First stab at offseason moves

[Sydla]

Let's operate with the premise we have $60MM in cap space after cutting Hurns and Lee.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of long term deals, just the cap hit for this coming year.

Team FAs

- Resign Lawrence long term - initial cap hit of $13MM (I just kind of averaged recent first year cap hits for other DEs)

- Resign Austin - cap hit of $3MM

- Resign Long Snapper Extraordinaire - cap hit of $1.5MM.

- Also bring back Wilson at LB and Fleming at OT for around $5MM in cap space total.

They are going to be short on WRs as I would let Beasley walk and cut Hurns. I think bringing back Austin, especially at a good cap number would be ideal.

That leaves $38MM in cap space.

Outside Free Agents

- Jared (TE) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Brandon Mebane (DT) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Earl Thomas (FS) - $10MM cap hit

Thomas is everyone's love affair. I think we need another DT here. Mebane has played under Richard and can play the 1T and the 3T. Cook is a veteran but solid TE.

Yes, all are older players but the exact type of guys we should acquire to pair with what is a young roster. None of the three should have significant long term cap implications (well maybe Thomas).

Approx. $17MM in cap space left

Draft (I used Scouts Top 250 and picked guys slotted at our position or later, but yes, I suspect some of these guys won't make it to our picks)

(2 - 58) Gerald Willis III (DT - Miami)
(3 - 91) Amani Hooker (S - Iowa)
(4 - 122) Austin Bryant (DE - Clemson)
(4 - Comp) Dexter Williams (TB - Notre Dame)
(5 - 155) Hunter Renfrow (WR - Clemson)
(7 - 219) Jackson Barton (OT - Utah)

Willis is a talent but had some off the field issues earlier in his college career, but per reports from Miami, after sitting out 2017, he came back a changed man in 2018. Hooker could play next to Thomas. Bryant isn't a quick twitch guy but we need depth at DE and he's a good value here. Backup TB is an issue and I think Williams might be one of the steals of the draft. He's a legit talent at TB but not much production at ND other than 8 games last year due to off the field issues, being in Kelly's doghouse, etc. Renfrow replaces Beasley. Barton is a project at OT.

Partial Roster:

QB - Prescott, Rush/White
TB - Elliott, Williams
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Renfrow, Brown, Wilson
TE - Cook, Jarwin, Schultz
OT - Collins, Smith, Barton, Fleming
OG - Martin, Williams, Sua
OC - Frederick, Looney

DT - Collins, Woods, Willis, Mebane
DE - Lawrence, Gregory, Armstrong, Bryant
Swing - Crawford
LB - Smith, LVE, Thomas, Wilson
S - Thomas, Woods, Heath, Frazier, Hooker
CB - Jones, Lewis, Awuzie, Brown

 

[GMO415]

I like the Jared Cook signing

 

[ShiningStar]

at least its a good path. shoring up weaknesses instead of going after any one player you want over need.

 

[JohnBoy]

at least its a good path. shoring up weaknesses instead of going after any one player you want over need.

Agreed, unless of course you're taking best available to trade for something you need...

 

[northerncowboynation]

Let's operate with the premise we have $60MM in cap space after cutting Hurns and Lee.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of long term deals, just the cap hit for this coming year.

Team FAs

- Resign Lawrence long term - initial cap hit of $13MM (I just kind of averaged recent first year cap hits for other DEs)

- Resign Austin - cap hit of $3MM

- Resign Long Snapper Extraordinaire - cap hit of $1.5MM.

- Also bring back Wilson at LB and Fleming at OT for around $5MM in cap space total.

They are going to be short on WRs as I would let Beasley walk and cut Hurns. I think bringing back Austin, especially at a good cap number would be ideal.

That leaves $38MM in cap space.

Outside Free Agents

- Jared (TE) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Brandon Mebane (DT) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Earl Thomas (FS) - $10MM cap hit

Thomas is everyone's love affair. I think we need another DT here. Mebane has played under Richard and can play the 1T and the 3T. Cook is a veteran but solid TE.

Yes, all are older players but the exact type of guys we should acquire to pair with what is a young roster. None of the three should have significant long term cap implications (well maybe Thomas).

