What positions could FSU address in the spring Transfer Portal?
Defensive Tackle
Priority Level: High
The building block ofJoshua Farmeris a good one. Potentially a great one, when healthy. Most teams nationally aren't returning a player with his potential to be disruptive blended with a season of starting experience already.
Darrell Jacksonhas massive upside, but we'll see what that looks like over the course of a season. Still, you take this roll of the dice every time.
Those are two good starting points for your interior defenders, and there should be comfort in building around those two if you're FSU. The depth –Daniel Lyons,KJ Sampson, andGrady Kelly– is solid. These are players you can depend on, to varying degrees, to rotate in games and play above a replacement level in the ACC.
But last season taught us that a deep DT group can pay major dividends as a season progresses. And right now, five capable DTs isn't optimal. Serviceable, but not optimal…especially if inevitable injury occurs during the course of the season.
That's all to say that you need to keep building at this position. An experienced player to bridge between Farmer/Jackson and the rotational players is needed. Basically, you need that Fabien Lovett-level reserve to really create mismatches as a game wears on.
FSU figures to be in the DT market this window, and will be in good company with the likes ofLSU,Auburn, and Oklahoma. This is a position that's becoming increasingly expensive in the NFL (if you can rush the passer), and we're starting to see college teams follow suit. So a quality DT to add to the depth won't be cheap, but it is essential if you're trying to build an elite roster.
FSU's other top needs are listed below...
TIGHT END
Priority Level: High
This was a position that felt like it needed addressing entering the spring, and FSU will exit the spring almost assuredly looking to find help at tight end.
Now, is that version of help a proven starter? A low-upside but high-floor veteran reserve? A promising underclassman? You'll probably have to wait to see what the market brings to get an answer there.
But you will almost assuredly be monitoring the market to see if you can find help in the Portal.
Kyle Morlockis your projected starter, and he should be serviceable for a year as you invest in your likely long-term answer in Landen Thomas. Yet figuring out the bridge between those two is important to get through 2024.
Jackson West, when healthy, is a fun player with premium size and a mean streak.Brian Courtneyhas his moments, but has primarily been a special teams player (there's value there, for sure, but there isn't a clear indication that he can consistently help you on offense).Jerrale Powersjust hasn't developed to the extent you'd like through his first two seasons at FSU, and he isn't showing a capacity to clearly bring value to the roster right now.
Those bridge pieces just haven't captured your imagination in the spring. Help is needed.
WIDE RECEIVER
Priority Level: Medium
Going into the spring, the thought was that you'll see who emerges from a group that blends quality veterans (albeit veterans who haven't demonstrated the sort of star power that draws immense focus from defenses) and super-promising second-year players. If a star, like aKeon Coleman, emerged in April, then you'd pursue.
With spring wrapping up in the next week, I've changed my stance a little on what I think you'd pursue in the Portal. A spring-ending injury toDestyn Hillwiped away important evaluation points for a possible starter,Hykeem Williamshas had some brilliant flashes mixed with inconsistency, andJa'Khi DouglasandKentron Poitierhave flashed but haven't been steady threats.AlabamatransferMalik Bensonis going to be a factor this year, but he seems more like an ideal No. 2 at the 2WR spot than a high-volume receiver who can consistently win in a multitude of ways.
That's a long way of saying: There are pieces to like among this room, but there's room forfinding a stable presence as well (especially at the 9WR spot, which features bigger WRs).
I've moved off the notion that you need to add a star. I also don't think you need to add a body just to add one, there's enough capable quality here. BUT if you can find a proven starter to complement what you already have…it's a move you make in my opinion.
DEFENSIVE END
Priority Level: Medium-Value Based
This is an example of adding to a premium position that allows for rotational flexibility.
If you have a couple good edge rushers – I think that's the case withPatrick Paytonand the emergingMarvin Jones Jr.– with quality depth (i.e.Sione Lolohea, a potentially dominant run stopper) then you're in a good spot. But if another quality option emerges to fortify a potential strength, you do it.
This is a position that can afford adding a player with multiple years of experience in order to supplement some of the deficiencies with prep recruiting. Adding a high-upside underclassman who can help a little this year and then emerge into a starter in 2025 would be worth pursuing.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Priority Level: Medium-Value Based
Much like defensive end, OT is a premium position that you can add IF you find a capable player.
Easier said than done, offensive tackles are hard to come by.
But getting a swing tackle or even someone who can push for a starting spot (allowing you to moveDarius WashingtonorJeremiah Byersinside) is the type of move that would alter the complexion of the offense.
LINEBACKER
Priority Level: Value Based
DJ Lundylooks to have leveled up this spring, so I feel optimistic about him as your centerpiece at linebacker.
Blake Nichelson,Justin Cryer,Shawn Murphy, andOmar Grahamare the others in the rotation. Murphy is coming off his best practice of the spring, and Nichelson has had some really high-end moments.
There's a case to be made that a veteran to build a bridge to the underclassmen would be valuable, but I'm not certain FSU feels that way. The growth we've seen from Nichelson in a small window and the upside of Murphy might be worth banking on this season.
The linebacker market was so weak in the winter that it was difficult to find many surefire starters in there (Lundy was one, and he was retained). If one emerges this offseason, and the market doesn't force an astronomical price, then you probably consider it.
But I don't think it's viewed as a priority. Or, at least, it's not a position that you feel the need to force something at.
CORNERBACK
Priority Level: Value Based
This is a premium position that FSU values highly to the point in which it'll always consider adding talent to, if it makes sense.
So if a talented underclassman enters the market, there's a high grade on that player, you could see FSU make room for the value add.
