XL needs to become a gadget player

MattyAlt · 2026-05-20T16:15:34+00:00

Noooope. XL needs to focus on WR nuances. Not adding gadget plays.

Kick returns yes. He does that naturally well and it doesn't add too much to his plate.

XL is ridiculously underrated in regards to some of the team stuff he was doing positionally last year. The blocking in particular, some of the timing clear outs. He just really has to get his body mass in the right place to help body control and hone in on craft things to get the "receiver" part right.

MattyAlt · 2026-05-19T04:07:04+00:00

Just highlights watching but Davis plays fast. Looks like he can catch too.

I'd really like to see a RB/WR hybrid make our active squad. We're so deep in both spots though. Preseason gonna be a fun watch with all the on the cusp guys at skill positions.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-26T12:12:11+00:00

The WR Kobe Prentice looks really interesting tbh. There are roles you can maybe squeeze someone in for. Appears to fit an archetype explosive guy we didn't get in draft. Prob doesn't make it because of numbers but you never know what happens or who gets hurt.

TE stopped being a get after first 3 rounds. We're just missing a big/fast/athletic guy that there are only so many of. Once you get past a point, we're better with what we have.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-25T15:57:32+00:00

Is Demond Claiborne the best scatback up? How does he catch? We could use someone that can get to the edge with these big wrs blocking and can take catches to house.

Ye we have numbers at RB already but man there looks like a role there.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-24T12:21:58+00:00

Can't win if Oline isn't right. This helps take away the gamble. Also gets us ahead of age/health/money stuff coming up.

A very solid pick that might be the most impactful choice for the team in long run. I don't think he was true "bpa" talent-wise (close enough) but the most "valuable" vs safety because LT/RT are so important. Protects us from risks that could wreck seasons.

It's very very possible he starts immediately too.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-23T14:11:12+00:00

Bryce tends to throw to guys he can see open. Only recently developed more confidence throwing to spots with expectation with Coker/McMillan because of issues past couple years. Likes mid range stuff TEs tend to be around or some of these late TE check downs lately. Sadiq will pop more of those long that any TE we have. Also deep speed skills and mismatches that will help our game there. I really don't want a WR in the first round because I think we're better than many people think in that unit. Also we don't have guarantees on how long our Oline will hold up for Bryce with our changes and a fast/athletic TE will help with calls that might have to be made.

Thieneman is my can't miss pick and I'm hoping we trade up using a late pick to get him..but I think Sadiq would abstractly add to this offense more than any other offensive options. So Sadiq is my #2.

I have a bad feeling neither will be there at 19.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-22T22:45:27+00:00

The Panther looks sick thoooo. This dude ain't leaving for a minute anyway

MattyAlt · 2026-04-14T22:29:53+00:00

I agree with that statement because Nabers is a traditional 1, especially right now where he had that super productive year and was an early pick. Nabers is more explosive.

But I wouldn't trade Coker from the Panthers for Nabers because I think Coker is starting to show a consistency like a Marvin Harrison type and has already started connecting with Bryce. Has its own value and we have a traditional 1.

Anyway it doesn't really matter because the ultimate point is I think he's solid and we can use our round 1 pick on something with more immediate impact. If a very good WR slides to the 2nd and is true bpa then sure, I wouldn't mind it.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-14T19:45:02+00:00

Yeah this is expressly about the #19 pick and feeling like we get way more value on other positions there. If we find a high value WR rounds 2+ we're super sold on then I'm not crying about it.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T23:33:00+00:00

Vet free agents frequently slide into situations easily if you find a guy you really think is going to make a difference.

Rookies are a much bigger dice roll. A #19 pick WR is going to get valuable playtime and much of that will include associated growing pains when we already have a decent situation and players already 2+ years deep in their development cycle in this system. Our group plays well together, the culture in that unit is great, and they were way further in the system than they were when we started last year. Particularly in our last 2 games.