Approx. $17MM in cap space left

Draft (I used Scouts Top 250 and picked guys slotted at our position or later, but yes, I suspect some of these guys won't make it to our picks)

(2 - 58) Gerald Willis III (DT - Miami)
(3 - 91) Amani Hooker (S - Iowa)
(4 - 122) Austin Bryant (DE - Clemson)
(4 - Comp) Dexter Williams (TB - Notre Dame)
(5 - 155) Hunter Renfrow (WR - Clemson)
(7 - 219) Jackson Barton (OT - Utah)

Willis is a talent but had some off the field issues earlier in his college career, but per reports from Miami, after sitting out 2017, he came back a changed man in 2018. Hooker could play next to Thomas. Bryant isn't a quick twitch guy but we need depth at DE and he's a good value here. Backup TB is an issue and I think Williams might be one of the steals of the draft. He's a legit talent at TB but not much production at ND other than 8 games last year due to off the field issues, being in Kelly's doghouse, etc. Renfrow replaces Beasley. Barton is a project at OT.

Partial Roster:

QB - Prescott, Rush/White
TB - Elliott, Williams
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Renfrow, Brown, Wilson
TE - Cook, Jarwin, Schultz
OT - Collins, Smith, Barton, Fleming
OG - Martin, Williams, Sua
OC - Frederick, Looney

DT - Collins, Woods, Willis, Mebane
DE - Lawrence, Gregory, Armstrong, Bryant
Swing - Crawford
LB - Smith, LVE, Thomas, Wilson
S - Thomas, Woods, Heath, Frazier, Hooker
CB - Jones, Lewis, Awuzie, Brown

Good job Syd. Could you put in a word to move Collins back to LG and look at C Williams at RT?

 

[Oh_Canada]

I would replace Mebane with Malcolm Brown myself.

Jamison Crowder on a one yr instead of Tavon Austin?

Really like your draft.

 

[Denim Chicken]

There is some speculation that the Bucs are wanting to move on from Gerald McCoy. I think I would take him over ET if it came down to it.

 

[ShiningStar]

There is some speculation that the Bucs are wanting to move on from Gerald McCoy. I think I would take him over ET if it came down to it.

its a hard choice i ll grannt you, but Dallas has to shore up that safety spot, its been killing us since Darren Woodson

 

[conner01]

Let's operate with the premise we have $60MM in cap space after cutting Hurns and Lee.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of long term deals, just the cap hit for this coming year.

Team FAs

- Resign Lawrence long term - initial cap hit of $13MM (I just kind of averaged recent first year cap hits for other DEs)

- Resign Austin - cap hit of $3MM

- Resign Long Snapper Extraordinaire - cap hit of $1.5MM.

- Also bring back Wilson at LB and Fleming at OT for around $5MM in cap space total.

They are going to be short on WRs as I would let Beasley walk and cut Hurns. I think bringing back Austin, especially at a good cap number would be ideal.

That leaves $38MM in cap space.

Outside Free Agents

- Jared (TE) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Brandon Mebane (DT) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Earl Thomas (FS) - $10MM cap hit

Thomas is everyone's love affair. I think we need another DT here. Mebane has played under Richard and can play the 1T and the 3T. Cook is a veteran but solid TE.

Yes, all are older players but the exact type of guys we should acquire to pair with what is a young roster. None of the three should have significant long term cap implications (well maybe Thomas).

Approx. $17MM in cap space left

Draft (I used Scouts Top 250 and picked guys slotted at our position or later, but yes, I suspect some of these guys won't make it to our picks)

(2 - 58) Gerald Willis III (DT - Miami)
(3 - 91) Amani Hooker (S - Iowa)
(4 - 122) Austin Bryant (DE - Clemson)
(4 - Comp) Dexter Williams (TB - Notre Dame)
(5 - 155) Hunter Renfrow (WR - Clemson)
(7 - 219) Jackson Barton (OT - Utah)

Willis is a talent but had some off the field issues earlier in his college career, but per reports from Miami, after sitting out 2017, he came back a changed man in 2018. Hooker could play next to Thomas. Bryant isn't a quick twitch guy but we need depth at DE and he's a good value here. Backup TB is an issue and I think Williams might be one of the steals of the draft. He's a legit talent at TB but not much production at ND other than 8 games last year due to off the field issues, being in Kelly's doghouse, etc. Renfrow replaces Beasley. Barton is a project at OT.

