02-23-2022, 01:24 AM
Good thread.
I won't crunch too many numbers. I'm not a math guy. But I think I have a basic understanding of what we're up against:
Priority #1) Ben Jones, C. A rock. Veteran. Winner. Would solidify the line right away. I'm not worried about 3 years down the road. And if Jones isn't available, try to land Evan Brown from Detroit. With Ragnow coming back they may be looking to move him. He showed out well this past season and deserves to play somewhere (his PBWR was #9 among Centers).
#2) Laken Tomlinson, LG. Just like Jones, I like how he's had some recent success. Don't want to be teaching these guys how to win. Ain't nobody got time for that. Good RBWR, fwiw.
#3) Trade for Shaq Mason, RG. The Pats are a bit like the Lions in that they have an extra body inside (Okwenu, Karras, Mason). Also cap problems and may look to swing a deal to clear space. Enter Shaq. I don't know what it would take but he'd fit like a glove for us. #9 PBWR in 2021 and smack dab in the middle of his prime. $10.15 cap hit with two years left.
Those three IOL would come out to about $25 MM. Which is fine. It's a little more than one Armstead lol. We can make do with the bookends. I might move Jonah over to the right side and give Smith a shot as the blind-side protector. I think they'd both thrive in those roles. Point is, there's versatility to experiment when the three guys inside are steady, as opposed to playing whack-a-mole from left to right all season.
#4) Sign Bates long-term. Essential contributor in the backfield. His game won't fall off anytime soon and I'm not a big fan of tagging guys. Give him $15 MM.
The above would approach about $40 MM, plus $8-10 for the draft. Waive Waynes and Hopkins. Sign Ogunjobi and maybe Uzomah if there's room (in that order). Then fill in the cracks by signing guys off the scrap heap like we did last year. Go BPA at the draft and fortify position groups (ideally starting with the DL). I'm aware that I'll probably be losing a few picks to land Mason and/or Brown, but such is life.
I won't crunch too many numbers. I'm not a math guy. But I think I have a basic understanding of what we're up against:
Priority #1) Ben Jones, C. A rock. Veteran. Winner. Would solidify the line right away. I'm not worried about 3 years down the road. And if Jones isn't available, try to land Evan Brown from Detroit. With Ragnow coming back they may be looking to move him. He showed out well this past season and deserves to play somewhere (his PBWR was #9 among Centers).
#2) Laken Tomlinson, LG. Just like Jones, I like how he's had some recent success. Don't want to be teaching these guys how to win. Ain't nobody got time for that. Good RBWR, fwiw.
#3) Trade for Shaq Mason, RG. The Pats are a bit like the Lions in that they have an extra body inside (Okwenu, Karras, Mason). Also cap problems and may look to swing a deal to clear space. Enter Shaq. I don't know what it would take but he'd fit like a glove for us. #9 PBWR in 2021 and smack dab in the middle of his prime. $10.15 cap hit with two years left.
Those three IOL would come out to about $25 MM. Which is fine. It's a little more than one Armstead lol. We can make do with the bookends. I might move Jonah over to the right side and give Smith a shot as the blind-side protector. I think they'd both thrive in those roles. Point is, there's versatility to experiment when the three guys inside are steady, as opposed to playing whack-a-mole from left to right all season.
#4) Sign Bates long-term. Essential contributor in the backfield. His game won't fall off anytime soon and I'm not a big fan of tagging guys. Give him $15 MM.
The above would approach about $40 MM, plus $8-10 for the draft. Waive Waynes and Hopkins. Sign Ogunjobi and maybe Uzomah if there's room (in that order). Then fill in the cracks by signing guys off the scrap heap like we did last year. Go BPA at the draft and fortify position groups (ideally starting with the DL). I'm aware that I'll probably be losing a few picks to land Mason and/or Brown, but such is life.
