The Front Office: Adam Peters and Roster Construction

[Voice_of_Reason]

It is a lot of misses. For a seasoned GM it is a huge issue.

I am not personally sure how much you get angry/upset with him being new. I don’t know what it looked like “in the room.” I also think as usual: process over results. While a true eval would mean we need to be in the room, at least we can judge his results as early as possible (before their NFL and coaching here altered their course; right at draft time).

So: did people actually think that draft was horrible at the time? Most people thought many of the Rivera era picks were head scratchers right at draft time. Our 2024 picks had some risks, but as I recall, didn’t get horrible reviews.

As you said, to improve, we need to be better. However: I do think you have to be careful on getting overly upset when the picks did have some promise. I think in terms of “process” though, you can see some tweaks over these two experiences. I think he was more hesitant to trade back in 2025. It will be interesting to see the philosophy play out in 2026.

Btw - not saying you are saying we should be upset at AP or anything. Just something that was rattling in my head for the past few months.

As I just said, last year was a disaster. Before we count it as misses entirely, I want to see this year.

Maybe it was entirely Peters and Whitt, and they just didn't know what they were doing to scheme up or coach up these guys. Maybe Sinnott flourishes with a more 2 TE look, where he can be a dual threat, and maybe Blough includes him in the passing game more, and we see him as a hit. Maybe McCaffery puts it together and he's either competing for catches as a real contributor, and he was held back because he only played one year of WR in college (maybe 2?) and now he's got a couple years under his belt. Maybe with the move to outside corner Sainristil improves on what he did as a rookie, which was very good.

It's really possible some of these guys could turn around.

The one I think the team probably has given up on more than any of the others is Newton. They just signed Tim Settle to go along with Payne and Kinlaw. That's not a ringing endorsement of Newton. I would imagine Settle and Newton will be battling for snaps.

We'll see how it goes.

The 2025 draft actually looks reasonably solid.
- Connerly: Started out facing what seemed like every elite edge defender in the NFL, ended the season really strong
- Amos: Was our best corner before he got hurt, and looked really good
- Lane: Not a lot of production as a receiver, but already an elite punt returner. You want a little more production from him as a receiver, but for a rookie 4th rounder, had a really good rookie season.
- Kain Medrano: I think he played some on ST, was a 6th round pick. Sortof typical 6th round pick.
- Bill Croskey-Merritt: I'm not as high on him as others who think he might be able to challenge Emmitt Smith's rushing record (ok, that's an exaggeration), but he put together a good rookie year as a 7th round pick and can certainly play. Needs to develop in pass protection most of all to see the field more. He's good with the ball in his hands. He was, at times, actively bad with the ball not in his hands. But you can't ask for much more from a 7th round player.


So, let's say after 2026, the following draft picks are all at least above replacement level starters: Coleman (LG), Connerly (RT), Sainristil (CB), Amos (CB) and you get rotational help from Newton (DT), McCaffery (WR/KR), Lane (WR/KR) and Bill (RB), and at least 2 of those guys are pushing for Pro Bowl votes, I think you could say the first two drafts were at the very least above average to good. Maybe not A+, but somewhere in the B range, and that would feel pretty good right now.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

What are the hit rates on drafted receivers?

It feels like there are a tremendous number of successful 2nd and 3rd rounders, but that could just be a matter of numbers. There are a lot of receivers on the field every play so you can't just get them in the first. I know people have done research on this. What is the boom/bust rate for drafted receiver per round?

I haven't done this, but for some reason, I feel like there are a lot of swing and misses at WR in the first round. I think there are also swings and misses in the later rounds, but they are less noticable.

Finding a good WR is hard. Not as hard as finding a good QB. But really hard. Finding a WR who's good and not a head case is REALLY hard. Also, WR is such a dependent position. Top WRs often go to bad teams with crap QBs, and end up having balls thrown over their heads a bunch.

 

[Bulldog]

Well, a receiver taken at #7 will be going to a team with a good quarterback and an offensive coordinator that likewise played the QB position in the NFL, so I think that draft pick has a clear path to come in and help contribute in Year 1.

It doesn't appear at this point as if Washington is going to sign or trade for a WR of such stature or term of contract that a #7 pick is NOT considered part of the future here and a valuable asset to develop for all of the staff.

 

[SkinsFTW]

The one I think the team probably has given up on more than any of the others is Newton. They just signed Tim Settle to go along with Payne and Kinlaw. That's not a ringing endorsement of Newton. I would imagine Settle and Newton will be battling for snaps.

It's a sad day when a Jay Gruden late round guy from almost a decade ago is gonna probably replace the 2nd pick AP made just 2 years ago.

 

[burgold]

I think Newton has a chance to shine as a 3-4 DE. He's just not a nose or a major run stopper. His best use is as a quick penetrator to get after the QB. But yeah, there's a good chance with all the DEs signed that Newton will never get a real chance or maybe he blew his chance.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

It's a sad day when a Jay Gruden late round guy from almost a decade ago is gonna probably replace the 2nd pick AP made just 2 years ago.

