The Front Office: Adam Peters and Roster Construction

[Conn]

It really all depends on if some of the sophomore slumps rebound. Heard Sairnristil got a pick against the Ravens. So if Coleman, Mike, and JD hits from draft one that's okay. I think my issue is that AP's best hits so far our singles. He needs some homeruns. If JD stays healthy (need an o line for that to happen) that is a homerun, but no QB can be a superstar without protection. Otherwise, we still lack any stars from the draft picks.

As much as I like Bill, he had too much of an up and down year to be considered a home run. I do think we can think of him as a double or even a triple though for a seventh rounder.

We don’t just lack stars from our draft picks, we lack even average quality starters. Coleman and Sainristil becoming serviceable starters (if that happens) does not at all balance the scales of that 2024 draft class for me. It just doesn’t. That class should have built the foundation for this regime. Not every team can do it. But if you want to be a good team, you need a signature draft class or two to go along with your QB. We haven’t seen that yet and we won’t be consistently good until we do. Our drafting seems to be improving, but we aren’t sure yet. If it doesn’t improve drastically none of these guys are going to have jobs here

We spent the #7 overall pick on what we hope is a stud off-ball LB with some pass rush chops. Awesome, looking forward to watching him play, hopefully at a high level and hopefully for a long time. He looks like he could be special in coverage.

Will McClay in DAL seems to have drafted a gem LB in the 3rd round in the same class that everyone is raving about, in Barham.

We need guys like that to emerge to ever get ahead of our peers and rivals. We can’t just hope to salvage 1-3 barely NFL-worthy players from each class, even if we nail the flashy 1st rounders (which isn’t guaranteed).

Anyone who argues they weren’t expecting a LOT more from a GM with AP’s pedigree and reputation is lying to themselves and to us. It’s a coping mechanism, I understand. But nobody should be pleased or making excuses right now.

 

[RedWolf]

Over the next year or so this threads going to be very busy as the tides of BGO change on AP

 

[NickyJ]

One of AP's issues is kneecapping some of his picks in a manner that they'll never get to prove themselves as home runs.

1) Coleman would've been called a home run pick last year had he played a solid LT for us for 12-13 games
2) Sainristil is a terrible slot corner, yet the drafting of Amos forced him to stay there most of the year.
3) Magee flashed at times last year but is now on the roster bubble after the additions of Chenal and Styles
4) Lane and LMC are both natural slot receivers but we got Deebo last year and Diggs this year

I could go on more and this is not to say that acquiring Tunsil, Diggs, etc was wrong but it points to how things have played out

Those players have to prove themselves as NFL athletes, not have their hands held until they can walk. Coleman has unfortunately fallen to third best OT on the team, and offensive line is one of the few positions where the depth rarely sees the field. Sainristil, Magee, and the WRs all see the field in regular game time. If they fail to show, it's not for lack of opportunities. Either the team's coaches don't know how to play them to their strengths, or they have no strengths to play them to. Either way, forcing them onto the field won't help the rest of the team. We've seen the Trey Quinns and Ryan Grants get showcased by their coaches and do absolutely nothing with that time.

 

[bowhunter]

Those players have to prove themselves as NFL athletes, not have their hands held until they can walk. Coleman has unfortunately fallen to third best OT on the team, and offensive line is one of the few positions where the depth rarely sees the field. Sainristil, Magee, and the WRs all see the field in regular game time. If they fail to show, it's not for lack of opportunities. Either the team's coaches don't know how to play them to their strengths, or they have no strengths to play them to. Either way, forcing them onto the field won't help the rest of the team. We've seen the Trey Quinns and Ryan Grants get showcased by their coaches and do absolutely nothing with that time.

