this is an awesome exercise. Thanks, @corta765.
Here are my thoughts:
Offense:
QB: Josh Allen (duh)
RB: James Cook
WR: Khalil Shakir I don't know why, but I still think Coleman is a key part of the WR room, just not as a 1 or 2. More like a solid WR 3 that can convert 3rd downs when needed.
TE: Dalton Kincaid // Jackson Hawes
O-Line: Dawkins - Edwards- McGovern-Torrence- Brown. I'm not sure Dawkins makes it to 2030, he'd be about 36 by then. We need to draft an OT at some point in the future for continuity, that will also result in a lower overall cap by having a rookie OT. This is not a necessary 2026 pick, but becomes more urgent around 2027.
Defense:
DE: Greg Rousseau I'd like to see Bosa resigned, although like Dawkins, if we are looking to 2030, he's likely not here. Although DE can play till 36, so who knows.
DT: Ed Oliver // Deone Walker // TJ Sanders // DeWayne Carter Not sold on Sanders or Carter. They have yet to show anything. The hope is they are core contributors, but I'd say sanders more likely than Carter at this point.
LB: Terrel Bernard // Dorian Williams This one is interesting. I think both these guys may still be here. But I can see the 2026 1st round pick being a LB who replaces Milano, putting Williams back as a backup. This makes an interesting situation when his contract is up. That said, I don't see Williams as a "cornerstone", but could be a great rotational piece. Well, perhaps that is a cornerstone.
CB: Christian Benford // Max Hariston // Dorian Strong Unfortunately Strong is likely to not be here. He will be replaced by whoever Bean pulls out of the 5th round CB grab-bag next year where he generally finds starter (but not star) talent. Benford has been disappointing this year, he turns it around he is still here.. If not, he could be a future cut.
SAF: Cole Bishop I hope this is correct. But Bishop has had one really good game, and some really bad ones. Overall, just average ones. I think safety will be a pick next year at some point to shore up next to him. I'm optimistic this could look like Bishop/Hancock over the next 5 years.