Trade Down w/ Offseason

[Okeana]

Cap Situation

2021 Base Cap before any moves - 34 Million
Trade Geno Atkins - (-15 Million)
Cut Bobby Hart - (-6 Million)
Trade/Cut Giovani Bernard - (-4 Million)
Cut Billy Price - ( - 2 Million )

Cap Space After Cuts/Trades = 61 Million


Resign/Extend

Mackensie Alexander - 3 years - 8 Million

Brandon Wilson - 2 years - 2.5 million

Clark Harris - 2 year - 1.3 million

Kevin Huber - 2 year - 3 million

Carl Lawson - 4 years - 10.5 Million

Samaje Perine - 2 years - 1.75 million




Free Agents

Strategy - We push hard for two big signings and both are offensive lineman.  We may have to overpay, but its essential that we find two young guys with proven talent and no injury concerns.

Taylor Moton - 5 years - 14.7 Million




Moton Gives us a solid right tackle with youth that can help protect Burrow.  He has improved each year in the league and I think if we invest in pieces around him he could develop into a top right tackle.

Joe Thuney - 5 years - 14 Million



Thuney hasn't missed a game since he was drafted and has played a consistently high level.  He's will plug in at left guard and help Jonah Williams reach his full potential.  An Ohio native with two Superbowl rings he would be a slam dunk in free agency.



Draft

Strategy - Move down to aquire picks and gain pick favorable pick positions in round 2-3

Trades with Denver 5-> 9 (aquire Pick 40)

Trades with Giants Pick 38,101 (aquire Pick 42,76)

Trades with Dolphins Pick 40,197 (aquire Pick 50, 81)

Trades Lions Pick 69 (aquire pick 72, 136)




9. DeVonta Smith
WR Alabama



DeVonta Smith is a wide receiver that has played multiple spots for the Alabama offense but has aligned in many different areas depending on the formation and field position. Although he’s a slender wideout who has body dimensions that are maxed out in both his upper and lower halves, he plays much bigger than his frail structure indicates. Possessing sure hands and body control, he has little trouble with making catches in traffic, but his fundamentals remain the same on routine ones as well. Although he may never make defenders miss consistently in space, he has elongated strides that allow him to eat up operating room quickly. A polished route-runner, he has a well-developed understanding of how to create separation and he also contains a diverse release package when facing challenges at the line of scrimmage. An added incentive to his game, Smith also has value on special teams, as he’s proven to be a dangerous punt returner. In 2019, he was among a loaded position group and still produced despite the many mouths to feed. Serving as the No. 1 option in 2020, he proved to be one of the most valuable and explosive players in the country. Smith will likely not gain another pound onto his frame and his lack of body strength shows up as a blocker or when operating without the ball.    

Ideal Role: Smith is an ideal Z receiver who can operate to the field, but also has the versatility to play along the boundary as an X receiver and take advantage of mismatches in the slot.

Scheme Fit: Smith has the versatility to fit in many types of offenses. His most ideal fit is in a West Coast offense where he can operate quickly and take full advantage of his route-running skills. That scheme would also get the ball in his hands fast in order to showcase his run after catch abilities.

42. Alijah Vera-Tucker
OG USC



Alijah Vera-Tucker has aligned predominantly at left tackle this season for the Trojans offense. He has exceptional athleticism, as evidenced by his balance and body control in his pass set. He is an easy mover who demonstrates his athleticism in the passing game, particularly in his kick slide. He plays with very good competitiveness when he is bull rushed. In the run game, he comes off the ball hard to strike and he excels by getting his body in favorable positions. He’s played this year at left tackle, affording him much more value due to his ability to play that position in a pinch at the next level.

Ideal Role: Starting right guard in the NFL.

Scheme Fit: A zone blocking scheme would suit this player’s skill set. However, he is athletic enough to adapt to any scheme.

50. Daviyon Nixon
DT Iowa





Daviyon Nixon is a former Juco standout who has exploded into the spotlight after a great 2020 with Iowa.  Stout run defender who shines in his ability to apply pressure on the quarterback and get to the next level.  Nixon is a potential superstar in the making with an extremely high ceiling if the stars align and a perfect replacement for Atkins.

