Overpaying for a year when you gain the flexibility of the deal being off your books the next is many, many times the preferable way to go in my opinion. It's why the Rams should have just held their nose and given Austin his 5th year option for 2017 vs. the 4-year extension. That cap number would have been $12.27M vs. the $14.97M cap he carried this year
and the $5M the Rams will now eat in releasing him.
In Watkins' case I would rather not tag him but I would understand and be OK with it because (a) it will give them more value for the trade they made last summer, (b) he's good, and I think would produce more in year 2 in LA and (c) even if he does not produce any better than in 2017 he would be off their books for 2019.
I see Gurley the same way. I would not give him a big extension. Simply pick up his 5th year option for 2019 ($9.6M) and if he is still an elite RB two years from now franchise him for 2020. After that you have probably seen his best (6 years) and need to pivot to extending your QB.
The coaching staff may see much more in Reynolds, Everett, Cooper, etc. than many fans have. They could be chomping at the bit to get those guys bigger roles in 2018. We will see.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/06/2018 05:47AM by LMU93.
