Theres a big difference between what I am talking about and what you are talking about. Going into the season with Darrion Weems as your swing Tackle can turn out to big a gigantic mistake. You don't need to develop Weems with so much youth in your starters, you need an insurance policy/ a proven guy to step in and play incase of injury to one of your starters. You don't want to shuffle the whole line around by moving Free back to Tackle and bring in another guard when a very serviceable player like Starks is available. The drop off isn't terrible if you do that. Weems on the other hand is a big drop. He is no where near ready to see significant playing time and I don't think it's wise to try to develop a kid in a position where depth is needed right now. In some sceanrios you're right there is PROGRESS STOPPERS type signings that don't make a lot of sense this however is not one of them. But to say there is no scenario where brining in a veteran for depth is the right move is kind of ignorant. Theres plenty of cases where it's right to do that and you have to use your best judgement.
You keep Weems on as the swing tackle and you develop him. The only time he would start would be in an emergency game situation. The following week you can bring in a street vet or trade for someone's depth (assuming he isn't ready). Not ideal but not the end of the world either.
They clearly didn't put Weems on the waiver as they feared someone would grab him or they think he is ready to take on swing tackle duties.
The team is in a better position to know that than you or me.
When you start saying things like the kid will need 3 years to develop...you're just creating your own narrative.