Ideal Role: 3 Tech

72. Chazz Surratt
LB North Carolina




Outstanding physical traits in terms of size, body composition and mobility. Has excellent range, lateral mobility and his pedal is fluid. Good spring and overall bounce in his step. Really like how quickly he can change directions and cover ground. Has no issues getting depth in drops and getting outside the tackles to finish. Closes distance rapidly when blitzing/shooting gaps. Performed well in his initial action at linebacker after converting from quarterback. Urgent, physical football player. Some impressive zone drops already where he reads the backfield and fluidly works into throwing lanes. He is still a Raw player and new to the position, but has a huge upside.


76. Rashad Weaver
EDGE Pitt



It is easy to love Weaver's game. He is a savvy pass rusher who can win in a variety of ways: he offers an outstanding array of rush moves and displays an advanced technical skill set. The hand use is phenomenal and constantly keeps his chest clean. Weaver also plays with excellent leverage and displays an effective bull rush even though he isn’t the most powerful player on the field. Weaver has a good first step and shows an ability to flip his hips and bend around the arc. Instinctual and can key and diagnose blocking schemes in the run game. Overall, you're going to get outstanding effort in both phases.

81.Brevin Jordan
TE Miami (FL)




Dynamic athlete that presents significant matchup problems for opponents. Can dominate the seam and middle of the field with his athleticism, size and ball skills. Is a monster after the catch with his explosiveness, physicality and decisiveness. 13 of his 35 receptions in 2019 (37 percent) included at least 10 yards of additional yardage after the catch. True three level threat. While the results are inconsistent, Jordan gets after it as a blocker and is more than willing. Has been used as a blocker and receiver both in-line and detached from the formation, showcasing ideal versatility.  

132. Trey Smith
OG Tennessee





A prized recruit out of high school, Tennessee offensive linemen Trey Smith played left tackle early in his Volunteers career before finding a home at right guard, where he fits best in the NFL. Identifying Smith’s strengths and weaknesses is pretty straightforward. He brings exceptional power to the table and dominates in a phone booth, but his lack of mobility and flexibility leads to some restrictions. While Smith is a massive and powerful people-mover, his high-hipped frame makes it challenging for him to play with consistent leverage and takes away from his functional strength, which is his best asset. Smith has room for technical growth, but his ceiling is as a starting guard in a gap/power run scheme with little appeal for any other scheme or position. There are some unfortunate medical notes with Smith who dealt with blood clots in his lungs in February 2018 and they appeared again in October 2018. He underwent a six-month regiment of blood-thinning medication and baby aspirin to get him ready to play in 2019.

Ideal Role: Starting guard.

Scheme Fit: Guard only in a gap/power run scheme.

136. Trey Sermon
RB Ohio State




This dude is physical! I know it's a weird lead for a running back report — but it is pretty refreshing to watch a back who can pop you as a blocker. That physical play transfers over to his carries, too. A pretty dynamic runner between the tackles thanks to his aggressive running style, body control to twist,c ontort off of contact, and his lower body strength. His foot drive is a notable plus, he does well to keep the legs churning and sustain momentum for himself as he gets bottlenecked. There is a good burst here in the hole, he'll put the foot on the gas and does well to break second level pursuit. Sermon brings value on all three downs -- he's done well with his chances to flare out and provide himself as a check down. I really love how active he is with his free arm, he knows how to stave off contact and stiff arm or shiver would-be tacklers to clear extra real estate for added yardage.


Draft Summary:  This draft was aimed at filling positions of need while also drafting the best player available during the Sim.  I wanted to draft some young offensive lineman that can compete, but also offer good backup value.  After completing the draft if I were to change one pick it would probably be Surratt and that's just because I think drafting a CB is probably a bigger need even in the 3rd round because I anticipate letting WJ3 Walk.  Regardless I was pretty impressed with the play of our corners this year and swapping WJ3 out for Waynes next year would essentially keep us in a similar place at the position.


Notes ***

This draft was simulated on PFN and doesn't represent where I think these players may go the day of the draft.  

I gave a basic cap breakdown, but as we all know contracts can be built several different ways to avoid hitting the cap.  

Lastly, these contract numbers are a rough estimate so please don't start screaming about how much you think the players are going to get on the contracts, this is an estimate.