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Exactly, we’re not a contender. Go get a player who can be a core piece in the future because he’s an elite talent. Don’t grab an OL just because you have to. Unless you’re getting a top 5ish sure fire LT.

I agree. OT's are a dicey pick, no matter what round they get selected in. But when you watch what an elite TE can do for an offense (or to a defense, if you prefer), those don't come around often.

Think of what Kelce has done for a decade. Or, if you prefer the obvious, take Kittle. Or go back a bit and look at Tony Gonzales, Jimmy Graham, or even all the way back to Ozzie Newsome. There are others, but those are the ones that come to mind immediately as playmakers worth their weight in gold to the teams they were on.

IMO, elite TE's can have a bigger impact on an offense than any other position except QB. The best ones also seem to have a broader skillset than most top-shelf receivers as well. Kelce and Tony G could run like receivers, even if they weren't/aren't speed demons. They also had/have the bulk to bully DB's and LB's, and even block (if they're so inclined).

IMO, the only thing an elite receiver has over an elite catching TE is speed.

Elite TE's also seem to have a longer productive shelf-life than elite receivers - Kelce and Tony G were/are clowning DB's after a decade in the NFL. So, in that vein, I'd take Bowers in a heartbeat over Odunze if he's available.

Also, and just my opinion, but it seems like the best way to get a quality OT these days is to let someone else draft him, develop him, and then pay him to come play for you. It takes a few years for most quality OT's to develop and prove they were worth a 1st-round pick. Why not go shopping for a proven commodity when you can be sure of what you're getting?

You can't really do the same with TE's because elite TE's are scarcer than really good/elite OT's. Teams that have them rarely let them go without a fight. OT's are let go all the time, however, if they want to pursue a bigger paycheck.

So, unless Alt somehow falls to us, if Bowers is available he's a take - again, in my opinion.

This post was edited on 3/29/24 at 10:40 am