If this is a Super Bowl caliber team as we all hope (and are being told by our owner/GM) I have a serious question: Are we trying to win a championship NOW or are we trying to rebuild for a championship down the road?
The answer to that question by our front office will undoubtedly be- “Both”.
But I contend that it’s possible to have too many developmental players. Having 4-5 on an entire roster is good. Having 4 on an entire position group like the OL is playing with fire. Especially if “winning now” is the goal.
Look at how many “projects” we currently have on the OL:
- Josh Ball- (4th round 2021)
- Matt Farniok (7th round 2021)
- Matt Waletzko (5th round 2022)
- Asim Richards (5th round 2023)
All of these guys are Day 3 draft picks, usually slotted as backups and developmental projects.
Let’s be honest- Josh Ball is bad. If we take off the fan glasses and are being objective, he’s not very good. Farniok is probably way further along than Ball, but in his 3rd year, he’s not exactly tearing it up. His ability to play C, G and maybe occasionally swing T gives him some leeway. Waletzko is very raw and this is really like his first year because of an injury last year. Richards is a rookie and it’s just too early to know what he’s going to be.
And we haven’t even talked about other developmental projects:
- Kelvin Joseph (2nd round, 2021)
- Nahshon Wright (3rd round, 2021)
- Issac Alarcon (UFA)
- Jabril Cox (4th round 2021)
KJ has shown very little at CB. He’s been good on STs but for a second rounder starting his 3rd season to not even be close to starting is ridiculous. Yes he has a lot of talent. But it hasn’t translated yet. Nahshon Wright has been less than stellar and he’s also in year 3. The additions of DeRon Bland and Eric Scott- both flashed early and are looking good also makes Wright and KJ expendable. Cox was thought to be capable of starting by now but he’s been very slow to develop. Alarcon is a feel good story but that better suited for a Disney movie than a championship roster.
Bottom line for me- it’s time to cut bait with several of these players. There will be some good players available when final roster cuts are made by other teams. Having too many guys we are supposed to be patient with can spell disaster if a starter goes down and misses more than a game.
IMO- It’s time to move on with several of these guys.
