(01-14-2024, 08:51 PM)JagFan81 Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2024, 03:28 PM)navyjagfan Wrote: [ -> ]Biggest issue is going to be creating cap space.
Easy cuts:
Brandon Scherff
Cam Robinson
Folorunsu Fatukasi
Zay Jones
These cuts allow you to re-sign Josh Allen and place the franchise tag on Calvin Ridley, which then allows the Jags to keep their 2nd round pick in the draft.
O-line is the biggest issue by far and at least 2 of the top 3 picks need to be devoted to shoring up the protection for Trevor.
Just looking at overthecap. So we have $12.9m cap to spend but that counts Josh Allen as not on the roster so that money and more is already gone for him.
Looking at cap savings
Scherff as a pre June1st cut is $14.8m in dead money and a cap saving of $9m. Post 1st June is $7.4m dead money and $16.5m cap savings.
Robinson is $3.8m dead money and $17.5m cap savings. There's no difference pre or post 1st June.
Foley as a pre June 1st cut is $9.2m in dead money and $3.5m cap savings. Post 1st June is $4.8m dead money and $8m cap savings.
Zay as a pre June 1st cut is $6.5m dead money and $4.4m cap savings. Post 1st June is $3m dead money and $8m cap savings.
Just looking at other players that offer cap savings.
Darious Williams is a $500k dead money and $10m cap savings
Rayshawn after June 1st is $3.2m dead money and $9m cap savings.
Yes we have plenty of options to save cap, the only worry is all of those players are starters and losing Scherff and Cam means you need to replace them aswell as improving the Oline. Can you find better players in FA and will you end up paying similar amounts in the FA Oline market?
This is a helpful list. Of the players mentioned:
Easy decisions to release: Scherff, Robinson, Foley and Rayshawn. That makes $51 million in cap savings. Scherff is replaced by draft pick or Hodges. Robinson replaced at left tackle by Harrison. Rayshawn replaced by Antonio Johnson and Foley replaced by draft pick.
Tougher decision: Zay Jones. I believe he's worth keeping despite cap savings, especially if Ridley walks.
Easy decision to keep: Darious Williams. Played at a high level this season. Might re-do his contract to add cap savings.
Following these decisions, I'd make these specific moves in free agency and the draft:
Free agency: Sign Lloyd Cushenberry. He is the best center and only 26. Not sure what the contract would be, but let's say it is structured to pay him most at the end of a 4 year deal for $58 million. Cap hit in 2024: $10 million
Sign Bryce Huff: Excellent pass rusher and only 25. Contract: 3 years for $40 million (PFF estimate). Cap hit in 2024 is also $10 million.
Sign Josh Allen: 4 years for $110 million. 1st year cap hit: $10 million
Sign Kevin Dotson: 4 years $70 million.
Draft picks:
Round 1: Fuaga/Fautanu: Will start at guard in 1st year if Little can win right tackle job.
Round 2: Best wide receiver to replace Ridley. Top choice is Franklin, but Leggett, Walker, Mitchell or Worthy would all be acceptable.
Round 3 ( compensatory pick): McKinley Jackson to replace Foley on defensive line.
Remainder of draft: Add another corner or safety, offensive lineman and pass rusher.
Keep in mind that I am not a salary cap expert and my estimated salaries/cap hits are just estimates based on PFF projections. The purpose of this exercise was to determine the best off-season moves given the current state of the Jaguars. The end result would likely be a significant improvement to the roster in these areas:
Offensive line: Interior line of Dotson, Cushenberry and Fuaga would be monstrous improvement. No more soft line to be abused by defenses.
Pass rush: Huff would make a huge difference. He and Allen coming off the Edge with Walker on the inside would be hard for offenses to contend with.
The run defense would be solid with a healthy Hamilton and Jackson. Jackson also helps the pass rush since he would be tough to contain with one blocker.
I'd like your thoughts on this, especially those who are frequent contributors to this sight ( you know who you are).