Football AFC Stock Up / Stock Down, Post-Free Agency - Page 8

pugsnotdrugs19 · 03-13-2025, 11:03 AM

Let's discuss how we think each AFC team has done so far this offseason and if they project as better, worse, or about the same entering the draft (where the champion of the conference will ultimately be determined)

AFC West

Chiefs: Better. My main reason actually has a lot to do with how much bad luck the offense had last year - it would be hard not to improve based on that alone. But it appears LT has some stability, although I'm not sure they're done adding there. The WR trio is one of the best in all of football, though they've yet to play a game together. The Fulton signing is my favorite because it's a force multiplier, allowing Trent to go back to the Star/Nickel role where he can impact games at an elite level and Connor plays Safety. We're a Charles Omenihu away from being in a really great spot entering the draft.

Chargers: Same. Feels like much the same team with the same limitations that will get them bounced in January. They're trying to do it the right way though, building through the draft. May be some short term pain for some long term gain. They need more speed on O.

Broncos: Better. Hate to say that I largely really like what Payton has done so far. They're rolling the dice on some ex-49ers with health question marks, but the defense is set up to be top-five once again. Nix and how he handles the sophomore year is critical, but this looks like a sure-fire playoff team.

Raiders: Better. This is only about the QB, by getting Geno they HAVE to be better. Still not ready to compete at the highest level and won't be for awhile.

AFC East

Bills: Slightly better. This one could easily be "worse" once Joey Bosa has his inevitable long-term injury. Beane did his normal thing, kept his own guys on reasonable contracts. I don't love switching Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins out for Josh Palmer, but maybe I'm stupid. Overall they're betting that their core guys can finally get it done in Jan. Must have a great draft.

Patriots: Much better. Look, they've paid out the nose and a lot of these deals won't age well. But they are much better on paper with these new players. They will win at minimum three more games this yr under Vrabel. If Maye is legit, they are wild card contenders.

Dolphins: Worse. A lot of bad contracts are finally catching up to them. Mike McDaniels days are numbered, just like Tyreek's.

Jets: Worse. Coaching may get them further along this year, but the roster is not any better. I'm not a Justin Fields believer. This team won't be in the playoffs, AGAIN.

AFC North

Ravens: Same. Their only addition is Hopkins, but they kept the Left Tackle. Haven't lost anyone of consequence. This is as same as same gets. Great organization will probably have a nice draft and be right back in the playoffs.

Steelers: Better. Rodgers will be an improvement when he inevitably signs here. Love the Metcalf addition, knocks Pickens down a peg. They'll still struggle to win a playoff game however, if they make it.

Bengals Worse. I'm dying on the hill that they're using the wrong scape goats. Lou Anarumo was the biggest reason for their deep playoff runs, and they didn't continue to give him the requisite talent to succeed. Now, they're putting all their eggs into the same basket that hasn't got it done yet. Burrow will get his stats, but this defense will stink. If Hendrickson walks, they miss the playoffs again.

Browns Better. Kept Myles Garrett and will most definitely improve at QB. Could contend for playoffs as they seem so unpredictable year to year.

AFC South

Texans: Worse. Traded away Tunsil, that alone makes it this for now. I do like the depth they've added on DL, as they will need to draft offense if they want to fix last year's woes and get Stroud back on track.

Jaguars Same. Nothing really to note here. Still a lacking roster that will bank on coaching to maximize Trevor and contend in the worst AFC division.

Titans Same. Dan Moore was an overpay, but does raise the floor of the offense. QB is the ?. I foresee this being the last year of Brian Callahan before Mike Borgonzi might just try to pluck Steve Spagnuolo from us.

Colts Slightly better. I like the adds of Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum in a secondary that really needed some dogs back there. QB is still going to hold them back and finally end the Chris Ballard era next January.

pugsnotdrugs19 · 03-18-2025, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

what a chuckle****.

'getting old'?

LOL.

Other than Kelce, who's old?

Got younger on the OL. Got younger in the secondary. Got younger in the RB room. Got younger in the WR room. Got younger in the QB room. Got younger (so far) on the DL.
Even Juju One-leg is only 28. And he'll be WR4 at best to start the season.

