DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2016 NFL Season 2016 NFL Draft Mock Offseason

This isnt nessecarily how I want it to go, I was just thinking about different scenarios and what different ways we could attack this offseason..

Free Agency
Re-sign
OT Mitchell Schwartz
WR Travis Benjamin
FS Tashaun Gipson
C Alex Mack (Attempt)

Acquisition
WR Alshon Jeffery
OT Andre Smith
FS Eric Weddle (If Gipson isn't re-signed)

NFL DRAFT
Trades
Cowboys get:
QB Johnny Manziel
Browns get:
2016 5th Round pick
2017 Conditional 4th Round pick (Can be high as a 1st depending on Manziels playing time/accomplishments)

Draft Day Trade
Miami Gets:
#2 Overall Pick
#65 Overall Pick

Cleveland Gets:
QB Ryan Tannehill
#8 Overall Pick
#73 Overall Pick

Cleveland Drafts
#8 LB Myles Jack
#32 WR Michael Thomas
#73 DE Adolphus Washington
#96 CB Maurice Canady
#129 TE Billy Freeman

Feel free to sarcastically make fun of my choices while also providing some of your own.

Has one of these ever been accurate?

Also, what's the point of re-signing Mitchell Schwartz and signing Andre Smith?

You're living in a dream world dude, that is a crazy offseason that will never come to fruition.

Alex Mack is not a free agent.

Adam Gase will not trade Ryan Tannehill.

No one will trade anything higher than a 7th for Johnny knowing the Browns probably will release him anyway.

There's no way Dallas would cough up that for one Johnny Manziel. It's all kinda far fetched but JMO.

Just a little too "pie in the sky" for me.

Neither of those trades is ever going to happen.

He's not a Free Agent, but he has a opt out clause. He can walk away with us getting nothing. So if he wants to be, he can be a free agent. The trick here is to make him want to stay.

As others have said, I think that we'd do well to get a conditional 7th rounder for Manziel. (and unload his guaranteed salary)

I cannot see many teams driving up the price for Manziel. There were reports of a couple of teams being interested in Manziel as their backup, but that was before all of the stupidity that surrounded him in the final well of the season. Teams want leaders at QB, and Manziel has raised serious questions in that regard. I wonder what happens if the 'Boys draft Romo's successor in this coming draft? Where does Manziel go then? Maybe then he winds up competing for a backup job somewhere.

I am quite sure that teams have watched how Manziel has conducted himself, and I am quite sure that it has set off alarms with many teams. It was reported that Banner's report had Manziel as "do not draft". How many other teams had a similar grade going into that draft? Despite playing fairly well, has he removed that "do not" label by virtue of his conduct in Cleveland? I doubt it. So, there will be many teams that will not touch him regardless of the low cost. How many teams have seen his behavior, and have removed him from their list of viable trades? I would bet that a number of teams have, especially teams with old school coaches, who want their QB to be the face of the franchise, and to be a leader on and off the field.

Manziel heading to Vegas while his teammates were playing their final game of the season, while, supposedly, sitting out with a concussion, was incredibly disrespectful of him. It disrespected the team, the coaches, and the other players on the team. A leader would show up and be with his teammates in the locker room. He would not be flying to Vegas, and heading out to clubs. I have had a concussion, and I cannot imagine getting on a jet, with the changes in pressure, with concussion symptoms. I cannot imagine heading to a club with a DJ, (and probably strobe lights) with a concussion. It reeks of a guy who decided that he just was not going to play in that final game. That kind of a player does not bring a bounty in a trade. The Browns may be lucky to get anything in return for him. They may have to cut him. (and I am leaning in that direction as far as being the most likely outcome)

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the guy who suggested we sign players to ten year contracts?

