04-14-2020, 08:40 AM
They don't need Dalton's salary off the books so much as they need another mid-round pick to try and solidify the LBer group.
Trading Dalton (our only expendable player with any value) for a mid-round pick to use on LB allows us to target impact players in the second and third rather than filling a need.
Remember Dalton's $17m is only on the books for another year whereas drafting a linebacker in the middle of the third (where they are value) to back-up and then replace Bynes will hopefully solve a problem with a cost controlled solution for the next 4 years. Germaine Pratt costs $4m for 4 years because draft picks are cost controlled. Josh Bynes, a bargain bucket free agency one year stop gap, costs more per year at $1.6m. Drafting someone in the mid-rounds is not only cheaper than signing a 4th tier free agent but they also have more upside!
Getting a pick for Dalton also helps you over 4 or 5 years. Dumping Dalton's contract only helps you one year. Unfortunately the Bears' lack of draft picks (only 2 in the first 3 rounds) stymied a Dalton to Chicago trade but Jacksonville have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds as do the Patriots (although 2 of those are 3rd round compensatory picks making a trade trickier). With no compensatory picks this year or next, it's vital that the Bengals get something for Dalton.
Trading Dalton (our only expendable player with any value) for a mid-round pick to use on LB allows us to target impact players in the second and third rather than filling a need.
Remember Dalton's $17m is only on the books for another year whereas drafting a linebacker in the middle of the third (where they are value) to back-up and then replace Bynes will hopefully solve a problem with a cost controlled solution for the next 4 years. Germaine Pratt costs $4m for 4 years because draft picks are cost controlled. Josh Bynes, a bargain bucket free agency one year stop gap, costs more per year at $1.6m. Drafting someone in the mid-rounds is not only cheaper than signing a 4th tier free agent but they also have more upside!
Getting a pick for Dalton also helps you over 4 or 5 years. Dumping Dalton's contract only helps you one year. Unfortunately the Bears' lack of draft picks (only 2 in the first 3 rounds) stymied a Dalton to Chicago trade but Jacksonville have 4 picks in the first 3 rounds as do the Patriots (although 2 of those are 3rd round compensatory picks making a trade trickier). With no compensatory picks this year or next, it's vital that the Bengals get something for Dalton.
