MHS831

I am starting to feel the same way. Reminds me of Gerald McCoy. I think his season here featured a third of his tackles were sacks (5 sacks, 15 unassisted tackles, 22 tackles). He figured out how to get paid and he was going for the glory plays for a DL. A DT averaging one tackle a game is going to make $20m because he gets 5 sacks in a season in which he averaged 1 tackle per game?

We shall see, but this QB group is bad. When the #1 overall pick has nothing at QB and they are in trade talks, that tells you something. In 2034, I will look back at the QB group and I am willing to bet that either all of them busted or the most successful was not Ward or Sanders. Not to say that I would not gamble on Ward because I am wrong about QBs a lot, but my common sense tells me that if I am going to gamble on a QB this year, do it in round 2 and beyond. I am just looking forward to free agency and the dust that settles afterwards. Then we will have a better idea--but I think there are teams that like Ewers, Howard, Dart, and maybe a few others--not sure about Milroe---but the odds are against them ever starting. Of course, you have your Bradys, Purdys. Wilsons, Cousins, etc. and I have a hunch that one in that "second tier" group. A lot of these guys are transfers in the new portal turnstiles--and I know how confusing it is for a QB to learn a new system with new personnel. I watch for the moment the light seems to have come on and judge from that point.

And I translate that to a group of QBs If you eliminate the top 15 picks, that have a pretty low success rate as day 1 starters. That is why, in my view, these bridge QBs are probably going to go to teams that also draft a QB. If you have to sign a veteran mentor and develop your QB for a year, why not just wait a year and draft some pieces to go around the eventual QB? I think I'd rather have a Geno Smith and Will Howard than Shedeur Sanders under center day 1.

I would love to see Mason Taylor there in the third. I also want to see us draft an OT. WR? somehow some way. So when do we draft our DL, S, etc.

I read an article that said the Giants and Titans have already talked about swapping picks. If that happens, the Giants would take Ward--I think they take Ward even if they sign Rodgers. Cleveland then would be in a pickle-they could take Carter over Sanders--giving Tennessee a choice between the two Colorado players, depending on who they sign as a vet QB---they want Darnold and have nearly $70m in cap room....As you say, this is getting spicy.

That could backfire if Atlanta keeps him on the roster to backup Penix, but that makes no sense (financially) for Atlanta. They will cut him. I imagine they are possibly hoping for an offer Cousins would approve, but as you say, the flexibility of shopping as a free agent is better for him because a team is much more likely to pay more if they do not have to surrender draft capital. I wonder if he has any workout bonuses etc. that may push Atlanta?

Spent some time (10 minutes) doing extensive, in-depth research about Tennessee because I was curious that they would cut Landry in a cap move. To me, this means they could be locking into drafting Carter. Now Tennessee has $69m in cap room and the #1 pick. They are interested in Darnold, but not willing to pay him more than Baker Mayfield just got with Tampa (about $33m). They are competing with Seattle, Minnesota, and a few other teams for Darnold. They have also been given offers from the Giants to swap first round picks, adding a high second rounder to do so. The Titans also like Ward, but I get the impression that they would rather have Darnold. So until Darnold signs with a team, they will sit in a holding pattern. Since their odds of getting Darnold are not probable, Ward seems to be the pick at this time, but they would rather have Darnold and Carter or Hunter and a second rounder. I just found the Landry cut to be interesting. Landry was their top edge sack artist with Arden Key, about the same age, with 6.5 sacks but a $7m salary. Getting rid of Landry was a curious move unless you are planning on replacing your top edge. Of course, Carter is not the only edge in the draft, but he might be the only one who can match or surpass Landry's productivity. I think the Titans are holding the #1 pick for Ward until they sign a free agent. Russell Wilson could be a bridge, and they mentioned Aaron Rodgers, which I find unlikely. Let's not forget about Daniel Jones, the free agent dark horse nobody is talking about.

Safety in the NFL is a tricky evaluation that depends on the things you want your safeties to do. Deep zone, run support, man, nickel, etc. I don't know much about it, but I have heard some NFL safeties talking about the fit. I am not that familiar with what we expect our safeties to do, but for some reason, some fairly established safeties were not very established here last year. I think I struggle because the S is often out of the picture on TV. I might need to get a wider screen to be able to see them.

Does this mean the Titans are taking Carter? I think so. It could mean that they will take him first OR they are confident that they can move back to #3 (Giants) and still get Carter--Giants get Ward. Cleveland gets screwed. If the Browns trade Garrett, then the Browns could take Carter, screwing up the Giants' plan. I would not be surprised to see the Titans and Giants making a trade before the draft. If I am Schoen, that is what I do, even if I sign Rodgers. Tennessee does not seem to be too excited about either QB, but if they make this trade and Cleveland takes Carter, they could get a QB (Sanders) AND a second rounder, perhaps another Boston College Edge.

TEA LEAVES: Titans cutting Landry may mean they are drafting Carter first overall. Discuss.