Partial Roster:

QB - Prescott, Rush/White
TB - Elliott, Williams
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Renfrow, Brown, Wilson
TE - Cook, Jarwin, Schultz
OT - Collins, Smith, Barton, Fleming
OG - Martin, Williams, Sua
OC - Frederick, Looney

DT - Collins, Woods, Willis, Mebane
DE - Lawrence, Gregory, Armstrong, Bryant
Swing - Crawford
LB - Smith, LVE, Thomas, Wilson
S - Thomas, Woods, Heath, Frazier, Hooker
CB - Jones, Lewis, Awuzie, Brown

Nice plan
I don’t know about Austin but he may not have many options but that’s slot less than he was making
I like the idea of filling needs with a vet so you don’t have to reach in draft
Like hunter but not sure he lasts that long
Overall the concept is good
I think Wilson could be replaced cheaper though

 

[JW82]

Have to factor in a new contract for Cooper, Dak and Byron Jones.

 

[CATCH17]

There is some speculation that the Bucs are wanting to move on from Gerald McCoy. I think I would take him over ET if it came down to it.

I'd rather have ET and scrap something together at DT.

Our DT's were pretty good all year but got banged up.

It sounds like they are bringing Irving back and if he is back then he is an elite player at that position. I know we can't rely on him though.

I just question Gerald McCoy and his willingness to be great. I think his engine has cooled off.

 

[Stash]

I'd rather have ET and scrap something together at DT.

Our DT's were pretty good all year but got banged up.

It sounds like they are bringing Irving back and if he is back then he is an elite player at that position. I know we can't rely on him though.

I just question Gerald McCoy and his willingness to be great. I think his engine has cooled off.

Where did you hear "they are bringing Irving back"? I have heard exactly the opposite.

 

[OmerV]

I agree with much of the OP, but I think we need to have a better 3rd receiver than Austin, and I'm not sure Mebane really adds that much to what we already have.

 

[CATCH17]

Where did you hear "they are bringing Irving back"? I have heard exactly the opposite.

I've just seen it posted on this forum.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I just question Gerald McCoy and his willingness to be great. I think his engine has cooled off.

I think he needs a change and if Rod stays on we'll get the most out of what he has left. He's been a beast against the run in his career.

 

[Stash]

I've just seen it posted on this forum.

I'd throw that away.

 

[blueblood70]

Let's operate with the premise we have $60MM in cap space after cutting Hurns and Lee.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of long term deals, just the cap hit for this coming year.

Team FAs

- Resign Lawrence long term - initial cap hit of $13MM (I just kind of averaged recent first year cap hits for other DEs)

- Resign Austin - cap hit of $3MM

- Resign Long Snapper Extraordinaire - cap hit of $1.5MM.

- Also bring back Wilson at LB and Fleming at OT for around $5MM in cap space total.

They are going to be short on WRs as I would let Beasley walk and cut Hurns. I think bringing back Austin, especially at a good cap number would be ideal.

That leaves $38MM in cap space.

Outside Free Agents

- Jared (TE) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Brandon Mebane (DT) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Earl Thomas (FS) - $10MM cap hit

Thomas is everyone's love affair. I think we need another DT here. Mebane has played under Richard and can play the 1T and the 3T. Cook is a veteran but solid TE.

Yes, all are older players but the exact type of guys we should acquire to pair with what is a young roster. None of the three should have significant long term cap implications (well maybe Thomas).

Approx. $17MM in cap space left

Draft (I used Scouts Top 250 and picked guys slotted at our position or later, but yes, I suspect some of these guys won't make it to our picks)

(2 - 58) Gerald Willis III (DT - Miami)
(3 - 91) Amani Hooker (S - Iowa)
(4 - 122) Austin Bryant (DE - Clemson)
(4 - Comp) Dexter Williams (TB - Notre Dame)
(5 - 155) Hunter Renfrow (WR - Clemson)
(7 - 219) Jackson Barton (OT - Utah)

Willis is a talent but had some off the field issues earlier in his college career, but per reports from Miami, after sitting out 2017, he came back a changed man in 2018. Hooker could play next to Thomas. Bryant isn't a quick twitch guy but we need depth at DE and he's a good value here. Backup TB is an issue and I think Williams might be one of the steals of the draft. He's a legit talent at TB but not much production at ND other than 8 games last year due to off the field issues, being in Kelly's doghouse, etc. Renfrow replaces Beasley. Barton is a project at OT.

