I have been formulating this plan for several weeks. Today I am sharing this, Howie hit me up on IM so we can discuss
The Overview
Right now with cap roll over etc this team has around 9 million under the cap. There are some obvious moves to create some more dollars and they will create more. They do have a full compliment of draft picks for next year, they have a good young QB that could attract a WR or two. That all said they are not going to be able to fix everything in one offseason. When this all started last year I said that Chip Kelly set this team back 3 years and what I meant was three years before they could become viable again. I think Howie legitimately has shaven 1 year off of that. That means next season could very well be like this one, another 7 or 8 or 9 wins. We do hope that it starts to push in the right direction.
Where to start?
Right now I look at both corner and wide receiver as the most pressing needs. I think both of those positions need to have a upper echelon player acquired wither by free agency or the draft. Then another few players at each position brought in for competition. Right behind those two and I mean right behind is OT/C and DE. Both positions need to be addressed. They could do both free agency and the draft for both. Then running back needs to be looked at.
Clearing cap room.
Ryan Mathews (4 million), Leodis McKelvin (3.25) and Connor Barwin (7.75) should all be gone. Jason Peters needs to have his contract reworked as so as to bring down his cap number. Jason Kelce should be on the bubble. If they can acquire a center via the draft (and there are a couple of good mid round guys) then Kelce could be gone. Others probably should be gone but gaining 1.6 for letting Kendricks go really doesn't make sense if anything he is a good backup plan for Bradham cabana boy days, Nelson Agholor same thing.
Free Agency
1. Stephon Gilmore - 6yrs 60 million - This is an obvious move. He is a big time upgrade at one corner, is young and knows Schwartz system.
2. Robert Woods - 3yrs 20 million - Jackson will cost too much money, Woods is a solid reciever who helps with the solution on the outside.
3. Ricky Wagner RT Balt - 4yr 30 million - Solid player who Joe Douglas knows. Moves Johnson to LT or maybe as trade bait.
There will be others signed but without a ton of money these are the two I would go for. Lets not forget there are some other players like Jordan Mathews who are going to need contracts.
The Draft
Round 1
Teez Tabor CB - Lets fix corner once and for all. Team him with Gilmore and this defense is top 5. Backup Pick Mike Williams WR (if he is there)
Round 2
Christian McCaferty RB - Yes he will be there and he is a great fit because he is more than just a runner, great in the WCO
Round 3
DeDe Westbrook WR - a DeSean Jackson type of playmaker, can track the ball well in the air
Round 4
1. Tyler Orlosky C West Virgina - Some good centers in this draft
2. Vita Vea DT Washington - Solid run stuffing tackle
Round 5
Chris Godwin WR PSU - He will go lower than he should could be a very good find later in the draft.
Round 6 and 7 - Best O lineman and Best D lineman available
I think if they shop Barwin they will probably get top end a 4th round pick or maybe use him to trade up from say the 4th round to the 3rd round.
Overall this team just needs to fix some areas with true starters. They are starting to get some depth in some positions but they need to continue with that. I am sure others won't like this plan but two starting corners, a starting wide out, offensive lineman and some good young play making offensive players in guys like Westbrook and McCaferty.
The Overview
Right now with cap roll over etc this team has around 9 million under the cap. There are some obvious moves to create some more dollars and they will create more. They do have a full compliment of draft picks for next year, they have a good young QB that could attract a WR or two. That all said they are not going to be able to fix everything in one offseason. When this all started last year I said that Chip Kelly set this team back 3 years and what I meant was three years before they could become viable again. I think Howie legitimately has shaven 1 year off of that. That means next season could very well be like this one, another 7 or 8 or 9 wins. We do hope that it starts to push in the right direction.
Where to start?
Right now I look at both corner and wide receiver as the most pressing needs. I think both of those positions need to have a upper echelon player acquired wither by free agency or the draft. Then another few players at each position brought in for competition. Right behind those two and I mean right behind is OT/C and DE. Both positions need to be addressed. They could do both free agency and the draft for both. Then running back needs to be looked at.
Clearing cap room.
Ryan Mathews (4 million), Leodis McKelvin (3.25) and Connor Barwin (7.75) should all be gone. Jason Peters needs to have his contract reworked as so as to bring down his cap number. Jason Kelce should be on the bubble. If they can acquire a center via the draft (and there are a couple of good mid round guys) then Kelce could be gone. Others probably should be gone but gaining 1.6 for letting Kendricks go really doesn't make sense if anything he is a good backup plan for Bradham cabana boy days, Nelson Agholor same thing.
Free Agency
1. Stephon Gilmore - 6yrs 60 million - This is an obvious move. He is a big time upgrade at one corner, is young and knows Schwartz system.
2. Robert Woods - 3yrs 20 million - Jackson will cost too much money, Woods is a solid reciever who helps with the solution on the outside.
3. Ricky Wagner RT Balt - 4yr 30 million - Solid player who Joe Douglas knows. Moves Johnson to LT or maybe as trade bait.
There will be others signed but without a ton of money these are the two I would go for. Lets not forget there are some other players like Jordan Mathews who are going to need contracts.
The Draft
Round 1
Teez Tabor CB - Lets fix corner once and for all. Team him with Gilmore and this defense is top 5. Backup Pick Mike Williams WR (if he is there)
Round 2
Christian McCaferty RB - Yes he will be there and he is a great fit because he is more than just a runner, great in the WCO
Round 3
DeDe Westbrook WR - a DeSean Jackson type of playmaker, can track the ball well in the air
Round 4
1. Tyler Orlosky C West Virgina - Some good centers in this draft
2. Vita Vea DT Washington - Solid run stuffing tackle
Round 5
Chris Godwin WR PSU - He will go lower than he should could be a very good find later in the draft.
Round 6 and 7 - Best O lineman and Best D lineman available
I think if they shop Barwin they will probably get top end a 4th round pick or maybe use him to trade up from say the 4th round to the 3rd round.
Overall this team just needs to fix some areas with true starters. They are starting to get some depth in some positions but they need to continue with that. I am sure others won't like this plan but two starting corners, a starting wide out, offensive lineman and some good young play making offensive players in guys like Westbrook and McCaferty.
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