12-09-2020, 10:44 AM
(12-08-2020, 04:48 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: FYI: All of that money is already accounted for in the projected 41.7 million in cap space. None are under contract, and letting them walk doesn't add to our space. It just prevents us from using some of it on them.
Only way you're opening up money in addition to that figure is by cuts or trades.
This.
People don't seem to realize that there are already around $20m of pay rises due from this year to next year and the cap is set to drop by a similar amount.
It's $40m cap space before we re-sign any of WJIII, Lawson, Green, Alexander, Spain etc. The rookies are going to cost about $12m of this and there is then about $28m to fill a dozen roster spaces.
To be active in the first or second wave of free agency cuts need to be made. Bobby Hart and BJ Finney save $10m. Geno saves a similar amount.
That leaves as your top 6 cap hits: Waynes, Reader, Mixon, Boyd, Burrow, Hopkins.
I didn't like the Mixon, Waynes and Hopkins deals at the time and I like them even less now. It's probably too early to back out of these deals (but not to fire whoever agreed them).
You still need to find a starting DT, DE and CB and upgrade the guard spots with the 2nd and 3rd round picks and around $20m to spend in free agency. I'd be keen on WJIII and Lawson returning if they can fit into that.
