Draft 1, Sign 1 RB/DT

[xwalker]

Scenario A is a complete and utter nonstarter. You'd be using $27-28 million in cap space on the TB position. That's basically roster stupidity and poor roster construction.

Your scenario B has some holes too. For example, you don't save $10.9 million if you cut Zeke. You only save around $4.7 million because you have to advance his bonus/restructure monies against the cap, unless..................... you designate him a June 1 cut, which would then save $10.9 million. However, remember, cap savings from June 1 cuts can only be used AFTER June 1. You don't have access to that cap savings immediately. You'd basically have to create enough cap space to pay Payne before June 1 and just bank on knowing you have cap savings coming post June 1.

I think I'd consider Scenario B if these were the only options but it's still unpalatable to me. I like Payne. Would love him on the team. But I also hate the idea of using a first round pick on a TB. That's just bad roster management again IMO.

When does not matter. Keeping Zeke vs cutting him adds 10.9M to the overall multi-year cap total.

Good cap management teams manage based on the running multi-year cap total. They don't manage on a year to year basis with each year in isolation.

How do you not understand that concept at this point?

 

[Sydla]

When does not matter. Keeping Zeke vs cutting him adds 10.9M to the overall multi-year cap total.

Good cap management teams manage based on the running multi-year cap total. They don't manage on a year to year basis with each year in isolation.

How do you not understand that concept at this point?

But it does matter, especially when the plan involves paying Payne in FA. Payne is going to sign early and likely have a fairly sizeable cap hit. In designating Elliott a June 1 cut, you HAVE TO CARRY HIS FULL CAP HIT until June 1. It doesn't come off your cap until June 1. But teams have to be cap compliant before that date. So you can't just say, uh yeah we are over the cap because we signed these players in FA but it's OK, we'll be fine after June 1. It doesn't work that way. They have to have their cap in line by the start of the league year in March.

So in that sense, let's say a team at the start of the league year is right at the cap. They decide to sign a big time CB who will have an initial cap charge of $8 million. In order to cover that and stay cap compliant they are going to cut their RT who will save them $8 million as a June 1 cut. Guess what? They can't do that. They have to carry the RT's cap hit until June 1. Therefore, they'd now be $8 million OVER THE CAP once they tried to sign the CB, which is a no no. So in order to make it work, they then have to do some things that might not be palatable - maybe restructure a guy they don't want to so save some cap space. Or cut a guy they would prefer not to cut. In order to get the CB and stay in cap compliance, they can't use the $8 million savings from cutting the RT. Hence my point. The Cowboys are likely gonna be tight to the cap again. If they plan (or you plan) on using Elliott's cap savings to sign Payne, you can't............. you have to carry his cap hit on your books until June 1, which at that point, Payne will be long gone in FA. Sure, his being off the books helps down the road, but it doesn't help right now.

Yes teams manage the cap looking beyond one year but they are also very much boxed in by cap constraints in single years.

 

[xwalker]

But it does matter, especially when the plan involves paying Payne in FA. Payne is going to sign early and likely have a fairly sizeable cap hit. In designating Elliott a June 1 cut, you HAVE TO CARRY HIS FULL CAP HIT until June 1. It doesn't come off your cap until June 1. But teams have to be cap compliant before that date. So you can't just say, uh yeah we are over the cap because we signed these players in FA but it's OK, we'll be fine after June 1. It doesn't work that way. They have to have their cap in line by the start of the league year in March.

So in that sense, let's say a team at the start of the league year is right at the cap. They decide to sign a big time CB who will have an initial cap charge of $8 million. In order to cover that and stay cap compliant they are going to cut their RT who will save them $8 million as a June 1 cut. Guess what? They can't do that. They have to carry the RT's cap hit until June 1. Therefore, they'd now be $8 million OVER THE CAP once they tried to sign the CB, which is a no no. So in order to make it work, they then have to do some things that might not be palatable - maybe restructure a guy they don't want to so save some cap space. Or cut a guy they would prefer not to cut. In order to get the CB and stay in cap compliance, they can't use the $8 million savings from cutting the RT. Hence my point. The Cowboys are likely gonna be tight to the cap again. If they plan (or you plan) on using Elliott's cap savings to sign Payne, you can't............. you have to carry his cap hit on your books until June 1, which at that point, Payne will be long gone in FA.

