Post Draft: Who do you want at WR2 / X Receiver?

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by MTK

Let's not forget about Chig Okonkwo, I think we can pencil him in for 60+ catches. Also JD made an average cast outside of Terry look pretty good in his rookie year. Ultimately they're not done, when Aiyuk becomes available it just makes too much sense not to take a shot on him.

Good point on Chig, but he is just replacing Ertz.

If u look at 2024, we had 2 guys in Zacheus and Noah Brown who were historically 500nyard guys, and they ended up being our guys. The current roster has no one who has hit that mark once, except Jefferson one time years ago. That is my concern.
Plus we also had BRob in his prime and Eckler who was great. I am not sure we have adequately replaced any of these regardless of bar level. Where we are stronger is the online, except center. And Terry is 2 years older post injury too. We are at best the same level as then when we needed 6 miraculous comebacks winning by a point or two and frankly often chucking it up for grabs. Of course we had fun and most knew it was not sustainable. I remember we hadn't beaten a team with a winning record until after the Kliff Cliff, when Jayden made the world turn into candyland for a couple months of magical bliss.

We all drank the kool aid, the team ignored the pass rush problem, and didn't really do much other than speculate on reclamation projects of ex 49ers. I mean, I liked what Deebo did, I love Tunsil, and they did try at CB and missed, but the edge and WR situation got out of hand quickly. Plus every year a new need arises, which was lbs, and safety declined too.
So I am quite happy they focused on line and front 7 and middle first, but we definitely need a WR who is someone other than a 200 yard guy, which is all we have except Terry and maybe our draft pick who needs to learn how to catch his first NFL pass against crazy NFL disguised defenses.

So Peters is probably hoping to get lucky with another 500 yard castoff or two and pray Jayden and Terry NEVER get hurt.

I personally have never seen a magical year like 2024 before and taking the same approach trying to duplicated it may take another 50 years, because that's how long I've been watching this team. Miracles generally cannot be duplicates.

Talent wins in the NFL, without it, even HOF coaches lose, look at Belechek, and even Gibbs 2.0. Even Gibbs who could get 3 more wins out of an lame team cannot win consistsantly to overcome a limited roster with only one or two weapons that can be isolated.

I do believe we need a legit NFL starter opposite Terry
Whether that is Deebo again or Jennings or Diggs or a functional Aiyuk. We need more than a 2024 Noah Brown out there. Slot is easy, we have a ton.
I just don't see anyone other than our rookie as having top upside, and for the first month, he should be slot in space. We need someone who can beat man outside, who has done it from game one, and that may disqualify Aiyuk due to 49er pettiness or his unknown football shape

So yeah, Diggs, get him, or trade for someone soon. I see Jennings as choice 2 and Deebo as #3 from the outside

[MTK]

Chig is a far different style of TE than Ertz though. He can get down the field where Ertz was just an underneath dump off target.

[MTK]

Jennings to the Vikings on a one year deal

[AnonEmouse]

I'm actually kinda glad he's signed elsewhere. I mean would he have been a bad signing here? Maybe not, but neither would he have been a great signing and $13M isn't chicken feed for at best a #2 WR. I'm left thinking they must be weighing up Diggs as a possibility but they're still more interested in Aiyuk. Risks with both.

[skinsnut]

I'm not buying the Chig is the solution to our lack of legit #2 problem.
At best he is better than Ertz, which is a tall ask but likely. Yes he can attack the deep middle which is nice, but so can any slot guy, so they'd be splitting catches there. The problem occurs is there is no threat outside the numbers and particularly deep outside the numbers. Otherwise, you just shift support towards Terry and cover the middle zone and thin out extra support on the opposite side by just covering the Z guy with man, like every play. If our current 2 cannot beat man, and this is arguably a legit concern, one side of the field is shut down by a single defender, unless we flood that side with motion and stacks, which to me is a backup plan. Can you win that way? Yes, but it's more 3 yards at a time Deebo style. And if that's the case, why not just bring back Deebo. The fact that they haven't shows there intent is NOT to start the season without some sort of one on one beater opposite Terry. There is frankly no one available who can do that with any confidence other than Diggs.
Aiyuk may be a flabby shell of himself as far as we know and Deebo could arguably be replaced with our big #5/6 guy, Treylon Burks.