He threw Jones into the getting old segment of players.

Which there is some truth to.

But on the whole… don’t get it.

Like I said, he was talking out of both sides his mouth big time. In the same breath, he talked about how Thuney was a devastating loss that we didn’t want to have happen — despite him being old and a traded away asset.

RunKC · 03-18-2025, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Sneed pick makes BPA all the more palatable no matter the position.

RB, LT, WR, whatever it is — if you somehow have a first round grade available at 31, take them. Even if DL is the best case scenario.

But knowing Veach, he’s going to see a McDuffie like graded player fall to the 20s, and flip 95 to go up and get them. And I’m more than OK with that if it’s a McDuffie like player. Again, having 65 makes it a lot more palatable.

Derrick Harmon. Goddamn do I love that guy. Same with Walter Nolen. If I’m Veach I would trad up for one of them if they’re in range, especially Harmon.

Posted it in the draft forum. I like way Veach swaps picks instead of giving them away. A trade with the Vikings for 24 and 97 for 31 and 66 is even per the draft chart. I’d love that

MahomesMagic · 03-18-2025, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

We are, and I get why a pessimistic minded person might lean the other way, but just wait til the draft is over.

People like to cite our 11-0 record in one score games last year as a sign of regression coming.

To me, it more so shows how our weak areas made a lot of games WAY closer than they shoulda been.

So sure, maybe we will go like 7-2 in one score games next year. But I could see us winning the four other games by multiple scores.

We won’t go 15-1, but we do have a shot to be a lot better equipped for the various potential playoff matchups that will inevitably occur. Last year, any team with a dominant defense would’ve gave us major problems due to the nature of our weaknesses at LT, LG, and RB.

When you have a mediocre offense it keeps other teams in the game.

We have fielded a mediocre offense every year since Matt Nagy arrived.

People say it's Andy's offense. Ok, great. But the playcalling and scheme has been stale the last two years. Just watching Mahomes throw passes at the LOS or trick plays feels like I am watching a shittier, less slick version of the offense designed for Alex Smith.

I want to see us attack on offense again.

**Rausch** · 03-19-2025, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

When you have a mediocre offense it keeps other teams in the game.

We have fielded a mediocre offense every year since Matt Nagy arrived.

When you're missing 3 of your offenses' top 4 starters you aren't going to be as good on offense. By week 6 Hollywood, Pacheco, and Rice were all down for months or the whole season.

We still managed to win every close game we were in.

That's not a negative - that's an amazing positive that you have the heart and discipline to overcome having to use your B team on offense to win games. And you do it every single time.
Imagine what will happen this year if we have all those guys back...

staylor26 · 03-19-2025, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

When you have a mediocre offense it keeps other teams in the game.

We have fielded a mediocre offense every year since Matt Nagy arrived.

People say it's Andy's offense. Ok, great. But the playcalling and scheme has been stale the last two years. Just watching Mahomes throw passes at the LOS or trick plays feels like I am watching a shittier, less slick version of the offense designed for Alex Smith.

I want to see us attack on offense again.

Yea, playcalling was clearly the issue...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

It’s incredible to me that anybody with eyes would say playcalling (no matter who was calling plays) was the problem last year.

Tyreek Hill is the only player I’ve seen get open more than Xavier Worthy. Dude was always ****ing wide open and the either OL was ass and ruined the play or the QB was ass throwing it downfield missing him.

On my life 2019 Mahomes hits this throw to Worthy pic.twitter.com/evPp43sHhz
— 𝘙𝘑 (@RJLockedIn) September 29, 2024

Patrick Mahomes missed 4th quarter touchdowns in Week 10:

1. Xavier Worthy (51 yards)
2. Travis Kelce (2 yards) pic.twitter.com/CdyptzC6MM
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 11, 2024

Patrick Mahomes ... Xavier Worthy ... sheesh pic.twitter.com/2qP8bCKy9Z
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 21, 2024

Even as a decoy this mf got people wide ass open but the OL shit itself and ruined the play.

