2023 NFL Combine

[*ochocincos*]

(03-01-2023, 05:04 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: The first order of business is to try and get a Burrow extension done. Even if it is not, the should at least know the general contours of the deal. But if they can get it done and show it to other guys as an example of a guy sacrificing (some) for the greater good, it will go a long way to getting others to do the same. 

Which is the second order of business. Trying to retain our starter level FAs on deals we can handle under the cap: Bates, Bell, Pratt, & Hurst. Bates is all but gone, and we have D. Hill in house to take over. The others seem doable under the right circumstances. A Mixon restructure possible. 

Then try to get the integral reserves back: Perine & Apple. Maybe Flowers. The rest of the FAs are fringe guys who will either come cheap and/or will still be unsigned when the draft goes down. 

After the dust settles on the early stages of FA, we can re-assess & try to fill any starting holes (if there are any) via draft or FA (if we lose guys and have significant space as a result). If all goes well, we will be drafting for depth or possible upgrades with existing starters becoming depth pieces. 

Of the FAs, I'd go: Bell, Pratt, Hurst, Perine, Apple. 

Joe Mixon will have to be willing to take a pretty big pay cut, IMO, to deserve to stay on the team.

He was 17th in attempts last year but 27th in total rushing yards.

D'Onta Foreman was ahead of Mixon, and he was only on a 1-year, $2 mill contract.
Raheem Mostert was also ahead of Mixon, and he was on a 1-year, $2.125 mill contract.
Jeff Wilson also ahead of Mixon, and he was on a 1-year, $1.08 mill contract.
All of these guys also had less rushing attempts than Mixon despite still passing him in yardage.

The Bengals could find someone who can produce about the same as Mixon at a fraction of the cost.

I wonder what a guy like David Montgomery would cost?
He's had 1000-1500 yards from scrimmage every season the past 4 years, and he's set to hit Free Agency.
He's not one of the top RBs, but he can get some yards on the ground and he's a good receiver.
I'd be willing to bet he'll sign somewhere for $5 mill APY or under.