Mafe got to his free agency year at the right time I thought he’d go for in the 15-20 range but he might get 20-25 with such a small market of pass-rushers and edge group in the draft that lacks a total package of tools type of players. He has the tools and athletic potential to be an all around good player so it doesn’t surprise me that he might be high on some people’s list and some pass rush needy team might be willing to break the bank for him. Had he had at least another 6-7 sacks, he’d probably be a top 5-7 FA.
Walker as much as he is a talented runner, hes going havs some buyer’s beware that’ll work against him even if he’s the best option available.
1. His injury history might be concerning
2. His decision making history for the majority of his NFL career has been mostly boom or bust type of RB.
3. While he’s improved as a WR its not an elite level ability and his ability as a blocker is probably not that dependable.
To me Walker’s game doesn’t scream highly paid work horse type of RB that you want to give 20-25 touches to.
However, if a team has a solid enough blocking system in place in all areas: O-Line, TEs/FBs, WRs. The better the blocking system the better and more creative Walker could become.
If a team has a solid dual, trio back system in place where you can manage and limit Walker’s usage through his strengths as well as limitations. Walker can take over any game, at any time, he is that good, but the more you use and rely on him, the more risk you’ll stack on him that’ll lead to injuries, fatigue, and/or negative plays.
Seahawks not only managed him perfectly with sharing carries with Charb to reduce fatigue and harm but they were also able to eventually coach him up to get his style and vision to align and be married to the blocking scheme and vice versa. Almost perfect synergy in all moving parts at the end. Almost perfect scenario in getting him to the post-season in relatively good health and on relatively fresh legs where you could ask him to do what he did when Charbs went down and carry the load.
Frankly, you have to believe that his representation believes that not only Seattle’s system is probably the best fit for him moving forward but that Seattle’s culture is probably the best fit for his personality as well. Im just saying if Seattle sets its max ceiling at 10-11m but another team is offering 13-14m but doesnt have the Oline or blocking scheme chops and he’s going to a bigger, more intense media market I could see him taking the lesser deal if the guarantees are solid.