Mahomes is bombing that to Worthy if he was protected I just know it pic.twitter.com/t93I2JEWMZ
— 𝘙𝘑 (@RJLockedIn) September 17, 2024

Anyone blaming playcalling didn’t watch this football team

pugsnotdrugs19 · 03-19-2025, 07:27 AM

The mic’d up from I believe it was the Chargers game showed me that the conservativeness was not on Matt Nagy.

He repeatedly told Mahomes, “have a **** it mentality”, “sling it, fire away” etc etc

If he felt like he had to coach Mahomes to play with a **** it mentality, that tells me they saw it as a Mahomes problem. And if it was a Mahomes problem last year, you could track it back to the left tackle.

htismaqe · 03-19-2025, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

When you have a mediocre offense it keeps other teams in the game.

We have fielded a mediocre offense every year since Matt Nagy arrived.

People say it's Andy's offense. Ok, great. But the playcalling and scheme has been stale the last two years. Just watching Mahomes throw passes at the LOS or trick plays feels like I am watching a shittier, less slick version of the offense designed for Alex Smith.

I want to see us attack on offense again.

Then you're going to need Mahomes to do a better job. This offense, regardless of who is calling the plays, had guys like Worthy running WIDE OPEN and Patrick didn't even look their way.

staylor26 · 03-19-2025, 08:10 AM

The problem is Mahomes playing like he's Alex Smith, not Andy/Nagy calling plays like he is. This is the same shit we saw with Alex, guys running wide open down the field. Some people blamed the offense too ten, and they were proven wrong when we got a young gunslinger.

Woogieman · 03-19-2025, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Derrick Harmon. Goddamn do I love that guy. Same with Walter Nolen. If I’m Veach I would trad up for one of them if they’re in range, especially Harmon.

Posted it in the draft forum. I like way Veach swaps picks instead of giving them away. A trade with the Vikings for 24 and 97 for 31 and 66 is even per the draft chart. I’d love that

That's the only way...I there are far too many roster holes to trade picks away. DT is just too deep this year to trade up and lose picks imho. If they wanted, thet could get two DTs, a 1st rnder that starts and replaces Wharton, and a fireplug w/ the 66 or 95 to replace Nnadi, both of whom will be an immediate upgrade. Swaps I can live with.

**wazu** · 03-19-2025, 09:12 AM

Meanwhile in Pittsburgh...

"NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Steelers are comfortable starting QB Mason Rudolph in 2025."

Fans on the other hand... pic.twitter.com/Keys2UglSi
— Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) March 19, 2025

RunKC · 03-19-2025, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Then you're going to need Mahomes to do a better job. This offense, regardless of who is calling the plays, had guys like Worthy running WIDE OPEN and Patrick didn't even look their way.

Mahomes patting the ball and electing to check down to Juju in the SB instead of throwing it to Worthy down the sideline with no safety help still makes me worried.

That’s not like him. He 1 million % throws that ball if it’s 2018 Mahomes.

I think the personnel has really hurt him the last 2 years. It’s made him conservative bc he feels like he can’t make a mistake anymore bc he knows this offense can’t overcome it like it used to.

GordonGekko · 03-19-2025, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Mahomes patting the ball and electing to check down to Juju in the SB instead of throwing it to Worthy down the sideline with no safety help still makes me worried.

That’s not like him. He 1 million % throws that ball if it’s 2018 Mahomes.

I think the personnel has really hurt him the last 2 years. It’s made him conservative bc he feels like he can’t make a mistake anymore bc he knows this offense can’t overcome it like it used to.

Sadly, Mahomes has been turned into a game manager, don't know if this is self inflicted, coaching or both. Veach even said during the NFL draft press conferences that Mahomes is thinking too much about the opponent defense and giving them "too much credit," or something like that. I am not pleased with NAGY at all and am a believer in trends, and since his arrival the offense production has trended down and become predictable and stale. I think an aging/more ineffective Kelce has something to do with this, too. What adds to the dilemma is that Andy is heavily involved in the offense, so it's like to get a more state of the art offense that is ahead of current NFL defenses we would need to make a change there as well? We all know that isn't happening...

