Please let this be false. We'll be going from a GM who never drafted OL to one who drafts nothing but OL.
I love it, we actually have a GM who knows where the foundation for building a team starts. Joe said it from day one he wants to build a team from the trenches out. It’s not fair to say he only drafts OL, he drafted Bryce Hall, Mann, Davis, Zuniga, Mims, it’s pretty diversified if you asked me. The other aspect of this is maybe he’s putting it out there so other teams who want Sewell realize it’s going to take a lot of draft capital to move into Jets spot for Sewell. If they want him they have to pay, if not Jets will take him and continue to strengthen the oline.
I get the part about maximizing demand for Sewell but I doubt that's what's happening here with an unconfirmed leak from a random forum user. That's something you give to an actual reporter if that's your aim. Regarding building from the trenches out - I think that's a philosophy that was popular and smart in the 90's and early 2000's but the game has changed a lot since then. OL is important, certainly more important than Mac thought it was, but the best teams nowadays are teams with very good QB's who surround them with as many playmakers as possible. Beyond that it's about maximizing your schemes to get those playmakers the ball in space. On defense, edge and CB are the most important positions because they are the guys who most directly interfere with the opposing QB. Building from the lines out is something people say because the smartest football guys from the 90's preached it and people think it makes them look like they know what they're talking about. It's not really the best philosophy for the modern NFL though.
I don’t think JDs version of building from the trenches out is the same as the old days. I believe he doesn’t want to have an oline made up of below average guys who have serious weaknesses. He said he wants guys who control the LOS, Pittsburgh Steelers have had the same philosophy for decades and no one criticizes them for having that philosophy. Many of the top teams have excellent offensive lines, Drew Brees is not the most mobile of QBs but manages to get a ton of time to make his reads and pass the ball because he has a good oline. I don’t understand the objection to upgrading the oline with dominant players if they are there for the taking. I’m sure JD will take a variety of different players in this years draft just as he did last year. We will just have to agree to disagree on this one.
The only issue I have with Sewell at 2 is that he is projected as one of the best LT prospects, so would we then move Becton to RT? Becton has been terrific for us at LT. I would just hate to move him or Sewell over and they flop. I would much rather go after someone like Thuney to bolster our IOL than the edges of the line. Either way, whatever JD does, I am buying in. Just get the right coach most importantly.
Hopefully, that was due to situations at that time (Mac and the Johnsons). Now with Douglas calling the shots, hopefully he will be interested.
People forget that College has had a weird shorten season. The knock on Fields is lack of strong competition. Well, if he shines against Clemson and at the combine, having a much better showing than TL, the narrative might change.
This is interesting. Both are capable of playing right tackle, but I think Sewell will be the better pass blocker when it's all said and done. It probably makes more sense to move Becton over to the right side since he's more of the nasty, roadgrader type. Either way, I think you could potentially have 2 all-pros at tackle. On Thuney v. Sewell, why not both? Should also throw Scherff's hat into the ring. A Sewell-Elflein-McGovern-Scherff/Thuney-Becton offensive line sounds pretty goddamn nasty. Could run the right side all game long
Elflein has to go, he’s too inconsistent and borders on below average, sign someone to replace him that’s very good, doesn’t have to be great. The oline will be a force to deal with, plenty of time to find open receivers and run the ball!
If we get Sewell, we need to sign a top top wr Allen Robinson will need to become the highest paid WR. We can’t risk it. We can’t risk that OL to be handing it off to Ty Johnson and throwing to Mims as our number 1 guy
I have absolutely no problem dropping whatever we need to land Robinson. We probably have room for 2 splashy signings this offseason (and probably at a discount given the cap). To me, those should be Robinson/Davis/Golladay and Thuney/Scherff. Should reserve some cash for Maye too
Allen Robinson and Scherff will become the two highest paid players at their position IMO if we want to get them. I would do it though.
That doesn’t make sense, Shanahan went to SF in 2017. Cousins was a UFA in 2018. If they wanted him they would have just out bid the Vikings in 2018. It’s not like the Vikings had control of his contract or something. They traded for Garoppolo instead, but anyway when they were picking 2nd overall they should have just gone for it and not tried to get cute. It’s exactly my point.
