ECHornet

A lot can transpire between now and the draft for the 22 QB draft class. Senior bowl, pro days, and combine will shift the board, but I’m basing that idea off the current boards. It’s likely our staff may feel comfortable a QB we like will be available at 10-20 pick. Why not trade back and assist re-build if that’s the case?

Players I would not consider resigning: RB Ameer Abdullah S Juston Burris P Lachlan Edwards WR Alex Erickson DE Marquis Haynes Sr. CB Donte Jackson - take ~4th rd comp pick in 2023 DT DaQuan Jones CB Rashaan Melvin G John Miller C Matt Paradis OLB Haason Reddick - take likely 3rd rd comp pick in 2023 T Trent Scott LB Julian Stanford WR Brandon Zylstra Players I would consider resigning + contingency: LB Jermaine Carter Jr. - only if contract is in backup LB range S Sean Chandler - only if we cut Franklin and use that savings to resign Chandler to cheap deal CB Stephon Gilmore - max of 7-8 mil per year for 2 years. Slight hometown discount for aging star who would be a great mentor for our young secondary. K Zane Gonzalez - re-sign LS J.J. Jansen - re-sign if he wants to play LB Frankie Luvu -important target here if we’re letting Reddick walk. Don’t think he’s blown up to the point his contract will be too high, but he makes plays when he’s on the field. Young and plays with an energy level above most others on the team. Would love a 4 year/$10-12mil deal with Luvu. QB Cam Newton - vet min or near it. Red zone/short yardage specialist TE Ian Thomas - vet min to backup Tremble or any other TE acquisition. Probably walks.

I think we’d trade back and grab a QB

We sign Armstead and we’re definitely going QB Round 1

1. AJ Bouye (N/CB): (cap # next year =4.7 mil. Cap savings of 3.5 million, but adding 1.2 mil in Dead Cap) Would not cut Bouye, but would trade for equivalent draft pick/player. Especially if we resign one of Gilmore or Jackson - I hope we let Jackson walk. 2. Dennis Daley (OG/OT): (cap # next year =2.5+ mil. Cap Savings of 2.5 mil, adding only 31k in Dead Cap) Assuming spotrac is correct here, the contract is so cheap I wouldn’t cut prior to free agency/draft. 3. Pat Elflein (C/OG): (cap # next year =7+ mil. Cap Savings of 4.7 mil, but adding 2.4 mil in Dead Cap) *Eflein would be a lot cheaper to cut next year Keep. Likely our starting Center next year for now. 4. Morgan Fox (DL): (cap # next year =5.6 mil. Cap Savings of 3 mil, but adding 2.5+ mil in Dead Cap) Keep unless a trade for equivalent draft pick value is available. He is a solid contributor. 5. Sam Franklin Jr (S): (cap # next year =900K. Cap Savings of 895K, adding only 5k in Dead Cap) Keep. Cheap contract and young. 6. Liram H. (K): (cap # next year =825K. Cap Savings of 825K, adding 0 in Dead Cap) *We will probably try to bring back Zane G. if possible and let Hiram go Cut. Resign Zane 7. Myles Hartsfield (DB): (cap # next year =896+K. Cap Savings of 895K, adding only 1k in Dead Cap) Keep. Cheap contract and minimal savings vs production. 8. Michael Jordan (OG): (cap # next year =965K. Cap Savings of 965K, adding 0 in Dead Cap) Keep. Cheap and minimal savings. Potential cut post free agency/draft. 9. Cam Erving (OL): (cap # next year =6.5+ mil. Cap Savings of 2 mil, adding 4.5 in Dead Cap) Keep. Savings not worth giving him up as depth. Potential trade post free agency/draft. Likely player for player.

Those days are behind us.

Thank you for this. I enjoy the anonymous coach interviews that provide opportunities to get their opinions out there without revealing the source. I bet if one was done of ACC coaches about which QB they would rather have on their team, Howell or Pickett, there may have been one or two that chose Pickett.

I enjoyed the commentary but didn’t get to listen to all of it. What’s your beef with talent evaluation of Brady? Seems most they were discussing is technique that needs to be corrected. He looked solid for a 3rd round rookie OL.

Agree with the idea that all are unproven. That’s why I said “I believe so.”

Restructuring can also use existing cap space to make future cap space better. Robbie could be an example there, right?

There would be no talk about a QB that was #1 on many draft boards coming into the year? Doubtful

Improving on the players that are currently your starters? Yes, that seems a pretty good place to start.

Is he better than Darnold/current Cam? I believe so. So yes, I would like him behind this line.

I’m good with bringing Cam back for cheap as long as he’s content being the short yardage + red zone option only.

I think it’s obvious we didn’t want to get rid of Shaq or CMC this year.

I’m fine with the risk. Throw him out there and if it doesn’t work, you’re likely sitting with a top 5 pick in 2023. Would also be likely to flip Willis for a 2nd/4th/6th a year or two later it he’s not the guy. As we learned the hard way there will be a team desperate enough to take a chance on a 1st round QB still on his rookie contract.

Not a prediction of who will end up best, but pure excitement level list for me… 1. Willis 2. Howell 3. Pickett 4. Ridder 5. Strong 6. Corral 7. Zappe 8. Purdy

Josh Allen didn’t win a damn thing at Wyoming. If he couldn’t elevate his team in the Mountain West, what good is he right? No, I don’t think Howell is anywhere close to Allen, but at least use a stronger argument.

This is a tough decision. IMO, if you don’t have a lengthy contract with a franchise QB, you should never pass an opportunity to select the first QB off the board. Especially if you may be down to the 3rd tackle on your board like some mocks show as a possibility.

Compare Trevor Lawrence’s stats to Howell’s and then re-assess why you believe Howell was underwhelming. Unless, of course, you didn’t think Lawrence was the golden child QB prospect in college.

Yes, both teams getting an equal opportunity is what he wants.

How would you describe the Bengals OL performance yesterday? Looked a lot like us up front.

I can see that argument. I’d counter with one has an already established ceiling in the NFL while the other could be better.

They made it to the Super Bowl with that line. You get there and mission has been accomplished from a team building perspective.

For those who want Mayfield, why not trade back in the first and go after Howell (if he stays lower first Rd projection)? They are very similar. Drafting Howell = acquiring more picks + cheap contract for years Mayfield = trade away more picks + expensive contract