I feel they chose the wrong person.

Lamar Jackson had a better statistical season but just barely. And they had Derrick Henry to help shoulder the load.

Josh Allen literally carried the team on his shoulders.

He was a better choice for MVP imho.

Apparently this guy is getting some buzz at the Shrine Bowl. Reminds of a smaller Cooper Kupp light. He even managed to break Kupp's receptions record which is something to be proud of. What do y'all think about this fella? Not saying he's a Kupp's class but I like how he plays.

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Huge fan of this player. If he was there at 26 (doubt it) would love him as the pick. Run defense would be stout.

AFC Championship - Sunday January 26, 2025:
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
Time: 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT
Channel: CBS

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NFC Championship - Sunday January 26, 2025:

Washington Commodes @ Philadelphia Eagles
Time: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
Channel: FOX

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The 2000 draft was supposed to be a pretty terrible year for QBs and it mostly was but for Chad Pennington, Marc Bulger, and one other more important name, Tom Brady

This draft class looks underwhelming but perhaps there is a diamond in the rough that will be drafted around the time we start picking again in the 90s 100s and 200s

Who’s your man and why?

Mathew Golden, the weapon who made Texas look good.

He has elite route-running, separation and speed.


--> Highlights <--



Imagine him and Puka, and Kupp in the slot.

We grab at RT in the third.

And an athletic LB in the fourth.

Then we take some flyers.

#predictions

Madison Keys of the USA just won the Australian Open Championship.

At 29 years of age becomes the fourth oldest first time winner of a grand slam.

Fantastic performance , beat the world number 2 in the semi and the world number 1, Sabalenka, in the final.

Mike Green, Marshall​

Green has been a great story this fall as a small school product, but his stock is locked and loaded to reach atmospheric levels with a good week in Mobile. One of the country’s most dynamic and productive pass rushers in 2024, while his explosiveness and bend draw much of the attention, Green is also a heck of a run defender. He could leave Mobile as a first-round lock.

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M​

At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Stewart’s rare combination of size, speed, and explosiveness is something unique even in today’s game where herculean athletes pop up every draft class. One of the most physically imposing and gifted defenders in college football, his unique traits and production showcase one of the highest performance ceilings of any defender in the class.

Nic Scourton, Texas A&M​

A transfer to the SEC from Purdue, Scourton is a versatile edge rusher with the mass and bend to win up and down a defensive front. He’s been a headlining name all cycle long and will have his shot to solidify himself as a day-one pick next week.

Landon Jackson, Arkansas​

It’ll be hard to miss Jackson, a 6-foot-7, 280-pound pass rusher. There was first-round buzz on Jackson last cycle, and even after returning to school for another campaign, his stock has only increased. He’ll be a key watch all week long.

Josaiah Stewart, Michigan​

One of my personal favorite edge rushers in the class, Stewart’s explosiveness and power set the stage for quick success at the next level. Michigan always has elite athletes, but the guys who can also marry an athletic profile with technicality are the ones who can really shine. Some teams have size and length concerns on Stewart, but he’s just a flat-out football player who can make an impact on all three downs.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College​

At 6-foot-3 and 233 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a blend of twitch, athleticism, and flexibility off the edge that has become a consistent talking point when discussing the eligible group of sack artists. Primarily aligned at five-tech (outside shoulder of the OT), Ezeiruaku has showcased good bend and ankle flexion to threaten the outside with consistency, including a refined and ever-improving pass-rush repertoire. While the long-time Boston College Eagle has lived at the five, he’s been best when aligned as a wide-nine rusher with a direct route to the pocket. His 60 pressures this fall ranked sixth in the country.

Jordan Burch, Oregon​

When Burch attacks head-on, he’s a tall task to counter as a pass rusher due to his power and length. He’s not the most explosive edge in the class, but his long arm and ability to win the leverage battle are NFL-ready.

Alfred Collins, Texas​

Another highly recruited prep athlete, Collins can dominate isolated blockers and also anchor against double teams. His hands and lateral agility in the ground game are excellent.

Deone Walker, Kentucky​

This’ll be a big week for Walker, who looks every bit the part of a future three-down defensive tackle. A massive man at 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds, his ability in all phases of practice will sit under a close microscope for teams.

Walter Nolen, Ole Miss​

One of the premier high school recruits in the 2022 class, Nolen moves like a man of much smaller stature up front. His one-on-one reps will be must-watch.

