The Upcoming Roster Crunch

[Stash]

I keep looking over this roster and looking ahead to the cutdown to 53, and the numbers this year look tighter than ever. I know it’s cliche to say “our team is loaded”, but this year I truly believe that there are a few position groups that really are well-stacked with talent. Defensive end and wide receiver are two groups where I see a lot of numbers. And two groups where I can see this team going long.

At receiver, I can’t help but to think that - barring a trade - we’re actually going to keep 7 guys:

1. Hurns
2. Gallup
3. Beasley
4. Austin
5. Williams
6. Thompson
7. Lenoir

On the defensive line, I’m seeing 11 guys in total:

1. Lawrence
2. Charlton
3. Crawford
4. Gregory
5. Armstrong
6. Collins
7. Ward
8. Jones
9. Woods
10. Price
11. Tapper

And that doesn’t even include Irving, if and when he returns from suspension.

If those numbers hold, and the team keeps three quarterbacks, and four running backs as expected, I see no way the team can keep four tight ends, meaning Gathers is a likely cut.

The one place I think that they might be able to go “short” would be linebacker. I think they might be able to keep just five and then keep one or two guys on the practice squad in case of injury.

And barring any Earl Thomas trade, I can see them keeping just three safeties due to the numbers crunch.

Other than that? Things look really tight.

 

[McKDaddy]

Quite a change from the years of keeping guys who didn't deserve to be on an NFL roster cause we didn't have any better options.

Lots of intrigue. I am curious to see how the 4th RB spot plays out.

 

[Risen Star]

I agree. 7 receivers if you're counting Austin.

But 10 DL. I doubt Tapper makes it.

 

[glimmerman]

Quite a change from the years of keeping guys who didn't deserve to be on an NFL roster cause we didn't have any better options.

Lots of intrigue. I am curious to see how the 4th RB spot plays out.

Probly 3 RB and 1 FB. If we keep 4 RB then BO will make the team.

 

[waving monkey]

I keep looking over this roster and looking ahead to the cutdown to 53, and the numbers this year look tighter than ever. I know it’s cliche to say “our team is loaded”, but this year I truly believe that there are a few position groups that really are well-stacked with talent. Defensive end and wide receiver are two groups where I see a lot of numbers. And two groups where I can see this team going long.

At receiver, I can’t help but to think that - barring a trade - we’re actually going to keep 7 guys:

1. Hurns
2. Gallup
3. Beasley
4. Austin
5. Williams
6. Thompson
7. Lenoir

On the defensive line, I’m seeing 11 guys in total:

1. Lawrence
2. Charlton
3. Crawford
4. Gregory
5. Armstrong
6. Collins
7. Ward
8. Jones
9. Woods
10. Price
11. Tapper

And that doesn’t even include Irving, if and when he returns from suspension.

If those numbers hold, and the team keeps three quarterbacks, and four running backs as expected, I see no way the team can keep four tight ends, meaning Gathers is a likely cut.

The one place I think that they might be able to go “short” would be linebacker. I think they might be able to keep just five and then keep one or two guys on the practice squad in case of injury.

And barring any Earl Thomas trade, I can see them keeping just three safeties due to the numbers crunch.

Other than that? Things look really tight.

Ya I've been mulling this and these two positions also. On the break someone mentioned,' why is Cole being held back'?
We have more good DE's a good one will be let go.
There might be an opportunity for a trade.

 

[JustChip]

Good post.

I'd be surprised if they keep 3 QBs. White is probably destined for the PS. The risk is if someone does a waiver claim after the final cutdown, but has he really shown enough for a team to do that and put him on their opening day roster? Of course, there's no guarantee he'd sign a PS deal with us even if he did clear waivers.

 

[Techsass]

Is Austin a WR or a RB? Semantics, but that would leave us at 6 WRs & probably cutting a RB.

 

[Prime21]

Not sure how we keep Price and Woods. Even so, neither of them are guys to fall in love with. Could even throw Jones in there.

TWills contract is looking bad right now. Maybe I don't give him enough credit.

I am also not a believer in Lenoir. He is a feel good story but do not see anything special in him.

At WR I am all about the new guys. Gallup, Hurns, Austin, and to lesser extent Thompson.

 

[Risen Star]

Ya I've been mulling this and these two positions also. On the break someone mentioned,' why is Cole being held back'?
We have more good DE's a good one will be let go.
There might be an opportunity for a trade.

