On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident would you be with Bland as the 2 CB in 2023

[quickccc]

7 ....

- At this point on this is really Bland's No.2 CB audition for that role ?
This is both his audition,.. and his game experience training.

- Anthony Brown will be coming off an achilles tendon tear injury, and he's also an UFA, so no team is likely to pursue him in FA.
so i could see him returning in a one year rental deal and backup capacity
- let Brown battle it out with Jourdan Lewis (who is also recovering from a lesser serious injury) ...i've always thought Brown was a better slot/3rd CB
than an outside starter.

I'd like to see his improvement with properly turning his head to make play on the thrown ball in air. But he is a INT ball hawk who will jump routes
and flat physically outbattle WRs for the thrown ball.

While some talk about his misgivings in coverage, keep in mind that Bland is still a rookie, still on the learning curve.
but his learning and performance has been such that it's placed him in front of early round, 2nd yr draftees Joseph and Wright.

 

[Cowboy06]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

6, if he only has to play a few games as #2. 4 if he has to play #2 most of the season. 9 if he is the full time slot CB.

 

[DripTooHard]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

7

 

[conner01]

Lewis will most likely be a cap casualty, at Brown’s age that Achilles is probably a career ender! It’ll be 2024 before he’s completely back from that… don’t see anyone paying to have a slightly above average corner in rehab half the season then protect him by scheme the 2nd half!

I think he’s back here cheap for a year
I also think he’s not slightly above avg no more than Awuzie was. Awuzie is thh by e bengals best CB
There are many teams with two really solid CB’s

 

[Q_the_man]

I like him better in the slot

They need a free agent CB and draft another one in the top 2 rounds in the draft. And another in the mid rounds

Yep, keep him in the slot but let him fight for the starting spot. I'm leaning towards trading are first rounder down in the draft for a second this year and a 1st next year if we can find a trade partner

 

[exciter]

I think he’s back here cheap for a year
I also think he’s not slightly above avg no more than Awuzie was. Awuzie is thh by e bengals best CB
There are many teams with two really solid CB’s

Even league minimum would be a lot for a 8yr veteran who won’t be able to contribute until mid season at the earliest and won’t be completely back until 2024. When Jerry talked about his injury there was a lot of finality hidden in what he said!

 

[Q_the_man]

Then draft the best DL and CB in the second

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I like him better in the slot

They need a free agent CB and draft another one in the top 2 rounds in the draft. And another in the mid rounds

Yep, he is more natural and better at the slot.....doubt the Boys will get a high priced FA CB so will need to get one through the draft like you said. Brown has likely played his last game in Dallas, or at least i hope.

 

[RonWashington]

I’m excited to see more of Alexander as well the CB picked up from Minnesota who was a high draft pick like Joseph . I know DQ likes taller DB’s but I’m comfortable with Bland outside and Alexander your slot corner.

I’m glad KM picked on Bradberry in the Eagle game , man was mediocre as a Giant .

 

[Rockport]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

Not sure where he will play but he should be starting somewhere.

 

[buybuydandavis]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

On the field, he's been a playmaker.

After looking into him for the first time, I see a large CB with long arms and good speed. Probably best at long speed, as he ran track.

Played most of his college ball in Div 17Z with Sacramento State. Just limited competition.

Gotta wonder what a guy with his measurables was doing at Podunk State for 3 years, and what he was doing available in the 5th. What does the NFL know what I don't. But that's my only concern. We see he can make plays at the NFL level, and he has the physical tools to compete.

Bigger, longer arms, makeup speed - good fit for Quinn too.

Given the limited competition he's played against, he probably has a lot more room for growth too.

Love the pick. Love the player. Let him play out the season and we'll see how he does. At this point I want to see more, but I'd pencil him in as a starting CB for next year.

 

[Jarntt]

Bland is huge for us from a cap perspective. Allows us to move on from Brown, Lewis or both. I suspect we keep Lewis since he is under contract for one more year IIRC and let someone else over pay for Brown. But we still would likely need to add another corner depending on how Wright looks over the next few weeks. I would never say he or Joseph can’t eventually play in the league but we need to see it before we pencil them in and Joseph has thus far obviously not shown he can.

Most importantly from watching Bland I don’t buy the idea he is a slot guy only at all. He basically split his snaps this week against good receivers. He has played more slot and been better in the slot but next year he is our #2 corner IMO. A lot of corners start out as a #3 slot guy and then move outside. I’m guessing he plays on the outside next year with Lewis in the slot to start the year and Brown is gone. I also suspect we draft another corner.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

 

[conner01]

Even league minimum would be a lot for a 8yr veteran who won’t be able to contribute until mid season at the earliest and won’t be completely back until 2024. When Jerry talked about his injury there was a lot of finality hidden in what he said!

If he’s not healthy then he won’t sign anywhere
But I wouldn’t bet on him not being ready faster than 2024

 

[xwalker]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

As of now, game 1 of 2023:
1 Diggs
2 Bland
3 Lewis (Nickel)

Wright/Joseph/Rookie Draft Pick compete for 4th spot.

 

[Pantone282C]

Looks good so far.

 

[exciter]

If he’s not healthy then he won’t sign anywhere
But I wouldn’t bet on him not being ready faster than 2024

Eh, he’s 29, it almost always takes 2 years for corners to fully recover from this injury. Don’t see anyone paying him to not be able to play at all until the last 3rd of next season. He had a nice run for a 6th round pick, beat the odds and got a 2nd contract but I’d lean heavily towards it being over!

 

[DuncanIso]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

he’s only going to get better.

hes an amazing athlete.

 

[coult44]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

If he was starting all year he’d be competing for ROY. In a redraft he’s be to 7 for sure.

 

[Acceptablename]

From what you have seen of him this year, what is your comfort level with him as the #2 CB next year

When bland gets on the field he makes something happen. Yes I’m confident