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dzrams
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dzrams
I'm also curious. So far you've already pointed out that a trade for a good vet is super expensive as evidenced by the Orlando Brown trade. You've noted that LT's come in 1st and they don't have one of those next year. If you're now dismissing the free agent route (assuming they got lucky and one was available), if you had to guess, what way do you think they will solve the 2022 LT issue?
I can only speculate.
Speculation 1. It could be that they like Noteboom, though I hope not. I don't see him improving as a run blocker.
Speculation 2. They could trade up in the 2022 draft. 1st round. They have the ammunition to do it. This is the scenario that is the least costly BUT it means they start a rookie at LOT.
Speculation 3. They could luck out, and either there's a guy in free agency or someone to trade for. (I keep saying they can't count on this but at the same time we can't just rule it out.) A trade would probably cost them their 2023 1st round pick (at least that and probably more). This route means they have to spend something in the 20 M range. A contract like Donald's.
I suspect Speculation 1 is the frontrunner scenario. Noteboom won't cost near $20M.
On Speculation 3, the free agent won't necessarily cost $20+ million. That's the cost for the elite LTs. Take a look at some recent starting LT signings:
LT - Kolton Miller - $18M - signed 4/2021 - round 1
LT - Garrett Bolles - $17M - signed 11/28/2020
LT - Donovan Smith - $15.5M - signed 3/2021
LT - Taylor Decker - $15M - signed 9/2020
LT - D.J. Humphries - $14.583M - 2/2020
LT - Dion Dawkins - $14.575M - 8/2020
LT - Cam Robinson - $13.574M/1 year - signed 2021
LT - Cornelius Lucas - $1.9M/2 years - signed 2020
The majority look to be in the $13M - $15M range. That's good news! I doubt that they luck into a pro bowl $20M type caliber LT anyway.
They don't have to be elite, just better than Noteboom. I would say that on that list, virtually everyone is better than Noteboom.
And btw those are 2020/2021 numbers. They will go up.
