Your 2024 Roster Building Blocks?

[Chris]

It is widely anticipated that there will be significant roster turnover for the 2024 season.

Who are your ’must keep’ players going forward from the perspective of talent, ability, salary considerations, importance to the team, and importance to the fans?

 

[Chris]

For me:

Offense- Sam Howell, Brian Robinson Jr., Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson

Defense-

Special Teams- Tress Way

 

[Neophyte]

For me:

Offense - Howell, Robinson, Rodriguez, McLaurin, Dotson, Cosmi, Stomberg

Defense - Allen, Payne, Davis, Curl, Forrest

Special Teams - Way, Reaves

 

[Bulldog]

I don't think Cosmi or Davis are 'building blocks' although I would retain them to SEE if they can develop into something greater than they have shown to this point.

Based on where they were drafted BOTH have been disappointments in re their impact on the field.

Cosmi was drafted to play right tackle but couldn't make it there and is now at guard, where his performances are 'average'.

Jamin Davis was brought in to be a middle linebacker that owned the line of scrimmage and would be a tackling machine for us, instead he showed up a bit immature and understandably raw based on ONE YEAR starting in college at the position and was moved to the outside.

2023? He hasn't been an impact performer. He's been 'another guy' on this defense.

Measurables don't necessarily equate to elevation to being an elite NFL player.

He was definitely overdrafted at #19.

You can make the same argument about Forbes in 2023 at #16. He definitely wasn't a 'value' pick taken there, not at 167 pounds.

Heck, 167 pounds was small for an NFL corner back in the 1980's when OL, DL and LB were much smaller versus their contemporaries today.

 

[Boone]

I'd send Davis packing. He's a mental midget. The team gives Cody Barton defensive playcalling duties over him - because he barely knows what he's supposed to do on a given play, much less has the ability to make calls for his unit. Oh - and when he's not helping lose games on Sundays, he's doing 120 mph in school zones. I'm sorry - but he's not a guy we need or can depend on.

 

[Primus Porcus]

The Davis draft pick was a failure at 19. That does not mean he's a failure as an NFL linebacker though. NO different than Howell shouldn't have his draft status as a cloud above him for his career, Davis shouldn't either. I think Davis has a place in this league... but it's not as a cornerstone, stud, game changing player. I think we've all seen enough to understand that. With that comes the understanding that he has to be used correctly, which it seems Del Rio has battled to adapt to. Line him up as a flexible OLB that can be moved around and asked to do different things, and I think he can be effective... but that doesn't mean you force him on Saquan Barkley 1-on-1 because that's what the 19th pick int he draft 'should' be able to do. Rush him at times, spy the QB, attack the RB and he can be effective, but I think we need to not hold where he was drafted against him (or take it into consideration when we pay him either).

 

[Neophyte]

I included Davis and Cosmi based on the OP's parameters of "talent" and "salary considerations".

In my mind, I included some other things like coaching, scheme, and complimentary player acquisition.

Cosmi, to me, looked much better last year under Matsko. Granted, you could say that about the entirety of the OLine but I feel like he might still grow into something solid.

Davis was added because he is relatively inexpensive, can be locked up for 5th year, and I think would benefit from the addition of a really good Mike backer. Davis has always felt like more of an outside guy to me and in the right scheme, with an aggressive DC who values athleticism, I feel like he might be a solid contributor.

I've also thrown out "draft position" in my evaluation. If I'm not going to be biased against Howell as a 5th rounder, I can't be biased against others for their draft position. Neither Cosmi nor Davis is responsible for where Ron drafted them.

We also can't get rid of everyone in one year...

 

[Chris]

Obviously they can’t get rid of everyone in one year but that is why I was focused on ‘must keep’ as opposed to ‘will keep’, ‘should keep‘, or ‘guess they’ll have to keep’.

I suppose my point is that, unlike what many thought before the season (myself included) there is just not a lot of truly valuable talents on the roster. Kam Curl, for instance, was lauded by many fans and media members and identified by both as a player whose contract just had to be extended. I have seen nothing this season to label him as a must keep. Even if coaching or scheme is the primary non-driver…great players make great plays or ’flash’ from time to time. I don’t remember one play this year from Curl that made me sit up and take notice.

 

[burgold]

Robinson's surprised me as a pass catcher, but I don't know that he's a building block. Seems Rodriquez has been just as effective and maybe more so.

