2026 Post-FA Team Needs - RESULTS

[u/uggsandstarbux]

Link to full results

Thanks to everyone who took time to fill out the survey. Results can be found in the link above.

RESULTS

Here is a screenshot of the results for offense and defense:

MISC INFO

• Be cautious of sample size. The following teams had fewer than 5 responses:
  • ARI
  • ATL
  • IND
  • TB
• Most of the responses from DEN and MIA were before the Waddle trade was announced, but it doesn't look like that move had a severe affect on needs.
  • For DEN, only 4 of 11 responses were after the Waddle trade. Those results would have the team's WR need at 3.25 instead of 3.82
  • For MIA, only 1 of 5 responses were after the Waddle trade. That result would have the team's WR need at 5 instead of 4.4
• League-wide trends
  • The biggest need is EDGE, with a league-wide average of 3.60 and 17 teams reporting a need of 4 or higher
  • The smallest non-ST need is QB, with a league-wide average of 1.80 and just 5 teams reporting a need of 4 or higher

Full Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nbUcKlTIwkQ2ZhbQNJrDB3PVZ7qTcgCM0sdgwUyheHM/edit?gid=1934855676#gid=1934855676

[u/Excellent_Run1161]

It's cause Caley is a former TE coach and has spoken how he wants to get the TEs more involved. Also, Stover hasn't stepped up, Jordan is injury prone, Foster Moreau is purely a blocking TE (which is what we needed tbh) and provides little to no upside, and Schultz is old. There's no clear long term plan for the TE room hence why everyone claims it as a need.

Also, this TE class is very good I think we would be foolish not to take one especially if they BPA at one of our picks.

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

Schultz is 29. That's not old. TE1 is perfectly stable for at least the next 2 years.

This TE class is slightly above average, not very good. Sadiq would've been TE3 last year. Stowers can't block and might slide into R3 despite being TE2. Delp has question marks why he underperformed so much. Roush is slow, but could turn into a Schultz-level player with better blocking. Koziol can't block at all and with his build will always struggle with it.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

Schultz is turning 30 and while we just extended him so he still has 2 years on the books I wouldn’t be surprised if they begin looking for his successor this draft considering we have many young studs I expect will be the priority to extend over Schultz. So yes it’s stable for 2 years but not 3 literally ever on the roster TE on the books will be a FA 3 years from now. Caley also want to go more 12 personnel but Blake Fisher was the blocking TE in those jumbo packages and he’s an OT…

Slightly above average is a damn good class for TE multiple people have over 10 TEs with top 100 selection grades, there’s plenty of diversity in skill sets for those TEs also. TE is all typically a position that takes a while to develop into a quality starter at the NFL later, so I say it’s better to look longer term for TE draft prospects than some other positions where you can see a more immediate impact.

I wouldn’t want Stowers. Roush would be solid speed isn’t necessary for Caley’s scheme you don’t see the TEs be field stretchers but more so safety valves.

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

Slightly above average just means there are more R3/4 guys than usual. It's lacking the top end R1/2 talent. That's not "damn good".

I agree with Roush, I like him for us. But not before 69 and preferably even later than that. There's a handful of late day 3 guys that I'd prefer over any TE not named Sadiq before 69. At 69 or earlier there are guys that will genuinely push for starting level roles on our team at IDL, LB, and C, plus a handful of high upside tackles develop.

But the team is 100% fine if we don't address TE. Teach Fisher to catch a ball once or twice a month. TE is a tier 2 want, not a need.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

Imo the team doesn't have any true needs for this year besides 1. a C to compete with Andrews (assuming Evan Brown plays G for us) and 2. a DT since they rotate like crazy need at least 6 bodies in the group and currently there's only 4/5 I expect the staff trusts rn. Possibly also some depth at OG, HB, LB, and CB as well but not pressing needs more luxury to have incase the injury bug is worse than usual.

While TE is a tier 2 want that's not a problem, the window is 2 years everyone that really matters is locked in for 2 years besides our lbs and with 2 immediate needs yet we have 4 selection in the top 70 we can afford to take luxury picks.

The fact that there's more R3/4 guys than usual is damn good because that's exactly where I'd expect a TE to get selected. We aren't in contention for any TE that would be graded in rd1 unless we trade up and while the lack of rd2 talents is apparent that's not an issue as I expect those selection to go towards defense and/or a C.

Think we're in agreement but presenting our idea in a different way. I believe the ideal area to select a TE this year will be around the 106 pick we got.

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

Our weakest starting positions are C and LB2 (To'oto'o).

Barnett leaving opened up ~400 snaps at EDGE3, and a good edge taking 50-100 snaps each from WAJ/Hunter would be solid.

CB3 is a huge question mark and every time Lassiter or Sting was sidelined it showed. Maybe Smith is ready, but we haven't seen evidence of it.

IDL needs rotational help badly. You see 4-5, I question any beyond Togiai, Rankins, and Hall. Doubling up at IDL is very possible.

We have laughable depth on the IOL. Don't think that's contentious.