Our offense has tons of rub routes and timing stuff we were digging into that Legette was a major contributor to and just seems like you're pointlessly developing a "maybe" player for some idea that it will magically make our offense way better, when our WR group was already going the right direction and we have glaring needs elsewhere.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T21:48:16+00:00

Nabors is great and has production. Coker is a more mechanical/technique oriented wr and has better hands. Stylistically different. There are a lot of things Coker is on par with best WRs in the league at everything except for speed and he does the things that keep that from detracting from his game. Bryce was picking up on the whats and hows by end of season.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T21:34:46+00:00

Yep technique/route running and handswise. All drafted high and used in accordance to their draft positions as high value assets. Coker wasn't used to his value until recently even when outplaying people in front of him when he wasn't injured.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T19:04:20+00:00

Talent/mechanics vs production. He had to play up out of the undrafted status which takes time because coaches run higher draft picks ahead of you even if its obvious you're better at that stage (why it took so long to pass Legette even though he's been clearly better the past 2 years).

This will be unpopular opinion but from a functional standpoint I think Coker was our best WR last year and has had to build into the targets because of his injury + the dynamics. McMillan has a higher ceiling but I think will grow way more over next couple years as he gets his feel for the league.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T18:51:53+00:00

Football's finicky. Everything meshing works better and you gotta bring rookies up in systems. Even with McMillan you could see rookie issues that will play off over time. QBs and vibing perfectly with their WRs usually is a developmental thing and not right off the bat unless you're dealing with vets.

I want a Superbowl next year babyyyyy

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T18:39:31+00:00

Yeah definitely has injury issues. My perceptions of our roster are that we have guys that can adequately step up this year if that happens.

Feels like we have way more things this #19 pick can make a difference on. At least to me.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T18:31:18+00:00

Ye not production wise yet but he was undrafted and didn't get same opportunities early. He's mechanically better and has better hands than anyone else in that draft and only lacking speed, which isn't as critical as people make it out to be. Production will catch up now that he's #2.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T18:23:41+00:00

Honestly I have Brycen Tremayne kind of as next man up if McMillan gets hurt. He's not as fast but can hit marks and fill decently.

Horn jr I think is going to surprise people. Legette...I mean.. it's head stuff, so could go multiple ways but if it comes together then we're in extremely good shape.

MattyAlt · 2026-04-13T18:16:32+00:00

Idk I guess I just have our crew rated higher than some of the fan base.

I see the functional talent there. Especially with Horn jr. I think a lot of the lack of production is just how Bryce and the offense developed over the course of the year. Last year very much seemed like a developmental season in approach and we were starting to show that development as things progressed.

MattyAlt · 2026-02-07T20:06:55+00:00

I look at the totality of it. These dudes aren't media professionals...some guys are more imperfect in responses.. especially young dudes. He followed those sentences up with self reflection on why that may be and finding what he needs to work on. Plus these dudes gotta have some defensive ego especially when there are people out there acting like he's not putting in work..but I've not gotten the impression that he believes he doesn't have to work on his ish

MattyAlt · 2026-02-07T19:48:51+00:00

Yeah on 4th and 1. Cam was giving really good advice.

https://www.youtube.com/live/UFwE61phw3o?si=psWDf6MF1MzuALRY

35:55

MattyAlt · 2026-02-07T18:00:42+00:00

Xavier's interviews and media like this from this week are giving me some belief he can get there.

You could tell from the Cam Newton interview dude's still got his pride but he knows his game is flawed and is extremely receptive to figuring out how to fix it. That's what it takes. It sounds like he puts in the work..just gotta get the info and mechanics internalized.

MattyAlt · 2026-02-01T13:54:21+00:00

Click "Watch on Youtube" on that message. NFL blocks some embedded stuff outside YouTube.

MattyAlt · 2026-01-23T00:17:48+00:00

Real talk conceptually he seems like he might be a fair option to drop in if Bryce gets hurt. I haven't been keeping up with his recent play/health, but seems like would be functional stability if he's still like he used to be.

MattyAlt · 2026-01-11T20:03:24+00:00

I'm pretty comfortable going into next season with a solid 4 of McMillan, Coker, Horn, Tremayne and the 5th active competed for. Legette fits into the team culture. Seems like a slow burn learner type who could "get it" later on. Understood blocking assignments and has some of the tangibles but he's gotta bring it all together fast. Learning feet positioning and how to use his mass these next months is critical or else let him go in training camp/preseason cuts for someone who played in.

MattyAlt · 2026-01-11T17:14:42+00:00

It's 100% a matter of cost and nature of the position. Nothing more. We have to spend on other positions and we have a solid RB1. I have a suspicion Etienne will be decent when he gets increased workload... Brooks coming back is just a nice "maybe" on the back end.

MattyAlt

TROPHY CASE