I still rank Coleman ahead of Conerly

 

[burgold]

Those players have to prove themselves as NFL athletes, not have their hands held until they can walk. Coleman has unfortunately fallen to third best OT on the team, and offensive line is one of the few positions where the depth rarely sees the field. Sainristil, Magee, and the WRs all see the field in regular game time. If they fail to show, it's not for lack of opportunities. Either the team's coaches don't know how to play them to their strengths, or they have no strengths to play them to. Either way, forcing them onto the field won't help the rest of the team. We've seen the Trey Quinns and Ryan Grants get showcased by their coaches and do absolutely nothing with that time.

I'm not sure. I think there is an argument to make that Coleman is a better tackle than Connerly. Mind you, that opens up a different draft problem.

 

[NickyJ]

I'm uncertain of Coleman vs. Connerly, but I speak of it from the coaches' perspective when they started Tunsill and Connerly over Coleman. They rated him as the third best, and without a way to see the field behind a star and a highly drafted OT, that's where he would have stayed barring injury.

But if Coleman is better than Connerly, that makes the draft picks and decisions all the worse. It would mean the team spent a 1st round draft pick on the third best OT on the team so that the second best could struggle to replace a guard they were willing to let walk in the offseason. The best case scenario that I can see is Connerly turns out well and Coleman gets traded while he has value, because a good OT isn't going to take backup pay from us when his contract runs out.

 

[KDawg]

So, the offensive line is bad? Never saw that coming.

 

[Hailer]

I’m going to say something verboten… AP does not deserve to be fired today.

Burn me at the stake if you must but let me first say I am willing to join the BGO masses if the following happens

- We stand pat on C and/or another C needy team picks up one before we do between now and Week 1
- We lose double digit games this year
- Both Sainristil, Coleman look like crap. (I think the verdict is in on Sinnott and Luke, not holding my breath on their breakout)
- No one from the 25-26 draft classes flashes any future PB/AP potential

All the above would need to happen for me to say we need to find a new GM for 27.

Now, if we go into the season at C with the equivalent of Noah Brown (Allegretti), Chase Moore (JGJ), and Jaylin Lane (Gulbin), that alone would cross a big line for me. It would be enough to drain any benefit of the doubt I’m currently willing to lend.

This offseason has led me to believe AP learned his lesson from 25 - he can’t sit on his hands and hope an entire position group solidifies from the mushy building blocks of NFL castoffs and unheralded rookies. He’s been far more aggressive in pursuit of talent this offseason. But doing nothing at C would be an egregious repeat of his approach to WR and Edge last year. Can’t happen.

But I don’t believe that will happen. And my overall grade for his roster construction wouldn’t be worse than a C+.

Sometimes I read the venting and vitriol on AP and wonder if 2024 has been wiped from our memory by Will Smith. We can only reasonably *begin* to grade that years draft class now, we have 1 amazing year and 1 crap year of results, and 2 overly scrutinized scrimmages. I am content to let this year play out and feel like an outcast on this board for saying so.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

if the OL coach isn’t good, you can’t expect great results. I don’t know why anyone would be so confident in Stapleton, especially at this point.

 

[Boone]

I don't know that the majority of the fanbase is calling for Peters head. The folks most down on Peters are the ones posting most often and most stridently. I think if we were to poll the fanbase the majority of fans would still say we are in 'wait and see' mode. He's made some questionable draft picks, but all GMs make some questionable draft picks. Looking at the most recent draft, we may look back on it as a very, very good one.

Peters is mostly getting a lot of negative attention because of the current state of our OL right now. I am on record as hating how he handled Biadasz and I think he mishandled that and hurt us by letting a starter walk for no compensation. But the truth is, if Tunsil doesn't go down and if Allegretti were healthy, we would all be feeling much much better about things (at least until major injuries occurred).

As some have pointed out, the OL may currently be a concerning weak link (especially given the importance of protecting Jayden Daniels), but we have added major talent on defense and that unit may be light years better under Daronte Jones than anything Joe Whitt Jr. could put together. If we are going to crucify AP for what looks like misses and mistakes, we should also credit him for where the team has gotten markedly better. Only time will tell what this current rendition of the team is and isn't capable of - and AP will ultimately get the credit or the blame for however things turn out, just like every other NFL GM does.

