First I'd say that the X role has been a hole for us for years now. So it is not like we must fill it. Sure would be nice, but I wouldn't call it critical.
The critical need is Slot, that weapon for over the middle, that makes McVay's offense go. And for that role the player must have specific traits IMO. He must separate quickly, i.e. have that combo of short area quickness and route running precision. And he must have the ability to work the middle without wilting from the hits and contact it brings. Beyond that Kupp showed what can happen when that role is also a student of the game.
Now that Slot role can be a WR or a TE. We have used a WR in Kupp who is physically similar to the TE McVay used in Washington, being 6'2" and I'd say Kupp is overall a better athlete as well. Looking at this draft they can go the route of WR or TE, as both are represented with answers. The Slot WRs start at 26 with Burden and Egbuka. They are mocked higher here and there but I don't think either are slam dunks in the slot role, so to me at least fwiw 26 is where their value starts, as I see them as 20-40 types due to the fact neither is physically what we need in that strength over the middle. But I am a bit picky with wideouts and expect them to attack the ball and own that middle. I think Egbuka is better than Burden. And for me personally this WR class is straight up shitty at the top. Well shitty may be a bit strong, but they don't compare well to my eye to other recent strong classes and that is why a guy like Golden (X projection in the NFL) will probably be off the board before we pick.
Making things worse for those slot WRs is the fact this year's TE group is stacked. Question is do you want the safe QB outlet over the middle, or do you want some explosiveness. None of these guys are going to turn a crack into a coverage into a big play like Egbuka or Burden will. But many of them will give the QB a safety blanket over the middle with big catch radius and the ability to body defenders.
This combo overall is why I think TE is very likely at 26. Also and btw if teams concur with that take then we'll have potential to see the better options go off the board before we pick. I mean it would figure. Seems like McVay is always on the outside looking in with the best TE options. But I am still hopeful.
Back to the X role options I expect we end up taking a shot on one of the smaller types who will be there in round 3. Not ideal, but at this point and after seeing Jefferson and Tutu I think maybe the Rams have learned their lesson about attitude in a wideout. Which is to say I think aggression for the ball and willingness/ability to block in combo are the keys. Speed on top of that would be great but speed in and of itself is meaningless if a hand on you negates your route.