Cam’Ron Jackson, Florida​

Jackson has great hands within the interior. A former transfer from Memphis, flip on his tape against Florida State in a game where Jackson showcased his true three-down potential at 330-plus pounds.

Ty Robinson, Nebraska​

Robinson is a nasty, nasty defender who plays with intelligent violence within the interior. He’s a powerful run defender with good length, but his underrated push as a pass-rusher should make some noise in Mobile.

Joshua Farmer, Florida State​

It doesn’t matter if he’s aligned head-up on the center (0-tech) or as the 1- or 3-tech, Farmer has made it a habit of making an impact from a variety of spots. Scouts wanted to see him continue to progress after Florida State lost Jared Verse and Braden Fiske last spring, and Farmer has done a nice job in continuing to evolve his skillset.

Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech​

Peebles could leave the Senior Bowl as one of the week's biggest ‘risers’. A long-time contributor for Duke, Peebles made the move up north to Blacksburg, evolving into one of the ACC’s premier interior pass rushers. He can flat-out move within the interior, and his game could quickly force teams to reevaluate their initial projection. He’s got day-onestarter written all over him.

Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon​

Derrick Harmon and Jordan Burch received much of the attention for the Ducks, but Caldwell remains an underrated name from one of the top defenses in the country. He’s got good footwork for a man of his stature, an excellent foundational trait at the position.

David Walker, Central Arkansas​

Walker enters the draft process as one of the FCS’ most historically productive pass rushers. In 12 regular season games this fall, Walker finished with 55 pressures, 23 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 41 QB hurries, becoming the first player in the 29-year program history at Central Arkansas to win the Buchanan award. He’s checked off the first box as far as dominating the competition around him as a small school talent, now it’s about producing in a neutral environment against future NFL starters.

Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee​

Norman-Lott has been a consistent ‘riser’ for teams as the months have progressed. His numbers don’t jump off the screen, but he’s a fringe day-one talent at this point in time who will enter Mobile with a large chip on his shoulder to prove he’s worthy of top-32 capital.

Yahya Black, Iowa​

Black’s nearly 35-inch arms are going to give offensive linemen nightmares in one-on-ones and in team work. He isn’t the most powerful and athletic player, nor does he have an elite pass-rush repertoire, but his ability to consistently win the leverage battle has allowed Black to win a majority of the reps he’s on the field. I would like to see Black utilize his length at a higher rate, a trait to develop if you’re an NFL defensive line coach.

T.J. Sanders, South Carolina​

There are going to be some absolute ball players coming out of the South Carolina program in the coming years. Sanders joins LB Demetrius Knight Jr. as Gamecocks in Mobile. Diving into Sanders’ tape showcases a highly athletic defender who can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt at 290 pounds. He’s a fantastic move piece up front who projects as a potential day-one starter.

RJ Oben, Notre Dame​

A transfer to Notre Dame after years at Duke, Oben touts many of the traits teams look for in a piece along their defensive front. A highly intelligent young man whose work ethic has come up multiple times in conversations with teams, fine-tuning the small details in his game should allow Oben to become a contributor on Sundays. He flies around at 6-foot-3 and 261 pounds.

Darius Alexander, Toledo​

Alexander’s physicality up front popped off the screen when diving into his tape. He’s not afraid to pop, and in an environment like Mobile where every rep matters, he won’t be a guy to shy away from contact. He amassed 37 pressures and five sacks this fall.

Kyle Kennard, South Carolina​

A longtime contributor for Georgia Tech, Kennard’s move to the SEC showcased a player who can get it done wherever he is. A popular name over the last few weeks, Kennard is a mature pass-rusher with an evident plan on every snap. He and future top-five pick Dylan Stewart (true freshman) quickly evolved into one of the county’s premier pass-rush tandems.

Jared Ivey, Ole Miss​

A five-year contributor both in the ACC (Georgia Tech) and at Ole Miss, Ivey enters the pre-draft process with 125 pressures under his belt. There’s work to be done regarding his pass-rush repertoire and lower-half flexibility, but his experience will hold weight as teams finalize boards in what is a deeply talented group of edge rushers.

Barryn Sorrell, Texas​

Sorrell could play tight end the way that he moves at 260 pounds. Texas was loaded on defense this fall, and Sorrell is another name to become familiar with as a heavy-handed, versatile athlete up front.

Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss​

A standout week for Umanmielen could have his name thrown around in the back end of day one discussion. It’s a common narrative for many of these pass rushers considering the talent around them, and a player’s ability to shine when the lights are brightest will hold weight for teams. He’s a headliner in the class, and showing up like so will solidify himself as a top-40 lock.

