02-11-2024, 04:18 PM
(02-09-2024, 03:58 PM)casear2727 Wrote: All of you are correct. But JJ nails it. Who can we get?
Drafted DTs are rarely stellar in their rookie season.
The best free agents have discerning situations:
Chris Jones, 30 yrs old wants multi-year deal for 30M per. We are not a likely contender for his services.
Justin Madibuike, the premier franchise tag candidate for the Ravens and if not will be looking for 23M+ per year.
Christian Wilkins, the premier franchise tag candidate for the Dolphins and if not will be looking for 20M+ per year.
Leonard Williams, 30 yrs old, the Seahawks gave up 2 draft picks for him just last season, they are currently trying to resign him.
Grover Stewart, the Colts want him back and have more cap space than we do.
Sheldon Rankins, the Texans want him back and have more cap space than we do.
The next tier guys are not starter quality.
As a leader of the re-sign Reader crowd, I will break it down. The above list is a good start, and part of it. But I will start here:
1) We have to inprove our run D to compete in the AFC North. Losing our best run defender, and one of the best in the league, is not a recipe for improved run defense in my book.
2) Reader is, by far, the best run stopping DT/NT type out there. Jones, Madubuike, Wilkins, & Williams are all pass rusher DTs starting next to a stouter guy. They all play the run well, but are not run-stoppers. They are BJ Hill upgrades, not Reader replacements. And landing one is extremely unlikely.
3) I think the injury pearl clutching is over the top. He has this injury before, on the other leg, and was fine the next year. And has already said rehab is going easier this time.
4) $10-$12 mil average vs the cap over 3 years will be a bargain over the life of the deal. Reader is elite. If we can get him for cheaper, or structure Y1 to be incentive heavy to reflect the injury, I would expect. Y2 & Y3 we pay up, though.
5) Even if he misses some games early, as long as he is around for the business end of the season, that is what I care most about.
6) We have the last place schedule for next year. A slow start is less likely, and easier to overcome. Even with all our problems this year, we pummeled SF when Burrow was healthy, were neck & neck in Baltimore with Jackson. Ein that game in Balt with healthy Joe, and we could win the division.
7) I still would not mind spending a Day2 or Day3 pick on DT/NT. Or in FA. But aside from Sweat/McKinley Jackson, and Rankins, there isn't much there. 3Ts are deeper in FA & draft.
8) If you sign Reader, your hypothetical starters in the post-seadon are all set: Hendrickson, Reader, Hill, Hubbard, Wilson, Pratt, CTB, Turner, Hilton, Battle, D. Hill.
Sure, we could use better depth at DB & LB. And better interior pass rush. And I am counting on Turner & Hill to improve. Ditto Murphy. And we could upgrade Carter/Tupou/Tufele. And a starting NT type if DJ cannot go week 1. But those are temporary issues or issues outside of Reader. Rd3-Rd5 or cheaper FA issues.
9) We have other needs that can be filled with higher quality and cheaper guys in the draft. RT and WR3 are expensive in FA. It is one of the best OT classes in memory. And a deep WR class. Take OT & WR with 2 of our first 3 picks and save the FA $$ for elite/plus guys like Reader, Tee, and the DTs above.
10) If we whiff on the elite DTs, then spread that last $20 mil around on starter level guys at other spots: 2-4 of RT, CB, S, NT/DT, TE. Even WR if good value. Signing Reader does not preclude that.