Partial Roster:

QB - Prescott, Rush/White
TB - Elliott, Williams
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Renfrow, Brown, Wilson
TE - Cook, Jarwin, Schultz
OT - Collins, Smith, Barton, Fleming
OG - Martin, Williams, Sua
OC - Frederick, Looney

DT - Collins, Woods, Willis, Mebane
DE - Lawrence, Gregory, Armstrong, Bryant
Swing - Crawford
LB - Smith, LVE, Thomas, Wilson
S - Thomas, Woods, Heath, Frazier, Hooker
CB - Jones, Lewis, Awuzie, Brown

looks good on paper until other teams drive up prices for bidding for FA, players over price themselves, drafts change quickly players you thought would drop to the 5th get taken in the 3rd and big decsions on our own players will change half this list before April.. nice to have dreams and plan but they fall apart quickly..

 

[Sydla]

Have to factor in a new contract for Cooper, Dak and Byron Jones.

Not necessarily for this offseason.

Plus if you sign Cooper now, you likely can save cap space because his hit currently is like $14MM and you could lower his first year cap hit with a new contract.

 

[CATCH17]

I think he needs a change and if Rod stays on we'll get the most out of what he has left. He's been a beast against the run in his career.

Older big guys that come from loser organizations.. I just worry about their motivation. I'd rather go young and get a young guy that doesn't know any better.

 

[Stash]

Let's operate with the premise we have $60MM in cap space after cutting Hurns and Lee.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of long term deals, just the cap hit for this coming year.

Team FAs

- Resign Lawrence long term - initial cap hit of $13MM (I just kind of averaged recent first year cap hits for other DEs)

- Resign Austin - cap hit of $3MM

- Resign Long Snapper Extraordinaire - cap hit of $1.5MM.

- Also bring back Wilson at LB and Fleming at OT for around $5MM in cap space total.

They are going to be short on WRs as I would let Beasley walk and cut Hurns. I think bringing back Austin, especially at a good cap number would be ideal.

That leaves $38MM in cap space.

Outside Free Agents

- Jared (TE) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Brandon Mebane (DT) - $5.5MM cap hit

- Earl Thomas (FS) - $10MM cap hit

Thomas is everyone's love affair. I think we need another DT here. Mebane has played under Richard and can play the 1T and the 3T. Cook is a veteran but solid TE.

Yes, all are older players but the exact type of guys we should acquire to pair with what is a young roster. None of the three should have significant long term cap implications (well maybe Thomas).

Approx. $17MM in cap space left

Draft (I used Scouts Top 250 and picked guys slotted at our position or later, but yes, I suspect some of these guys won't make it to our picks)

(2 - 58) Gerald Willis III (DT - Miami)
(3 - 91) Amani Hooker (S - Iowa)
(4 - 122) Austin Bryant (DE - Clemson)
(4 - Comp) Dexter Williams (TB - Notre Dame)
(5 - 155) Hunter Renfrow (WR - Clemson)
(7 - 219) Jackson Barton (OT - Utah)

Willis is a talent but had some off the field issues earlier in his college career, but per reports from Miami, after sitting out 2017, he came back a changed man in 2018. Hooker could play next to Thomas. Bryant isn't a quick twitch guy but we need depth at DE and he's a good value here. Backup TB is an issue and I think Williams might be one of the steals of the draft. He's a legit talent at TB but not much production at ND other than 8 games last year due to off the field issues, being in Kelly's doghouse, etc. Renfrow replaces Beasley. Barton is a project at OT.

Partial Roster:

QB - Prescott, Rush/White
TB - Elliott, Williams
WR - Cooper, Gallup, Austin, Renfrow, Brown, Wilson
TE - Cook, Jarwin, Schultz
OT - Collins, Smith, Barton, Fleming
OG - Martin, Williams, Sua
OC - Frederick, Looney

DT - Collins, Woods, Willis, Mebane
DE - Lawrence, Gregory, Armstrong, Bryant
Swing - Crawford
LB - Smith, LVE, Thomas, Wilson
S - Thomas, Woods, Heath, Frazier, Hooker
CB - Jones, Lewis, Awuzie, Brown

I like much of this I really, and it mirrors my own choices.

I also have the team keeping Lawrence and signing Earl Thomas.

But my free agent money would go to Sheldon Richardson rather than Mebane, who I feel is on the downside and too old for this team to be interested. Conversely, they've had interest in Richardson for several years and came very close to trading for him before Kris Richard and the Seahawks ultimately did. I'd upgrade safety and defensive tackle before I'd worry about another TE. Cook is a bit of a headcase anyway.

And while I'm also drafting Renfrow, I don't think you're getting him in round 5.