NYE Mock

[*ochocincos*]

(12-31-2024, 09:04 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I like your FA class. No way I pay a guy making 2.5 million (Gesicki) who while a good receiver, has some drops and average to poor in line blocker. I say 3 million max.

But Slayton is not a #2 or close to Tee. We need to figure out a way to sign him. Moss should be cut. Hubbard should be cut. These 2 additional cuts will be another 12 million or so. I would much rather keep Tee and use the cut money of the 2 I added, plus the 6 or 8 million from Slayton on Tee.

My question om Hill is due to no strong DT presence alongside him, was he getting more double teams so less production. I like the age of 25 of Brown over BJ 30ish. I think the Eagles sign hm though.

As for 1st pick safety is a good possibility, but if Tyler Warren is sitting there, I like the PS TE a lot. The question becomes if we draft him, will Zac design play packages to take advantage of both his in line blocking skills, FB skills and receiving skills. I am with Sunset, he could transform our offense lining up with Tee and Chase. When is the last time we had an inline TE who can block and dominate LB's and slot CB's. I could see him being JB's Dan Ross. If we do TE versus safety, we need to sign a vet safety and likely let Gesicki walk unless he signs again for 2.5 million again.

What's your definition of a #2 WR?
As mentioned, Slayton has 700+ yards in 4 of the past 6 seasons with a bad NYG offense.
He's capable of putting up 800+ in a good offense.

With each team having 2+ receivers and 32 teams, I would say anyone in the Top 33-64 would be considered a #2.
The 64th most receiving yards in the NFL right now is Demario Douglas at 587 yards.


Higgins is a WR1-caliber guy, so naturally a guy like Slayton is not going to be at his level. But Higgins is likely going to make $25+ mill from some team.
A true WR2 (not a WR1-caliber like Higgins) is going to come much more affordable and we'll also have to accept some less production.
No way around it.
You aren't going to get a 1000+ yard WR for under $10 mill APY unless it's a draft pick or playing on some prove-it deal.

As for not willing to pay Gesicki >$3 mill because he doesn't block enough or as well, the NFL doesn't pay the highest amounts to TEs because of their blocking ability.
They pay more for guys that are good receivers.
Kelce, Hockenson, Andrews, etc. are making $12+ mill APY because of their great pass catching ability as TEs.
While I wouldn't necessarily put Gesicki right in the mix with their names, $5-7 mill APY felt like a fair but respectable bargain for a guy like Gesicki.
I can't imagine Gesicki would choose to sign back with the Bengals for $3 mill or less unless he had no other offers.
If guys like Uzomah and Hurst could get $7-8 mill APY after playing for the Bengals, I could see Gesicki getting at least close to that number from someone.

Tyler Warren is my favorite TE in this class, but I'd want to change up my mock if I took a TE in the draft.
I'd go Warren Rd 1, Xavier Watts (SAF from ND) in Rd 2 and get another OG in FA like James Daniels.

Last, you mention cutting Moss and Hubbard.
I thought about doing that too, but that's just 2 more guys to have to fill spots for, and the Bengals only have so many draft picks.
I already added 6 outside FAs in the mock, I doubt they would add 8 quality outside FAs even if they had the $$.
If they cut Moss, it would be to likely just retain Herbert, methinks. Not bring in a new person from outside.

We know they're going to reserve ~$10 mill of the cap for extensions, injury reserve, etc. like they always do.
I didn't want to try to guesstimate what all those FAs would/could get, but I would imagine it'd be close to $60 mill with Gesicki included as well, and I left room for potential Higgins re-signing.