Woogieman · 03-19-2025, 11:16 AM

The audacious throws have disappeared in the past two years. I want them back. WHat can CP do to make this happen?

comochiefsfan · 03-19-2025, 11:23 AM

This is probably going to get some push back and that's fine.

But I really think in hindsight, letting OBJr walk was the biggest mistake Veach has made up to this point.

No he wasn't an elite LT, but he was serviceable and the most important thing is that Patrick trusted him and was mentally able to play freely with him protecting his blindside.

I think we all thought that because he wasn't elite he was easily replaceable. This has not only proven to not be true, but the damage done to Mahomes psyche behind two years of subpar LT play has been by far the biggest consequence of this and is going to have to be undone, which may or may not be easy.

We should have overpaid for him and just called it good. And to be clear, I'm not slamming Veach for this. It seemed like a shrewd move at the time and hindsight makes it look worse.

But the moral of the story is you just don't mess around at LT. If Patrick trusts a guy, that's your guy and you should stick with him.

Really hoping Moore can provide that same level of comfort that Brown gave Patrick and we might be back on schedule.

staylor26 · 03-19-2025, 11:34 AM

JFC the amount of time things have to be explained over and over to you ****ing whiny ****s is unbelievable.

For the millionth time, OBJ is the reason he didn't get an extension, one that would've paid him even more than what he got from Cincy. Not the Chiefs, or Veach. OBJ.

No amount of revisionist history changes actual history, sorry.

03-13-2025, 11:03 AM
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $6629447	AFC Stock Up / Stock Down, Post-Free Agency Let's discuss how we think each AFC team has done so far this offseason and if they project as better, worse, or about the same entering the draft (where the champion of the conference will ultimately be determined) AFC West Chiefs: Better. My main reason actually has a lot to do with how much bad luck the offense had last year - it would be hard not to improve based on that alone. But it appears LT has some stability, although I'm not sure they're done adding there. The WR trio is one of the best in all of football, though they've yet to play a game together. The Fulton signing is my favorite because it's a force multiplier, allowing Trent to go back to the Star/Nickel role where he can impact games at an elite level and Connor plays Safety. We're a Charles Omenihu away from being in a really great spot entering the draft. Chargers: Same. Feels like much the same team with the same limitations that will get them bounced in January. They're trying to do it the right way though, building through the draft. May be some short term pain for some long term gain. They need more speed on O. Broncos: Better. Hate to say that I largely really like what Payton has done so far. They're rolling the dice on some ex-49ers with health question marks, but the defense is set up to be top-five once again. Nix and how he handles the sophomore year is critical, but this looks like a sure-fire playoff team. Raiders: Better. This is only about the QB, by getting Geno they HAVE to be better. Still not ready to compete at the highest level and won't be for awhile. AFC East Bills: Slightly better. This one could easily be "worse" once Joey Bosa has his inevitable long-term injury. Beane did his normal thing, kept his own guys on reasonable contracts. I don't love switching Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins out for Josh Palmer, but maybe I'm stupid. Overall they're betting that their core guys can finally get it done in Jan. Must have a great draft. Patriots: Much better. Look, they've paid out the nose and a lot of these deals won't age well. But they are much better on paper with these new players. They will win at minimum three more games this yr under Vrabel. If Maye is legit, they are wild card contenders. Dolphins: Worse. A lot of bad contracts are finally catching up to them. Mike McDaniels days are numbered, just like Tyreek's. Jets: Worse. Coaching may get them further along this year, but the roster is not any better. I'm not a Justin Fields believer. This team won't be in the playoffs, AGAIN. AFC North Ravens: Same. Their only addition is Hopkins, but they kept the Left Tackle. Haven't lost anyone of consequence. This is as same as same gets. Great organization will probably have a nice draft and be right back in the playoffs. Steelers: Better. Rodgers will be an improvement when he inevitably signs here. Love the Metcalf addition, knocks Pickens down a peg. They'll still struggle to win a playoff game however, if they make it. Bengals Worse. I'm dying on the hill that they're using the wrong scape goats. Lou Anarumo was the biggest reason for their deep playoff runs, and they didn't continue to give him the requisite talent to succeed. Now, they're putting all their eggs into the same basket that hasn't got it done yet. Burrow will get his stats, but this defense will stink. If Hendrickson walks, they miss the playoffs again. Browns Better. Kept Myles Garrett and will most definitely improve at QB. Could contend for playoffs as they seem so unpredictable year to year. AFC South Texans: Worse. Traded away Tunsil, that alone makes it this for now. I do like the depth they've added on DL, as they will need to draft offense if they want to fix last year's woes and get Stroud back on track. Jaguars Same. Nothing really to note here. Still a lacking roster that will bank on coaching to maximize Trevor and contend in the worst AFC division. Titans Same. Dan Moore was an overpay, but does raise the floor of the offense. QB is the ?. I foresee this being the last year of Brian Callahan before Mike Borgonzi might just try to pluck Steve Spagnuolo from us. Colts Slightly better. I like the adds of Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum in a secondary that really needed some dogs back there. QB is still going to hold them back and finally end the Chris Ballard era next January.
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03-19-2025, 07:27 AM	#111
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $6629447	The mic’d up from I believe it was the Chargers game showed me that the conservativeness was not on Matt Nagy. He repeatedly told Mahomes, “have a ** it mentality”, “sling it, fire away” etc etc If he felt like he had to coach Mahomes to play with a ** it mentality, that tells me they saw it as a Mahomes problem. And if it was a Mahomes problem last year, you could track it back to the left tackle.
Posts: 29,037	2 0