Yes, I had a 10 year offer to Josh Gordon on the table with every year being voidable. He is a special situation because he has the risk of failing one more pee test and being out of football. The kid is probably short on cash right now living an NFL lifestyle without an NFL paycheck and it would be a 10 year $55 mil deal. I would think he would bite on that. The cap risk was nil because the guaranteed money was paid up front. NE has been using long contracts with voidable years for a while now and getting extra conditional round picks because they void contracts instead of cutting players. I also had a few 8 year deals with two years voidable. Agents will go into these deals knowing that they are really 6 year deals, but will do them anyway because the guaranteed money is still there and therefore their paycheck. By front loading the guaranteed money, I limit the risk to the Browns as well.

If I'm Mack, even if I plan on coming back to Cleveland, I'm still ganna opt out ajd get a brand new signing bonus..

"Adam Gase will not trade Ryan Tannehill" is such a boring answer. Why not? Who else could we target? Stop talking in Versitilisms and actually discuss it.

Is a 5th vs. a 7th really that big of a deal?

You dont think Jerry Jones would rather throw a 5th rounder at his second favorite prospect of all time instead of possible a top 10 pick on a guy like Lynch?

IIRC, Mack's deal becomes guaranteed if he opts in. That, plus it only being (essentially) a 2 year deal, could be very interesting, if he chooses to stay. Also, how much more than he is scheduled to make is he likely to get on the open market? It seems to me that his deal is still near the top of Centers.

He has said that he loves playing with Joe Thomas, so maybe that tips the scale towards him staying, and giving Hue Jackson, who is a well respected offensive coach, those 2 years. Who knows?

I don't believe that's an option unless the Browns agree to re-negotiate the current contract.



It may be a boring answer, but it's an accurate one.



Of course it is.



His second favorite prospect of all time?

I'd say even Jerry jones knows what's been going on since he was drafted.

If he opts out he is just a free agent. He can negotiate with any team (including us).

I would argue that Jerry Jones loves the Cowboys being in the media. Regardless of why.

Him getting Manziel and "bringing him home" is easily spun, just ask MKC ("Jason Campbell is an elite QB")

And if they're ok with bringing in guys like Greg Hardy, Manziel ain't nothing..

He's still a former first round pick that has shown potential on the NFL field. It's not like I'm asking for a 3rd rounder for Brandon Weeden..

Got bored and did a Fanspeak:

2: R1P2
QB JARED GOFF
CALIFORNIA
32: R2P1
OLB NOAH SPENCE
EASTERN KENTUCKY
65: R3P2
WR JOSH DOCTSON
TCU
96: R4P1
WR BRAXTON MILLER
OHIO STATE
129: R5P2
DT JIHAD WARD
ILLINOIS
158: R6P1
OLB YANNICK NGAKOUE
MARYLAND
191: R7P2
ILB TERRANCE SMITH
FSU

Pretty unrealistic, and if I could do it over again, I'd have chosen Dline or an inside backer instead of Noah Spence.

Some people on here are going to lose their minds if we draft a kid named "Jihad"...

I agree highly on retaining Mitchell Shwartz and Gipson...and convincing Mack in our plan to win...those are huge on our way to FA...

FA...Brock Osweiler is a UFA...I'm sure Denver is going to lock him up as Manning is at the end...If he makes it to FA I would pursue him...probably unrealistic though

Demario Davis LB- We need LBs..

Matt Forte RB- high character and one of the better RBs in the league...older now however helps passing and rushing game. RBs are cheap nowadays...take advantage of it.

Marvin Jones WR- I like Jeffrey as well but he commands more money...Both are off injured, thinking Hue can talk Jones to come here possibly.

Jermaine Gresham TE- his blocking is huge and will backup Barnidge...won't cost much

I know Nick Perry has been disappointing for the packers but with him being young and thick with muscle and strength (6'3 265) I wonder if he would excel in our 3-4 OLB ...he will be relatively cheap as well.


Don't have time to mock the draft yet but I would take Bosa at #2

Same. However, I saw a 6'6, 300 lber named 'Jihad' and couldn't resist

I'd like to keep our O-Linemen, Benjamin, and Gipson.

Then in the draft, I'd hope to get Jared Goff and Corey Coleman.

I'd like to draft Offensive Playmakers and hold with the defense and most of the players we have.

Just what I want though...........

