Appreciate the feedback LA.
On your disagreements in order...
Interesting info on Bowman. I had wondered how much does he have left. If he's not worth pursuing I have several contingency plans:
ILB, Anthony Hitchens
NT, Justin Ellis - switch tactics and get the NT in free agency and the ILB in the draft.
On Graham, you may be right. I hope not. He's not the same $10M player. No one is gonna offer that. I think the market is gonna be right in that $7M range and I simply can't believe he would retire instead of take that. We shall see....
I'd be willing to make Donald the highest paid D player in guaranteed money too. The way I structured the contract, he was at $65M after 3 years. Making all 3 guaranteed or ensuring that he's guaranteed in the $70M range shouldn't be an issue.
Have you heard any whispers of how much guaranteed he wants? I'm curious about that even though last years demands may not be the same as current demands. One report said that last year his demands were ridiculous because he was tired of losing so you either get an insane deal or get free. Now that the team looks much better, maybe something more reasonable gets worked out.
Two words on my thought process regarding Malcolm Butler. Money and Value. Last year the elite CBs got paid in the $13M range. The CBs that were a step down from elite but were still very good were paid in the $7-$8M range. This years market looks similar and Butler will be demanding elite CB money like TruJ.
Here's my best Snead like analogy: when A students are going for $13M and B students, which the market has several of, are getting $7M, I'd rather go sign two B students.
Now if Butler wasn't demanding that amount, he would be my top target.
It would be disappointing if Breeland wasn't available. I've read reports where they say they'll let him test the market. Are you hearing that they will tag him? Anyway, another option which I may like more is Kyle Fuller.
Looking forward to hearing your feedback on the college guys when you're ready.