2026 Starting Line-up Projections

[Neophyte]

The Free Agency rush has slowed to a trickle and the draft is now in the rear-view mirror for another 12 months. Time to think about how all these new pieces fit together come opening day.

Take a shot at what you think our Starting 22 will look like come the second Sunday in September. Here is mine, baring any surprise personnel moves or injuries between here and there.

Offense

QB - Jayden Daniels
RB - Jacory Croskey-Merritt
WR - Terry McLaurin
WR - Antonio Williams (R)
WR - Treylon Burks
TE - Chig Okonkwo (FA)
LT - Laremy Tunsil
LG - Chris Paul
C - Nick Allegretti
RG - Sam Cosmi
LG - Josh Conerly

Defense

LDE - Daron Payne
NT - Tim Settle (FA)
RDE - Javon Kinlaw
WLB - Odafe Oweh (FA)
ILB - Leo Chenal (FA)
ILB - Sonny Styles (R)
SLB - Frankie Luvu
CB - Trey Amos
SS - Nick Cross (FA)
FS - Quan Martin
CB - Mike Sanristil

 

[BayouBrave86]

WR, RB, C, LG on offense and then FS, CB2 and our entire DLine on defense still need to be upgraded imo. But we upgraded 1 spot on offense and 4 spots on defense significantly this offseason. Can see next offseason going heavy offense. I anticipate us having a real contender in 2 seasons from now. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

 

[Anselmheifer]

The Free Agency rush has slowed to a trickle and the draft is now in the rear-view mirror for another 12 months. Time to think about how all these new pieces fit together come opening day.

Take a shot at what you think our Starting 22 will look like come the second Sunday in September. Here is mine, baring any surprise personnel moves or injuries between here and there.

Offense

QB - Jayden Daniels
RB - Jacory Croskey-Merritt
WR - Terry McLaurin
WR - Antonio Williams (R)
WR - Treylon Burks
TE - Chig Okonkwo (FA)
LT - Laremy Tunsil
LG - Chris Paul
C - Nick Allegretti
RG - Sam Cosmi
LG - Josh Conerly

Defense

LDE - Daron Payne
NT - Tim Settle (FA)
RDE - Javon Kinlaw
WLB - Odafe Oweh (FA)
ILB - Leo Chenal (FA)
ILB - Sonny Styles (R)
SLB - Frankie Luvu
CB - Trey Amos
SS - Nick Cross (FA)
FS - Quan Martin
CB - Mike Sanristil

WR, RB, C, LG on offense and then FS, CB2 and our entire DLine on defense still need to be upgraded imo. But we upgraded 1 spot on offense and 4 spots on defense significantly this offseason. Can see next offseason going heavy offense. I anticipate us having a real contender in 2 seasons from now. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I see it the same way. We need a blue chip offensive weapon and a blue chip DL/CB away from being an elite roster.

Hopefully Jayden can help elevate us, like 2 years ago.

 

[KDawg]

The Free Agency rush has slowed to a trickle and the draft is now in the rear-view mirror for another 12 months. Time to think about how all these new pieces fit together come opening day.

Take a shot at what you think our Starting 22 will look like come the second Sunday in September. Here is mine, baring any surprise personnel moves or injuries between here and there.

Offense

QB - Jayden Daniels
RB - Jacory Croskey-Merritt
WR - Terry McLaurin
WR - Antonio Williams (R)
WR - Treylon Burks
TE - Chig Okonkwo (FA)
LT - Laremy Tunsil
LG - Chris Paul
C - Nick Allegretti
RG - Sam Cosmi
LG - Josh Conerly

Defense

LDE - Daron Payne
NT - Tim Settle (FA)
RDE - Javon Kinlaw
WLB - Odafe Oweh (FA)
ILB - Leo Chenal (FA)
ILB - Sonny Styles (R)
SLB - Frankie Luvu
CB - Trey Amos
SS - Nick Cross (FA)
FS - Quan Martin
CB - Mike Sanristil

Just posting differences:

RB - Kaytron Allen

Defense I think we’re going to go “positionless”.

