Predict this; What draft picks will be starters in 2023?

Maybe Belinger.

Then Robinson will start later in the season as the WRs get injured and/or decide they don’t feel like playing anymore.

Thibodeaux and Neal will be starters. By the end of the season Bellinger and McFadden will also be starting. It is up to Shane Lemieux if Ezeudu will be starting too by the end of the season.

Otherwise, it could be as much opportunity and position as talent. Robinson could be the #3 WR. Is that a starter? Same with Flott who could be the #3/4 CB. Actually, McFadden has a good opportunity because there really isn’t anyone set as the starter at the ILB spot he plays. Ezeudu has a lot of competition. Bellinger has vet competition as well.

Robinson will have significant snaps right away. Flott too. I could see Ezeudo starting by mid season maybe earlier. I think they’re going to bring Bellinger along more slowly than fans will care for.

My complete dark horse is UDFA Jabari Ellis, DT, South Carolina. It would not surprise me if we get into training camp and we start hearing murmurs that he’s outperforming DJ Davidson. Lot of long term upside there.

In comment 15696111 BillT said:

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Otherwise, it could be as much opportunity and position as talent. Robinson could be the #3 WR. Is that a starter? Same with Flott who could be the #3/4 CB. Actually, McFadden has a good opportunity because there really isn’t anyone set as the starter at the ILB spot he plays. Ezeudu has a lot of competition. Bellinger has vet competition as well.

That's a great point about both Robinson and Flott. For them it might have to a judgement call based on how much playing time per game they get by season's end. I think both at least have a legit shot to take a primary role in the slot. We'll have to cross that bridge when it comes.

Thibs and Neal are the 2 locks.

Bellinger should beat out RSJ/Akins for TE1. I’d put him at 60/40

I think Garcia/Lemieux starts at LG week 1. Uzuedu has a bit more competition and is a bit raw. Maybe he’s in the lineup around the bye week or midseason.

Flott- we’ll see. If Bradberry is gone, I think he will start in nickel sets. Even ahead of Holmes who is a better fit in a zone scheme or as a dime CB covering a #4.

Belton- subpackage role. Will see 30-40% of snaps IMO. Unless a vet FA is signed as the third safety. But Belton has a clear path to playing meaningful snaps.

Robinson- will see a lot of snaps from the start. Maybe not a ton of targets, but I see him 4th in the WR pecking order on a team that runs a lot of 10 personnel.

Beavers/McFadden- these are the 2 sleepers. I think Crowder had the inside track for week 1, but I can definitely see McFadden making his way into the lineup soon.

Davidson- not sure about him. There are a lot of UDFA’s that he’ll have to beat out. Think he may see a handful of snaps on run/goal line scenarios. Likely an inactive to start the season.

McKethan- very raw. I see him having a ‘redshirt year’ on the inactive list.

Wan'Dale spends the year on IR.

4,5,6,11.
Not all day 1: 1,2,3 day 1
4,5, game 6-8,
6,11, last 4-5 games.

Overly optimistic? Maybe.
But I’ll repeat from my other comments: all the picks were drafted specifically, and with a plan to get them in as soon as possible.

Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux - Day 1 starter
OT Evan Neal -Day 1 starter
WR Wan’Dale Robinson -Never starts
OG/OT Joshua Ezeudu - Never starts
CB Cor’Dale Flott - Never Starts
TE Daniel Bellinger - Starts some point in 2022
S Dane Belton - By end of 2023
LB Micah McFadden - By end of 2023
DL D.J. Davidson - Never starts
OG Marcus McKethan - Never starts
LB Darrian Beavers - Never starts

In comment 15696089 cosmicj said:

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Maybe Belinger. Then Robinson will start later in the season as the WRs get injured and/or decide they don’t feel like playing anymore.

The OP asks which picks will be starters before the end of the 2023 season. From the replies it seems that folks are responding to who they see starting by the end of the 2022 season. Appears to be a disconnect?

In comment 15696306 Brick72 said:

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In comment 15696089 cosmicj said: Quote: Maybe Belinger. Then Robinson will start later in the season as the WRs get injured and/or decide they don’t feel like playing anymore. The OP asks which picks will be starters before the end of the 2023 season. From the replies it seems that folks are responding to who they see starting by the end of the 2022 season. Appears to be a disconnect?

That`s because the OP screwed up. He meant to say 2022 and there is no edit button. What an idiot.

In comment 15696213 TroyArchersGhost said:

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Wan'Dale spends the year on IR.

IR? Can you elaborate on this

I think it’s more meaningful to ask who will play 50%+ snaps on offense or defense.Neal and Thibs are a given barring injury. Bellinger by default will likely get his share. Robinson is a good bet. Belton may or may not beat out Corker. Flott I suspect won’t get the lion’s share at slot until next year.

In comment 15696389 Pepe LePugh said:

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I think it’s more meaningful to ask who will play 50%+ snaps on offense or defense.Neal and Thibs are a given barring injury. Bellinger by default will likely get his share. Robinson is a good bet. Belton may or may not beat out Corker. Flott I suspect won’t get the lion’s share at slot until next year.

Adding IRT Bick72’s post
Bellinger gets more snaps in 22 than 23 b/c TE will be high priority draft/FA.
Robinson gets fewer snaps for same reason, but still over half.
Flott will get 70% snaps.
Ezeudu I’d say 50-50 for a staring job.

The first two are easy. Then you've got Bellinger, who gets the nod because he has no real competition. I also think they really like Eze, and again really limited competition. If he plays even with Lemieux the will start. That will also mean we have 4 new OL starters this season