NYE Mock

[*Synric*]

(01-01-2025, 03:14 PM)ochocincos Wrote: 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 $$.


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.

Does Slayton fit? Especially on the boundary where Joe loves to throw back shoulder?