DTs: Payne, Kinlaw
Edges: Oweh, Chiasson
LBs: Styles, Luvu, Chenal

 

[KDawg]

I see it the same way. We need a blue chip offensive weapon and a blue chip DL/CB away from being an elite roster.

Hopefully Jayden can help elevate us, like 2 years ago.

Remember… a lot of these upgrades are on one year deals. So, we’ll need to upgrade again.

 

[Neophyte]

Just posting differences:

RB - Kaytron Allen

Defense I think we’re going to go “positionless”.

DTs: Payne, Kinlaw
Edges: Oweh, Chiasson
LBs: Styles, Luvu, Chenal

You think a 6th round rookie RB starts? I find it interesting because while running the ball is somewhat instinctive and can translate between levels, blitz pickup and general blocking often does not and I think Blough will be more concerned with protecting Daniels. With a year under his belt, I thing Bill might have an edge there (although I really haven't watched tape on Allen so maybe he did that well in college?).

I somewhat agree on Defense, which made it difficult to settle on a "starting 11" with any level of confidence.

This is really just a whimsical intellectual excercise to pass the time until we start getting news out of Rookie Camp and OTAs anyway.

 

[KDawg]

You think a 6th round rookie RB starts? I find it interesting because while running the ball is somewhat instinctive and can translate between levels, blitz pickup and general blocking often does not and I think Blough will be more concerned with protecting Daniels.

I somewhat agree on Defense, which made it difficult to settle on a "starting 11" with any level of confidence.

This is really just a whimsical intellectual excercise to pass the time until we start getting news out of Rookie Camp and OTAs anyway.

If he’s concerned with protecting Daniels, Allen is superior to Bill in every way. And you’re starting a 7th round rookie.

I think White is the other starting option if well-rounded is priority.

 

[Anselmheifer]

You think a 6th round rookie RB starts? I find it interesting because while running the ball is somewhat instinctive and can translate between levels, blitz pickup and general blocking often does not and I think Blough will be more concerned with protecting Daniels. With a year under his belt, I thing Bill might have an edge there (although I really haven't watched tape on Allen so maybe he did that well in college?).

I somewhat agree on Defense, which made it difficult to settle on a "starting 11" with any level of confidence.

This is really just a whimsical intellectual excercise to pass the time until we start getting news out of Rookie Camp and OTAs anyway.

Allen is the better pass protector. JCM the more explosive player.

It’s going to be running back by committee. It doesn’t matter that much who starts, IMHO.

Edit:

Also, it’s an embarrassment if Burks starts outside. Give me Aiyuk, 20 pounds overweight, on one leg, in full Antonio Brown mode, over that.

 

[Neophyte]

Yeah but a 7th rounder with a year's experience in the big league and a guy who only fell to the 7th round because he didn't play in 2024.

I see White as more of the 3rd down back who can either function as a blocker, run a route, or take the handoff, thus keeping the defense somewhat honest. Although I do take your point.

 

[Neophyte]

Also, it’s an embarrassment if Burks starts outside. Give me Aiyuk, 20 pounds overweight, on one leg, in full Antonio Brown mode, over that.

Why would Burks starting be an embarrassment?

I think Burks and Williams on the field together would be interesting. Each has slot and outside experience. Again, options on every play and both have shown a willingness to get dirty in the run game.

Honestly, I don't want Aiyuk anywhere near the building. Granted, I don't know what happened in SF but it can't all be the club and this team needs "good character" guys.

 

[Faithful Fan]

Also, it’s an embarrassment if Burks starts outside. Give me Aiyuk, 20 pounds overweight, on one leg, in full Antonio Brown mode, over that.

Or just put Dyami or LMC out there, both better options than Burks.

 

[Dlts20]

Just posting differences:

RB - Kaytron Allen

Defense I think we’re going to go “positionless”.

DTs: Payne, Kinlaw
Edges: Oweh, Chiasson
LBs: Styles, Luvu, Chenal

Change Chaisson for Armstrong. I think that Chaisson and Joseph will be rush specialist on passing downs

 

[Anselmheifer]

Why would Burks starting be an embarrassment?

I think Burks and Williams on the field together would be interesting. Each has slot and outside experience. Again, options on every play and both have shown a willingness to get dirty in the run game.

