Free Agent Left Tackles

[kungfoodude]

28 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Paradis really was a train wreck. I was pretty excited about that signing. He was a really good center for the Broncos but it certainly seems like those hip injuries have ruined him. He and Daryl Williams both look like shadows of their former selves after the injuries.

You couldn't have convinced me that Williams and Paradis were going to be as bad as they have been. It's been stunning.

[LinvilleGorge]

21 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

I would definitely agree we have to upgrade over Paradis, however it is much easier to do in the offseason or in the draft than get a quality left tackle. 

As for Little's development, he can always compete for a spot inside or at RT, if need be. And it's easy to say we can "help" Little consistently with extra TE's or a RB but that also means you are forced to literally scheme around one players weakness. IIRC, that is something we did with Darryl Williams when we all thought he was going to be our LT of the future. 

One thing we do need to do, which I completely agree on, is getting it down to just ONE weakness on that OL. Right now, it's about 3-4 weaknesses.

Who thought that Daryl Williams was going to be our LT of the future, other than Ron and his staff that is? Most of this forum correctly predicted he'd be a disaster at LT. That was before he proved to be utterly debilitated on the field after that knee injury. He never had the feet and agility to play LT.

Absolutely agreed that we have to reduce our glaring weaknesses in the OL. If for instance Van Roten is your weak link but you're solid at the other four spots you can still field a good OL.

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Who thought that Daryl Williams was going to be our LT of the future, other than Ron and his staff that is? Most of this forum correctly predicted he'd be a disaster at LT. That was before he proved to be utterly debilitated on the field after that knee injury. He never had the feet and agility to play LT.

Absolutely agreed that we have to reduce our glaring weaknesses in the OL. If for instance Van Roten is your weak link but you're solid at the other four spots you can still field a good OL.

My mistake, I meant RT. During his 2nd team All-Pro season in 2017. 

[cardiackat88.]

I am hoping we sign one of the best vets on this list with a reasonable age and high leadership skills.

Then I hope we use two high draft picks on big time OL talent and try to get a crew together.

[Matt62881]

On 12/24/2019 at 10:14 AM, kungfoodude said:

Joe Marino's article got me thinking about the potential options in the left tackle market for the upcoming offseason. Here are a few names that stood out as potential targets.

Andre Whitworth(74.9 PFF Rating, 12 Penalties, 1 Sack Allowed)

Whitworth continues to play at a high level, although at 39 years of age he is no longer a perennial All Pro caliber left tackle. Still, he has stated he plans to play in 2020. I am guessing the cost would be relatively steep, although he is also probably open to a short term contract. Seems unlikely he would sign with another team outside the Rams.

Anthony Castonzo(83.2 PFF Rating, 2 Penalties, 3 Sacks Allowed)

Castonzo is part of one of the best pass protecting offensive line units in the NFL. As a player he has had multiple issues with hamstring and knee injuries, however he credits a new offseason workout regimen for rejuvenating him and has played 100% of the snaps this season. At 32 years old, he may command a very large contract to steal him away from the Colts(currently sitting at $98.6 mil in 2020 cap space). 

Kelvin Beachum(66.2 PFF Rating, 9 Penalties, 4 Sacks Allowed)

Beachum is playing on the league's #30 ranked pass protection unit(two spots below the Carolina Panthers) but has been arguably the steadiest offensive lineman on the NY Jets this season. Beachum could be a relatively affordable upgrade at the position although given the dearth of quality left tackles, his price could get inflated quickly.

Greg Robinson(67.6 PFF Rating, 8 Penalties, 3 Sacks Allowed)

Robinson has been on three teams in just six seasons of his career after being selected as the #2 overall draft pick of the 2014 Draft. He has had an injury plagued career and has been benched multiple times for consistency and maturity issues. Still, the talent level is obvious and at 28 years of age he could be a high risk, high reward signing on a short term deal. After signing a "prove it" deal in the offseason, he is not expected to be retained by the Browns.

Jason Peters(83.8 PFF Rating, 8 Penalties, 2 Sacks Allowed)

Peters has been one of the NFL's best LT's since being drafted in 2004 and even at 37 years of age, the 9 time Pro Bowler has not yet seen a huge drop off in play. That said, the Eagles drafted Andre Dillard with the #22 overall pick in the 2019 Draft with the intention of him being the future at LT. Although Peters has only played a full 16 games twice in the past five seasons, contending teams with left tackles issues may be willing to throw a large short term contract at Peters in the pursuit of a Super Bowl. As happened during the 2017 offseason, the Panther fans may look back in future years at Peters as another "one that got away."

DJ Humphries(62.4 PFF Rating, 13 Penalties, 2 Sacks Allowed)

Humphries has been plagued by injuries in his five year career, making just 46 of 63 potential starts over the past four seasons. This after being inactive his entire rookie season as a #24 overall draft pick during which Bruce Arians nicknamed "...him 'knee-deep', explaining that you need to keep 'A knee in his ass everyday' to keep him motivated." However, in his final season of his rookie deal he has played 100% of snaps with some modest success. The Cardinals are not expected to resign him so perhaps the Charlotte, NC native can return and realize the potential that had him drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft.

