2024 Rumors

[Neophyte]

I'm seeing a lot of noise about Washington working this draft in such a way as to backstock the capital for next year to move up to take Caleb Williams, the USC QB with ties to the DC area who is expected to be next year's #1 QB.

I think it's bullshit for a number of reasons.

First, this coaching staff can't be concerned with 2024. They have to give the Harris/Roles/Johnson team a reason to keep them and that means meeting or exceeding expectations in 2023, not making trades to stock up for next year.

Second, Williams is currently projected to be the top QB in next year's draft which almost guarantees that he goes #1 overall. This year's top pick was traded for 1st and 2nd round picks this year, a 1st rounder next year, a 2nd rounder in 2025, and DJ Moore who was a 1st round selection just a few years ago. That is huge sum to give up and I doubt Washington will be drafting in the Top 10 next year like Carolina was this year, which means giving up even more to move up from the high teens or low 20s.

Third, if Williams shows improvement this next year over what he did this year, he will be one of the top QB prospects of the last decade. That isn't the kind of player that a team bad enough to earn the top pick passes on, not for any package of picks and players.

In short, this front office and coaching staff need to be focused on maximizing their draft value this year and bringing the players that they believe will give Howell the best chance to succeed.

Your thoughts?

 

[Primus Porcus]

From what I heard, the report is paper thin. It says "NFL Insiders are "speculating"....."

If they were to take this approach, it would be the dumbest thing I've ever seen. I have no additional rationale beyond what you laid out... it just doesn't make any sense. Nobody has actually SEEN anything to lead us to believe this has any real legs, so I'm hoping like hell this is just as it reads... 'speculating'

 

[Boone]

I 100% agree. No team operates that way and even if they thought about doing so, as you said so well Bob, there’s no guarantee another team in position to draft him is willing to give up the pick - in fact they are almost certain not to be willing. Oh - and we aren’t close to being one of the worst teams in the league so there l’s that - it would cost us our next 3 draft slates to make that kind of move up even if there was a willing partner. In short, it’s dumb…

 

[Chris]

Rivera, Mayhew, and Hurney need only be concerned with adding talent that will help them keep their jobs in 2024.

Remember that last year Wentz, Norwell, and T. Turner was where they put their chips down.

 

[MikefromOH]

It already feels like we set our team up to tank anyways.

Heinicke gone with no real backup in case Howell doesn't pan out.

Not signing Young to his 5th year

I just don't get the feeling this coaching staff has the brainpower to not shoot themselves in the foot and mess up

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I don’t think the coaches and GM do that in the draft. That is something fans speculate about because we always want the scenario where we pick the best players. Coaches and GMs have to worry about this year and keeping their job and keeping their players happy and winning. So while it’s fun to speculate on this stuff, if they went this route with a new owner on deck, they won’t be around to see it come to fruition. Rivera knows he only keeps his job by winning.

 

[Boone]

But we do have a backup and you could argue he’s better than who we had starting in 2022…

 

[MikefromOH]

People can argue anything. Doesn't mean they're right. Just means they believe it.

 

[Boone]

I get that bro.I’m just saying we do have a backup and most nfl folks seem to think he’s pretty capable.

 

[MikefromOH]

I hear ya. I watched Brissett play last year and was as impressed with him as you are with Heinicke. But, one was here and knows the systems and players.

It doesn't scream confidence in our coaches abilities to see this.

 

[Bulldog]

Usually, there is an unofficial agreement between the owner and the prospective ownership group that major trades and money commitments won't be made without discussion as it affects the business moving forward.

The Broncos didn't make their major moves until after the Walton group purchased the team.

You won't see Washington trade multiple #1 picks and future #2's, etc. and tie the new owner's hands.

 

[Boone]

You won't see Washington trade multiple #1 picks and future #2's, etc. and tie the new owner's hands.

I agree with this, but I don’t think moving Chase Young or even Montez Sweat for an extra draft pick rises to the level of ‘we can’t do this in the absence of our long-term future owner’…

 

[Chris]

 

[Canadian Hog]

Great post, Bob!

We seem to be one of those teams stuck in the middle right now and that is sometimes the most difficult spot to be in in sports.

Those types of franchises are usually on the outside looking in when it comes to prospects of Williams' level.

The time to nab a franchise QB was Rivera's first year here during the Young draft. The fact that Young has largely disappointed to this point makes that pick even harder to swallow now.