 

[Conn]

What we did in 2024 was not sustainable. From the vets we relied on who stayed miraculously healthy, to the unrepeatable 4th down aggressiveness and efficiency, to the late game comebacks and miracle finishes, all carried by the best rookie QB season of all time.

It was magical while it lasted. The carriage turned back into a pumpkin at midnight and it turned out we had built no foundation to move forward on. Both coordinators and plenty of assistants from that year are gone (and many were never good, to be fair). We have not drafted many building blocks since then, nor used our copious cap space to anywhere near its fullest nor to sign many building block players to long-term deals.

Of people who are still here…AP gets some credit for 2024. Historically good QB plays from Daniels gets some credit. Good locker room vibes and uncharacteristic aggressive decision-making from Quinn gets some credit.

But it’s a GM’s job to build something lasting. That hasn’t happened.

People being reluctant to rationally criticize AP seem happy with table scraps because the Snyder years were such a desert of competence…many seem to still think we need a savior and have invested too much hope in one guy. These aren’t the Snyder years, we don’t need a savior. If AP fails, we’ll hire the next attempt at a pedigreed, respected talent evaluator to do the same job, like any other functional franchise. It’s okay, we don’t have to pin our hopes on one GM or overly give him the benefit of the doubt just because he’s been our first girlfriend since the big breakup with the abusive ex. He doesn’t deserve any special treatment or extra patience just because he says the right things.

I’m still hoping he’s the guy. Evidence is mounting that he’s not, but even still he has time to turn it around.

But to act like the more critical fans “forgot” about 2024 feels more to me like some are over-weighting the low-probability outcomes we got that year, and ignoring that it set the foundation for literally nothing.

 

[Boone]

I think the point you are making about us not needing a savior - or desperately needing to believe Peters is a savior - is a valid one. The average tenure of a GM with a single NFL team is about 3 years historically, and closer to 2 years most recently. That tells you that far more GMs fail (at least in one given opportunity) than succeed. It's a tough job - so many factors involved in both success and failure - so we shouldn't put too much weight on whether Peters manages to make it or isn't able to. It doesn't mean anything more than that as with many NFL franchises, it is a challenge finding a Howie Roseman or John Schneider. If Peters fails more than he succeeds, the Harris Group will fire him and give the next guy a chance. Even in the worst case - Peters getting fired and starting over across the board, we are still far better off with grownups in charge than we have been since the mid 90's.

 

[Hailer]

Conn and Boone - I think you provided rational criticisms of my post. Genuinely enjoyed them. I just don’t think the majority of online bloviating about AP, particularly the last 24 hrs on this board, qualifies as that.

I mean look, even you Conn, you’re arguing a 3rd round 2026 draft pick is the type of deep draft gem AP never finds. Guy hasn’t played a meaningful NFL snap.

My frustration with the tenor of this board is most seem to be working backwards from the conclusion that AP (and DQ) are dead men walking. IF Coleman or many other picks turn out to be busts, IF the C position is not addressed, IF Juwan Jennings is amazing and Diggs sucks, IF we miss the playoffs, and many other yet to bes happen then yeah ok.

I’m not close to saying there is a pattern of sucking at his job yet. I’m pleased with the offseason approach overall but concerned with C. My alarm bells went off as soon as Allegretti went down a second time - leap of faith that they feel the same way. I would hope they don’t panic and send a high value pick out before cut down day to acquire someone but they better have their target list firmed up and do everything possible to get the first name on it.

 

[Boone]

Hailer - great post. We have been talking about the uber-negative posts as a staff. Of course every fan and member here has the right to their own opinion as long as stated respectfully. But the doom and gloom here does feel a little out of control. I am more skeptical/negative in mindset currently than some. But we have yet to play a real down and packing it in as a fan in the preseason is just a silly thing to do. All teams have concerns. Our OL situation may represent more of a 'crisis' than a 'concern' and that may be based on real deficits. But there is an entire roster and group of coaches on this team. The 2026 season script has not been written. Your points are well taken.

