Current caps, holes and FA targets?

[toffee]

How is our current salary cap situation? Do we still have holes? Any like to have FAs?

QB, set and done, three deep.
RB, set
WR, do we need more?
TE, set and done, we can trade away Fant if some team come knocking.
OT, do we need to worry about Lucas?
G, set and done.
C, set, we have Olu

DT, do we need an upgrade on Hankins?
DE, set
LB, set
S, set
NCB, set
CB, can we trust Rig?

What's your take?

 

[RehireMora]

All that's left is the RG spot. Aaaaand it won't be addressed this year. So the full back will have to help the RG do his job and then the Hawks are playing 10 man VS 11 man football. Thanks JS

 

[toffee]

All that's left is the RG spot. Aaaaand it won't be addressed this year. So the full back will have to help the RG do his job and then the Hawks are playing 10 man VS 11 man football. Thanks JS

There were quite a few vet RG on the market this off season, we passed on all of them. Why? I believe that our GM/HC identified OC-QB-WR as the culprit, not our OL or iOL.

So, based on the actions taken this off-season by our front office and coaching staff, please relax, we acquired new OC, new QBs, and new WR, we don't need an upgrade at RG.

 

[Jegpeg]

There were quite a few vet RG on the market this off season, we passed on all of them. Why? I believe that our GM/HC identified OC-QB-WR as the culprit, not our OL or iOL.

So, based on the actions taken this off-season by our front office and coaching staff, please relax, we acquired new OC, new QBs, and new WR, we don't need an upgrade at RG.

We were very strong at WR, the only reason we moved on from DK was cap space and him wanting a trade. Lockett was still good last season but again took up a lot of cap and was getting to an age he is starting to decline. Kupp is also past his best and essentially uses up Lockett's Cap savings, he is a definate upgrade on Lockett but not over DK.

Jury is out on Geno to Darnold. In the ast couple of years has Geno been a good QB struggling because he is constantly getting pressured or a mediocre QB as he is throwing too many picks. Was Darnold's huge step up in performance going to be repeatable with another team, without an elite receiving core?

Last year's O-line performance was terrible, we were 30th in RBYBC, that is not down the the QB or WR. We have the same RBs (at least at present) QB pressure is also down to the O-Line. A lot could be down to thew OC and maybe under Kobiak's system they will improve but I was hoping as well as LG being addressed we would have got an upgrade to at least one of centre or RG though free egency or a day 2 draft pick.

The salary cap and draft process means you can not have quality players, given for years our O-line has been below average I think you have to conclude JS believes we can win more games by investing in other positions.

 

[Kamcussionator]

Our salary cap is really good. We'll have a ton of money next year too, so I'm looking forward to extensions as the season goes on.

As for holes: I gotta believe our OL is going to be improved with Zabel in for Laken Tomlinson. And between Haynes, Bradford, Laumea, and Cabledue SOMEBODY should nail down the RG spot.

Lucas played some last year, went into the offseason relatively healthy, and looks fit as hell this spring so this will be his make or break (and contract) year -- all omens for a breakout season. If he's still healthy come mid-season, he's one of the guys I'd want to extend instead of letting him hit the open market. Josh Jones and Mike Jerrell are your plan B if Lucas breaks again; not ideal, but I think you have to limp to along and let them develop or else you're chasing expensive vet FA with no upside again.

The other hole I see is at EDGE. Nwosu has gone on the IR two years in a row now and Demarcus Lawrence is 33. Those guys are our starters. Mills will start the season on the PUP, so you basically have Mafe and Hall behind them. That feels thin, especially since you don't know how many of your developmental guys are going to make it to the practice squad. If we're 7-1, 6-2 at the trade deadline maybe you make a deal for a Trey Hendrickson and go al in, but most likely we'll wait and see. Mafe is another one I'd like to extend before the season ends.

CB is my last area of concern. There are very few people that can cover X receivers like Woolen and even though he's shaky in his technique, there isn't anybody available that going to do a better job. Witherspoon is another one that should never leave the field. What worries me is Josh Jobe on down. Jobe is pretty good, but the depth behind him gets sketchy. Especially in a playoff-run season, you got to expect CBs to miss games, and chances are we're going to have to start Prichett or one of the rookies at some point in the season.

After all that's said though, I don't think we should chase any FA -- at least not in the preseason. We have too much young talent that needs the opportunity to play and mature to give reps to a stopgap vet. That of course changes if we look like a juggernaut by the trade deadline.

 

[Jac]

There were quite a few vet RG on the market this off season, we passed on all of them. Why? I believe that our GM/HC identified OC-QB-WR as the culprit, not our OL or iOL.

So, based on the actions taken this off-season by our front office and coaching staff, please relax, we acquired new OC, new QBs, and new WR, we don't need an upgrade at RG.

Totally agreed. We have four interesting young candidates at RG (Bradford, Haynes, Laumea, Cabeldue). That's an embarrassment of riches in young potential. They'll each have another offseason under their belts (Cabeldue aside), receive new coaching, and be in an offense hopefully more friendly to the OL. I think there's a great chance one of these guys steps up. We don't need a first round talent at every line position. Lineman usually take time.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Trey hendrickson

 

[flv2]

Top 10 and improving defense.
'Middle-school' offense.

 

[Atradees]

Donald's quick release and thinking will make oline look better bye mid-season. Think we'll get something big ticket...