Jah Joyner, Minnesota​

Long and athletic, Joyner has a shot to put a jetpack on his draft stock next week. He looks the part at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds and plays with excellent leverage and strength at his size. The former No. 1 overall recruit in the state of Connecticut his senior year, Joyner has recorded 28 or more pressures in each of the last three seasons.

Sai’vion Jones, LSU​

A former three-sport standout in high school, Jones finished his career starting 27 consecutive games for LSU with 63 pressures combined in the last two seasons. His ability to push the pocket from varied alignments should pave the way for snaps early in his career.

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M​

The third and final Aggie on this list joining Scourton and Stewart, Turner is strong as he is twitched up within the interior and moves like an athlete with much less mass. He’s going to be fun to watch in one-on-ones.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia​

Another year, another name to know from the Georgia front seven. While he was quiet the first three years of his tenure in Athens, more snaps paved the way for more volume for Ingram-Dawkins. Similar to many other Georgia defenders over the years, Ingram-Dawkins has an outstanding athletic profile, good length, physicality, and a pass-rush repertoire that will translate to the next level. His best football still remains down the road—a positive for a team searching for a fresh set of legs with high potential down the line.

Femi Oladejo, UCLA​

Oladejo is going to make an impact at a variety of alignments at the next level. At 250 pounds, he can live at EDGE and rush the passer or he can flip and drop in coverage to provide a unique skill set within a front seven. His seven sacks this fall showcased his ability to bring QBs to the dirt, while his 11 TFLs highlight his knack for scuffing through blocks in the ground game. He’s a high-effort and athletic ballplayer who fits the modern game to a T.
Senior Bowl

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That sucks balls...

It’s being reported ex rams staffer Liam Coen is the next Jags head coach. So right now Mcvay’s tree includes Lefleur, O’Connell, Taylor and now Coen. Not to shabby.

This guy too, at Valley Bar in Downtown Phoenix. LMAO.

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Alter Bridge, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators plus Slash and Solo career. Right down the street on February 14, 2025 - super small venue. Each ticket was only $36 total. Dude is one fuckin badass musician.

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I never gloat... these comments internally let alone on an external Rams site of all. I met an awesome woman by a miracle not long ago and we're going this Friday night 8th row in the Phoenix Suns Footprint, from the stage. I didn't pay for them.

Two words- Fuckin A!
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No draft picks for this if he goes.

My thought is to trade for him to be the backup next year and find out what he really can offer with real coaching and a real offense.

It would, of course, depend on draft capital... but he's a cheaper alternative to Darnold and offers the same kind of potential, imo.
He can run a little bit.. and has that fucking cannon.

• 
  
  Sarah BarshopJan 22, 2025, 02:46 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was playing through a rib injury late in the season after cracking four ribs in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, his wife, Kelly, said on her podcast.

"He cracked four ribs," Kelly Stafford said on "Timeout," which was released Wednesday. "But just didn't really let anyone in to know really much about it. Continued his everyday process like nothing was wrong, would come home and be miserable."

The quarterback aggravated the injury in the Rams' divisional round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and acknowledged after the game that he had been dealing with it "to a varying degree for some time." Stafford said he "was able to kind of calm it down" and "didn't feel like it was much of a factor" against the Eagles.

Stafford said after the loss that he would take time to decide whether he will retire or continue his NFL career.

​

Rams coach Sean McVay said Stafford hurt his rib early against the Eagles, calling him "dinged up."

"But he is a warrior. He's so tough," McVay said. "He represents so many things that are right about what this team became, especially for a city that's hurting and going through some different stuff [the wildfires that struck Los Angeles this month].

"I think he epitomizes a lot of the stuff that's right at him in terms of toughness, resilience, ability to overcome adversity. He's a total freaking stud. And I thought he was outstanding tonight with the opportunities that he was given. ... I'm sure damn proud of Matthew Stafford."

Stafford never appeared on the injury report following Week 15 and only missed practice time as a coach's decision after the Rams had clinched the NFC West. He completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season.

Took me a few days to write this.

Let me first say I'm proud as heck to be a Rams fan and Proud as heck of this team.

I go to many big games as a fan, seen to 2 Super Bowls, 1 NFC Title game, and countless playoff games (that aint a humble brag; some folks collect antique cars, some folks go on lavish vacations; for me its seeing the fellas in big games, and man have we had many). Was in Detroit last year as well....philly is an easy trip from NC.