Yes teams manage the cap looking beyond one year but they are also very much boxed in by cap constraints in single years.

Only teams that have done maximum restructures on all contracts and are still tight against the cap would have the problems you describe.

The Cowboys were only in that situation once in history. It was 2013 and Romo had a big cap hit on the last year of his contract. They had Franchised Spencer for the 2nd time. Prior to Romo signing a new contract in April, they max restructured all contracts including the backup QB which only netted 100K of cap space.

They can easily sign Payne and cut Zeke without June 1st designation.

Cut Zeke plus 5 restructures and they have 69M in cap space for 2023.

The 1st season on a new contract often has the lowest cap hit.

 

[Sydla]

Only teams that have done maximum restructures on all contracts and are still tight against the cap would have the problems you describe.

The Cowboys were only in that situation once in history. It was 2013 and Romo had a big cap hit on the last year of his contract. They had Franchised Spencer for the 2nd time. Prior to Romo signing a new contract in April, they max restructured all contracts including the backup QB which only netted 100K of cap space.

They can easily sign Payne and cut Zeke without June 1st designation.

Cut Zeke plus 5 restructures and they have 69M in cap space for 2023.

The 1st season on a new contract often has the lowest cap hit.

For the record, I am totally not opposed to cutting Elliott, either as a June 1 or regular cut. Frankly, I think it needs to be done. But let's not act like cutting Elliott, deeming him a June 1 cut suddenly gives us $11 million cap savings to go splurge on a big time FA at the start of FA in March. The Cowboys sit at around 6.5 million in space heading into 2023 according to Spotrac. They are going to have to make some moves just to sign some of their own and fill out a roster before they even think about any big time FAs. And Elliott as a June 1 cut, doesn't really help that situation.

 

[xwalker]

For the record, I am totally not opposed to cutting Elliott, either as a June 1 or regular cut. Frankly, I think it needs to be done. But let's not act like cutting Elliott, deeming him a June 1 cut suddenly gives us $11 million cap savings to go splurge on a big time FA at the start of FA in March. The Cowboys sit at around 6.5 million in space heading into 2023 according to Spotrac. They are going to have to make some moves just to sign some of their own and fill out a roster before they even think about any big time FAs. And Elliott as a June 1 cut, doesn't really help that situation.

My OP didn't reference a June 1st cut...

The real question in my OP was "Would you draft a RB in the 1st round in 2023?"

I just couldn't ask directly because people are programmed to say "No RB in the 1st...The sky is falling, yada yada yada".

 

[Cowboyny]

• Scenario A
  • Keep Zeke
  • Franchise Pollard
  • Draft the best DT available late 1st.
• Scenario B
  • Cut Zeke (save 10.9M)
  • Let Pollard leave (save ~11.1M tag amount)
  • Total savings = 22M
  • Draft RB Bijan Robinson late 1st
  • Use the 22M to pay Daron Payne's signing bonus.

2022 DTs available after pick #13:
Devonte Wyatt (#28)
Phidarian Mathis 2nd round
Zachary Carter
Perrion Winfrey

If it was me, I would resign Pollard and sign Payne. Use Zeke and Tyron's money to land Payne.

 

[Sydla]

My OP didn't reference a June 1st cut...

The real question in my OP was "Would you draft a RB in the 1st round in 2023?"

I just couldn't ask directly because people are programmed to say "No RB in the 1st...The sky is falling, yada yada yada".

When you say "Cut Elliott (Save $10.9 million)" you basically just said June 1. It's the only way you can save $10.9 million next offseason.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Rounds 3-5 is the RB goldilocks zone..

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I would resign Pollard

I'm def keeping Pollard at one more year and probably draft his backup.

