I would not bet my life on it, but Ric is probably right. I wanted him to buy a RT in free agency so that he would be positioned to draft JSN at #9. Since that did not happen, I expect he will draft Paris Johnson at #9. Not ABSOLUTELY, but 99%.
Listen, I don't think they'll take JSN either, but it wouldn't surprise me either if it happens. Hell...they might not even pick at 9. There's a lot we don't know right now.
Only way I see them taking a WR in the 1st is if they trade back and get extra picks in the early 2nd and another in the 3rd.
I would not bet my life on it, but Ric is probably right. I wanted him to buy a RT in free agency so that he would be positioned to draft JSN at #9. Since that did not happen, I expect he will draft Paris Johnson at #9. Not ABSOLUTELY, but 99%.
Listen, I don't think they'll take JSN either, but it wouldn't surprise me either if it happens. Hell...they might not even pick at 9. There's a lot we don't know right now.
There are many theoretical possibilities, but Poles has left some bread crumbs on the trail. I will be pleasantly surprised if it’s JSN, and I’ll say “I told you so” if it is Paris Johnson.
As we've routinely seen...the top receivers rarely make it to the market. They are either resigned, franchised, or traded and resigned. I don't think any GM is basing this years plan on what is an unknown market next year.
As for your second point...yes and no. Cincy's o-line was hot garbage, but they made the Super Bowl because they had a great QB and one of the top receiving units in the game. As far as this offensive line is concerned, THIS year, it has been improved on paper. Signing a guard, and moving Whitehair to center fixed two positions in theory. Now we just need a right tackle. Fields "SHOULD" have better protection this year.
But sometimes they do. And again we have a 2nd 1st if the team wants to look into a trade. If they are smart they can trade back and possibly get a 2nd 2nd or 3rd next year to sweeten the pot.
Cincy is an exception to the rule, not the rule. Don't assume the Bears are good enough to be the exception.
KC's offensive line really isn't that great either...but I digress, and agree.
But sometimes they do. And again we have a 2nd 1st if the team wants to look into a trade. If they are smart they can trade back and possibly get a 2nd 2nd or 3rd next year to sweeten the pot.
Cincy is an exception to the rule, not the rule. Don't assume the Bears are good enough to be the exception.
KC's offensive line really isn't that great either...but I digress, and agree.
ranked 2nd Kansas City Chiefs: Orlando Brown (Pro Bowl), Joe Thuney (Pro Bowl), Creed Humphrey (Pro Bowl), Trey Smith (Pro Bowl snub), & Andrew Wylie paved the way for the Kansas City Chiefs to have the number one total offense in the NFL. They also finished number one in passing offense. Patrick Mahomes certainly contributes to the fact that they gave up the 3rd least amount of sacks in the NFL, but the OL, especially the interior three, more than staked their claim as an elite group in pass protection. The running game wasn’t leaned upon, but was certainly efficient. 4.7 yards per rush to go along with the aforementioned number one passing offense is unstoppable. This group was as good as any in the league.
Like the Browns, the Chiefs are strongest on the interior, where Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith reside. Orlando Brown Jr. has given Kansas City league-average tackle play since coming over from the Ravens. Now that he’s a free agent again, the Chiefs opted against using a second consecutive franchise tag, preferring to take their chances retaining Brown on the open market.
Would it though? "max support" is building the best TEAM around Fields. Would overspending for a right tackle help build the best TEAM? Poles opportunity cost choice was signing two YOUNG linebackers who both represented good value and were among the best not just at their positions, but overall available in free agency or sign a 29 year old right tackle to a top of the market deal who's play doesn't match that number. Poles then chose to sign one of the best available guards on the market to help improve the offensive line in a different way, essentially by improving the left guard and center positions even though he only signed one player there.
Now we have flexibility in the draft. We could literally take anyone at 9. Do we take one of the offensive tackles and solidify the line? Great! Do we take a defensive end? Great! Do we take a receiver and solidify that group into one of the top tier units in the game? Awesome!
Don't forget there will also be cuts after the draft as well. This roster isn't close to complete.
Say what you want, but Taylor+JSN does more to support Fields in 2023 than two linebackers. The “support Fields” folks like JABF are prioritizing offense over defense this year. Poles is now locked into drafting RT at #9.
I wouldn't say he's "locked in" at #9 but yeah A) OT is now a high-priority draft need and B) he IS LOCKED in drafting one early.
I wouldn't be shocked if he drafted DL or even CB at #9 (or thereabouts) but it's no freakin' secret he's gotta get an OT capable of starting on the right side in this draft. Otherwise, you're counting on some post-draft vet castoff like Reiff becoming available.
Say what you want, but Taylor+JSN does more to support Fields in 2023 than two linebackers. The “support Fields” folks like JABF are prioritizing offense over defense this year. Poles is now locked into drafting RT at #9.
I wouldn't say he's "locked in" at #9 but yeah A) OT is now a high-priority draft need and B) he IS LOCKED in drafting one early.
I wouldn't be shocked if he drafted DL or even CB at #9 (or thereabouts) but it's no freakin' secret he's gotta get an OT capable of starting on the right side in this draft. Otherwise, you're counting on some post-draft vet castoff like Reiff becoming available.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he went for more defense at #9, but he has to know that drafting Paris Johnson is the safer pick. It would be inexcusable to have the #1 pick and come out of it without Anderson/Carter or a blue chip starting RT, especially after getting no RT in FA. Yeah, getting Moore is nice, but there were other ways to get another good WR for Fields.
Anyway, I stand by my statement that he’s locked into drafting Paris Johnson at #9. We’ll see.
I wouldn't say he's "locked in" at #9 but yeah A) OT is now a high-priority draft need and B) he IS LOCKED in drafting one early.
I wouldn't be shocked if he drafted DL or even CB at #9 (or thereabouts) but it's no freakin' secret he's gotta get an OT capable of starting on the right side in this draft. Otherwise, you're counting on some post-draft vet castoff like Reiff becoming available.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he went for more defense at #9, but he has to know that drafting Paris Johnson is the safer pick. It would be inexcusable to have the #1 pick and come out of it without Anderson/Carter or a blue chip starting RT, especially after getting no RT in FA. Yeah, getting Moore is nice, but there were other ways to get another good WR for Fields.
Anyway, I stand by my statement that he’s locked into drafting Paris Johnson at #9. We’ll see.
I am 100% certain that he will either draft who he wants or trade if he wants. It doesn't matter what you or I want him to do.
I wouldn’t be shocked if he went for more defense at #9, but he has to know that drafting Paris Johnson is the safer pick. It would be inexcusable to have the #1 pick and come out of it without Anderson/Carter or a blue chip starting RT, especially after getting no RT in FA. Yeah, getting Moore is nice, but there were other ways to get another good WR for Fields.
Anyway, I stand by my statement that he’s locked into drafting Paris Johnson at #9. We’ll see.
I am 100% certain that he will either draft who he wants or trade if he wants. It doesn't matter what you or I want him to do.