind Kelce and he's still very good. It also makes a difference if your center is responsible for line calls. With Rodgers it wasn't a big need, but there's more on the plate with Love and they do need to be in synch.
There's no way they should offer Myers big money, of course, and I'd much rather have a Flanny-quality guy there, sure, but if they feel stretched for resources to fill other positions and don't feel Monk or Glover are ready for starting jobs I could see him being back.
At WR, I'll take Jayden Higgins of Iowa State.
6' 4" 215 lbs.
3 full seasons, durable, great hands (only 2 drops in 2024), a field stretcher and red zone weapon.
I like me some Higgins, also. Two things working against Higgins being drafted by Gutekunst:
1. He's not likely going to run well enough.
2. He actually has very reliable hands. That's just not a trait Gutekunst looks for in receivers.
He kind of reminds me of Cedric Tillman coming out of Tennessee who went to the Browns.
Another wideout I like for the X position is Tre Harris, Mississippi. He has 3 seasons of good production, got dinged up a bit in 2024, but still managed 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.
How many of us would like to see Jack Sawyer in the 1st round? I would.
I get more serious about the draft after the combine. Until then it's anyone's guess. After, the picture becomes much clearer. In the meantime it's nice to read fodder but meaningless IMHO.
@Packmeister posted:How many of us would like to see Jack Sawyer in the 1st round? I would.
I'd prefer today's Tom Sawyer. Word is that he's a mean mean child.
@Packmeister posted:How many of us would like to see Jack Sawyer in the 1st round? I would.
He's a smaller Van Ness, so no. He has no bend/he's stiff and no real burst. He and Tuimoloau are kind of the same guy but I think JT has better power.
I know everybody on this board realizes that there is more to the draft than ht/wt/40 time and GB's chart. Case in point is Meyers /Humphrey. I know Meyers was bigger but Humprey was left handed and I have seen reports that 12 didn't like left handed snappers. This applies to every team and "fit". Also other things pop up remember Warren Sapp, Jalen Carter or Laremy Tunsil. A few guys will slip because of this. I'm seriously hoping a bendy edge rusher falls to GB's range or one of the top CB's only wants to play in the cold and snow .
Fuck that! Weâve drafted enough DBs and Edge rushers in the first two rounds and they do nothing but bust! Go get a WR1!
The issue is there may not be one worth the pick. This yearâs #1 is likely Tet McMillan from Arizona and had he come out last year, heâd probably have been #5, at best, behind Brian Thomas Jr. Heâs as likely to be Quentin Johnston as Drake London, and some team will bet on the latter, probably early.
Picking at #23 our odds of getting an immediate #1 WR are better via Free Agency.
The pickings there are pretty slim, as well. Right now itâs Tee Higgins, then it drops to Chris Godwin and Amari Cooper, then the bottom kind of falls out with Stephon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown.
It's early, more guys will be let go for cap reduction as they are presented with renegotiations of their contract. Guys like Adams and Kupp aren't going to be with their teams at their current contract.