Post by JABF on Feb 21, 2023 11:50:54 GMT -6
LOL....DUDE!!! You're giving me Madden video game ratings now to attempt to prove your point? Come on man!
Jefferson isn't a slot receiver, in 2021 he ran only 25% of his routes from the slot(not sure about this year yet). But the truth of the matter is that Jefferson, like all the other receivers you mentioned move ALL OVER the formation. They'll run a lot of routes from the slot, they'll run routes from outside. Kupp is probably the only true SLOT guy you mentioned. And if you look at the Rams, all of their receivers spend a considerable amount of time in the slot and are targeted from there...no matter who they are...Kupp, Woods, Van Jefferson...you name it!
If we got another "tall, fast receiver" who's better than the one's we have it allows us to move Mooney to the slot a higher percentage of the time, which if you look back at Mooney's best season, 2021, is where he got 101 of his 140 targets. Just to refresh your memory, Mooney had over 1k yards in 2021, with most of that work coming from the place where apparently he's not good! AMAZING!! You tell me how a receiving corp of Claypool and Higgins out wide with Mooney in the slot isn't a CRAP TON better than what we have? You explain to me how that isn't a CRAP TON better than or at the very least as good as Claypool and Mooney outside with Hopkins in the slot? And Higgins isn't old or a potential headache.
Regarding DHop, yes, he's a stud player no question. But he's over 30 now and has missed substantial time each of the last 2 seasons. He will cost a draft pick(s) to acquire plus a big contract. Not to mention the fact that he has a no-trade-clause so would have to WANT to come here, which he may very well not.
I'd love to get Tee Higgins who's much younger but rumor is Cincy will release Mixon to free up room to keep Higgins. We shall see.
I think Poles should not attempt to make any WR-trades (except of course as part of a trade-down from #1) until AFTER the draft. See how FA and the draft goes before committing pick(s). For example, I'd feel a lot more comfortable offering a 2024 2nd for Higgins if I already knew I had an extra 1st in my back pocket from a draft trade. Otherwise, I'd just as soon take my 2 FRPs into 2024 and have a shot at Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Look, I get that everyone wants to upgrade the WR group. It obviously needs it. But I'd build the trenches first as a higher priority. Getting that "marquee guy" at WR just may not be possible this offseason. We may have to go to battle this year with Mooney + Claypool + draft picks +/- a modest FA signee instead.
I'm thinking that may be how it all plays out. I keep pulling myself back to the reality of the resources available for this one off season. And I go feel uncomfortable trading away draft picks for an old guy with an injury history. The Bears game plan under Poles is supposed to be building for younger ascending players who can deliver for us for many years. While I'd be okay with a vet for a 2 year contract, I'd be leery of trading away draft picks. Not saying never do it. But boy, you sure want to be careful doing that.
What you said in that post makes a lot of sense to me.