Yeah. Not a good look for my guys Peters or Newton.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I think Newton has a chance to shine as a 3-4 DE. He's just not a nose or a major run stopper. His best use is as a quick penetrator to get after the QB. But yeah, there's a good chance with all the DEs signed that Newton will never get a real chance or maybe he blew his chance.

It is possible he was just entirely mis-used.

If that’s the case and he blossoms, that would be really fantastic. But then you have to wonder what the hell the coaching staff was doing and wasted 2 years of his rookie contract.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Well, a receiver taken at #7 will be going to a team with a good quarterback and an offensive coordinator that likewise played the QB position in the NFL, so I think that draft pick has a clear path to come in and help contribute in Year 1.

It doesn't appear at this point as if Washington is going to sign or trade for a WR of such stature or term of contract that a #7 pick is NOT considered part of the future here and a valuable asset to develop for all of the staff.

But there has to be a WR there worth taking at 7.

If they can get Aiyuk, and he’s healthy, then I think at least you don’t HAVE to take a WR at 7.

But they’ve got to get a starter first.

 

[burgold]

It is possible he was just entirely mis-used.

If that’s the case and he blossoms, that would be really fantastic. But then you have to wonder what the hell the coaching staff was doing and wasted 2 years of his rookie contract.

It wouldn't be the only time I wondered what the hell the defensive coaching staff was doing (rimshot)

 

[Bulldog]

It is possible he was just entirely mis-used.

If that’s the case and he blossoms, that would be really fantastic. But then you have to wonder what the hell the coaching staff was doing and wasted 2 years of his rookie contract.

Is Newton really going to get quality reps as a rush DE with Oweh, Chaisson, Omenihu and Armstrong coming back?

Then you add in Wise as the top run defender at the position getting his reps as well.

Newton may have to show more with limited reps to keep up with an improving talent picture on defense.

 

[method man]

Is Newton really going to get quality reps as a rush DE with Oweh, Chaisson, Omenihu and Armstrong coming back?

Then you add in Wise as the top run defender at the position getting his reps as well.

Newton may have to show more with limited reps to keep up with an improving talent picture on defense.

Newton is not competing with Oweh, Chaisson and Armstrong for reps in this scenario. He's competing with Omenihu and Wise as 3-4 DEs and with the other DTs for reps when they go even front.

 

[KDawg]

Newton is not competing with Oweh, Chaisson and Armstrong for reps in this scenario. He's competing with Omenihu and Wise as 3-4 DEs and with the other DTs for reps when they go even front.

Exactly. Newton is going to be a A/B/C (tight end) responsible defensive tackle. Our “rush” ends are going to be Oweh, Chaisson, Luvu, Chenal (he’s too athletic not to move there on occasion), Armstrong in odd front packages.

In evens, Newton is an interior DT.

 

[ES1974]

AP was absolutely drooling over Johnny F* Newton being available when we picked. Pretty sure he said they considered trading up to secure him.

Be a very strange one to completely whiff on. Another with a big season ahead.

 

[DWinzit]

AP was absolutely drooling over Johnny F* Newton being available when we picked. Pretty sure he said they considered trading up to secure him.

Be a very strange one to completely whiff on. Another with a big season ahead.

Agreed, in that 2024 class they were really excited about Jayden, Newton, Mikey, Sinnott and McGee as well as very happy with Luke.
In 2025 they gave off similar vibes with Conerly and Amos

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Is Newton really going to get quality reps as a rush DE with Oweh, Chaisson, Omenihu and Armstrong coming back?

Then you add in Wise as the top run defender at the position getting his reps as well.

Newton may have to show more with limited reps to keep up with an improving talent picture on defense.

Newton is going to have to show out in practice and beat somebody out for some role.

Which by all accounts he has the talent to do.

Now he’s just going to have to do it.

No idea if he will or not.

 

[ES1974]

Agreed, in that 2024 class they were really excited about Jayden, Newton, Mikey, Sinnott and McGee as well as very happy with Luke.
In 2025 they gave off similar vibes with Conerly and Amos

Both Newton and Amos had first round grades from AP.

 

[Bulldog]

Noticeable about Newton though is that he doesn't have the size or strength to be a DT in a full-time role in the NFL.

Amos has the length, speed and measurables to be a full-time starter at CB.

 

[Chris]

Worthless info at this point (but I’ll post it anyway 😎)

 

[heisenberg]

Let's not forget our biggest offseason acquisition this year did almost nothing his first 3 years and strangely with the best defensive coordinator in football.
Maybe Newton is a late bloomer like oweh, maybe Whitt just didn't use him to his strengths, who knows, he did have 3 sacks in his second to last game last year.
Hopefully daronte can get in his head and unlock that potential.

 

[MartinC]

I haven't done this, but for some reason, I feel like there are a lot of swing and misses at WR in the first round. I think there are also swings and misses in the later rounds, but they are less noticable.

Finding a good WR is hard. Not as hard as finding a good QB. But really hard. Finding a WR who's good and not a head case is REALLY hard. Also, WR is such a dependent position. Top WRs often go to bad teams with crap QBs, and end up having balls thrown over their heads a bunch.