I would pencil in Saffold at LT for 2017. Trade Robinson for whatever you can get (6th or 7th?). When free agency opens you go sign the best free agent center or guard you can. Whichever you get you then target the best available C/G in the Draft at either 37 or 69. Brown and Havenstein the other starting OL. Wichmann and Barnes the top backups.
They have to live with Austin for 2017. I would let Britt (comp. pick in 2018) and Quick go and sign another FA WR (see Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in 2016). The new coaching staff has to be able to elevate Cooper and Spruce into solid contributors.
I think I would also cut Kendricks. He regressed badly as the season went on and I don't like his "we need someone to motivate us" comments. Start Higbee in year 2 and add a solid blocking TE in free agency and give Harkey more reps.
Defensively, I release Eugene Sims ($3.2M salary) and draft a DE with their 2nd or 3rd round pick. Longacre and Fox compete for the last DE spot. Re-sign McDonald and Johnson. Re-sign Cam Thomas as the 4th DT and give Easley and Westbrooks 2nd or 3rd round RFA tenders.
Re-sign Zuerlein to a two-year deal. Re-sign Cunningham one year.
Subtractions:Eugene Sims ($3.25M cap savings)
Robinson ($3.32M cap savings)
Kendricks ($4.25M cap savings)
Britt (take the 2018 late round comp. pick)
Rhaney ($700k cap savings- Barnes is the backup C)
$11.52M total cap savingsFree agencyC or G
WR
Blocking/2nd TE
Re-signMcDonald
Johnson
Zuerlein
Thomas
Cunningham
Easley (RFA)
Westbrooks (RFA)
Draft2nd/3rd rounds: C or G and DE
4th: CB, MLB or OT
5th-7th: BPA....
In 2018 you're looking at trading Austin, potentially releasing Quinn (if he doesn't stay healthy- $11.4M cap savings...) and drafting a LT in the 1st round and drafting DT depth as well.
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2017 04:57AM by LMU93.
