Dr. Who

Palmer is a boundary receiver for the most part. What WR1 do you have in mind, because I don't see one out there that is available?

We absolutely needed a boundary receiver with his skill set. It opens up the field for everyone, and adds some explosive play ability. I agree that we still need elite difference makers. I surely wanted one at WR, and personally I still think Metcalf could have been that guy. But I feel a lot better having this role filled by at minimum an adequate player.

Shaw, I addressed this in another thread in the context of DK Metcalf. I'm tired, so I'm going to quote a bit of what I wrote there. None of this precludes the necessity of addressing obvious needs on DL, CB, and S. Those who think the approach to offense and scoring success from last year is easily replicable pair that with obvious defensive deficiencies to dismiss the importance of a boundary receiver with Metcalf's specific strengths. Why spend so much on a player like that when there are so many needs on D? And there are a lot of needs. I think the turnover margin which was exceptional last year will likely regress towards the mean, a likelihood increased by an offense that depends on sustained drives and lacks explosive play capability. It doesn't matter that Metcalf is not a conventional WR1. He is elite at his particular skill set, and it was a perfect match to what folks ought to want for Josh Allen and the Bills. It's not just about putting up points, but having elite difference makers that can be called upon in crucial moments in the biggest games. So, that's my view. I know your view on the position is different. That's okay, but I shall continue to believe we need more elite talent in the WR room.

Alright, I've tried to be respectful. Have a good evening.

Well, maybe I'm not following you, but also we probably just don't agree. If last year, the Diggs situation precluded significant upgrades in the WR room (though we could have drafted more than a big, slow slot), and this year, we have more money, some of that money ought to be invested in better WR talent, though in fact, there isn't much available in FA now, and it's not a very good draft year. In general, I think Beane does not have urgency to add elite WR talent. I think that's a mistake, and just returning the equivalent of the talent he was forced to end up with last year in this year is a fail.

I'm not talking about last year. I'm talking about what he's likely to do this year.

Those who think the approach to offense and scoring success from last year is easily replicable pair that with obvious defensive deficiencies to dismiss the importance of a boundary receiver with Metcalf's specific strengths. Why spend so much on a player like that when there are so many needs on D? And there are a lot of needs. I think the turnover margin which was exceptional last year will likely regress towards the mean, a likelihood increased by an offense that depends on sustained drives and lacks explosive play capability. It doesn't matter that Metcalf is not a conventional WR1. He is elite at his particular skill set, and it was a perfect match to what folks ought to want for Josh Allen and the Bills. It's not just about putting up points, but having elite difference makers that can be called upon in crucial moments in the biggest games. Low Positive may want to disparage this perspective, but it's certainly not indefensible, nor does it reduce to petulant emotional outbursts. If there is an echo of dismay over the failure to draft Metcalf in the first place, it is a resonance due to Beane's continuing incapacity to properly address the WR room, a proclivity he has carried with him from his Carolina days.

I never felt really confident about him, but he might be the best option available. I think it is a terrible disservice to Josh Allen that it has come to this, and if his reward for a team-friendly contract (and it is, despite its generational wealth amount) is more of the same at the WR position, shame on Beane.

There aren't a lot of obvious options. Maybe there's something no one is aware of in the way of a trade. Cooper is a possibility. You'd have to hope injury was a big factor last year, and that he has a bounce back year in him. You also have to hope Brady can properly make use of his weapons. I'm not entirely sold there. Some folks seem to think the mid-rounds have sneaky WR depth. I dunno, but last year was the year to invest in the position, and we took a big, slow slot receiver, a safety that better make a leap this year, and another DL that was apparently chosen for leadership qualities over pulling the trigger on a WR that could actually play the boundary. If you select that type in this draft, you're waiting on a development year.

I hope you're right, but it would be well in keeping with Beane's typical stance on receivers to resign Hollins, bring in a receiver like Slayton in FA, and draft one early on day 3.

Yes, we need to hit on DT, DE, S, CB, and boundary WR. The latter is not an afterthought, but I think it comes in last for Beane. Also, I don't really see anyone in FA that is viable. You're not going to get a developed WR in the draft, but you might get a speed fella that can beat press coverage and operate on the outside. Metcalf would have been perfect -- I'm aware the contract was exorbitant.

He's going to bring back Hollins, Ty, and some mid-level WR and think he's done a fine job.

Winston I like, but I hate that draft.

That's possible, of course. They are just that dumb.

If you can get Metcalf, you do it. He's exactly the kind of player we need. If Brady doesn't know how to use him, he shouldn't be OC.

I'd be surprised if the Bengals would consider trading him to us, but okay.

I'm not considering him as a legit option for us. If it turns out otherwise, great.

It really doesn't matter whose narrative was correct. The ultimate reality is the same. My view is Beane will likely go after a solid DB and DT in FA. If he wants a plus level player via Trade, maybe Metcalf is a remote chance.

No, he won't be blamed if the players aren't available. What this highlights is that a lot of rhetoric from players about wanting to play for a contender turns out to just be a negotiating tactic for more money, who knew?

Correct, it's a legal fig leaf. No one is really waiting till Wednesday.

I agree. Everyone is speculating, because no one knows what will happen in FA and the draft, but the divide seems to be that some are seeing these signings and interpreting it as clearing cap space for a run at a big signing, and others are seeing it as cautious running it back mode. Two competing narratives with diametrically opposed takes. I think this is a year Beane goes big and adds, so I'm interpreting with the bold narrative. I'm also guessing that if this is the strategy, Beane has some reason to think he can make big moves. Might all be an illusion, and then I'll be forced to accept the other narrative. But right now, I'm more hopeful than not.

For certain, everyone who plays for another team is better, unless it's convenient for them not to be. We like to be objective here.

You don't get it. When Groot has a game with three sacks, those don't count. When Garrett has a game without a sack, those don't count either.

Sounds to me like he's really saying he wants to play for Houston. NFL is not the NBA, fella.

I'd also like to preemptively address the folks who will object that there are so many needs DE, DT, CB, S, that one just cannot expend so much draft capital and cap room on one or two players(some of them compulsively respond to anything too daring as if it is childish and unrealistic). The answer is that there will still be enough draft capital to acquire, say, a huge 1T later in a deep draft at DT. You can find serviceable players on day 3, something Beane has a knack for. But what you won't get in the draft are elite playmakers -- and the deficiency just there is the key. Add DK and you've added a dangerous player that scares the opponent. Add Garrett, it's more than a piece, it elevates other players because of the stress he puts on the offense. These are the moves that ought to be prioritized. Chess, not checkers, and some pieces are way more valuable than others.