I think it's interesting that in our 'panic' poll, only 30% say they are 'panicking'. I think most fans have some concern but are taking a wait and see approach. I wish more of those folks posted vs. the sky-is-falling club. That doesn't mean the sky won't fall. None of us knows. But good lord, let's not give up on a season before it's even started.

 

[KDawg]

Conn and Boone - I think you provided rational criticisms of my post. Genuinely enjoyed them. I just don’t think the majority of online bloviating about AP, particularly the last 24 hrs on this board, qualifies as that.

I mean look, even you Conn, you’re arguing a 3rd round 2026 draft pick is the type of deep draft gem AP never finds. Guy hasn’t played a meaningful NFL snap.

My frustration with the tenor of this board is most seem to be working backwards from the conclusion that AP (and DQ) are dead men walking. IF Coleman or many other picks turn out to be busts, IF the C position is not addressed, IF Juwan Jennings is amazing and Diggs sucks, IF we miss the playoffs, and many other yet to bes happen then yeah ok.

I’m not close to saying there is a pattern of sucking at his job yet. I’m pleased with the offseason approach overall but concerned with C. My alarm bells went off as soon as Allegretti went down a second time - leap of faith that they feel the same way. I would hope they don’t panic and send a high value pick out before cut down day to acquire someone but they better have their target list firmed up and do everything possible to get the first name on it.

I think Quinn should have been let go this previous offseason. Not because he’s not capable or a good coach, but because we made a choice to reset BOTH coordinators.

That limits candidates as some will be less likely to accept the job with a potentially lame duck HC at the helm.

And that trickles down to assistants.

We saw all of this play out.

I think Daronte was a great pickup. I think Blough will grow. But I think both are in tough positions.

If this season goes poorly, I think it’s VERY possible Quinn is gone. And if that happens, I think AP is on the table, too.

If they somehow make this team into an average or close to that (or better) they will be here.

The caveat is how much has ownership cash strapped and put restrictions on them and does ownership understand that and providing them a much longer leash? If so, they may be here.

Our issue is now we have wasted prime Jayden years. If he has a bad year or is injury prone and we are picking early we are in a really tough position.

Ideally we take the top edge or Jeremiah Smith and run.

But if Daniels has another tough year and we reset the FO… is QB on the table? Probably not. But then what happens if we don’t extend/lock in Jayden?

We are up against a time crunch here. And a reset may be the only way if things go south.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I'm not going to act like everything is perfect, and that we've got the magical plan that's going to fix everything... that doesnt exist. Also, please understand that what i'm about to share, does not mean I'm saying 'were all good' or that being concerned is wrong...

This was literally a post from 10 months ago...

Here's their snap counts:

Look familiar?

 

[burgold]

Since it's basically the same conversation. I'm going to copy over my post from the other thread. Feel free to ignore, agree, or tear it to shreds.

What a difference a few days can make.

First day of free agency. Peters didn't sign anyone? What's he waiting for? Oh my god, he's satisfied with the same crap. We're doomed!
Second day of free agency. Another one! OMG, we got __________, ___________, and __________________? All we need is a receiver and we are set!
First OTA's. I have never seen a worse group of receivers in my life. We are going to waste JD5. I am forever done with this team.
Diggs signs. Holy shit! We have eight receivers who deserve to be on an NFL roster!!! We can't keep them all! We're going to be so doomed.
Miami intersquad. We dominated. It's just Miami but we wrecked these guys.
Detroit: We only lost two of our starting five o linemen and we look terrible. We have totally neglected the oline. I have screaming about the o line all year! We are doomed! I have never seen such a crappy team. This is an abomination. We need to fire everyone.
Baltimore Intrasquad practice. Don't tell me our D picked them off 5 times. We looked terrible outclassed. The season is over. Over. OVER! It's never been this bad!
First snap of the season. 3 weeks away.