I say, get Diggs, let the Aiyuk thing go at this point, one head case is enough, but Diggs can produce, we know that for a fact, plus he's available without trade cost, which is rare for a 1000 yard guy. I bet he cost 15M though, but that is still cheaper than Deebo last year who we traded a pick for.

[WCommandersfan99]

Diggs is highly intriguing. He flat out produces and him, McLuarin, and Williams could work. Interested to see if the FO gives him a look considering his off the field issues. 7 1,000 yd seasons already and should have a few years left. Where he lands should be interesting.

[calia]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Regarding Luke, there is a world he gets cut to hopefully make the practice squad, although not likely as he plays teams well. Dyami did play well for his last 3 games for us, but then got his shot and didn't do well, again.
I don't buy the Dyami hype. To me, he only has a 50/50 shot to make the squad at all. Ideal for him is practice squad. The only advantage over Jefferson is he has is exp
erience with Jayden.
If we do nothing more, I'd expect Jefferson to make some noise as he doesn't drop the ball.
And regarding Luke's separation, I agree I saw him open, but as I recall, that was usually in zone, not so much beating man, which is essential when playing outside, otherwise, he's just another zone beating slot guy, which we have covered.

It's pretty clear going with what we have today is a huge risk as we have only one viable threat in Terry. At least last year we had Deebo to fall back on if TerrY got injured. As of right now, no one measures up to Deebo, and look what happened last year when Terry went down. I mean arguably, we should sign 2! Like Aiyuk and Diggs for instance. The problem with that is all these vets are head cases.

Going with what we've got is not just a gamble, it would be malpractice, far beyond dropping our center with a so so backup. If the idea is to help Jayden, we need to get lucky with a starting center and a starting WR to get cut and for us to scoop them up. Expecting a 1st year coordinator to score as much as kingsbury with 1 viable NFL starting WR is asking for trouble, unless you want to try to win games 20-18 all year with a defense who's goal would to achieve average (giving 24 points per game, not including special teams points)

I mean I'm not trying to be a downer, but in no world is a 3rd rounder going to become a 10 year NFL experienced 1000 yard Stephon Diggs. Not that I like his style, just his production.
Dyami and Luke borderline suck to me, and that is not a viable option for #2.
Otherwise, we are 7-10 at best and hope to work on getting a better WR a year from now.

McLaurin was a 3rd round draft pick; I wouldn't be too hasty to conclude that Williams cannot develop into a #2 and hit Diggs-type numbers. Heck, Diggs was a 5th rounder by the Vikings. Obviously, it's hard to predict how guys will develop, but I don't think we should assume that Williams won't be able to do what we drafted him to do.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by calia

McLaurin was a 3rd round draft pick; I wouldn't be too hasty to conclude that Williams cannot develop into a #2 and hit Diggs-type numbers. Heck, Diggs was a 5th rounder by the Vikings. Obviously, it's hard to predict how guys will develop, but I don't think we should assume that Williams won't be able to do what we drafted him to do.

I highly doubt the front office drafted a 3rd round WR who is mostly slot to serve as our immediate #2 WR. Is that a best case scenario, yeah, just like your two examples that are an exception to the rule.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but in no world should that be your plan A, plan C sure, but all I am hoping for is plan B as we obviously missed out on an experienced or Stud #2 in free agency or the draft. I am hoping for a trade, or to sign Diggs or Aiyuk and hope they get their heads straight and play like they did in their prime.
I don't think I am alone in my opinion that we do not have an obvious #2 WR on the roster.
Of course if ur ok to gamble Jaydens #3 season on your best hopes, that's fine, but I am uncomfortable with that approach. In fact, I am even uncomfortable with gambling on Aiyuk as we don't even know if he can run without farting at this point

[calia]

"Run without farting" -- LOL. I love where these conversations take us.

