AZ54

Yes, hopefully Cohen returns to his performance his first two years but there's also the question of his next contract. I'm not sure what value he'll put on himself but I suspect it's a lot more than the value I put on him.

I agree the trade down is very likely.

KPL surprised me and did ok as an occasional pass rusher. He is not an OLB in 3-4 front but he can provide versatility in rush packages when we are in a 4-3 front, or even from the 3-man front if he's paired with Smith. It's hard to say we'd miss Trevathan if we just spent similar money on Kwit/KPL. Woods also looked more comfortable in coverage last year and hopefully his development takes another step forward in run support this year.

Trading what in exchange?

Fix the pass rush and everything will be better. Without Hicks' inside pressure Mack was easily contained and Floyd never showed up at the QB. Blitzes worked quite often but we were also missing both starting ILB toward the end of the season. For that very brief time when Hicks returned it was surprising how much better the D looked. I didn't like seeing Fuller stay so far off the LOS last year. I know he likes to play off the LOS but too often he just gave up easy first downs. I felt Pagano would correct that stuff. Eddie Jackson didn't play as well last year as the year before either. Secondary play was really my biggest disappointment from Pagano given the hype about his secondary coaching experience.

I want a fast RB to compliment Montgomery, and hopefully someone who is better than Cohen at the combination role. Enter from Memphis Antonio Gibson..

This Trautman guy is not a good prospect. Watch one minute of him in this game. He needs a lot of work in the weight room and his agility to avoid a tackle at the 50s mark is very Shaheenesque.

What's the norm for teams? 25%? Also for consideration we've traded away quite a few picks in the last few years so that tendency to go after more known commodities should be expected. When you have numerous Day 3 picks you take fliers on athletes like Stephen Denmark. I wish that guy could play Safety.

I haven't gotten that far yet in my draft analysis but just my initial take on some of this is that we have far better options than most thought we would this offseason. Can we do everything we want? That's not likely nor is it ever a reality for any team. Can we make this roster much better? Absolutely.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to slice up this offseason and fill our needs. From a value proposition a couple items stand out IMO. 1) OT has unusually good depth into the 2nd Rd this year. Seems almost a certainty we can get one with our first pick in Rd 2. This is an expensive position to fill in FA and we've already got a lot committed to it. Seems like a rookie backup/future starter is a must. DRAFT 2) WR FA is not loaded with good 2nd tier options for a speed WR unless there are some relative unknowns who are ready to step up and shine with more snaps. Conversely the draft has some very good options in Rd 2. DRAFT 3) TE is a critical need and one not likely to be filled proficiently by a rookie in a complex offense. Three good options are available in FA. That seems like a must have but if there is some confidence in Burton returning to form and the young players taking another step forward then there will be good options in Rd 2. Plus if the above happens we're looking for an inline TE which can be found later in the draft. There will be some decent options to add depth in Rd4/5 in the draft. If we sign one of the top FA TEs I don't think we draft one and we watch the young guys to see how they develop. FREE AGENCY 4) SS ...tough spot to fill. HHCD is not an ideal fit but he's not horrible either but at what price? If not him who? Bush or a rookie but it might be a late Rd pick given other more important needs and the new contract for EJack. Maybe we split the difference and grab a good 2nd tier FA like Karl Joseph or Vonn Bell while we add a rookie on day three. FREE AGENCY https://lastwordonprofootball.com/2020/01/21/oakland-raiders-karl-joseph-free-agency/ 5) RB ... It's not a popular choice but I still feel like we need a good 2nd option at RB and Cohen is not that. I'll take Kenyan Drake in FA with his estimated $5.5mil/yr contract. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/kenyan-drake-19023/market-value/ FREE AGENCY 6) IOL ... I'm expecting we stay in house for this one and Alex Bars starts at RG, and Whitehair/Daniels on his left in some order. Backups will be Coward/Lucas/rookie OT. IN HOUSE 7) Edge ... expensive spot to fill in FA, tough spot to fill via the draft. What we do with Floyd's contract definitely plays a part here. If he doesn't restructure Pace could simply walk away from him and go sign someone like Bud Dupree, Matt Judon, Markus Golden, Dante Fowler Jr. I don't think it's likely but there is the alternative possibility where Pace goes after an inside pass rusher like Chris Jones (dreaming of course with expected market value of $20mil), but players like JPP, Shaq Lawson, or maybe even Arik Armstead could be possible. Spotrac has us with $15mil cap space Cuts: Amukamara $9mil, Floyd $13mil, Gabriel $4.5mil, Shaheen $1.3mil, Braunecker $1.4mil (yes), New Cap Space = $44mil FA spending: TE Hooper $10mil, RB Drake $5.5mil, Safety Joseph $5mil, Edge (minus Floyd's 13) +4mil Dupree = $24.5mil Sign our FA: Kwit (guessing $4mil), KPL, RRH (guessing $3mil), Nick Williams, Lucas, Bush, Scales, Coward (guessing $3mil), Holtz, and Irving I'm over the cap by $8mil but normal creative structuring of contracts easily overcomes that. If I give Robinson a contract extension I can cut his cap hit in half too. Draft picks: 2nd Rd OT, 2nd Rd WR, CB: Tolliver takes over for Prince, Shelley is depth We'll need to do something at backup QB. I'd be ok with Chase again but not at $5mil.

The only way we have a shot is if his medicals leave some questions for teams using first round picks.

He'll be about $2-3mil cheaper than Hooper. He has his occasional drops but he'd still be the best TE by far on the roster. The bigger concern is his mental state surrounding these drops: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2019/10/01/colts-tight-end-eric-ebron-aims-stop-thinking-too-much/3834371002/ In Chicago he'll be dealing with fans who are already short tempered when it comes to offense. He won't get much leeway before the boos start. Plus is he the confidence builder we need for Trubisky?

Finally found one I like but his injury history is a problem. Of course that is likely the only reason he'll be available in the 2nd Rd. Even in this game you can tell his right leg is still not 100%.

Wow you must have been opening a beer or something. Gabriel had 1 rec for 19 yds against the NY Football Giants.

State Farm yes. NFL not so sure. There's a ton of history on the 49ers side as well.

Not sure it's race as much as the Raiders issue but he deserves to be in the HoF.

Yes. What I'm also saying is Taylor Gabriel has played his last game for us.

Pretty short list but there are two fast WRs there. https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/articles/prospect-team-meeting-tracker-from-2020-shrine-bowl Chicago Bears WR Isaiah Wright, Temple WR Joe Reed, Virginia LB Michael Pinckney, Miami https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/joe-reed/BVj5rhAl14

For KC defenses are trying to limit big plays. Average separation for KC receivers at time of completion is first in the league at 3.8 yards.

Who was Ed Sprinkle? He was the man who brought smash mouth defense to Bears football (literally).

I thought we wanted Mitch to read defenses? I for one prefer to have him hit his plant foot and do one of two things: Throw or know he needs to move on to his second read. I'd also like him to have enough time in the pocket to do that.

Jason taught me well.

Very good point. Pace definitely can and will move on regardless of money if he thinks it's the right thing to do. One difference for Leno is that he's not a bad locker room guy.