This is a lost season. Not enough was done to realistically compete. Jerry could have easily signed one of the premier free agent running backs and defensive tackles in free agency and chose not to. With that said I would prefer that this team goes in on the rebuild this year but at the same time holds players accountable for soft play. I would also start cutting players that do this team no good.
Short term: Cut Elliot and cut Duece and try to get him to the practice squad. I would not move up Cooks and would even consider cutting him from the practice squad as well. I would trade a 6th rounder to the Jets for Israel Abinakanda. I don't know if he can be a legitimate starter or not but I know he offers more than Zeke and Vaughn. I would then sign Michael Carter from the Cardinals practice squad. I would not expect either back to be ready to play and would activate Malik Davis until they are able to get acclimated. With the bye coming up this should be done immediately.
I would also cut Trey Lance. Dak is already locked up long term. He does us no good on the roster. I would use his roster spot to sign a DT from someones practice squad. Gabe Hall from the Eagles practice squad would be my target to get a developmental 3 tech.
I would come up with a bogus injury to Mazi Smith and put him on injured reserve. I don't blame Mazi for totally sucking. This coaching staff really screwed the pooch by making him drop the weight last year. I would put him on ice and start having him put on weight for next year while hitting the weights. I would use his spot to get poach Justin Rogers back from the Bengals. I think Rogers might have felt he was better than Mazi and was probably upset that he got cut. That's probably the reason he chose the bengals practice squad over ours. Broadus often stated that Rogers looked better at training camp than Smith.
I would start Smith at LT, Bass at G, Start Hoffman at G, and Start Guyton at RT. This line is going to have to get in sync. Martin is done and Steele is just plain awful. They should not be starting simply based on their names and contracts. I would not cut them as injuries happen but I would bench them now and by done with it.
I would bench both Hooker and WIlson. Both of them have been very undisciplined. I would start Bell and Thomas at both safety spots. This would send a message to the players that are half assing it out there. If you don't do what is asked of you, you don't play.