I got some razzing for sure from Philly fans, but let me tell you the narrative that we don't have fans; that's FAKE NEWS.

I met MANY great people, met a few folks from the RWO from San Diego and other parts of CA. Met Jordan Wittingstons HS coach from TX, he was wearing an 88 Jersey. He thought I had one too but then I turned around and he saw the 21, was a cool moment anyhow and he was a really good dude, and thinks he will have a monster year next year, I agree. I tried to post a pic but it said file too big. I'm sure I can re-size but I aint tech savvy. Also saw a couple from OK in RAMS Baker Mayfield jerseys, they are die hard Rams and OU fans. Hell if we get Tee Higgins you best believe I'm getting a jersey. They were cool as hell to chat up. Point being there were many great Rams fans from around the country that made the trip, cool to see.

It was nice holding the WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP over Eagles fans AND the fact that we have twice as many Super Bowl wins as them. Im not sure if Ill go back there to a game or not. Heck if its the playoffs I probably will, this team has that pull over me. If that game was in just average conditions we win by 10+ and no one will convince me otherwise.

I'm grateful for this team, this board, and the many true die-hard Rams fans around the country and the globe. The best is yet to come.

Oh and I had a "Cheesesteak". I tell ya what Ill take a NC BBQ Sandwich or some CA Street Tacos or a Phillppes French Dip over that any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

2024 was a heck of a ride and I enjoyed the hell out of it. The next Football game I watch will be Clemson's season opener vs LSU. I may put on some preseason Rams games if I get em.

Cheers to all Rams fans, opening day is right around the corner.

Rams8821

Has anyone seen any update on Braden Fiske's injury? Haven't been able to find anything.

I hope this will take your mind off of the pain caused by a snow filled let down...

The Rams started out slowly. The O-line was a mess, and the young defense hadn't gotten their "sea legs" yet. But when it was all said and done, the Rams won the NFC West, able to rest starters on the last week, and won a playoff game, and was a single play away from advancing to the NFCCG. Not bad considering AD retired, the rash of injuries to the O-line and receiving corps.

I believe our defense it championship caliber now. With another year of experience and maybe some upgrades, this defense can be rock solid for cheap at least two more seasons.

Our offense is still solid.

Where would we upgrade in the draft? I keep seeing TE as the spot, but Higbeast is still effective.

Do we find a stud LB? Solid CB? RB?

IMHO, we need to upgrade some spots on the O-line, run stopping LB, CB and eventually, we need someone in the wings to replace Stafford. I would be okay with Jimmy G for another season, but there needs to be some youth in the backup QB position.

Snow doesn't come here in the deep South very often, last time here was 2018. This place is going to be paralyzed in the morning because it looks like they'll be 6" on the ground. Won't take a couple of inches here to cause chaos.

Well, it's the end of the season. Let's get into things, shall we?

Cut:

Colby Parkinson
Darious Williams

(Shamelessly stealing from @jrry32 - although he stole from me first (with Hollin Pierce of Rutgers, haha. Just kidding, but I did post about him first in a mock draft, for serious.) Parkinson was a horrible signing, and D-Will's play fell off a cliff.)

Our Re-signings:

Alaric Jackson - franchise tag

Michael Hoecht - two years, 5.5 million

Tyler Johnson - one year, 3.5 million

Dylan McMahon - ERFA

(Assuming everyone else is gone, and I'm thinking to use the tag on A-Jax on a prove-it contract. I like Robinson as a player, but I can't get behind a drunk driver as a starter for personal reasons (that have very recently been made especially personal). Sorry, D-Rob, but Johnson is younger and has no off-the-field issues.)

Free Agent Signings:

Nick Bolton, ILB, Chiefs - five years, 50 million total. (8 million first year).

(There, we've solved our inside linebacker problem, and didn't even have to spend a pick. Bolton will be thirty at the end of the deal, but I think it's worth it to improve our defense.)

Eric Stokes, CB, Packers - two years, 9.5 million total.

(Taking a chance on Stokes, who fits our system and is still quite young. He's had injury and inconsistency concerns, but he has great potential as a man-cover corner. Competing with Durant and Emmanuel Forbes.)

Elijah Molden, CB, Chargers - one year, 4.5. million.

(Another chancy signing, but I've always liked Molden, and he's only twenty-five. He's had injury concerns, and he's on the smaller side, but is a solid tackler and a threat to pick off passes. Competing with Durant, Forbes, and Stokes.)