Look, I totally get the idea to have a proven WR2, and one would think that a must for any team headed into the season. We don't definitely have that person -- but we might, that's all I am saying. And all of the other folks involve some meaningful risk, either because of age, injury, off the fields stuff, or, in the case of Aiyuk, all 3.

[GridIron26]

Yeah I think none of us would deny that the #2 WR is a significant need for us that still hasn't been resolved yet.

Although we need to acknowledge the situation the team is in - there weren't ample of opportunities for us to find one. It turned out that we did make efforts to sign Alec Pierce before he resigned with Colts (I apologize to whoever said that we did try when the FA opened but I didn't believe it). They also tried to sign Doubs before he decided to sign with Patriots. They did draft Williams, who supposedly is NFL ready. The cards simply aren't there and AP did the right thing by not trying to force it, or otherwise we likely would have to give up future capitals. The Chig signing definitely will help as he will force the defense to pay attention to him on all plays.

I agree with Matty - I think it's going to turn into a committee thing this year. We will be screwed if McLaurin misses some games tho.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Yeah I think none of us would deny that the #2 WR is a significant need for us that still hasn't been resolved yet.

Although we need to acknowledge the situation the team is in - there weren't ample of opportunities for us to find one. It turned out that we did make efforts to sign Alec Pierce before he resigned with Colts (I apologize to whoever said that we did try when the FA opened but I didn't believe it). They also tried to sign Doubs before he decided to sign with Patriots. They did draft Williams, who supposedly is NFL ready. The cards simply aren't there and AP did the right thing by not trying to force it, or otherwise we likely would have to give up future capitals. The Chig signing definitely will help as he will force the defense to pay attention to him on all plays.

I agree with Matty - I think it's going to turn into a committee thing this year. We will be screwed if McLaurin misses some games tho.

If it's a committee, we need a better one, one with someone more established and dependable, perhaps DeAndre Hopkins (33) as a Noah Brown type, or an expensive vet cut on a team that drafted WR high?
Anyone know who would be a possible camp cut due to a abundance of WRs?
I am thinking that is plan D if we don't get Diggs or Aiyuk before preseason..
There is no way in my eyes we don't add another potential 500 yard guy prior to game one.

Ideally it should be by OTAs, or latest training camp, but it seems Aiyuk won't be released until Sept 1, which means we have to go another direction. I heard a prognosticator predict a June 9th release date for Aiyuk, likely based on his magic 8 ball.
I would sign Diggs now, Hopkins now, Aiyuk on Sept 1, the cut/trade Hopkins Sept 1.
All are better than our #3 guys. Don't worry, all our young guys will play the full preseason.
But at least we could have Hopkins on the roster awaiting Aiyuk. Hell, I may not even want Aiyuk at that point if we have the other 2.
And for everyone saying we'd be too old, we could rotate them to keep them fresh.
Crazy idea, but one that would certainly improve the teams chances of making the playoffs vs hoping we can win an extra 3 games by Jayden running all over the place dodging the dreaded redskins QB broken leg curse

[skinsnut]

Here is my crazy "get em all" old guy WR depth chart:

WR 1 x
Terry McClaurin
DeAndre Hopkins (3M?)

WR 2 z
Brandon Aiyuk (7M?)
Luke McCafferty

WR 3 slot
Stefon Diggs (15M?)
Antonio Williams

Trade:
Jalen Lane (6th rounder) or keep if Hopkins is a late cut or some old guy is on injured reserve

Cut:
Van Jefferson (practice squad)
Dyami Brown (practice squad)
Traylon Burks (practice squad)

[calia]

I agree. That’s crazy.


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[Brummie Brave]

Originally Posted by calia

I agree. That’s crazy.


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[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by calia

I agree. That’s crazy.


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Yeah, ur right, we should trade Luke too for a 5th and just roll with the 4 old vets and the rookie with 5 on the roster! We need space for the 2nd CB we are trading these pcks for! Like the Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, what the hell, why not?
Imagine, 3 new vet WRs and a pro bowl outside CB vet, for 2 marginal #5 WRs.
Yeah it may cost 30M, but we have it!
As Prince says, LETS GET CRAZY!

Funny thing is, it is doable