I listen to a few shows over a period of time . I may add a link later . The argument is that Dak is an average QB while Zeke, Cooper , Jaylon, and Byron Jones are all in the top 10 at their position. You would have to take Coopers stats over 9 games and project them over the full 16 to get the gist. The question being why lose players that are elite or have the potential to be elite over an average QB? Just pay that you can first and leave enough to FRANCHISE Dak. Someone could be left out like B Jones but you'd have everyone else paid. If Dak is picked up you get 2 first round picks or you work out a deal. If Dak balls out this season of course you'd pay him a big deal.
The question is what if we get the same production this season as these first three seasons? Is his stat line worth 30+ million?
Dak is a good QB but 30+ for some more of the same?
The key is Dak needs 16 games of what he did when Cooper got here. That's what we need and that's what we expect. If he can give me 16 games of the last 9. I'm happy to pay him. If he somehow reverts back to the first 7 then I'm sorry it's time to find another QB.
The BIG question is are you confident we will get the last 9 games Dak plus an off season with Cooper and the crew or that he just isn't enough? What do you guys think?
QB:
The problem i have with Dak is not about the money he will get. QB is the most important player on your roster. So you have to have one and you pay him regardless the amount when you are confident he is the right one.
Here comes my problem: i am still not convinced he really is the franchise QB we need to make it to and win the big game. So the question is: do you bind your franchises faith to him ?
QBs usually dont get intensive ladden contracts or ones that are build to be able to cut him after 2 years. You commit on your QB - that comes by the nature of the position and responsibility he has to handle.
Right now i am not willing to commit to him. So i would play him out his rookie contract. If he is able to show that he can get better on his flaws (which i dont want to list here, cause i did it already in other posts) then i am totally for it to give him a new contract. Be it 30 or 33 mils / year. I would not care. But if i am not satisfied with what i see from him this season i would FT him in 2020 and take the same approach for 1 more year.
RB:
I like Zeke. He is a great back. He to me is not a top 3 back right now but that has more to do with the competition right now in the NFL: I see LeBell, Gurley and Barkley in front of him. But that can change quickly: Gurleys bad knee, Barkley has only had one season, DCs didnt really game plan for him.
The problem i have is more about the position then the player. RB is a position that usually doesnt take long to adjust to the NFL. Zeke needed 2 games before he reached production for us. WRs, QBs, Lineman, 4-3 DEs, LBs usually need more time to adjust.
So from a plug and play view its way more easy to find a good RB then other players. That makes the position more easy for change. There are more reasons to not give out a second contract i just want to mention: usual lifetime (production) of a RB in the NFL, high salary of good backs 2nd contracts compared to rookies, trade value of a great back in his prime.
I would let Zeke play out his contract and always look for trade offers. If the price is ok for me (for instance the rumour about the raiders - 1 first their drafted RB and safety for Zeke) would be a welcome choice for me.
After Zekes contract i would FT him and, if he still produces FT him again. But as i saidi would always look out for possible trades. I would NOT give him a second contract. If he really wants to hold out i would play the hard game.
WR:
I think with the inbestement we made by trading for Cooper it is a given we have to sign him. Regardless i dont see any preassure to do it now. Lets see what kind of season ge will have first. If he is able to keep up his game, i would sign him earlierst midth of the season. I see Cooper not as a top 10 WR. So the contract would be in the range of the amount a ranked 12-15 player would get. In the end i see us giving him top 5 money. But that comes with the deal we made and the bound we are in thru that.
CB:
I am not convinced by all the props Jones gets. He to me is a good fit for the DBs our secondary coach is looking for. So thats a plus for him. But he also profits greatly from the way he is used in Richards scheme. He is a good CB but he is not near a shutdown corner ( but then, with the new rules and all, who is able to be one).
I would let him play out the 5th year and have a look and see next offseason. I want to see how our other CBs develope first. Richards, whom i think alot of, was IMO also brought here to be able to make the secondary cheaper. I think he is able to fit rookies in and let them play like "pro bowlers" even if they dont have the overall talent. Right now i would trust on that. But also here: lets see first how the season playa out and how he is able to bring our CBs along. I am especially eager to see how he is able to bring Jackson along.
To me Brown is a very criticised player that does deserve more props. He handles the slot very well. I could see us sign him in the offseason and have a career Scandrik had with us (able to stick around much longer then people think, getting criticed a lot, but does his job on a good level).
Awuzie is a good CB. Right now their is no question about a new contract. He has his rookie salary speaking for him.
LB:
LVE is in his second year. I dont think a lot abou5 his decond contract right now. You dont plan 4 years ahead in todays NFL IMO.
Smith is a bigger problem. He looked great last year. If he can repeat that i think i would sign him. Mayve even in the midth of the season. But he had major knee injury, that always will affect his longlivity. If he shows no sign of problems with his knee, then a 2nd contract is a given for me.
RT:
If Collins shows enough in traing camp to be able to handle a tackle spot i would suggest a switch next season. I would La'el walk and live with the compensation pick ill get. Which will be a 3rd anyways. Thats a good change for the minimal investement we had in him.
Thats it from me. Did i forgot something ?