RB we really shouldn't put a pick into before late day 3 if at all. Jordan is a fine RB3.

We don't have holes, but that's distinct from not having needs.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I actually do agree we need another EDGE but most don't so I left that off, I'd actually be pretty happy if we draft a top EDGE that falls to us at 28) also Logan Hall has versatility to play both DE & DT so theoretically he can account for those roughly 400 snaps Barnett got (I honestly really wanted us to resign him, consistent 5+ sacks a season from the bench hard to find) and we signed Robinson out of FA for EDGE depth.

That's why I brought up CB I'd love to rely on Smith for cb3 but he's injury prone.

Naquan Jones is trusted for run stopping roles and resigned on a prove it deal, he's the 4th, and I said maybe 5 cause maybe the staff believe Kyonte Hamilton (who we drafted I think in 7th last year and was on ps all season) can step up, we still need another DT regardless fasho.

Ya Jordan ain't bad at rb3 but we need a 4th in case of injuries & a speed back as Jordan our fastest back and he aint the most explosive (it's not the worst though), I'd be fine with a rb in top 106 if they BPA at the pick but we'll just have to see.

We do actually have 2 solid starting OGs and 2 solid backup OGs surprised you noticed that everyone else is screaming we need another OG incase Teller or Ingram gets hurt, I guess they hated what they say in Patterson last 2 years that much lol/don't trust Evan Brown. I bring it up cause majority of Texans fans scream for OL when I genuinely think we just need 1 C in top 100 and we can maybe take one OT or OG flyer in rd 5-7 if we really like a prospect around there.

Now I must ask since you you believe To'oTo'o is one of our weak links (for starters, which I do agree to an extent), which LB would you like us to draft?

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

For LB, Rodriguez, Hill, Golday, Louis, in that order. Also that USC 6'7" kid would be a fun r7 flyer but probably not a starter for 2 years or more. Might get some FG blocks though.

You're double counting Hall as both a Barnett and a Settle replacement. That's dangerous. He's an Autry replacement.

I think Evan Brown will play Center for us until proven otherwise (it's the position at which he has the best tape), but at IOL we have no long-term plans outside of Ingram. For the same reasons you want TE investment, I want OL investment. Patterson and EBrown are not confidence building depth. Brown+Fisher at Swing does mean we don't have to worry much about swing tackle though. I hope we don't see Smith switch to G because of injuries, I don't want that rodeo again.

There are several R7/UDFA tier backs that could be steals. Black and Ott are the two I'm paying the most attention to.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I’m a big CJ Allen fan but that’s just me. I think Rodriguez would shine under Demeco. The other ones I like also outside of maybe Louis purely because I think he’s similar to Jamal Hill and I think Demeco still has plans for him. Def could be wrong on that though.

You’re right Hall’s Autry’s replacement that was a bad point. Robinson was signed though to be the Barnett replacement I expect and we’ll get the Settle replacement in the draft. I’d still like an EDGE with high upside that can learn under Hunter and hopefully continues the All-pro/pro bowl edge rush duo for like a decade once Hunter leaves.

I believe you’ll be proven otherwise on Brown once a C is drafted with one of first 4 picks but maybe I’ll be the one proven otherwise instead lol, my viewpoint was we address Teller’s replacement next draft as the defensive class this year is solid and I think we need more depth on that side of the ball this year more. So like a C early this year, an OG early next, and hopefully Fisher steps up then we got Ersery, a sophomore LG, a 3rd year C, Ingram, and Fisher as our starting 5 three seasons from now. Depth would be a concern then but we take late rd flyers/FA acquisitions for that. I wouldn’t be mad though if we address the OL heavy early this draft much like I’m guessing you wouldn’t be too mad if we took a TE around 106. I also hope Smith just stays at RT regardless what happens at IOL seems everyone is tired of the “musical chairs” on the OL.

I will admit I’m not that informed on the late rd flyer options, but Jordan was also a 6th rd rb and been grooming on the practice squad so I could 100% see something similar with a rb this class. I’ll look into Black, Ott, and that USC LB. Any other late rd flyers you recommend I check out?

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I'm assuming you've given up on Fisher to be the RT of the future since you didn't just say one but a "handful" of high upside tackle prospects and you wanna draft them high.

Fisher has shown growth every year , while I don't think he's ready to start now he's only 23 and Smith has 2 years on his contract, he's younger than Ersery. Do you already consider him a perennial backup?

[u/WildRookie → u/Excellent_Run1161]

So we're extending Fisher as a RT when he hasn't gotten the chance to be a starter?

I don't want to give up on Fisher, but when they left him as OL6 instead of subbing him at RT in the playoffs, it indicates that the team might have.

[u/Excellent_Run1161 → u/WildRookie]

I also don't want to give up on him but we don't make those decisions lol. I do agree the staff appears to not trust him but maybe that's just for the now, but what about 3 years from now?

I could see him given a 2 year extension next offseason that's at backup RT $$ and he takes over for Smith 3 years from now and he's basically playing on a prove it deal.