Maybe they can trade one of their DEs for a DT since they have none.

 

[Risen Star]

Is Austin a WR or a RB? Semantics, but that would leave us at 6 WRs & probably cutting a RB.

Are you going to make Stephen say web-back again?

 

[CATCH17]

What if they went short at RB and only carried 2 with Tavon kinda being the 3rd guy?

 

[Stash]

I agree. 7 receivers if you're counting Austin.

But 10 DL. I doubt Tapper makes it.

I think he would be last on the list, but I'm not sure they give up on him barring injury.

Myself, I think I'd rather cut March-Lillard or Covington and risk sending him through waivers over Tapper.

 

[Stash]

Good post.

I'd be surprised if they keep 3 QBs. White is probably destined for the PS. The risk is if someone does a waiver claim after the final cutdown, but has he really shown enough for a team to do that and put him on their opening day roster? Of course, there's no guarantee he'd sign a PS deal with us even if he did clear waivers.

It's always a risk, especially with quarterback. It's the most prized position in sports.

 

[QuincyCarterEra]

Wilson going on IR was such a blessing in disguise.

 

[Stash]

Not sure how we keep Price and Woods. Even so, neither of them are guys to fall in love with. Could even throw Jones in there.

My argument would be because they're your only two 1T defensive tackles.

TWills contract is looking bad right now. Maybe I don't give him enough credit.

I wanted him gone, but barring trade or suspension, I think he's staying.

I am also not a believer in Lenoir. He is a feel good story but do not see anything special in him.

At WR I am all about the new guys. Gallup, Hurns, Austin, and to lesser extent Thompson.

Lenoir just keeps making plays every day. He's forcing his way into the roster, and the team keeping 7 receivers.

 

[Stash]

Wilson going on IR was such a blessing in disguise.

Yes it was. He had no shot to make the team this year.

 

[Techsass]

Are you going to make Stephen say web-back again?

Is that who came up with it? I bet he wrote up that PR flunky for making him sound like he wasn't football smart.

 

[Stash]

What if they went short at RB and only carried 2 with Tavon kinda being the 3rd guy?

This is just my opinion, but I think Austin will be a gadget running play guy at best. A better Lucky ********, but that's it.

This team's bread and butter will be it's running game - with actual running backs. And I fully expect that they will keep three, especially given Scarborough playing so much on special teams and given Jackson's ability and experience.

 

[waving monkey]

Maybe they can trade one of their DEs for a DT since they have none.

For Marinelli's system I think Woods might be a good enough. Price is a fair good strength and can penetrate.

 

[jazzcat22]

I keep looking over this roster and looking ahead to the cutdown to 53, and the numbers this year look tighter than ever. I know it’s cliche to say “our team is loaded”, but this year I truly believe that there are a few position groups that really are well-stacked with talent. Defensive end and wide receiver are two groups where I see a lot of numbers. And two groups where I can see this team going long.

At receiver, I can’t help but to think that - barring a trade - we’re actually going to keep 7 guys:

1. Hurns
2. Gallup
3. Beasley
4. Austin
5. Williams
6. Thompson
7. Lenoir

On the defensive line, I’m seeing 11 guys in total:

1. Lawrence
2. Charlton
3. Crawford
4. Gregory
5. Armstrong
6. Collins
7. Ward
8. Jones
9. Woods
10. Price
11. Tapper

And that doesn’t even include Irving, if and when he returns from suspension.

If those numbers hold, and the team keeps three quarterbacks, and four running backs as expected, I see no way the team can keep four tight ends, meaning Gathers is a likely cut.

The one place I think that they might be able to go “short” would be linebacker. I think they might be able to keep just five and then keep one or two guys on the practice squad in case of injury.

And barring any Earl Thomas trade, I can see them keeping just three safeties due to the numbers crunch.

Other than that? Things look really tight.

Don't forget Noah Brown in the WR mix. However he has been out with hamstring soreness. And with Lenoir looking well, this does not bode well for Brown. But Thompson has been out with Achilles stiffness. So doe Lenoir push of of them off the roster, or is he just a TC star and goes to the PS again. Or do they just keep one less WR.

It will be interesting though for sure. But Brown needs to get back out there this week, or else he is most likely out. Or they just decide to not practice him at all. Start him out on PUP or IR to start the season. This may be the best thing to do right now.