1) Injuries will decide at least 1 starter and 1 back up on both sides of the ball.
2) Donald will not hold out AND there will not be an extension until next season.
3) They'll keep 3 RBs plus a fullback and the fullback is going to be used not just to block, but as part of the offensive attack to run and to catch passes. That means that Harkey can only make it as a TE and I'm not sure he sticks unless we keep 4 TEs.
4) They'll keep 6 WRs. They will be Woods, Austin, Kupp, Reynolds, Spruce and Cooper. Marquez and Thomas do not make the 53 unless one of those 6 is injured. Yes, Marquez and Thomas were good on STs; but we need offensive firepower and sure hands.
5) McVay will play the starters a full quarter in the first preseason game (if not more), close to a half in the second. And in the fourth game they'll also play close to a half. The starting units need reps because we have new systems on both sides of the ball.
6) The rookie offensive star on O will be Kupp; Ebukam on D.
7) Eldrencamp wins the back up Center battle because he can play Guard and he can also play RT in a pinch.
8) Higbee will outshine Everett because TE is one of the hardest positions to learn. Nothing against Everett; but that one season of playing really helps Higbee.
9) Forest will be hard to keep off the field; he is big and he has skills and savvy.
10) Goff will show significant improvement under McVay. He won't set the world on fire because there's just too much offense to learn and it is going to take more time than 1 off season and a couple of preseason games.