Here's my unrealistic list. If I had the opportunity to start from scratch here's who I would keep and who I might consider keeping.

Keepers:
Offense:
McClauren
Dotson (Despite the down year, I think this is a sophomore slump he recovers from)
Howell

Because you can't get rid of everyone: Cosmi or Paul (I have a feeling both are better than they seem this year), Robinson, Rodriguez, Turner (Hunch), Stromberg

Defense:
Allen
Kurl (I give him a mulligan given how good he's been every other year)

Because you can't get rid of everyone:
Payne, Andre Jones, Henry (maybe), Fuller or St. Juste, Forrest

Special Teams
Tress Way

 

[Solitary Man]

Offense.
Howell. Cosmi. Robinson. Terry.


Defense.
Allen.

Trade anyone else for picks.
Thank you for being a pro’s pro Kendall Fuller.

 

[Canadian Hog]

I love Terry McLaurin as much as anybody. I would love for him to spend his career here and win championships in this city. He is more deserving of such than anybody on Washington's roster. That being said, he is going to be 30 years old in 2025. I would not slam the door shut on at least listening to offers if someone came calling. An attractive draft pick package is not something this franchise should rule out for anybody on the roster, and #17 might fetch you more than anybody we currently have under contract. Just throwing that out there for people to think about - I am not advocating for it.

 

[Bulldog]

I think some folks have the argument askew here.

I am not suggesting that we look at Sam Howell and say 'well, he is a former #5 pick, so we need to draft another quarterback higher up', etc.

What I AM SAYING is when you draft a Jamin Davis at #19 and he really doesn't show enough to legitimize putting him on an NFL field as a starter the club should NOT keep him around or give him a break JUST BECAUSE he was a former high pick.

And to me that is what this coaching staff and front office have done.

They are very sensitive to criticism and don't want to admit any mistakes unless they are pinned up against the wall, as Rivera was this past week in the debacle in Dallas after which Del Rio was finally let go.

We still are riding a number of guys that are on the team based largely on draft position.

Going beyond Jamin Davis, we have guys like Dyami Brown that have not really shown much over 3 years who are still on the team.

Brown doesn't even help the team with returns on special teams. We had to go out and sign Jamison Crowder as a 31 year old free agent to return punts. Now, he is getting on the field as a #3-4 receiver in games as well.

Brown is a fellow traveler sitting on the bench for the most part picking up a paycheck.

This is a player that Philly, KC or another winning team would have moved on from despite his being a #3 pick.

 

[Chris]

I’m updating my list-

Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell are the only players on the team that I would be disappointed in losing during the offseason. For every other player under contract, the phone lines should be open for good compensation return.

Howell because of his contract, either as a starter if a new regime chooses, or as a very inexpensive backup. As far as McLaurin and Allen (I’ve been here 84 years) go, they are both likely going to age-out in the handful of years it’s going to take to turn this current team around.

Yes, the coaching has been epically poor but the overall talent level of the team is also below par in the league. It has become clear to me that a total build is needed not just a partial rebuild. Clear the salary cap decks and fortify the future asset capital.

(This may or may not be a reaction to the results of the past two games. 😉 4-13 here we go.)

 

[Boone]

I think some folks have the argument askew here.

I am not suggesting that we look at Sam Howell and say 'well, he is a former #5 pick, so we need to draft another quarterback higher up', etc.

What I AM SAYING is when you draft a Jamin Davis at #19 and he really doesn't show enough to legitimize putting him on an NFL field as a starter the club should NOT keep him around or give him a break JUST BECAUSE he was a former high pick.

And to me that is what this coaching staff and front office have done.

They are very sensitive to criticism and don't want to admit any mistakes unless they are pinned up against the wall, as Rivera was this past week in the debacle in Dallas after which Del Rio was finally let go.

We still are riding a number of guys that are on the team based largely on draft position.

Going beyond Jamin Davis, we have guys like Dyami Brown that have not really shown much over 3 years who are still on the team.

Brown doesn't even help the team with returns on special teams. We had to go out and sign Jamison Crowder as a 31 year old free agent to return punts. Now, he is getting on the field as a #3-4 receiver in games as well.

Brown is a fellow traveler sitting on the bench for the most part picking up a paycheck.

This is a player that Philly, KC or another winning team would have moved on from despite his being a #3 pick.

