2025 Free Agency

[MAD GAINZ]

I would be out on Trey Smith if his price is anywhere close to 20 mil per year. Paying OGs like OTs has not worked out for a lot of teams over the years.

[BigAl99]

What would the Steve Hutchinson deal look like in today's dollars and cap space?  In 2006 the 7 M was 6.8% of cap does that equate to 17.3 M?
  2006 Cap 102 M ~6.8%  (7 year/49 M)  7 M
  2024 Cap 255 M 6.8% = 17.3 M

[MaroonBells]

I would be out on Trey Smith if his price is anywhere close to 20 mil per year.  Paying OGs like OTs has not worked out for a lot of teams over the years.

Agree completely. Trey Smith is probably the best, but there are probably 4 or 5 good guards available in free agency this year. While Smith is a maniac run blocker, Fries, Jenkins and Zeitler have higher pass blocking grades than him. 

In some ways, I think the Vikings might be wise to pull out the pivot first. Bradbury has been the best of the three IOL positions, but he might also be the most important. Drew Dalman runs the exact same system in Atlanta and would be a glove-fit in Minnesota.

[MaroonBells]

[Bullazin]

Holy crap James Daniels a 93 grade?  Insane. Looks like a bargain

[Montana Tom]

I think you are pointing to what I've been saying clearly (along with others). JJM will be our starting QB next year, and it will be a business decision.
The path is a $5mm rookie QB cap hit vs. $41mm franchise tag. The tag and trade is a gamble to get some draft capital, but has some risk that they cannot find a trade partner. How much risk is there? Not much when you look a the QB-needy teams out there against the QB's available in the draft. But not zero.

So what would you do with the extra $36mm in available cap space?

Beef up the OL that was sorely exposed. This gives them the draft capital to go for a couple of the franchise guys.
I also am of the mind that two strong franchise guards will make Bradbury look better and lessen the need to replace him.
Despite lesser size (6'6"/305 lbs vs. two 6'5"/320 lb bookends at both guard positions), I am intrigued with Will Fries superior PFF grade.

[purplefaithful]

I think you are pointing to what I've been saying clearly (along with others).  JJM will be our starting QB next year, and it will be a business decision.
The path is a $5mm rookie QB cap hit vs. $41mm franchise tag.  The tag and trade is a gamble to get some draft capital, but has some risk that they cannot find a trade partner.  How much risk is there?  Not much when you look a the QB-needy teams out there against the QB's available in the draft.  But not zero.

So what would you do with the extra $36mm in available cap space? 

Beef up the OL that was sorely exposed.  This gives them the draft capital to go for a couple of the franchise guys.
I also am of the mind that two strong franchise guards will make Bradbury look better and lessen the need to replace him.
Despite lesser size (6'6"/305 lbs vs. two 6'5"/320 lb bookends at both guard positions), I am intrigued with Will Fries superior PFF grade.

I agree, no tag of Sam unless there is a deal in place...Like you say, too much risk otherwise. I have come around 180 on it. 

All that said, they need someone else in that QB room besides JJM. 14 win team or not. 

Someone who is more than just a pulse and can actually win in the NFL. 

I dont see Mullens here again. That makes Jones the perfect fit imo. Been here a year, knows the system, knows how to be a pro. 

I think he's a must sign - least for 1 year deal.

[MaroonBells]

I think you are pointing to what I've been saying clearly (along with others).  JJM will be our starting QB next year, and it will be a business decision.
The path is a $5mm rookie QB cap hit vs. $41mm franchise tag.  The tag and trade is a gamble to get some draft capital, but has some risk that they cannot find a trade partner.  How much risk is there?  Not much when you look a the QB-needy teams out there against the QB's available in the draft.  But not zero.

So what would you do with the extra $36mm in available cap space? 

Beef up the OL that was sorely exposed.  This gives them the draft capital to go for a couple of the franchise guys.
I also am of the mind that two strong franchise guards will make Bradbury look better and lessen the need to replace him.
Despite lesser size (6'6"/305 lbs vs. two 6'5"/320 lb bookends at both guard positions), I am intrigued with Will Fries superior PFF grade.

I like Will Fries probably even more than Trey Smith. I think he might be a better fit too. The problem I see there is that he's been talked about in Indy as the one player they can't afford to lose. And with $50M in cap space, I see no reason why they'd let him go. 

With Smith it's a little different. Chiefs don't have a lot of cap space and their offensive line is already the 2nd highest paid in the NFL. And with Mahomes cap hitting $66M in 2025, I don't see how they can keep Trey Smith.

[Bullazin]

I like Will Fries probably even more than Trey Smith. I think he might be a better fit too. The problem I see there is that he's been talked about in Indy as the one player they can't afford to lose. And with $50M in cap space, I see no reason why they'd let him go. 

With Smith it's a little different. Chiefs don't have a lot of cap space and their offensive line is already the 2nd highest paid in the NFL. And with Mahomes cap hitting $66M in 2025, I don't see how they can keep Trey Smith.

I suppose Mahomes will restructure to help them a lot, but they will probs have to choose between Smith and Thuney I would think.