Definite Need
1. QB1
2. OLB1
3. TE1
4. LB rotational
Conditional Need
1. LT if Bell goes pro
2. RB1/2 if Fletcher goes Pro
3. Nickel if Brown won’t move there and one of the young guys isn’t ready to step in
4. 4i DE if Lowe is still gimpy
5. 1-2 more OL depending on Kinsler, Mahoney, SJ etc. development. Too hard to determine given their limited snaps but I trust Mirabalio to figure it out
6. RB3 if Lyle and Charmar transfer out
After that be opportunistic if the right elite player or value player hits the portal and it’s a good fit. I’d take a WR1 in a heartbeat under the right conditions for example. But we’ve recruited well lately so I would caution not to get too greedy or it could backfire.
We simply cannot trust Brown with all of his injuries that last couple of years
Got to get a nickel, someone who sees how we deploy Scott and says I want to do that.
Center - I am going to beat a dead horse, I know Mario & Mirabal want to get off the yearly Center carrousel because the play has gone down from exceptional (Lee) to pretty good (Carpenter) to above average (Brockmeyer).
I also don’t think SJ will pan out. Have you ever heard of undersized center that needed to be taught how to snap ever pan out? Take one and hope the 1 of the 2 IOL we signed this year will be ready for 2027.
LB - I disagree with the “rotational” part. We need a stud. Love Toure and how he sacrificed his body but he has been a liability in coverage. Imagine this Defense with a Healthy Tony Rojas. Dude can cover, drop in zone. jump routes while also filling run gaps and blitzing the QB. True never leave the field guy.
WR1 - Only if the right one comes available, someone with size and speed. Jayce Brown?
Safety - even a few weeks ago I thought we needed to find Thomas 2.0 but witht the play of Fitzgerald he needs to get more snaps year. Hopefully Pruitt and Day step up fill Thomas role on run downs.
I think premium money for position needs to be spent on the following;
1. QB
2. Center
3. Nickel
4. WR1
5. LB1
6. DE (strong side opposite lightfoot)
We also have other needs but I don’t think we need too guys:
7. TE (Big Body In line guy) who can block the edge and also offer some semblance of threat in passing game. I have no faith Carver ever stays healthy.
8. RB - with news that Fletcher is coming back, Lyle probably transfers. Hopefully Brown stays so we can have two big guys and two dynamic threats (Pringle) and Isaac Brown?
9. LB - Rotational guy because need bodies. Hayes is already gone, Bonner looked lost, Aldermann, Chase Smith, Toure and Wesley are out of eligibility along. God knows going Washington. Capers or Stanquan Clark from Louisville. Weakening a ACC school is a plus. Maybe more than just 1 rotational LB
10. DT - pray Moten stays but adding one more big body would be nice. Scott, Moten, Blount, Simpson, Transfer