I knew all of these figures, but didn't know the exact numbers on the re-structuring of Tanny and Suh. With $11M rollover, and $3M next year we'd enter the offseason with $14M. I'd cut:
- Cameron saves 7.5M, he can't be kept at his current number. Position I'd look to upgrade, but still a viable return candidate at a lower cap hit.
- Dion saves $3M, goes without saying. Move on.
- Jennings saves $4M, have very good WR depth, saves enough on his own to cover Matthews likely year 1 cap hit.
- Brice McCain saves $2.5M, he'd be a maybe but I really like Bobby.
- Mitchell saves $2.5M, he is still cheap...but depth wise think we can do better and put Phillips in a fulltime role.
- Wake I'd restructure as a situational pass rusher. Lower his cap hit to $5M and save $5M on the cap.
That alone puts us at $38.5M in cap space. Then I'd restructure Suh and that puts us at $54.5M in cap space. I'd leave Tannehill's contract alone, still gotta consider future years and his cap hit isn't outlandish like Suh's. We'd enter the offseason with needs at guard, running back, tight end, swing-tackle, defensive end, middle linebacker, cornerback and free safety. Keeping some of our own, I'd approach it like this:
- Derrick Shelby 4/16 ($2.5M year 1). Great compliment to Wake as a run stopper.
- Rishard Matthews 4/20 ($3.5M year 1). One of our best offensive players, could easily make more than this if he continues to perform.
- Lamar Miller 4/16 ($3M year 1). Tough call with Miller...but he has impressed me a lot this year compared to years past. Could easily let him go, hopefully we get to see what Ajayi can do down the stretch.
Those deals would leave us at $44.5M entering the offseason. I think you go defense heavy in this draft, focusing on the secondary and MLB. A DE is needed too. Guard is a position I'd look to solve in FA, I'd add a FS and a CB to the mix too if possible. Mike has to get added high in the draft. Lots of good choices.
QB: I'd look at Colt McCoy or Brock Osweiler. I'd draft a QB in the mid-rounds too.
RB: If we let Miller go, I'd look at James Starks, Lance Dunbar or Ronnie Hilman, as I feel they'd be better compliments to Ajayi.
WR: With Matthews back no need to add anyone here. 3 WR set of Parker, Matthews and Stills is solid. Sanu is a guy I'd consider if Matthews leaves.
TE: Gary Barnidge has made himself some money....could be a valuable redzone piece. Aside from that not many upgrades on Cameron...maybe Ben Watson or Ladarius Green.
OT: Been pounding the table for Ryan Harris for years now...good depth piece, cheap and unspectacular. Cordy Glenn probably too pricey. Jo Barksdale.
OG: Should be our #1 priority in FA. Brandon Brooks day 1 would be huge for our OL and solidify it. He should be the big signing.
DE: Greg Hardy...jk. Not a great crop...Mincey on a short term. William Hayes from STL
OLB: Weak crop...might actually keep Misi. Maybe Vincent Rey.
MLB: Jerrell Freeman, Brandon Marshall (RFA), or Danny Trevathan would be solid. Could play one of them at mike or SLB and let the rookie play the other spot. Has to be a major focus on draft day, top 2 rounds.
CB: I'd consider making a splash here. Grimes is in his last year, try to get someone young and talented that could develop into a #1. Desperately need more top level CBs. Josh Norman has been phenomenal this year...would love to make a statement and bring him in. Janoris Jenkins is a stud. Prince Amukamara. Patrick Robinson who I wanted us to sign last offseason is having a solid year.
FS: Walt Aikens has improven a bit...I'd bring in a mid-tier guy to compete with him and provide depth. Walter Thurmond, Rashad Johnson. Weddle and Berry are probably too expensive.
So if we could bring in Colt McCoy as a backup QB (vet-min). Keep Miller or get Starks/Hillman at a similar term ($4M). Grab Barndige ($6M), Harris (vet-min), but we could make having a rock solid backup an option too, and I'd definitely consider it with Albert being so unreliable. So lets say Barksdale ($3.5M). Brandon Brooks is a must ($8M), Hayes ($4M), Norman ($6.5M) and Thurmond ($4M) I'd be extremely happy. That'd be 7 FA's coming in, 2 upper level ones, 3 mid-tier and 2 min guys, very manageable. Even with flat cap hits we'd still have $11M available. Offseason will be very interesting, tons of money to work with. These projections are pretty loose this early.
So our weakest spots would now have Brooks infused. CB group would be fantastic, Grimes and Norman on the outside would be lockdown, with McCain in the slot, Thomas back as a backup nickle and Taylor as depth. Add another FS into the mix and it arguable becomes a strength. You can comfortable enter the draft focusing your efforts on MLB and DE and go BPA the rest of the way.
