@jc5100 - Shaq IS my example. He wasn’t a starter in Denver. He showed that he had all the potential but was stuck behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. That’s a great pickup by Licht. There wasn’t much development needed. His talent fit Bowles defense perfectly. And he hit the ground running.
And players obviously matter “no shit”. But their production is affected by coaching and scheme from year to year. And injuries matter too “no shit”. But even with last year’s injuries that offensive line would have looked better than it did last year with Coen. And every player in that locker room would agree.
The OL was good in 2024 because Wirfs, Goedeke and Mauch are really good. They played 0 snaps together in 2025. Coen wasn't going to get Andy Heck and Dan Feeney to block. He couldn't get Graham Barton to block.
It's both. The oline was healthy in 2024 and Coens run design was dynamic, changing series to series, setting up the defense over and over.
add in Irving and 2024 is night/day to 2025 because available talent and OC
@theknees - if Styles somehow falls around 10, I’d love if we went and got him. And how could we (or Bowles) pass up on Downs if he falls to us? Immediate stud. Trade Winfield for a third round pick, and let Downs and Tykee Smith run the backside of the defense for the next 5 years.
While many view Bowles negatively, he isn't as bad as people think, and Coen isn't as great as some believe
This.
That is a pretty good draft too, @donkey_hunter.
I agree with everything you are saying, JC. I just couldn't pass up the defensive talent in the first 2 rounds in positions that also need help. You make one very critical point that I am not sure folks are realizing is how "teetering on the edge" the O-Line is. We all saw it several times last year when none of our projected starters could take the field at the same time. I would honestly be ok with any of those O-Linemen you mentioned in your take but just prefer the defensive talent.@jc5100 - eventually you have to fill your weakest roster spots. BPA is fine when you’re set at all your positions. We have too many needs on defense to take a luxury pick on an offensive lineman.
Offensive linemen are not luxury picks. It’s a fallacy that our offensive line is set. It was a disaster last year. Wirfs has a chronic high ankle and now has something going on with his knee since 2024. He misses games. We have to accept it and plan for it. There are some monster OL in this first round.
