CRA

Compared to the rest of the NFL, our skill talent around the QB is lacking to really compete with good teams. Could the NFCS be such a dumpster fire we might could compete for a spot? Maybe.

He isn't really at top 5 corner. He potentially could be one. Horn hasn't even logged a full season's worth of games. Think he has faced one legit top tier QB his entire career.

Yes, they did have a plan to run the ball. The passing component of that offense was TE centric. It was literally all planned out in 2018. You draft Lamar, you build a team around Lamar and what his strengths will be. Which they did in the 2018 draft. 2019 TE had the most receptions, yards and TDs 2020 TE had the most receptions, 2nd yards and TDs 2021 TE had the most receptions, yards and TDs. That was supposed to be Hurst. That was the plan. Only he was overdrafted and wasn't capable to fill that role. So someone else did. But it is undeniable it was an ideal spot for a talented TE to be drafted into because of the emphasis the position would have in the passing O. Andrews was supposed to be #2. It was quickly evident Andrews was significantly better than the first rounder and that was a problem. So they solved it quick. Hurst was sent packing after 2 years. A rarity in the NFL. And it has nothing to do with him not being in a place for a TE to thrive. That's what the Ravens wanted for the TE and Lamar. And that's why you waste a first round pick on a TE....to be a focal point in an offensive scheme.

lol 2018 play isn't a representation of what they wanted to do going forward and there play. Joe Flacco was the QB. The offense was about to change and they drafted the pieces for that change/future in 2018. 2019 is when the commitment to the TE O and scheme hit the field. The Lamar era began. Which is what the 2018 draft was about. most targeted player? TE most receptions? TE most TDs? TE TEs were 3 of the 5 most targeted players in the passing game. Hurst was there. Which is what I responding to. Problem again for Hurst....is he was the 3rd most targeted TE in the TE heavy scheme and was first round pick. Front office went about correcting the glaring error pretty quick and parted w/ the first round pick after 2 seasons. Not because they weren't about the TE. TE was the plan for the Lamar era. Which that era speaks for itself. And the Ravens stayed committed to the TE going forward there year after year after year just without the dude that was suppose to be the lead of it. Hurst.

It's Bryce Young's rookie season. I care more about how he looks and his development. So an example would be..... I'd rather Bryce Young look like a he was good pick and on a good development track yet the team be 6-10 over a season we make it to 9-8 and we question if Bryce was the right pick and struggles and doesn't' progress well.

How were the Ravens not TE centric? In 2019, the most targeted player on the entire offense was a TE. Andrews. Lead the team in targets, receptions, and TDs. Of the top 5 targeted players, 3 of the 5 were TEs. Hurst was there. Hurst's problem was even TE Nick Boyle got more targets than him that season. They were definitely focused on the TE spot. 2019 was the start of the Lamar era. Which is what the 2018 draft was about setting up. Hurst essentially landed in 2 ideal spots back to back for a TE. 2 teams committed to making the TE a big part of the O. Better TEs simply took over the role or were brought in. But he was basically given first dips at being the dude at both spots. It just didn't work out for him to be the dude at either. He is a fine player. I always thought he was over drafted. So expectations were always too high early on.

And I got no issue with Hurst. This thread is in weeds on draft status. Would have loved to ran 12 personnel with Hurst and the rookie. Similar to how they helped Cam come into the league. Give him some easy targets.

I mean, the Ravens are TE centric. Atlanta wanted TE to be a focal point. Young TEs thrived both places too.

Don’t care about wins/losses this year. Just care about how Young looks.

Yep, still wish we grabbed the GA TE in the 3rd instead of DJ.

Largely agree. But it still has real NFL world context. I mean, coaches and GMs lose jobs over first round investments not living up to the expectations of the pick.

True. Sucks for Hurst. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews have been the face of that O in Baltimore. And they were both drafted in the same draft as Hurst. But behind him. One WAY behind him at the same position. But there is no way the football world isn’t going to deem that a busted first round pick given that. No one should be upset the label applies to him.

Again, the bust tag has to do with draft position/performance. So yeah, you could be a solid 10 year NFL JAG…..and be a bust. 2 things can be true. But rarely accepted on message boards.

Yeah, it’s just you. Being called a bust has to to do with your draft position. You essentially could clone an average NFL starter and have one drafted top 5 and one in the 7th…..one gets deemed a bust. One deemed a great pick. Same dude. Hurst was a first round pick. He has only logged 5 seasons and already bounced to 3 teams in that span. Now on team 4. Hurst was a bust. Can you be a bust and still be a legit NFL player? Yes. Again, the whole 2 things can be true aspect that people don’t seem to be able to handle anymore. Baker and Sam were in that draft. They were busts too. You can go cherry pick some random stat for them too.

You can be a bust (which is just about draft position/expectations)......and be a safe safety valve in the league. 2 things can be true.

Not exactly fair to say he has been buried behind guys. All 3 teams essentially signed him and gifted him the starting job. Every player you listed was either drafted after Hurst (Andrew 4 rounds later, Pitts the following season) or wasn't there with him (Uzomah). He is a solid TE. That's Hurst. Most teams seem to be looking for a playmaker in this era. We should be happy with a solid starting TE. That's an upgrade. That's what we should be trying to do each year. But it means we will have to do what all his other teams did at some point too. Find a stud TE.

To an extent, it probably depends on what the team around them is and how big of a load is asked of them. Ask very little and to efficiently manage a game? Teddy moves higher. Cam probably moves up too in a running O playing to a good D. Bad team around them and ask them to pull off some magic? Other QBs have higher odds of working out that random offensive miracle. Teddy starts falling. Cam falls way down. PJ, Taylor, start to rise up some.

I feel we lost the CMC trade more than anything. Would love to have him ready to go while we groom our rookie QB.

He is a decent backup for early downs. That’s it. Carolina still needs 3rd down help and depth. Eagles didn’t love Sanders in that role. He can do it but that’s all we got. Rookie QB needs someone reliable

healthy Nuke is top 10, arguably top 5. but he is a rental for a team trying to win a ring. He ain’t coming here for a check.

because you wouldn't go into week 1 with both your #1 and #2 QBs never having logged an actual NFL snap?

fair shot to do what? Be the 3rd QB? I mean, yeah.

I do think the diva WR era is a recognizable era/window in the NFL. I could see it returning though. Especially as the league continues to become a passing league, social media, personal brand building etc.

Trevor also had a talent issue his rookie year and a coaching issue. So his big jump wasn’t just him improving. It was some of it. He would have looked better as a rookie if in a place to have success. Bryce likely is put in a better spot year 1.

Chris Simms had Zach Wilson ahead of Trevor Lawrence. Mond ahead of Fields. Simms has always embraced throwing rankings out meant to generate clicks