Wilson doesn’t have the same skillset as Lloyd. He’s closest to Jacob’s and able to come in and allow the O to continue unchanged. Lloyd in contrast can take the ball outside the tackles better than any of the returning RBs and is a threat after the catch if you can get the ball to him in motion.

I agree.

Deguara is long gone as a free agent and they haven't had an H back since. I doubt either Brooks or Wilson are big enough to play TE given the inline blocking responsibility.

Jacobs and Wilson are one of the better 1-2 combos in the league.

I don't remember the last time they had two players that good battling for the last spot. Normally at this point we are hoping a decent #3 option emerges during training camp.

I'm wondering if WIlliams isn't actually an obstacle for Lloyd in that he offers outside threat and pass catching from all positions. Can line up in backfield, can slot, can go wide. Ostensibly faster than Lloyd. Does Lloyd become a trade piece?

I wouldn't say they've shifted away from RBs like Aaron Jones. He was an exception. He was the only scatback type RB they've really used much in recent history. He was a late draft pick (5th round) who was way better than expected. It helped that for a smaller back, he ran with a lot of power.

“RBs who can get you what's blocked are not a rare commodity and they can be readily signed off practice squads. RB is about as plug-and-play a position.”

How do you characterize Wilson that way when, in 2024 he:

1) Averaged 4.9 yards per carry — 9th among running backs with 100 or more carries.

2) A success rate of 59.2% —- 2nd behind Bijan Robinson on Reddit.

3) Averaged 2.93 yards after contact (27 missed tackles forced).

That was achieved over 103 carries for 502 yards and 4 rushing TDs. To me that’s the absolute opposite of a RB who can just “get you what is blocked for.”

It’s also the reason why I can’t agree with your take at all as to merit or the likelihood that he would not interest other teams if waived.

PS. Rotowire had Wilson with a zero Drop Rate and a 9.1 yards per catch average, the same as Brooks, but Brooks has a 7.7% drop rate. Since both were almost entirely targeted within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage (usually less), the comparative drop rate should be a pretty fair measure. Again, myth over reality?

If Jacobs goes down or needs a breather, we know Wilson can carry the load effectively and move the pile. He’s also got better hands than credited (zero drops last year) and isn’t a bad protector by any means, if not as proficient as Brooks. I’d argue Brooks got used as a target (near the line of scrimmage almost exclusively as a way to give the O more options with him in beyond him being an obvious protector. This year I’d hope that Lloyd is that option (and not just as a near horizontal target).

However, I don’t want Lloyd having to carry the run game yet or Brooks, who is a lesser athlete. Wilson to me is a no brainer behind Jacobs. The wild card is if Lloyd can’t show adequately in Protection. Then again, if we go to a truely good blocking 3rd TE (or Kraft) in those situations—Lumpkin and Swinson are protectors and lead blockers, the RBs may have to carry less of that load.

I’m not aware that any of Lloyd, Wilson or Brooks are expected to be significant ST factors. That makes it hard for me to see us keeping them all, unfortunately. Add in Williams as a potential ball carrier and target to scheme open from behind the line and it seems less plausible still.

I think Lloyd’s college talent means he would be claimed on waivers. I think Wilson’s ability to move the pile last year would similarly interest teams. Moreover, I would not want to have my Jacobs substitute inactive, forcing Lloyd to carry the load as lead back in the event of injury at this point.

Brooks, who is a lesser athlete, I think could get through waivers unless a team needs a protector badly. He’s sort of like his predecessor, Taylor, good enough to play a role, a good comfort option to have, but not critical or essential. He’s one of those guys one wants to keep but ultimately can’t squeeze him in and he doesn’t have enough upside to tip that calculus or persuade another team he’s worth rostering over what they have. until injuries bite.

It will be an uphill battle for him as a smaller RB (5'10", 205 pounds), but he is intriguing. As you say, he could be fun to watch in the preseason games.

Johnson can run, but can he protect? As a smaller back and small school star player that’s a big ask at this point. Zierlein says he can, which is very encouraging, but it’s still a big step up and a very different offense and defenses to learn.

He does return kicks, but not punts, which is where we need most help, otherwise I’d wonder if he had a route to the roster by beating out Hardman. The wild card for me are his hands. He was seldom used in catching situations. If, like Cobb, he can show that was coaching choices not talent then maybe.

Personally I see him as a PS guy to develop, hopefully use to back up the Lloyd role in future, if he can show up in camp. Certainly looking forward to seeing him in actin this summer.