Around 10 players, split evenly preferably. And that's proven starter level talent, not potential. It doesn't have to be top tier talent, but should be someone the FO can count on.
Just looking at who is left from the 2022 team and it's basically Budda, JT, Kyler, Conner, Will Hernandez, Zaven Collins (at a different position) and Trey McBride, although McBride was nothing then and Zaven is a fringe starter currently.
And in my opinion only 1 of them is a potential top tier starter at an important position at that time, and that's Kyler. McBride has developed into someone with top 10 position potential.
I love Conner, but running back is an easy position to replace. Heck, Connor was a disposable running back when we picked him up. Safety is the running back of defense and it pains me that we have so much money in that position.
I'm missing Hump off here, although you could put him in if you want. For me he was always the Andy Dalton of left tackles. Initially promising enough to think he's a franchise player, but ultimately proved to be a bottom tier starter. I think the team would have moved away from him without the injury.
So Monti started with 5 total surefire starters (Kyler, Conner, Budda, JT, Hernandez) and none of them at WR, CB, Edge, DL. If you have 10 and those 10 are at key positions then even better.
The QB is a massive wildcard though. You hit on a good QB or get a QB playing lights out and it can make a below average roster a postseason team. Look at the '21 Cardinals, or last years Texans. Nobody looked at the Texans roster pre season and thought they were better than 5 wins.
Which is why I think this years team, while not there yet on paper, can surprise people if Kyler is good. I think even with last years worse roster we get 8 wins if Kyler is healthy.