03-19-2025, 08:10 AM	#113
staylor26 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $-1920960	The problem is Mahomes playing like he's Alex Smith, not Andy/Nagy calling plays like he is. This is the same shit we saw with Alex, guys running wide open down the field. Some people blamed the offense too ten, and they were proven wrong when we got a young gunslinger.
Posts: 52,856	1 0

03-19-2025, 09:12 AM	#115
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $-1497705 VARSITY	Meanwhile in Pittsburgh... "NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports the Steelers are comfortable starting QB Mason Rudolph in 2025." Fans on the other hand... pic.twitter.com/Keys2UglSi — Andy Holloway (@andyholloway) March 19, 2025
Posts: 30,645

03-19-2025, 11:16 AM	#118
Woogieman Veteran Join Date: Mar 2021 Casino cash: $1610400	The audacious throws have disappeared in the past two years. I want them back. WHat can CP do to make this happen?
Posts: 1,173

03-19-2025, 11:23 AM	#119
comochiefsfan MVP Join Date: Dec 2018 Casino cash: $-1039600	This is probably going to get some push back and that's fine. But I really think in hindsight, letting OBJr walk was the biggest mistake Veach has made up to this point. No he wasn't an elite LT, but he was serviceable and the most important thing is that Patrick trusted him and was mentally able to play freely with him protecting his blindside. I think we all thought that because he wasn't elite he was easily replaceable. This has not only proven to not be true, but the damage done to Mahomes psyche behind two years of subpar LT play has been by far the biggest consequence of this and is going to have to be undone, which may or may not be easy. We should have overpaid for him and just called it good. And to be clear, I'm not slamming Veach for this. It seemed like a shrewd move at the time and hindsight makes it look worse. But the moral of the story is you just don't mess around at LT. If Patrick trusts a guy, that's your guy and you should stick with him. Really hoping Moore can provide that same level of comfort that Brown gave Patrick and we might be back on schedule.
Posts: 8,234

03-19-2025, 11:34 AM	#120
staylor26 In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2007 Casino cash: $-1920960	JFC the amount of time things have to be explained over and over to you **ing whiny **s is unbelievable. For the millionth time, OBJ is the reason he didn't get an extension, one that would've paid him even more than what he got from Cincy. Not the Chiefs, or Veach. OBJ. No amount of revisionist history changes actual history, sorry.
Posts: 52,856	2 0