I can get behind that with the exception that we need at least one edge pass rusher who can get there without designer blitz packages.. maybe Hue and the staff feel that guy is already on the roster just wasn't being used correctly, I don't know. But one way or the other, we need at least one good edge pass rusher.

Kruger had a bunch of sacks a year ago. This past season, he wasn't used correctly.

But I agree. A better pass rusher would be nice. Hopefully we can find one in FA. Mixed with Orchard, Mingo, and Saloman, we'll hopefully be able to make it happen.


Someone said before, how I sort of feel. We keep on adding all these guys to our defense and it hasn't been working.

I know a lot of folks aren't happy with the Horton hire, but I much prefer him over O'Neil.


We never should have let Sheard go last year........ I never thought he was that bad. He certainly was better than Mingo and Orchard.



I just have this vision in my head. Gordon, Benjamin, Coleman, Barnidge, and Hawkins/Hartline. That's not a bad crew at all at receiver. If we can keep the O-Line intact, we give Goff a real shot.

The one thing better than Coleman would be if Ezekiel Elliot drops to us. I'd take him in a heartbeat. Sorry Crow, but Elliot has all the tools to be a top-notch NFL RB. I doubt he'll make it past pick-20 though. There's just too many teams that could use someone like him.

I don't know how well he blocks, but I would consider the kid Hunter Henry, the TE out of Arkansas before I drafted a RB. He's a heck of a mismatch as a receiver with his size and speed... Pairing him with Barnidge then with Gordon, Benjamin, Hartline, etc..

That's my first pick in the draft. I just don't know who he is.

Henry is a legit blocker. Complete player. We'd have to take him by 32 and he might not make it there IMO.

That probably means we shouldn't be taking that guy.

Nobody besides Bosa or Goff should be even talked about for pick #2. You can make an argument for anyone else being a massive reach.

I had some time to kill waiting for our upgrade at work to finish so we can start testing, so I played around a little bit. I used Overthecap for the free agency piece and first-pick for the draft piece. In the end I have 64 players at the end of the draft. I'm not sure how I feel about the QB, but I think we swing for the fences this year...and it isn't a complete cap killer.

We have 35.4m in cap space

Re-sign (I looked at existing contracts for positions and slotted where I thought they fit):
Schwartz - 4 year, 19m, 6.84 guaranteed
Benjamin - 4 year 13.3m, 2.5 bonus
Coons - 3 year 2.4m, 300k bonus
Meder - 3 year 2.75m, 400k bonus
Bademosi - 3 year, 1.785m, 250k bonus
Gipson - 4 year, 20m, 5m guaranteed
Robertson -3 year, 2.575m, 250k guaranteed

Cuts:
Bowe - results in 4.6m dead money, but adds 3.4m to cap
T. Williams - results in 2m deal, but adds 3.2 to cap
Shaw - in reality we'd probably not cut him, but you'll see why I have this in a few lines...

Trade:
Manziel to Cowboys for 2016 6th rounder (#171) and future 2018 pick

Misc:
Gordon back from suspension, Ekpre-Olomu back
Free Agent Pickups:
Danny Trevathan, MLB - 4yr, 16.76m, 4m bonus
Sam Bradford, QB - 5yr, 89.5m, 30m signing bonus, 10m fully guaranteed 1st year, 6m in roster bonuses years 2-5

Draft:

Draft (used first pick)
trade #2 for #8, #42, 2017 1st rounder
#8 DeForest Buckner, DE
#32 Ezekiel Elliott, RB
#42 Noah Spence, OLB
#65 Tyler Matakevich, ILB
#96 Tyler Higbee, TE
#129 Roger Lewis, WR
#158 Nate Sudfield, QB
#171 (Dal) Ian Seau, LB
#191 Connor McGovern, OG

That gives us:
WR: 7
OL: 9
TE: 4
QB: 4
RB: 5
FB: 1
DE: 5
NT: 2
OLB: 7
MLB: 6
CB: 8
S: 4
P, K, LS

If that doesn't add up to 64, I screwed up somewhere in counting

I think this is somewhat feasible and we end up with 12.2m in cap room (not including draft picks). Again, not sure I like the QB, but I think we end up with a FA and overpay.

