Because they didnt take a pass rusher? I think it is entirely a matter of what the draft brought us. This year we had a lot of 2nd teir CBs, which luckily, matched our need. I think teams didnt take a CB early because they knew they could still get a started level talent in the 3rd or 4th. Josh Jackson was a huge surprise to still be there and we had to go BPA. I think the trade back for a 1st next year was just a smart overall value. I think they intended to take Jaire at 14 and saw opportunity to add the pick.
I dont think the plan was to rebuild over 2 years, it just worked out that way. The draft talent available did not allow us to address all of our needs.
As luck would have it again, OLB and 5T looks very strong in the next draft.
Not especially, though partially. That opinion [that Gutekunst is operating under a 2 year plan] is rendered based on the cap expended on the over-30 FAs and Wilkerson's decline under years of 90% snap counts.
At the same time, the 2019 free agent class (Matthews, Cobb, C-D, Wilkerson) and Bulaga's question mark (he stepped out of OTAs with a knee issue, by the way), were not addressed.
There's a lot of this year/next year hedging in the equation. The generous offer for Fuller was the ultimate hedge: help now, help later, at considerable cost.
I like what he did with the first two picks, the players chosen and the need-filling, with the nifty trade-down-trade-up gaining an extra first rounder next year.
I don't think the play was to rebuild over 2 years, and I don't think it worked out that way for the above reasons. Getting the extra first round pick kinda makes it look like a 2 year plan, but it is belied by the FA signings.
By the way, I don't see Jackson as a BPA. Without him, you're looking at a sketchy King, an aging Williams, Alexander, and then House in 4-CB dime and as an injury backup. Wlliams might be needed at safety. That was not enough. I expect Jackson to be an every down player before season's end if not week 1.