Honestly, I don't want Aiyuk anywhere near the building. Granted, I don't know what happened in SF but it can't all be the club and this team needs "good character" guys.

Because he’s been just as injury prone as Noah Brown and way less productive.

Because his most productive year in the last 3 years was 16 receptions for 221 yards, and that was 3 years ago. Last year, in his revival, he caught 10 balls, with one amazing catch.

Because he wouldn’t be starting as WR2 outside, because he beat people out. It would be because we have very few other options as a Z receiver.

I feel like I’m taking crazy pills with this.

There is zero, ZERO, objective evidence that he should be the #2 outside receiver on a winning team. And there are a million better options still available in FA.

This would be like another team signing Jamin Davis or Forbes and expecting them to elevate a 1st team unit.

As WR5, sure. I don’t even want him as WR4. I’d be absofuckinglutely thrilled if he was WR2 for Dallas or Philadelphia or New York. Would you be scared, or reassured, if he was WR2 for another team in the NFCE?

This largely isn’t directed at you. I feel like there are 1,000 posters with a Burks delusion. I’m fine taking a flyer out on him. I don’t want that to be the primary plan in the last year of Jayden’s rookie contract, when we are trying to bring Jayden back to his rookie level of play, after a down year.

 

[bowhunter]

I'm envisioning Allen as the ball control protect the lead guy

 

[Riggotoni]

Our WR lineup outside of Terry is completely up in the air. Burks, Lane, LMC, and Williams are all potential which may or may not pan out. We have to hope things click for at least one....but hope isn't a strategy.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Our WR lineup outside of Terry is completely up in the air. Burks, Lane, LMC, and Williams are all potential which may or may not pan out. We have to hope things click for at least one....but hope isn't a strategy.

I’m
Not sure how up I. The air it will feel in July.

I feel like it will be:

X:Terry
Z:Aiyuk.
Slot: Williams

Depth: Dyami, Lane, McCaffrey

I wish I could add a name at the top and subtract front the back end, but, I don’t think that’s in the cards.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Lot of interesting roster battles.

Allen vs Croskey-Merritt is one I’m particularly curious about. Will Blough prioritize staying ahead of the chains or the potential explosive plays? Hopefully Bill has made significant strides and grabs hold of the starting gig.

 

[Conn]

I’m
Not sure how up I. The air it will feel in July.

I feel like it will be:

X:Terry
Z:Aiyuk.
Slot: Williams

Depth: Dyami, Lane, McCaffrey

I wish I could add a name at the top and subtract front the back end, but, I don’t think that’s in the cards.

Agree with this, but minor nitpick, I’d flip LMC + Lane.

And I’m not convinced Aiyuk will be available before July, so Dyami gets bumped up to starting Z by default and due to his chemistry at the end of 2024 with Daniels. Would be surprised if LMC or Burks beat him out, and that isn’t a position Lane can play.

 

[Faithful Fan]

I’m
Not sure how up I. The air it will feel in July.

I feel like it will be:

X:Terry
Z:Aiyuk.
Slot: Williams

Depth: Dyami, Lane, McCaffrey

I wish I could add a name at the top and subtract front the back end, but, I don’t think that’s in the cards.

Agree with this but may sub Aiyuk out for another free agent veteran receiver like Deebo or Allen, and as Conn said, LMC is ahead of Lane on the depth chart. Assuming health, this will be a better group than people expect.

 

[Neophyte]

Comparing Burks to either Davis or Forbes is crazy. Burks had a real college career (unlike Davis) and has a legit NFL body (unlike Forbes), and he was considered a legit 1st rounder coming out in the 2022 NFL draft.

I'm NOT saying he is 100% the answer but I am saying that to write him off like you have is to cut your nose off to spite your face.

Burks has the most NFL WR physical traits on the team. He had a solid, if not spectacular Rookie year on a team that was a dumpster fire in every meaningful way.

Honestly, I'd rather take a chance on Burks, who was in the locker room last year and is a known quantity to the team, than bring in Aiyuk who appears to be a headcase even one of the best player culture teams in the league.

Time will tell though.