03-13-2017, 01:13 AM
(03-13-2017, 12:57 AM)samhain Wrote: It would be interesting to see how the roster would take shape if he was signed. Logistics make me believe that this is an unlikely signing barring some cuts. For one, it's been said by the team that they'll likely take 2 DEs in the first four rounds. With a Barwin addition, that gives them 6, which ain't happening going into the year (Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke, and 2 rookies). This could change, of course, and cuts could be made.
I don't see them giving MJ the axe, but it's possible I guess. No way Clarke goes before his rookie deal is done. I'd say no way Dunlap goes, but I also think that this front office is insane and does maddening shit, so you never know. We think of payroll slashing and look at MJ, Jones, and Maualuga. Who the hell know what the FO thinks?
They could put him at SLB as they did with Lawson and Harrison, which I think would be a mistake. They could also just not draft 2 DEs which would be fine, I guess.
Best case scenario, I suppose, would be singing him, opening up round 1 of the draft to a non-DE. They could use the pick on a linebacker, receiver, o-lineman, whatever and still get a decent young end in 2 or 3. You carry Dunlap, MJ, Barwin, Clarke and a rookie into the season and use Clarke as your Gilberry clone who rotates inside on passing downs. That's a pretty good group of DEs if you ask me, particularly if you're getting a guy like Smoot, Harris, Phillips, or Walker in the 3rd where one is likely to fall to.
It could be just that simple. No matter how talented a player is, they've been known to draft freakish attribute DE's and ease them in or tinker with hybrid players between positions, as they did with each starter (Dunlap and MJ) respectively. So Barwin gets DE reps (rather than being tried as a SLB), and a rookie is groomed behind him. I can bet you that there is a serious war room temptation to take a DE over BPA due to need early , Barwin takes that away. If they get two stud players that are not DE's falling to them in the first three rounds, you can take them and still end up with a player to groom to fill in for MJ. Like others have posted, Barwin is a good guy that gives a pass rush threat. I trust his durability, range and skill set to help rush the passer. I also trust that Mikey will kick the tires with a low offer, but hopefully the guaranteed money is enough to land him.