We have Zavala too who was good in small samples. IOL depth is solid if we get another C. I think they also like Jarett Kingston who might compete for swing T, but he can play all 4 positions that don't touch the ball.

Looks like we are working the bottom of the roster for the UDFAs to a degree. Where are the DTs? No WRs (except a 7th rounder?) Graham--that is it (day 1./2)? I think drafting an OT on day 2 is smart.

thanks for this, bro.

Confirmed--no trade clause--not sure it he can waive it or not. Why would he? I would make them cut me, pay me, and then find a team after the draft if necessary.

Allen is 30 and had a down year--roughly identical to Robinson. With DT in this draft, I think teams are shedding their meh DTs in an attempt to save $$ and upgrade. I hear teams are LOVING the DT market. We have Brown and Robinson. I would probably draft a NT and DE. I have always liked Landry.

this is a no brainer move. He got better every game. He is better than Corbett--and he will only get better next year. Yes, playing between our guards, but Corbett did as well for a short while and Mays was playing better. He is a starting C. He is not weak. He needs depth and competition is not a bad thing--I might even try to lock him down--he is 25, great at pass blocking (meh in run blocking)

Seattle: Darnold?

Hmmm. Not sure this makes Raider fans happy. I do not know details. One year remaining on his contract. Good OL in Vegas. I still think they draft a qb--maybe in 2026. I think Seattle saves a lot of cap. UPDATE: I am warming up to this trade. Nice fit. Not sure what it will cost them.

This is not much better than what we already have and are trying to upgrade. Robinson turns 30 in 2 weeks:

Yep

I read on FB (trust it not) that we are one of two teams left going after him. Hoping it fails, if the numbers and costs we expect are true.

If djp14 is correct about Rich Eisen, I think Darnold would be better served to move on and get a longer deal since he has some good tape and is rather young. Not tagging him might suggest that Minnesota is not going to pay him elite money and/or they do not want to commit at all right now--Wilson staying in Pittsburgh? After his end of season slump, I think he is gone.

As a Panther fan, we want him to stay. It means more lust for the QBs picking before us. We need Sanders going top 5.

I will start. Please do not copy my ideas. Reminder: I SUCK at picking QBs, a tradition upheld since 2010. Aaron Rodgers___New York Giants__ Kirk Cousins*____will not be traded until after draft Sam Darnold __Minnesota Vikings (do not rule out a sign and trade) Justin Fields __Pittsburgh Steelers_ Russell Wilson Las Vegas Raiders So after these guys are signed in free agency, the following teams will need a QB entering the draft: Cleveland NY Giants (Signed Rodgers but might draft a QB too on day 2) NY Jets New Orleans Indianapolis Tennessee If my predictions are correct(?) two to three QBs could be available for trade. Cousins could go to Indy, following the exit path for discarded Falcons QBs. Tennessee will have to pick Ward and they should, which puts Cleveland in a unique situation. I think the Jets, Raiders (if they don't sign Russell), and Saints will go hard after Sanders, and they will offer Cleveland a lot. Cleveland could move back, grab a bunch of draft capital, draft the T they need, and then they could draft a QB later--it all depends on how much they like Sanders. The Saints have no cap room (-$44m), so a trade with Minnesota or Atlanta is out. Moving up to #2 from #10 is expensive in terms of draft capital. Suck it, Saints. They will have to stay with Carr. I think that the Jets will trade up with Cleveland to get Sanders and Cleveland will take a T and draft a QB later. Do not be surprised to see a player like Daniel Jones in Cleveland on a one-year deal if they trade back.

I thought it would be fun to see if we can predict the free Agent QB with the QB needy team who will sign them. This will help clear up the first round of the draft so we can mock unencumbered by the crazy QB carousel. So before Monday, it might be fun to see how well we can match the QB with the team they will play for in 2025. Understand that "retires" is an option and signing a QB like Rodgers does not mean the team will not draft a young QB, but we are not focused on the draft here. I admit, I have heard very little about these QBs and their expected destinations. I did not include players rumored to be dealt, like Geno Smith, but I did include Kirk Cousins due to his unique circumstances.* Teams Needing a QB Cleveland NY Giants NY Jets Tennessee New Orleans Indianapolis Pittsburgh Las Vegas Veteran Starting QBs who are available in Free Agency (trade for Cousins) Aaron Rodgers___________________ Kirk Cousins*____________________ Sam Darnold ____________________ Justin Fields ____________________ Russell Wilson __________________ Other: ______________ ______________** (optional) **Realizing that some of us are slow, we are NOT predicting draft picks. Free agents only. Feel free to add another free agent and where they might land IF you think they will be brought in to start--such as Daniel Jones, Matt Jones, Gardner Minshew, Jameis Winston. Interesting observation: As it stands, there are 8 teams identified as needing a QB. There are 5 free agents who are starting QBs and there are 3 QBs mentioned in the first round (Ward, Sanders, Dart). Everyone gets a QB!!! However, if Minnesota re-signs Darnold, someone does not get a chair when the music stops.