Regardless of how this season plays out, we all can agree we have to go early and often for pass rush help in the draft/free agency. Who are the studs that are projecting late 1st rd and who is free this offseason...our "charles haley" type move??
If you're looking for a stud rookie DE at pick 32, better hope Myles Garrett is found to be running a dog fighting operation.
Maybe flip Romo for a DE. Some potential Romo landing spots...
Minnesota ($13mil cap space)
- Everson Griffen (6 sacks in '16, 10.5 in '15, 12 in '14; 29 years old; FA in '19)
- Anthony Barr (2 sacks in '16, 3.5 in '15, 4 in '14; 25 years old, 3rd year; plays 43OLB and doesn't rush often)
- Danielle Hunter (9.5 sacks in '16, 6 in '15; 23 years old, 2nd year; doesn't start)
Arizona ($29.6mil cap space)
- Markus Golden (7 sacks in '16, 4 in '15; 2nd year player)
San Francisco ($83.3mil cap space)
- Aaron Lynch (1 sack in '16, 6.5 in '15, 6 in '14; 24 years old, 3rd year; plays 34OLB; only played 3 games in '16 due to injury and suspension)
- Eli Harold (1 sack in '16, 0 in '15; 23 years old, 2nd year; plays 34OLB)
- Ronald Blair (1.5 sacks in '16; rookie year; Dallas rated him as a 3rd rounder last year, went in 5th)
Chicago ($49.7mil cap space)
- Willie Young (6.5 sacks in '16, 6.5 in '15, 10 in '14; 31 years old; FA in '19)
- Lamarr Houston (0 sacks in '16, 8 in '15, 1 in '14; 30 years old; durable in Oakland, always injured in Chicago; FA in '20)
- Pernell McPhee (2 sacks in '16, 6 in '15, 7.5 in '14; rarely starts, OLB; FA in '20)
New York (J) (-$8.5mil cap space)
- Jordan Jenkins (0 sacks, 6 starts at OLB, rookie year; more of a rusher at U of GA)
Houston ($13mil cap space)
- Whitney Mercilus (4 sacks in '16, 12 in '15, 5 in '14; 27 years old; FA in '20)
- Jadeveon Clowney (3 sacks in '16, 4.5 in '15; 23 years old, 3rd year)
Denver ($27.8mil cap space)
- Shane Ray (5 sacks in '16, 4 in '14; 24 years old, 2nd year)
I don't believe the team would send Romo to Cleveland, so I left them out. Buffalo and LA don't have anyone available to acquire, so I left them out. I think Clowney and Hunter would require more than Romo. As appealing as Minnesota's talent is I would not send him there. Just makes them very good.
Everyone's contract is doable with our cap. Barr and Clowney were top 10 picks so picking up their option will be expensive when the time comes.