 

[Cowboyny]

I'm def keeping Pollard at one more year and probably draft his backup.

He was one of the major reasons why we were able to win with Cooper Rush. Take away his big play ability and our offense greatly diminishes. I would lock him up long-term and find a power back in the draft to replace Zeke

 

[Hawkeye0202]

He was one of the major reasons why we were able to win with Cooper Rush. Take away his big play ability and our offense greatly diminishes. I would lock him up long-term and find a power back in the draft to replace Zeke

He's a threat to take it to the house on any given play.........been a long time since we've had that.

 

[Cowboyny]

He's a threat to take it to the house on any given play.........been a long time since we've had that.

Huge weapon and could even be greater if the Cowboys staff use him more as a receiver which he was on the college level. You can always find a complementary power back in the draft that is far cheaper then keeping Zeke on the roster. Question is, does the front office have the stones to release Zeke who is Dak's best friend and considered a team leader?

I would take advantage of the deep RB/TE class and move on from both Zeke/Shultz.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I would take advantage of the deep RB/TE class and move on from both Zeke/Shultz

No question....it's downright silly not to. It's an opportunity to get younger and cheaper. As someone mentioned, take the money saved and sign a top FA DT.

What's your take on Eagles DT Javon Hargrave .........he might be avail


https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/javon-hargrave-19043/

 

[Sydla]

I'd cut Zeke, whether June 1 or not depends on the other cap situation, who they restructure, etc. There are some other cuts, such as Jordan Lewis.

- I'd look to bring in a vet WR that can slide into the 3rd spot behind Lamb and Gallup.

- I'd bring in a good vet DT, not some Watkins low ball cheap *** signing.

- I'd look for a vet CB (like how the Eagles added a guy like Bradberry on a one year deal).

- I look for a good cheap vet TB.

In the draft I am focused on the lines, CB, LB and RB (in the middle rounds).

 

[xwalker]

When you say "Cut Elliott (Save $10.9 million)" you basically just said June 1. It's the only way you can save $10.9 million next offseason.

Repeat after me: "Multi-year cap total."

If they cut him in 2023 and then in 5 years you look back at the total cap hits for all years, then that number is 10.9M less than if they keep him for 2023 and cut him in 2024.

 

[Sydla]

Repeat after me: "Multi-year cap total."

If they cut him in 2023 and then in 5 years you look back at the total cap hits for all years, then that number is 10.9M less than if they keep him for 2023 and cut him in 2024.

LOL, OK.

 

[Cowboyny]

No question....it's downright silly not to. It's an opportunity to get younger and cheaper. As someone mentioned, take the money saved and sign a top FA DT.

What's your take on Eagles DT Javon Hargrave .........he might be avail


https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/javon-hargrave-19043/

Hargrave has always been a quality player.

 

[Malhavoc]

Payne is a pipe dream. I just don’t see any scenario where he ends up on this team. Hargrave might be a more realistic option. He won’t be cheap but he would be a real difference maker.

 

[Creeper]

There are lots of in-betweens with this. Cut Zeke, keep Pollard, draft a big thumper RB in the middle rounds.

I don't think there is any chance the Cowboys sign Payne. It is not in their strategy and I don't think the Commanders will let him leave. Although he had some differences with Jonathan Allen earlier in the year so maybe he wants out?
Still. The Cowboys will not put up $20 million a year to sign him.

I think the Cowboy have to cut Zeke or do something with his contract. I don't think he can be traded because he has no value. Jerry is going to find a way to bring him back.
I am curious what Pollards value will be as a part time RB. Lately his stock has gone way down as he has shown he cannot be depended on to be an inside RB to pick up the 1st downs in short yardage situations.

And we have to keep in mind, the Cowboys are not swimming in CAP space. I think we will see more of the same this year. Some of or free agents will leave. Some will be signed to 1 or two year deals. Whatever money the Cowboys save they will use for JAGS to fill out the depth chart.

 

[Teague31]

I’d rather roll with Malik than draft a RB in round 1-2