Quote:
Originally Posted by RunKC
The issue I have with this logic is yes missing on a a first rd pick hurts, but we’ve wasted more resources trying to fix this tackle which has played a bigger part in hurting the roster.
We have set two 3rd rd picks on fire (Wanya/Niang), 25% of the contract of a 2nd rd pick (Kingsley) and a 1st rd on Orlando Brown Jr for 2 yrs and this issue has only gotten worse.
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Niang, at the time he was drafted, was a swing backup to Fisher and Schwartz with the hope he'd develop as the eventual replacement at RT for Schwartz. What transpired in 2020 couldn't easily be expected.
Nonetheless, Niang did develop into a player capable of starting at RT in 2021, but he suffered some injuries, culminating in tearing his Patellar Tendon at the end of the year, which completely ruined him.
It wasn't as much a miss as it was an unfortunate injury, or he might still be starting at RT for us.
Veach not addressing RT in the 2022 draft in round 2 remains a mystery. Several solid options were there.
Morris was also drafted as a swing OT reserve with the hope that he could morph into a future starter at one of the tackle spots, but it was obvious in college he was better at RT. For a late 3rd rounder, he's gotten a ton of playing time the past couple of seasons and has definitely developed into a better player. There is some hope he might be a starter at RT in the future, yet. I don't know if I see that as a miss, and I don't think I see it as a waste. A lot of tackle reserves get taken in the 3rd and 4th.
Now, Kingsley, I certainly think not playing at OT is a slight misfire. You want to be able to develop a skill set like that to be at least a RT. Maybe that will happen in time yet. Starting him at OG to improve his timing and coordination might end up a blessing that lands him out at OT later on. If we end up with a good LG in the late 2nd, I won't complain, though.