Leki Fotu, NT, Jets - two years, five million (second year can void).

(Big-bodied nose tackle (335 lbs.) to replace BB3. Has injury concerns, but liked him a lot in college, and has shown flashes. Even on a two-year contract (which is really a one-year deal for 2.5 million), he could very well be worth it.)

TRADES:

Cooper Kupp to the New England Cheatriots for #77 overall.

(I know we're losing a veteran and someone people should be a Ram for life. I'll remind you that we were shopping Kupp this season, and teams had interest. I have an idea on what to do with this pick.)

Kyren Williams to the Denver Broncos for #85 overall.

(Yeah, I've admittedly soured on K-Will, and I have a better idea on what to do with our running back position as a whole. Denver badly needs a good running back. It fits.)

Rob Havenstein and 2027 fifth to the Minnesota Vikings for 2027 fourth.

(Before you shoot the messenger, please note that I'm all for keeping Havenstein in most of my mocks. But let's face facts: he's thirty-three, costs a fair bit of our cap, and we should be having real talks about his successor. Why not now?)

Jonah Jackson and #191 to the New York Giants for #154 overall.

(Yes, shamelessly stealing from Jerry again because it makes sense.)

Derion Kendrick and #203 overall to the Detroit Lions for #226 overall, #229 overall, and #245 overall)

(Sorry, not sorry, DK fans. He's gone. He's gone, and he's never coming back. I don't care that I'm giving up the sixth for a bunch of sevenths to get rid of his ass. His shit attitude would fit perfectly with Captain Caveman and the Ankle Biting Kittens.)

#100 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders for Michael Mayer.

(Fixed the tight end problem. Mayer was rated quite highly as a receiver and blocker, and he's been killed by poor quarterbacking play from the Raiders. Imagine what he could do with Stafford.)

#26 overall to the Buffalo Bills for #56 overall, #62 overall, #107 overall, and #130 overall.

(Trading the first-round pick to Buffalo for two late-seconds and an early fourth and a late fourth. Figure that fits the trade chart, especially since Buffalo trades up for an edge rusher to help their defense.)

DRAFT:

#56 overall - Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green.

(Would I select Fannin, even though I already took Mayer? Yes, but only because McVay's used more 12 personnel than ever before during this year. He's slowly evolving his offense, and Fannin would bring much needed speed as what Gerald Everett was envisioned to do for our offense.)

#62 overall - Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State.

(Royals can flat out fly; he's run a 4.29 before. He has excellent YAC ability. And he's much bigger than Atwell (6'0", 205 lbs.) and is a better receiver. I'm a huge fan of him with a trade down.)

#77 overall - Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State.

(Judkins is the K-Will replacement, and yes, I'm dead serious with this. He's a physical, punishing runner who has untapped potential in the receiving game. More than that, he can fly as well; he's posted 4.49 times at 220 lbs.)

#85 overall - Anthony Belton, OT, North Carolina State.

(Have been a fan of Belton. He will absolutely bury you in the running game, and his pass protection notably improved. I think he could be a solid eventual replacement for A-Jax, just in case.)

#90 overall - Roc Taylor, WR, Memphis.

(Taylor's been drawing rave reviews lately. Huge (6'3", 215 lbs.), fast (4.39 time) receiver with great hands. Needs work away from the ball, but this is a potential value pick.)

#107 overall - Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse.

(I'd love Jaxson Dart, but let's face it: he's a first-round pick in the making, and someone I think could (and should) go top five over Sanders and Milroe (especially Sanders). McCord could have a similar rise. He reminds me a bit of 2021 Stafford, actually; big, accurate arm, not entirely mobile (but not averse to taking what he can get), solid processing time, gunslinger, etc.)

#125 overall - Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State.

(Porter is a big (6'4", 200 lbs.) former wideout who is very raw, but well worth a shot at development. Had three interceptions and two passes defensed in limited time, and he's very fast for a corner (has Iowa's 4A 400 meter track's record.)

#130 overall - Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College.

(Trapilo caught my eye at the Mizzou/Boston College game, so I looked more into him...and the more I looked, the more I saw Havenstein. 6'8" is impossible to teach, and he has superb leverage and technique. Not the best feet, but he wins the same way Big Rob does.)

#154 overall - Rocket Sanders, RB, South Carolina.

