Depth Chart/Needs/etc
Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:30 am
QB: Burrow
RB: Mixon, Perine, Evans, Williams
TE: Sample, Moss (Wilcox ERFA)
WR: Chase, Higgins, Boyd, (Morgan RFA, Irwin ERFA)
OT: Williams, Prince, Smith (Johnson RFA)
G: Carmen, Adeneji,
C: Hopkin, Hill
DE: Hendrickson, Hubbard, Ossai, Sample, Kareem, Hubert (Ray ERFA)
NT: Reader, Shelvin
DT:
LB: Wilson, Pratt, ADG, Bailey, Jones, (Johnston ERFA)
S: Bell, Wilson
CB: Awuzie, Hilton, (Waynes likely cut $15mil),
Key FAs:
Bates S
Usomah TE
Hill DT
Ogunjobi DT
Spain G
Reiff OT
Allen QB
According to Sportrac, we have about $55M in cap space. Close to $70M if we cut Waynes. We also have at least 9 draft picks.
Biggest needs based on above:
1. OL upgrades and depth.
-Expect at least one high to mid draft pick and at least $25M in cap spent here. Top guys are Armstead LT, Orlando Brown LT, and Scherff G. Those guys will cost close to $20M each. More reasonable guys in the $8-12M range are Moses RT, Jenson C, Corbett G, Hernandez G, Allen C, Daniels C/G, and Cappa. I expect at least one quality starter from the Carmen, Adeneji, and Smith. Interesting question is what does the team think of Hopkins? He struggled, but also coming off a knee injury. Does he stay or go? He has one more year on his contract, making $7M.
2. DT, especially 3 tech
- The team will likely keep only one of either Hill or Ogunjobi. Likely can't afford both. I see the team using a high pick here, plus a later pick.
3. DB
-Bates should be re-signed, but depth is needed. Also Bell and Wilson are FAs next year. Also we have nothing at CB behind Awuzie and Hilton. If the price is right, I see us bringing back Apple and maybe Flowers. Expect at least one S and one CB drafted.
4. WR- We need depth, especially depth with upside. I see one lower tier FA and at least 2 draft picks here.
5. TE- It is going to be a tough call on CJ. He is a clutch target and has been a charismatic leader. As a vet over the age of 30, and with big needs elsewhere, this is a tough decision. Expect 1 draft pick here.
6. Backup QB- We need to decide if it is worth keeping Allen. Do we bring back Allen or another bargain vet, or do we go with a middle round rookie and save money?
7. Edge Depth- If Ossai can stay healthy we should be OK, but our starters played an awful lot of snaps. The reserves are OK vs the run, but offer little as passrushers. Also many of them struggled to stay healthy.
While $70M is a lot of cap space, this team has a lot of holes. I would love to blow a bunch of money on some blue chip guys, but we may need to calm down a bit and stay in the 2nd and 3rd tier, as we have been and go for value.
RB: Mixon, Perine, Evans, Williams
TE: Sample, Moss (Wilcox ERFA)
WR: Chase, Higgins, Boyd, (Morgan RFA, Irwin ERFA)
OT: Williams, Prince, Smith (Johnson RFA)
G: Carmen, Adeneji,
C: Hopkin, Hill
DE: Hendrickson, Hubbard, Ossai, Sample, Kareem, Hubert (Ray ERFA)
NT: Reader, Shelvin
DT:
LB: Wilson, Pratt, ADG, Bailey, Jones, (Johnston ERFA)
S: Bell, Wilson
CB: Awuzie, Hilton, (Waynes likely cut $15mil),
Key FAs:
Bates S
Usomah TE
Hill DT
Ogunjobi DT
Spain G
Reiff OT
Allen QB
According to Sportrac, we have about $55M in cap space. Close to $70M if we cut Waynes. We also have at least 9 draft picks.
Biggest needs based on above:
1. OL upgrades and depth.
-Expect at least one high to mid draft pick and at least $25M in cap spent here. Top guys are Armstead LT, Orlando Brown LT, and Scherff G. Those guys will cost close to $20M each. More reasonable guys in the $8-12M range are Moses RT, Jenson C, Corbett G, Hernandez G, Allen C, Daniels C/G, and Cappa. I expect at least one quality starter from the Carmen, Adeneji, and Smith. Interesting question is what does the team think of Hopkins? He struggled, but also coming off a knee injury. Does he stay or go? He has one more year on his contract, making $7M.
2. DT, especially 3 tech
- The team will likely keep only one of either Hill or Ogunjobi. Likely can't afford both. I see the team using a high pick here, plus a later pick.
3. DB
-Bates should be re-signed, but depth is needed. Also Bell and Wilson are FAs next year. Also we have nothing at CB behind Awuzie and Hilton. If the price is right, I see us bringing back Apple and maybe Flowers. Expect at least one S and one CB drafted.
4. WR- We need depth, especially depth with upside. I see one lower tier FA and at least 2 draft picks here.
5. TE- It is going to be a tough call on CJ. He is a clutch target and has been a charismatic leader. As a vet over the age of 30, and with big needs elsewhere, this is a tough decision. Expect 1 draft pick here.
6. Backup QB- We need to decide if it is worth keeping Allen. Do we bring back Allen or another bargain vet, or do we go with a middle round rookie and save money?
7. Edge Depth- If Ossai can stay healthy we should be OK, but our starters played an awful lot of snaps. The reserves are OK vs the run, but offer little as passrushers. Also many of them struggled to stay healthy.
While $70M is a lot of cap space, this team has a lot of holes. I would love to blow a bunch of money on some blue chip guys, but we may need to calm down a bit and stay in the 2nd and 3rd tier, as we have been and go for value.