Big Blue Huddle

ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, from quarterback to cornerback and all positions in between.


https://x.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1813935753317257539

Jordan Raanan
@JordanRaanan
·
8m
The Giants had 3: Dexter Lawrence, Andrew Thomas and Brian Burns.

Bobby Okereke didn't get the respect he deserves and, really, no one else even close at this point. Giants need some of these young guys to blossom in the worst way possible.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/40283991/top-10-nfl-players-every-position-2024-jeremy-fowler-best-quarterbacks-running-backs-wide-receivers

Believe it or not, that factor plays a significant role in how most of the so-called "experts" make their season predictions. IMO, it does help in making predictions as a general matter, but there are problems with having "too many" top players.

Obviously, they get paid a higher percentage of their team's total salary than "middling" players, which means (1) you have less money to spend on the supporting cast; and (2) if one of them goes down, the fall-off is likely to be steeper than with a team of "middling" players.

I'd rather have an A-minus QB, 21 B-plus starters, and 30 B and B-minus substitutes and specialists.

Bob

Quote from: Bob In PA on July 19, 2024, 08:53:27 AMIMO, it does help in making predictions as a general matter, but there are problems with having "too many" top players.

Sadly, it's been a long time since the Giants had this "problem"

Seriously, I get where you are coming from, Bob.  I think that's why every GM talks about building through the draft.  Ideally at any point in time some of your top players need to be under a cheap rookie deal, or there is a limited time span where a GM will be able to hold the team together before cap issues start to bleed the team of talent.

From a salary cap perspective, the other thing with the lopsided team building is you better have one of the top medical staff in the league (like the Rams) because your team (as you mentioned) will be lacking depth.

Quote from: MightyGiants on July 19, 2024, 09:00:39 AMSadly, it's been a long time since the Giants had this "problem"

Seriously, I get where you are coming from, Bob.  I think that's why every GM talks about building through the draft.  Ideally at any point in time some of your top players need to be under a cheap rookie deal, or there is a limited time span where a GM will be able to hold the team together before cap issues start to bleed the team of talent.

From a salary cap perspective, the other thing with the lopsided team building is you better have one of the top medical staff in the league (like the Rams) because your team (as you mentioned) will be lacking depth.

Rich: An unstated addendum to my post: sadly, we can't even avoid having C- & D players on our squad. lol