Logan Thomas is another example. He had one relatively impressive season. Since then, he's done nothing to entrench himself as a difference-making TE, he hasn't significantly improved in areas beyond being a pass-catching TE that would make him more valuable to the team, he hasn't been able to consistently be available to play, and he makes more mistakes (mental and physical) than any veteran on the roster.

But you'd think he was Travis Kelce the way some talk about him, and his apparent immunity from being held accountable.

He's not it and yet we've spent 4 full seasons trying to convince ourselves he is (and in his case, it's not even about draft investment).

Our leadership has rarely made the tough decisions required to significantly improve the roster. The most recent one was almost certainly directed by the new owners.

 

[Bulldog]

Washington has 4 tight ends on the roster and none of them are full-time starters.

I think along with the OL, TE is the most important position to solidify on O in the offseason so we get ONE player that can both block and make plays in the passing game so teams can't key on us based upon who is shuffling in to play tight end on a particular play.

I don't think ANY of the four has made a credible argument to be retained.

The Dallas Cowboys draft tight ends and lose them in free agency seemingly every 2-3 years and they keep finding guys to take their place.

The Eagles each year always seem to have a good tight end going back to the Reid years.

The defense is a complete mess.

Two starters at DT that were paid top 5 money but neither is performing at a true top 5 level. Neither Payne nor Allen is going to make us forget Aaron Donald or Chris Paul.

The back seven to me is among the worst in team history by pure performance metrics. They have to be on pace for most points allowed or close to it in a season by a Washington defense.

 

[Riggotoni]

Replacing Kyle Smith with Hurney and Mayhew has been a disaster. Guys on their rookie contracts like Howell and Robinson should mostly stick around for affordability. Other than that, McLaurin, Payne and Allen, though we could entertain trade offers for anybody.

 

[DixieFlatline]

I’m updating my list-

Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell are the only players on the team that I would be disappointed in losing during the offseason. For every other player under contract, the phone lines should be open for good compensation return.

Howell because of his contract, either as a starter if a new regime chooses, or as a very inexpensive backup. As far as McLaurin and Allen (I’ve been here 84 years) go, they are both likely going to age-out in the handful of years it’s going to take to turn this current team around.

Yes, the coaching has been epically poor but the overall talent level of the team is also below par in the league. It has become clear to me that a total build is needed not just a partial rebuild. Clear the salary cap decks and fortify the future asset capital.

(This may or may not be a reaction to the results of the past two games. 😉 4-13 here we go.)

I'd hate to see McLaurin go because he's such a class guy, but I do think you are right that a number of these folks will likely age out during a rebuild. But who knows, we've seen teams turn around in a year or two with the right coach and front office.

 

[burgold]

I'd hate to see McLaurin go because he's such a class guy, but I do think you are right that a number of these folks will likely age out during a rebuild. But who knows, we've seen teams turn around in a year or two with the right coach and front office.

I hear that, but there is a value to keeping a few gray beard players. Players who model the right attitude, training habits, and can unlock the secrets of the league. I hope McLaurin and Allen can fill those roles. The problem is while they've been solid pros and very good players, they've never really been part of a winning organization so have they been taught what they need to know to be that mentor/gray beard catalyst?

For most of our drafted players, the last time they were winners was back when they were in college.

 

[Bulldog]

As much as we may have favorite players or guys we think can help the team in the future as part of a different organization, the reality is in most cases a decades-long losing club when it is finally turned around is usually the result of a complete overhaul.

The Cowboys when they fired Tom Landry amid a collapse to 3-13 with an aging team basically cleaned house. Michael Irvin, a recent draftee, and Nate Newton were two of a very small group of players that were kept by Jimmy Johnson in his rebuild.

Belichick ended up turning over the roster in New England, trading some veterans for picks but mostly bringing in younger players whose ONLY experience in the NFL came with him and his style of play.

Certainly, some players will be retained. But which ones is impossible to say until we know who the GM and HC are going to be.

I hope the organization is quick to the post in interviewing and hiring candidates and does not end up in a loop where they end up having to interview mid-tier candidates too far along after the end of the season.

 

[Chris]

I have no problem with the new powers to be keeping a few older vets to instill a foundation going forward. Though I am hard pressed to identify any on the roster. As much as I like Terry (Allen not so much) I would prefer that they don’t have cap hits north of 20 million. For that I need game changers and neither are in my book.