I have several avenues I have been thinking about on this subject.
1. Fowler - keep him and let Ebukam and Obo fight it out on the other side. One caveat, I would only keep Fowler at a decent price, and that might be tough to do.
2. Draft an edge early - Bosa, Ferrell and Allen are going to be long gone without a trade up. But Montez Sweat and Jachai Polite fit the bill in the first round.
3. Free agency - Avoid Clowney and Dee Ford, both are going to be too expensive and more then likely, franchised. So with that said, maybe kick the tires on guys like: Za'Darius Smith from Baltimore (I think he is also expensive) and a favorite of mine, Shaq Barrett, who has a history with Wade, and is blocked behind Miller and Chubb. A wild idea I floated a week ago is take a 1 year flyer on Clay Matthews coming home to southern California to try and win a SB. Barrett is by far my favorite choice in FA and should not break the bank.
4. Draft an edge later on (round 3-5ish) There could be some guys that you can look at later that have a hole that caused them to slide. Some names to watch:
DeAndre Walker - Georgia - needs to get bigger and stronger, but in the meantime, he can be a pass rusher.
Oshane Ximines - Old Dominion - played a lower level of competition, but he is a stud.
Chase Winovich - a classic example of average athletic ability being trumped by sheer will power. A long, blond haired tasmanian devil.
Christian Miller - Alabama - a lack of playing time with the Tide will drop him into the middle of the draft, but he could be a steal.
Justin Hollins - you will see him in a mock or 2 of mine because he had a great week at the Shrine Game, the Rams interviewed him and he fits a need as a designated rusher early in his pro career with great athleticism.
Porter Gustin - USC - a personal favorite of mine, not ultra athletic, and has 2 pages of injuries, but he has a non-stop motor and wins on sheer determination. I like guys like that. Plus, he is a good run defender.
5. Of course with Snead and McVay, never count out a trade for 1. I just have no idea who that would be.
And really, you could combo up some of these. Sign Barrett and draft a guy late, or draft a guy early and draft a guy late. Resign Fowler and draft a guy in round 3...
My dream scenario is to either resign Fowler at a reasonable contract and then draft a guy like Miller or Hollins later, or draft a Montez Sweat and let him fight it out with Obo and Samson.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
