Are we being realistic with Free Agency expectations?

[*Go Cards*]

(02-18-2022, 08:25 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: The idea of spending $33-35m/yr on just Bates, Uzomah, and Hill is hilariously bad.

Bates isn't worth anywhere near $16-18m/yr. I'm not even sure he's worth a $13m franchise tag. $18m/yr would make him tied for the 27th highest paid non-QB player in the entire NFL. Also.. why would you ever front load? That's nonsense.

Uzomah isn't worth anywhere near $8.3m/yr. That would make him the 8th highest paid TE in the league and he's heading into his age 29 season and has never reached 500 yards receiving before.

Hill isn't worth anywhere near $8.75m/yr. That would make him the 19th highest paid DT in the league and he's a part-time player non-starter. Jonathan Fanene part 2.

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I get people have been reading Hobspin articles for years and years now, but you don't need to regurgitate that line of thinking in order to preemptively cover up for the 7th Annual Not Fixing The OL offseason.

Yep and that 35 million would buy some nice FA O-line help.

I like Bates but 18 million will bring in a ProBowl LT and could draft Bates replacement at pick #32. 

Every Free Safety on the board will be left at this time except for Kyle Hamilton and maybe Elam. Many have 2nd round grades like Cline, Brisker, and Hall and who knows maybe Elam falls even. Bengals could basically have whoever they feel is the 2nd or 3rd best FS in draft and add a Top Tier experienced O-lineman for just Bates alone. A Center and Guard should be much cheaper and easier to work out and Hill could help out here a lot leaving only one spot needed which should be easy enough, and could even keep Uzomah in this scenario.  

Its doable imho.