Breathe.

We haven't seen the offense yet. We haven't seen the defense yet. We need a center. A center will stabilize almost everything. Personally, I'd like us to scour the waiver wire and maybe even see if we can do some depth player trades to bolster our o line depth. Allegretti will probably help a lot if/when he comes back, but we do need more.

Things I like about this team:

QB: I like Daniels and I like Athan
RB: I like our running back room. Bill, White, and Allen sound better than solid to me. Put Henry and McNichols on the practice squad
WR: Terry, Diggs, Williams, Burks, McCaffrey, and Dyami is a pretty darn deep set with multiple skill sets. Lane (based on preseason and practice reports may have fixed his hands problem. We'll see.)
TE: Chig and Yankoff seem fine as receiving TEs. Bates looks like he is rusty. Sinnott being hurt doesn't help his case. But again, I like our TE group.
OL: I like Coleman and I like Cosmi. (Oh come on, I can't like everything!)

PR/KR/K/P I feel good about special teams

DLine. I like our edge rushers.
Linebacker. I haven't felt this good about our linebackers and depth in a long time.
Defensive backs. I don't know about this group. Feels weak, but Sainristil and Quan seem to be wracking up those ints anyway.

Overall. Yeah, the worry about center dominates and a bad oline means nothing on offense will be easy and maybe nothing will work, but one player can salvage this group. It's eerily like the Diggs situation. Give us one solid center and suddenly the oline group looks pretty good. Fingers crossed we can find one.

 

[Hailer]

I think it's interesting that in our 'panic' poll, only 30% say they are 'panicking'. I think most fans have some concern but are taking a wait and see approach. I wish more of those folks posted vs. the sky-is-falling club.

Yeah this is what I'm responding to more than anything else. Just trying to disrupt the echo a little bit. As Primus points out above, a positive IF could change the mood quite a bit. We'll see.

I think Quinn should have been let go this previous offseason. Not because he’s not capable or a good coach, but because we made a choice to reset BOTH coordinators.

That limits candidates as some will be less likely to accept the job with a potentially lame duck HC at the helm.

And that trickles down to assistants.

We saw all of this play out.

I think Daronte was a great pickup. I think Blough will grow. But I think both are in tough positions.

If this season goes poorly, I think it’s VERY possible Quinn is gone. And if that happens, I think AP is on the table, too.

I can see your line of thought but man, you are one decisive son of a b (I admire it).

You cite retaining a lame duck HC/GM as a waste of our franchise QB's potential, I say pushing the reset button on a salvageable operation too early could land you in the same predicament.

The Bears and Jets are recent examples of where things go wrong. Premium draft pick used on QB, regime is ousted quickly, QB is deemed damaged goods by the new group, rinse and repeat.

However, Bears might have broken the cycle with Caleb and Ben, basketball guy hating, Johnson. That could be a shut me up positive example of your approach.

We'll see.

 

[Hailer]

Since it's basically the same conversation. I'm going to copy over my post from the other thread. Feel free to ignore, agree, or tear it to shreds.

Yeah this basically sums up my stance.

But to Conn and others' point, we really ought to see one All Pro/Pro Bowler emerge from his past draft selections this year. I really want to see that happen to go from feeling ok to great about AP.

 

[burgold]

Yeah this basically sums up my stance.

But to Conn and others' point, we really ought to see one All Pro/Pro Bowler emerge from his past draft selections this year. I really want to see that happen to go from feeling ok to great about AP.

I hope so. And honestly, Peters needs a few outright winners.

We have heard encouraging things about Josephs and Williams. I am still very positive about Styles. For more than a decade every team has killed us with a running back in the flat or a pass catching tight end. It was every offense's get out of jail free card against us. If Styles can negate that that alone is a huge deal for us.