(Sanders is a big back (6'2", 230 lbs.) who lives up to his name; he can absolutely fly (has recorded 4.44). Hasn't had the best years since his sophomore year, but is an underrated speed/power threat whom, at his best, can dominate in a similar fashion to S-Jax. I'd love to see him on kickoff returns with Schrader to start.)

#202 overall - Simeon Barrow Jr., DE/DT, Miami (Florida).

(Count me as more concerned about Fiske's health and lack of pass-rush inside behind him than adding nose tackle beef. Barrow can get after the quarterback (career of sixteen sacks), but is also a dedicated run stuffer who has a keen grasp of leverage. I could see him well outperforming this draft slot.)

#226 overall - Zakhari Franklin, WR, Illinois.

(Loved him at UTSA. Franklin is a silky-smooth route runner with excellent hands, really sneaky speed (runs a 4.49) and underrated YAC ability. He's very slight, but he could end up being a solid receiver.)

#229 overall - Garrett Dellinger, OG, Louisiana State.

(Solid-sized guard (6'5", 325 lbs.) who - along with Leveston - could be the backup that J-Jax wasn't for cheaper.)

#245 overall - Keondre Jackson, SAF, Illinois State.

(Big (6'3", 215 lbs.) safety who is built for the big nickel position. Was Illinois State's heart and soul on defense with 98 total tackles (58 solo), three picks (one of them a pick-six), 1.5 sacks (three the year before), and two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.)

Roster:

QB: Matt Stafford, Kyle McCord.

(No more Stetson Bennett IV! We finally have a succession plan behind Stafford, and I hope he teaches McCord everything he knows.)

RB: Blake Corum, Quinshon Judkins, Cody Schrader (KR), Rocket Sanders.

(Yes, I'm keeping Schrader over Rivers, particularly because of the KR position, what of it? Corum gets the starting job for now, but Judkins will get carries, and Sanders and Schrader will factor in as well.)

WR: Puka Nacua, Jalen Royals, Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith (PR), Roc Taylor, Zakhari Franklin.

(Yes, Whittington finally takes the slot that was meant for him all along! Seriously though, there's speed to kill, and we've gotten Stafford some solid weapons. I could imagine Franklin way outperforming his draft slot, much like Nacua or Whittington, and Taylor is an absolute freak at receiver who could add even more speed.)

TE: Tyler Higbee, Michael Mayer, Harold Fannin Jr.

(Finding a blocking tight end might be a need down the line, but with Mayer and Fannin (and Higbee teaching them the ropes), I can't imagine a better starting group for us.)

OL: Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Beaux Limmer, Kevin Dotson, Anthony Belton, Justin Dedich, Dylan McMahon, KT Leveston, Ozzy Trapilo, Garrett Dellinger.

(I'm assuming that McClendon is dealt along with a 2026/2027 pick for an earlier 2026/2027 pick, unless there's injury concerns. We'll see how A-Jax fares under the franchise tag, but Belton and Trapilo at least give us options if he does fail. I'm sticking with Limmer at center because he was a rookie thrust into a competitive roster, and he will improve. Dedich, Leveston, and McMahon provide depth behind him, Avila, and Dotson, just in case.)

DL: Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Leki Fotu, Desjuan Johnson, Tyler Davis, Simeon Barrow Jr.

(I think Fotu has the capability of starting for a long time; he'll only be twenty-six. But just in case, I think D-John and Davis (and possibly even David Olajiga) could fill the role of NT if he's hurt or ineffective. Barrow is here in case Fiske's injury is more severe than we think, but I think he could carve out a solid role.)

LB: Jared Verse, Byron Young, Nick Bolton, Omar Speights, Michael Hoecht, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, Jake Hummel.

(No real surprises. I think B-Jax takes a much bigger role behind Hoecht, and there's a lot of edge rushers available around if he's not. Hampton and Hummel are special teams.)

DB: Eric Stokes, Emmanuel Forbes, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, Kam Curl, Cobie Durant, Elijah Molden, Jaylen McCollough, Darien Porter, Keondre Jackson.

(Stokes and Forbes win the battle in this one, but Durant and Molden could easily factor in. I could see McCollough taking a real role at inside linebacker/big nickel along with Lake on obvious passing downs. Porter and Jackson are basically taking a redshirt year. Wallace, Woods, and Lampkin could factor in if one of the veteran corners falters, or, at the very least, could be necessary practice squad candidates or trade candidates. As the saying goes, you can never have too many corners.)

ST: Joshua Karty, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward.

(Absolutely no issues with this group. Right now? We're set.)

Fire away.