Unfortunately this year is a bit rushed so I don’t have time to write everything up in detail so if anyone reads this I apologize in advance.

Quick Summaries:

Offense

QB: Drew Lock, PJ Walker

Drew Lock is still my QB1 and I don’t think that’s a bad choice, when he had full games (last three only) he graded out mid table. That’s obviously not where you want to be, but its a lot better than what the media make him out to be. I hope he ends up being the starter for Seattle and gets to show what he can do.

OT: Samuel Cosmi, Matt Peart, Reiley Reiff (Not extending contract)

OG: Joe Thuney, Quinn Meinerz, Dalton Risner, Dillon Radunz

C: Ceasar Ruiz, Nick Harris

A high for me is my OL roughly ranking as the 11th unit according to PFF ranked OLines. I’ve been trying to develop my OL punctually while adding elite veterans longterm and other players shortterm. Main improvements are needed at Tackle.

WR: Deandre Hopkins, Hunter Renfrow, James Proche, Shi Smith, Antonio Gandy-Golden

TE: Adam Trautman, Tommy Tremble

RB: Antonio Gibson, Zack Moss, Jaret Patterson, Demetric Felton

FB: Alec Ingold (Not extending contract)

Skill positions is the main sticking point for my team. They produced around 4800 yds and 41 TDs. Put quite simply, that is terrible. The main problem for me was the Hopkins injury – because he is the designated WR1 – and lack of production at WR3 and my RB committee. I’m expecting around 300-500 yards more from my RBs next season and believe that’s possible so I see no immediate need. When Hopkins comes back that’s almost a guaranteed 500 yards. That leaves around another 500-700 yards that I need to put me in a great spot.

Needs: WR

Want: OT, TE

Maybe: QB

Defense

The thing I am going to hang my hat on is that I have put together a team of players that together produced the 2nd most sacks in the league. Unfortunately they were very bad at interceptions and forced fumbles and as everyone knows: turnovers matter.

DE: Brian Burns, Haason Reddick, Carlos Dunlap, AJ Epenesa, Justin Hollins, Boogie Basham, Bradlee Anae, Chauncey Rivers

DT: Poona Ford, Maurice Hurst, Khalen Saunders

Solid group without any clear standout. I actually think there will be an increase in performance from Burns, Epenesa and Basham, while there might be a bit of a drop off from Reddick and Dunlap. Nonetheless, the older guys are on contracts that I am happy keeping. I could see myself adding some depth in the later rounds here, the question is whether that is worth it or whether I should add a free agent.

From the DTs I still think Ford is really solid and Hurst will see an increase in Production next year. A third guy might be quite useful though.

LB: Zaven Collins, Jeremy Chinn, JOK, Troy Dye, Tanner Muse

I feel really good about this group, until you get to depth. Simply put, adding something here isnt essential but is a seriously nice to have and secures my very strong middle of the pitch.

Nickle: CDJ

CB: Levi Wallace, CJ Henderson, Benjamin StJuste, Tay Gowan, Harrison Hand, Amik Robertson

S: Budda Baker, Jamal Adams, JR Reed, Ardarius Washington

There are playmakers here. Baker, Adams and CDJ are ballers. Levi Wallace is very solid and has his spot tied down. All I am missing is one more lockdown Corner and then depth at Safety.

Needs: CB

Wants: DT, DE

Maybe: S, LB

Having evaluated the stats and how the different position groups did last year, I will be drafting 17th (Chargers pick in real life). An improvement from 12th last year.

Free Agency

I have 2 big positions of need (WR and CB) and it is my belief that you should try to do as much as possible through Free Agency and then pick the best players available in the Draft. As a bonus, there are two players in Free Agency that I really like who fill those gaps:

WR Allen Robinson – 3 year / $46,500,000 contract – I have liked him for years and it has been frustrating to see that he has been so shackled by terrible QB play in Chicago. He may be a bit on the older side, but as a top receiver in the league and linking him up with Hopkins and Renfrow is exciting for me.

CB JC Jackson – 5 year / $82,500,000 contract – I think Jackson is underrated. I mean he got a fat contract, but he is just not talked about enough for how solid he is. Over the past years he has consistently produced turnovers, and that is something I have been missing in my team.

Post Free Agency Needs

Here is a runthrough of what I could see myself taking:

QB – Round 2 or 3 if someone falls and I have no high value alternative.

OT – Any round, could see myself targetting in round 1 and 2 as well as on day 3.

OG/C – Depends on who falls, don’t need to reach.

RB – none

TE – Day 2

WR – Day 2 – High prio

DT – Day 2

DE – Day 3

LB – Day 3 – see who falls there

S – at the moment I only see myself taking Hamilton early if he falls, apart from that probably day 3

CB – I have signed JC Jackson and I have Levi Wallace as well as some developmental players behind. Probably just Day 3 now unless one of the big guys drops.