Free agent tier list google doc and projected cap hits

[*ochocincos*]

(03-11-2022, 09:56 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: $34.6m in current cap space...
Release CB Waynes (+$10.8m)
Release C Hopkins (+$6m)
$42.4m in cap space...
Trade S Bates for a 2nd (+$12.9m)
$55.3m in cap space...
Trade Bengals 2nd, 63rd overall, for RT La'el Collins (-$10m)
Sign C Bradley Bozeman (-$7.4m 1st year cap)
Sign G Austin Corbett (-$7.8m 1st year cap)
Sign G James Daniels (-$9.4m 1st year cap)
$20.7m in cap space
Sign TE Rob Gronkowski (-$7m)
Sign CB DJ Reed (-$6.2m 1st year cap)
$7.5m in cap space
Draft S Dax Hill in the 1st round.
Draft DT Devonta Wyatt in the 2nd round with improved 2nd round pick from Bates.

Pretty sure that checks all the boxes of needs. Sure would have liked to be able to fit Bobby Wagner in there somewhere. A future HoFer to lead the defense at LB would have been nice, but oh well.

I don't see any way the Bengals trade Bates after tagging him.
If anything, they'll draft a safety early and groom him behind Bates for the year before taking over next year.