Super Bowl Mock

[*ochocincos*]

(02-01-2022, 01:02 PM)Bengalfan11164 Wrote: With roughly $66mm (after Waynes release) in salary cap space, there should be enough to either FT or extend Bates.  

The Bengals need to retain their best defensive players while adding additional defensive playmakers (probably in the draft).   FT for Bates would be about $14mm for Bates.   
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/cap/

Love the FA oline additions to the team. Probably about $25mm, maybe a tick more.  

$25mm Oline + $14mm Bates FT = $39mm with still about $27mm left to sign add'l players (e.g Uzomah, Apple, BJ Hill).

Moses is playing on a 1 year $4.3mm deal.  Estimated Market Value of $7.7mm.  
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/morgan-moses-14476/
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-jets/morgan-moses-14476/market-value/

Andrew Norwell - Restructured his deal for a $9mm hits with $3m in incentives ($1m playoff, $1m pro bowl, $1m top 10 team rank).  He should be able to be "got" for $10mm.  
https://jaguarswire.usatoday.com/2021/03/15/jags-andrew-norwell-restructure-before-tampering-period/

James Daniels is exiting rookie deal and made $3mm in the most recent year.  He will be more expensive - Spotrac is now estimating his market value as $7.3.  
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/james-daniels-25138/
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/chicago-bears/james-daniels-25138/market-value/

Yes, Moses, Daniels, and Norwell are estimated ~$25 mill.
Bates tag is $13 mill.
You're already at $38 mill just in 4 players.
You'll also need to reserve ~$10 mill for draft and injury reserve.
So you're down to already almost $50 mill occupied.

Bengals only have 36 players under contract for 2022, only 34 if Reiff leaves and Waynes is released. That's 17 players at minimum you need to sign with the cap space available.

You have to worry about starting TE, two DTs (one starter), backup safety, two WRs, backup CB(s), potential depth at edge (more pass rush than Kareem and Sample please), and possibly backup QB as well.
You filling all that with ~$15-20 mill with players the fans will feel confident in?