Trade Deadline - Intrigued by anyone out there?

I think we all overestimated how much of the McVay Offense Kevin would bring with him.

With Irv unequivocally being a bust, both in terms of availability and production when actually available, TE1 was definitely going onto the list of needs for the offseason.

A 2nd seems steep. Even for a former 1st that certainly hasn't done anything but play for one of the worst Franchises in any Sport (how many OCs and QBs has this kid had to get used to in his time in the League?).

But then you back things out to the 1,000 foot view and things start to make sense. Draft Capital has already been spent on the Secondary. And you're not using a 2nd on a Slot Corner. Another ILB is a high need. Guessing Tomlinson gets extended and I'm not spending a 2nd on a DE in a 3-4 who would only be a part time Player.

Edge is debatable. Smith is getting restructured and likely is now a Viking for 2 more years. Too early to know what's going to happen with Hunter. If he's extended I'm not spending a high pick until the 2024 Draft for what would again be a part time Player.

That leaves WR. At some point they need to replace Thielen, though he's a lock to be on the Team next year for some mystifying reason. Given what JJ is going to cost I would prefer finding Adam's replacement a little later in the Draft. And the last few seasons there have definitely been good Receivers coming out of the 3rd and 4th Rounds.

So it's really ILB versus TE1 and maybe Edge (or if you disagree with me WR2) that Kwesi would have used that pick on. Any Rookie taken would have had roughly a 50% chance of being a bust. TJ, while overdrafted by a terrible Team, is anything but a bust. He's a legit TE1 as both a weapon and a blocker that is not even in his prime yet.

I bet O'Connell had a ton of input on this. He had big plans for Irv, who should have been athletic than Higbee. It also looks like Kevin is starting to embrace the rushing attack more. Especially with runs outside of Tackle, which we sure saw more of on Sunday. And then you factor in Hockenson drawing attention from LBs and Safeties because of his pass catching ability and great YAC. That's going to open things up more for all of the WRs.

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if KJ starts to look like last year again in the coming weeks. Should help Thielen too.

What I didn't want was trading an asset needed for the rebuild on a rental ala Cooks, or a kid with some question marks ala Claypool. Didn't think a move like this was really an option. Kudos to Kwesi for making it happen.