So the good news about Hankins signing with the Colts is that we have over 9.5M in cap room. A large portion of this money was obviously set aside for Hankins. Who is out there that can contribute and maybe crack the starting line up? A guard, OT, TE, RB, DT?
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BTW, OTC says $8.3 mill is left.
You basically need about 5M for roster moves during the season, due to injury.....last season we had 10M, and at the end of the season used 8 of it to sign Pugh for one season....
So it looks like we are committed to what we have, plus some Jag that may be cut by another team....
I see some contracts being restructured to create some more cap space, especially if there is a surprise cut somewhere, and we want him....
Draft jarrad davis, evan engram and adoree jackson. Idk how, just do it. Trade back, then trade up maybe? Only half serious..
+1. This would be the guy for me too. It would solidify the RB position, and free up the draft pick we'd likely use on one.
As for RB, I'd say that any free agent available now will most likely still be available after the draft, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to sign one. For me, both DT and RB would be draft priorities.
As to McCourty, i'm betting against Belichick signing this 30 year-old to a contract of any kind..He gets rid of players that old..Yes, I could be wrong, but that's my 2 cents
As for RB, I'd say that any free agent available now will most likely still be available after the draft, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to sign one. For me, both DT and RB would be draft priorities.
DT is one of the more difficult transitions to the NFL so it is not common for rookies to be productive right out of the gate. Therefore, counting on a rookie is not wise. It doesn't mean you cannot get him snaps here and there but a vet could provide a nice stop gap to bridge the gap of that learning curve. We have also carried 5 DTs on our roster before. That doesn't mean we have to sign a guy right now but I don't think it should automatically be dismissed either.
Sign a vet DT such as Odrick or Marks to a minimum deal.
I'd only sign players at the vet minimum so it doesn't jeopordize the expected comp picks we are likely to receive next year, then look to the draft for real replacements. As expensive our DL is, we are gonna need some depth at both DE and DT and I can see both positions being targeted in this draft. We did a pretty good job of keeping this defense together in the off season, JPP and Robinson were my top 2 players I wanted back at all costs, glad they kept both. Hankins was solid, but I think this DL will be better with a penetrator type DT, hope BJ Goodson comes on as I think he can be a solid 2 down MLB and help shut the run game down. Hank can be replaced.
And a case of really good single malt scotch...
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We usually carry only four DTs on the roster, with three being active on game days. Harrison, Bromley, Thomas, and a draftee should suffice.
As for RB, I'd say that any free agent available now will most likely still be available after the draft, so I wouldn't be in a hurry to sign one. For me, both DT and RB would be draft priorities.
DT is one of the more difficult transitions to the NFL so it is not common for rookies to be productive right out of the gate. Therefore, counting on a rookie is not wise. It doesn't mean you cannot get him snaps here and there but a vet could provide a nice stop gap to bridge the gap of that learning curve. We have also carried 5 DTs on our roster before. That doesn't mean we have to sign a guy right now but I don't think it should automatically be dismissed either.
We got lucky with Cofield. Maybe we'll get lucky again?
Anyway...yes, we've carried five DTs before, but those units did not have even one bona fide stud (like Snacks), and were made up of either very young and inexperienced players (like Hankins at the time), or veterans in the twilight of their careers (Mike Patterson comes to mind).
Regardless, if they do sign a DT before the draft, I won't complain. I'd still expect them to draft one relatively early.