HC/OC: Josh McDaniels (still high on McVay but looks like LA will be snagging him)
DC: Mike Vrabel
Re-sign:
WR Jeremy Kerley $2 years / $8 million
NT Glen Dorsey $2 years / $10 million
K Phil Dawson $2 years / $6 million
RB Shaun Draughn $2 years / $2.5 million
ILB/ST: Nick Bellore 2 years / $3 million
Free Agency: With a new GM, a first time GM at that, and a ton of cap space, we decide to spend wisely on obvious upgrades to our team while only targeting guys that are in their prime or entering their prime. Used Spotrac for the UFA list.
Jamie Collins – ILB (CLE) 5 years/$85 million
Bennie Logan – NT (PHI) 5 years / $40 million
Andre Ellington – RB (AZ) 3 years / $13 million
Pierre Garcon – WR (WAS) 3 years / $27 million
Brian Hoyer – QB (CHI) 2 years / $18 million
Dion Sims – TE (MIA) 4 years / $20 million
****In this scenario, the Patriots are simply asking too much for JG so we opt not to make that deal. CLE does us a huge favor (realistic as well) and takes either Mitch Trubisky or Jonathan Allen at #1. We stay put at 2 but we trade back into the 1st round as well as pick up a 5th from PHI for Torrey Smith. We trade our 2nd (34), 4th (98) and CLE 7th (for the Andy Lee trade) to PIT for the 27th pick. I know guys "may" not be there or "may" go later but this is simply using CBS Sports for the round projections****
1st round - #2 – OLB Myles Garrett Texas A&M: Absolute no brainer. Best pass rusher in the draft, arguably the best player in the draft and comes at a position that we have desperately needed to fill for ever since Aldon was in and out. Day 1 impact starter that I suspect will have double digit sacks immediately.
1st round - #27 – WR Corey Davis Western Michigan: Reminds me of T.O after the catch. He could have easily came out last year and probably went in the mid-rounds but wanted to go back to school to work on his route running and 50/50 balls. That move paid off and will make him a 1st round pick. He has #1 WR written all over him and that is another position we have failed to solidify over the years.
3rd round - – QB Patrick Mahomes III Texas Tech: As talented as any QB in this draft but extremely raw. Can make any throw you would want, has phenomenal athleticism and is a true gunslinger. He needs a full year at a minimum before he takes snaps but this kid can be a star with the proper development.
4th round comp – OT Eric Magnuson MICH: 5th year Senior, well coached and possesses the ability to play LT in the NFL. With Staley getting older, Magnuson will have an opportunity to learn from one of the best on and off the field and ultimately replace him in a couple of years.
5th round - WR Josh Reynolds Texas A&M: 6'3 193, big body deep threat. Ryan Switzer was my favorite in the mid rounds but I think he will early in the 4th. With us re-signing Kerley and Ellington coming back to try to get some snaps, adding a guy like Reynolds makes a lot of sense. He tore it up as a sophomore with 13 TDs, his TDs dropped as a JR but his catches and yards went up and this past year as a senior, he flat out balled. Averaged over 16 yards per catch in all 3 years but broke 1,000 yards and had 12 TDs this past year. Adding him in the 5th makes our WR corp very formidable once again.
5th round – CB Fabian Moreau UCLA: Good size, solid tackler and good in man coverage. Great at breaking on the ball and knocking it away but CBSSports mentions he needs to elevate his game and start turning those pass breakups into INTs.
5th round (WAS) – OLB Dewuane Smoot ILL: Circled back around and addressed the pass rushing position again. Can't have enough pass rushers, especially when you don't have many to begin with. Smoot is very quick off the edge, possesses violent hands and has wreaked havoc in the backfield over the past two years with 38.5 TFL and 16.5 sacks. Needs to improve against the run but can certainly carve out a niche on 3rd downs until that happens.
6th round – SS Xavier Woods Louisiana Tech: Back to back All Conference USA First team. From CBSSports: "An NFL scout told me the Louisiana Tech coaches rave about his work ethic, preparation and makeup, showing the leadership traits to "get on teammates" when needed. He isn't a household name, but keep Woods on your radar for the 2017 draft class"
6th round (DEN) – QB Chad Kelly Ole Miss: Late 1st round talent with a few off the field issues. Suffered a torn ACL at the end of the season but that is not that big of a deal from the QB Position. Took a chance late as a low risk, extremely high reward prospect. Will be the 3rd QB behind Hoyer and Mahomes.
7th round – ILB Ben Boulware CLEM: He will probably not grade out well but he is a helluva player and a phenomenal leader. To see a guy like that down here in the 7th round is phenomenal. He will more than likely dominate Special Teams and will provide legit depth at the ILB position.
Depth Chart:
QB: Hoyer / Mahomes / Kelly
RB: Hyde / Ellington / Draughn / Davis
WR: Garcon / Reynolds
WR: Davis / Rogers
WR: Kerley / Ellington / Burbridge
TE: McDonald / Sims / Celek / Bell
LT: Staley / Magnuson
LG: Garnett / Beadles
C: Beadles / Kilgore
RG: Tiller / Garnett
RT: Brown / Theus
Defense:
LDE: Armstead / Dial
NT: Logan / Dorsey
RDE: Buckner / Blair
LOLB: Lynch / Smoot / Carradine
ILB: Collins / Armstrong / Bellore
ILB: Bowman / Boulware
ROLB: Garrett / Harold
CB: Brock / Moreau
CB: Ward /Robinson / Reaser
FS: Reid / Johnson
SS: Tartt / Woods
K: Dawson
P: Pinion
KR: A. Ellington / B. Ellington
PR: Kerley / B. Ellington
Certainly a lot to process and a lot will more than likely change after the combine and of course once we know for a fact who our GM and coaches will be. Enjoy
[ Edited by Sims19849ers on Jan 12, 2017 at 1:27 PM ]