Yes, that’s a preposterous overspend by Tennessee.
Still, this is a bitter pill indeed.
I want instant gratification.
And as the term implies, I want it now.
OK. With that Veruka Salt moment out of my system,
…
I can admit it probably would’ve been a mistake to go that hard in on Ridley.
He may end up being worth that investment, but the odds aren’t in the Titans favor.
The question then is what they do from here.
Ridley would’ve filled one of their obvious needs in a way that the draft probably will not.
Which is not just a wideout, but a true WR1.
An X-receiver who presents a challenge that opponents will have to scheme for.
A boundary WR who’ll be a mismatch for most corners in the league.
So there is much work to be done for The Wolf.
By all accounts, the 2024 Draft class is a strong one for wideouts.
But it’s highly unlikely the Pats are going to grab anything but a quarterback at No.
Brissett is here to guide a rookie quarterback gently into the starter’s job.
And for that, they’ll both need a true WR1.
Draft a second-tier guy at 34 (Ladd McConkey would be ideal).
But to get a genuine game-changer beyond the 1st round is going to take a lot of luck.
Which I stopped relying on about one Tyquan Thornton ago.
So let’s get speculative on the options still currently available:
Marquise Brown.
Among the original wideouts to hit the free agent market, he’s the highest ranked still available.
In the few games they were together, Brown put up decent numbers.
And his career Catch % of 63.1 would’ve ranked him 131st in the league in 2023.
But as receiver depth charts are filling up fast, Brown might be had at a reasonable price.
I’m not confident he’s a future Pro Bowler.
Ironically, Williams' career Catch % is an identical 63.1.
But that’s where the similarities end.
He’s 6-4, 220 lb and the prototype body for what this team has lacked for years.
And if he’s healthy, he’s a big time threat that coordinators have to account for.
Williams was released by the Chargers yesterday in a payroll dump after playing just three games.
In his career, he’s played a full season only twice.
And I’d gladly do one again with this guy, since his upside is so insanely high.
The challenge is attracting a guy like that on a rebuilding team.
So this won’t be a bargain signing by any means.
But the Pats have the money to spend.
Provided it’s a short term deal?
Another big, tall boundary-X who fills their need perfectly.
Higgins has made it clear he’s not happy getting franchised and wants out of Cincinnati.
33 in 2020).
But if The Wolf can pull it off without giving up the desperately needed 2nd rounder?
Also, more productive.
That’s a lot of eggs to put in one basket.
The Field: Odell Beckham, Jr., Tyler Boyd, Curtis Samuel, DJ Chark, etc.
But my gut is telling me this is the aisle they’ll be shopping in.
along with all the franchises on a budget, looking to stretch their wide receiver dollars.
I hope I’m wrong.
I’m still invested in them making a splashy, dramatic move that changes our perceptions for 2024.
Prove me wrong, Wolf.
This would be one time I’d love to be wrong.