Here's the specs on the Bradford deal. Heavy on the front end, with a few roster bonuses. After year 2, we'd have no dead money if we traded/cut him, just a ton spent on 2 years.
Bradford
30,000,000 signing
10,000,000 yr 1 fully guaranteed
11,000,000 yr 2 1m roster bonus
11,000,000 yr 3 1m roster bonus
12,500,000 yr 4 1.5m roster bonus
15,000,000 yr 5 2.5m roster bonus
89,500,000 17.9m average

I have everything in a spreadsheet (minus the OTC calcs and full firts-pick draft) that I can add if there are questions on the contracts.

People who want Bradford make me sad.

Also, Schwartz is going to get a ton more than that.

One last thing, I think we should have more cap space than that with the carryover from last year.

Yeah, I think that Schwartz is going to get in the range of $6 million/year, probably with somewhere in the area of $10-$13 million guaranteed. (or more, and that's if the bidding doesn't drive his price way up) He and the team are supposedly in discussions over a new deal, and I hope they get it done before free agency opens, because I think that he could get up towards $7 million/year if he hits the open market.

Right Tackle Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap
http://overthecap.com/position/right-tackle/

Here are the Right Tackles in the NFL, and while some may argue that Schwartz is, or is not, the equal of the best, if he hits free agency, he will have 2 advantages, that he is a very good, top 10 (at worst) Right Tackle, and that he is available. Plus, some of those contracts go back to 2010 (Bulaga, for example) when the cap hadn't yet hit its recent explosion.

I think that an average of around $7 million/year is going to be what he gets if he hits the open market.

I also see no way that an analytics driven front office is going to invest that much money in a damaged QB, who gets hit with a season ending injury every year or 2.

Schwartz Benjamin and Gipson are going to get about double of what you offered.

I agree with some of the other posters in that your salary numbers are low.

Bademosi made $1,542,000 last year alone and you think he's gonna take $1,785,000 total over the next 3 years? He would be taking about a 62% pay cut.

Robertson made $2,356,000 last year and you have him making $2,575,000 total over the next 3 years? He would be taking about a 64% pay cut.

Benjamin will probably get in excess of $4 mill a year and Schwartz around $6 mill a year.

Why waste money on Braford who can't stay healthy and statistically had a worse year the McCown?

I might as well put a wet dream Mock up here.

The Rams become sold on Goff and decide to trade up to get him. They offer us #15, #43, #45 and their 1st rounder next year for #2.

On the old trade chart we give up 2600 points and get 2400 points.

#15 Reggie Ragland ILB
#32 Josh Doctson WR
#43 Shilique Calhoun OLB
#45 Dak Prescott QB
#65 Carl Nassib OLB
#96 Anthony Zettel DE

I'm not projecting past the 4th round right now because it's pretty worthless.

I'll take some heat for not drafting QB at #15 and one of the top guys is probably there, but I'm not sure which one that is at this point.

I wound up with 3 Penn State guys. I didn't plan it that way, they just all seemed to be at the the right spot.

I think one thing that I did for sure was to improve the run defense.

I liked all of those picks except Prescott who's a poor mans version of Tebow. So you didn't really address the QB position.

Then we really disagree about Prescott. He gets the Tebow label because they are built the same and he plays the same offense, but he's 10 times the passer Tebow was.

Great callouts by everyone. I slotted these guys on where I thought they were with respect to their position on the team and their peers - I didn't look at current salaries. If I get time this weekend, I can update, but I don't think that any would have a dramatic impact on the salary cap for this upcoming season. And if they did, I could move around money on the Bradford piece.

Per Bradford, I am not saying I want him. As I posted above "I think we end up with a FA and overpay." He's one of the two or three most likely targets.

It sounds like Jackson wants to get a guy and build with him from the ground up. Bradford is not that guy. You know exactly what you are getting with Bradford.

I haven't heard anything from Jackson, but that's good to hear.