or the best chance at immediate improvement, these are the remaining Raider needs as I see it:
Starting FS, NT, WR and RB2 and QB3. IPM has proven not to be a FS, and neither NT nor WR are adequately staffed with starting-caliber players.
We don’t need to go 0-100mph though. I’m on board with the slowly build-a-sustainable-winner approach, especially considering this draft is fairly weak, even if that means having some glaring holes this year.
With no guarantees of finding start-right-away scheme fits after pick 36 (and there either, really) you gotta figure the dudes taken in Rd 3 and beyond will initially be developmental guys and function as depth players this season. If any of them can play meaningful snaps this year that’s all the better.
I would expect pick 36 to be either a high-upside, scheme-fitting FS, WR, CB or OT, but if we fill any other position that’ll ultimately be okay since (at least, early) Rd 2 is all about taking a shot at securing an high-impact young player. I do think Spy will address at least two of these positions on day 2 given the strength of the options at FS and WR.
My hope is we find guys who can play immediately at FS and NT, but in the grand scheme of things as long as a few of our picks develop into capable starters down the line we’re cool.
I’d expect NT to be addressed, but not until round 4 or 5 given positional value and also bc we have Butler and JJP who can play there this year for the 35% of plays that NT is required. Yeah, neither is a prototypical NT, but again, the team has time with future FA and drafts to find a stud. Would be sweet if Tasi turns out to be that guy but I’m not holding my breath
As for the 3-4 DTs, we’re fine for now with the old head Butler leading the group of promising youngsters. I feel the same way at G and OT.
Spy will have an eye on the future, as is necessary ofc. In a year or three they’ll need to have new guys ready to step up as SS, LB and OT starters for certain, and probably DT, Edge, CB and G as well. Furthermore, Spy’s going to have to leave cap room to extend Bowers (‘28), and potentially JPJ, Mayer and Tucker next year, so I’m expecting us to be fairly lean in FA next offseason unless a stud 3-4 DT, NT, CB, OT or WR proves too good to pass up.
All-in-all I think the rebuild is off to a flying start. Largely smart FA acquisitions plus Maxx being back and Mendoza coming aboard under Kubiak gives me quite a bit of hope for a return to relevance. Crossing my fingers that drafted players turn out to be keepers.
Thoughts?