Donald Penn(63.7 PFF Rating, 9 Penalties, 6 Sacks Allowed)

At 37 years of age, unlike Jason Peters, Penn's best days appear to be behind him. That said the former three time Pro Bowler has been remarkably durable since 2012 missing only 11 possible regular season starts(8 of which came in 2018 when he was placed on injury reserve). Given the Panthers issues with injuries along the offensive line perhaps some temporary continuity could allow the existing younger players to develop and learn from a long time veteran, a role Penn played for the Raiders.

 

 

Any thoughts on these guys? Personally, I would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to see us go after Peters for a 2-3 year deal. Constanzo would be ideal but I suspect every LT needy team in the league is going to be throwing boatloads of cash at him. Bringing in a great veteran like Whitworth or Peters even for a couple of years would be fantastic though.

 

If you can get one cheap fine, but out problems are guard and center, there aren't many if any tackles that look good in their first year and we got two first year tackles that showed promise. Our guards and center's sucked!

[cmichd]

4 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I would hope not. Our trenches are a wreck. If the right QB isn't there, I see an OL or DL.

I don't think Bradberry is going to command shutdown CB money.

I don't think so either but you never know who will throw money away to get him..  I wouldn't cry too much over it.

 

[cmichd]

5 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Paradis really was a train wreck. I was pretty excited about that signing. He was a really good center for the Broncos but it certainly seems like those hip injuries have ruined him. He and Daryl Williams both look like shadows of their former selves after the injuries.

If Willis from Alabama,  Jackson from USC, were on the board would you select them with a 1st pick and then take a center at #2 if a good one was available.   The problem with Willis he is more of a RT but with Morton and Willis at right side it could be set for 10 or more years.  Then the Left side could be Daley and Little if Daley can play the Guard spot.  I know it is using to 2 draft picks for the OLine but it is an interesting option.

  

[LinvilleGorge]

18 minutes ago, cmichd said:

If Willis from Alabama,  Jackson from USC, were on the board would you select them with a 1st pick and then take a center at #2 if a good one was available.   The problem with Willis he is more of a RT but with Morton and Willis at right side it could be set for 10 or more years.  Then the Left side could be Daley and Little if Daley can play the Guard spot.  I know it is using to 2 draft picks for the OLine but it is an interesting option.

  

If Andrew Thomas is gone (I think he goes to the Giants) I'm going Derrick Brown if he's available.

[cardiackat88.]

17 minutes ago, cmichd said:

If Willis from Alabama,  Jackson from USC, were on the board would you select them with a 1st pick and then take a center at #2 if a good one was available.   The problem with Willis he is more of a RT but with Morton and Willis at right side it could be set for 10 or more years.  Then the Left side could be Daley and Little if Daley can play the Guard spot.  I know it is using to 2 draft picks for the OLine but it is an interesting option.

  

I am all for this, in addition to signing a vet.

Say Cam is healthy, he needs a unit protecting him and working their butts off to be the best they can be.

Say Cam is not here, we still need to make a line that is passionate about what they do and destroys buffets together.

[Matt62881]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If Andrew Thomas is gone (I think he goes to the Giants) I'm going Derrick Brown if he's available.

I need to look into Thomas but I've been all about Derrick brown tho I hope he puts some weight on! Hell yea!

[Matt62881]

3 minutes ago, cardiackat88. said:

I am all for this, in addition to signing a vet.

Say Cam is healthy, he needs a unit protecting him and working their butts off to be the best they can be.

Say Cam is not here, we still need to make a line that is passionate about what they do and destroys buffets together.

After the last few days I really think Cam will be healthy and a panther for his career...I say Derrick brown in the 1st and a guard and center in the 2d and 3rd bpa, I'm hyped how high we will be picking even tho I hate I'm happy for it lo. But in reality our qb was hurt and you saw what happened, a injured Cam was more competitive then Allen lol. I'd rather watch it at least!

[cardiackat88.]

1 minute ago, Matt62881 said:

After the last few days I really think Cam will be healthy and a panther for his career...I say Derrick brown in the 1st and a guard and center in the 2d and 3rd bpa, I'm hyped how high we will be picking even tho I hate I'm happy for it lo. But in reality our qb was hurt and you saw what happened, a injured Cam was more competitive then Allen lol. I'd rather watch it at least!

I cannot help but think investing in offensive lineman should come above all else this off season.

Hungry rookies need leaders who will dig into them, and mold the mindset for the future.

I am split on Trae Turner. Did he make his money and mail it in? Is he struggling due to poor play around him and bad morale/leadership? Could he be the one to set the tone for rookies? Would he be pumped up and motivated to get a veteran in? Who knows.....

[Matt62881]

3 minutes ago, cardiackat88. said:

I cannot help but think investing in offensive lineman should come above all else this off season.

Hungry rookies need leaders who will dig into them, and mold the mindset for the future.

I am split on Trae Turner. Did he make his money and mail it in? Is he struggling due to poor play around him and bad morale/leadership? Could he be the one to set the tone for rookies? Would he be pumped up and motivated to get a veteran in? Who knows.....

I think all but maybe 2 picks should be interior olineman lol...need a NT and a backup NT for the importance of the position. Trai is upsetting me I hope it was a down year!

[ImaginaryKev]

I'm thinking the team is going to give Little every opportunity to play and succeed. He had some ugly moments but he's still a second rounder and flashed early on, it might pay the be patient with him.