(01-17-2024, 12:20 AM)TheDuke007 Wrote: Similar conversations are being conducted in other threads.  I did a deeper dive and have made some adjustments.  Below is my current plan if I were GM.

To get more cap space, I cut Robinson, Scherff and Fatukasi.  I also extend Williams and Oluokun which will help the 2024 cap.

With the savings from Robinson/Scherff, we can sign a free agent center and two guards and have money left over.  One of the guards may just be a stop gap or at least a free agent with an easy out after a year or two.  I use our first rounder on tackle.  If the BAP is a right tackle, I'm fine with selecting him and moving Harrison to left.  We still maintain Little as a Plan B and also will serve as depth at both tackle and guard.  I re-sign Hance (restricted free agent) because of his versatility.  I use a fourth rounder on a center/guard to replace Shatley.  We still have Hodges.  Fortner competes for a depth position.  I let Cleveland go.  He just didn't impress me.  I'm also one who doesn't like this speed zone blocking stuff.  I want a big offensive line that can push around our opponent.

I like our skill position players.  Fix the line and they will look better.  I re-sign Ridley.  I think he may be a little under-rated.  He's likely to improve.  This year, he was coming off a two-year absence.  A better offensive line will also give the quarterback the time necessary to take advantage of Ridley's ability to make big plays.  I think many also overlook the fact that Ridley had a large number of pass interference penalties called on the defender covering him.  It doesn't go in his receiving yard stats, but probably should.

I let Agnew go.  He's over-rated for the price.  He's not that great of a receiver.  As for special teams, his kickoff returns averaged 26.1 yards last season.  You can get the ball on the 25 yard line by fair catching it.  In regard to punt returns, both Washington and Kirk actually had a higher punt return average than Agnew last year.  He's no big loss.  I save the money and use a fourth rounder to replace him.  

I re-sign Johnson at running back and use a sixth round draft pick on a depth running back, although the pick could end up on the practice squad.  An improved offensive line will make a huge difference in our running game.  I also hope Bigsby improves in year two.  

I use a seventh rounder on a depth tight end for possible depth, but he might just be a practice squad player.  I also hope Strange improves in year two.

No change at quarterback.  Lawrence will likely improve some just because of experience, but his stats will improve significantly because of a better offensive line.  The anti-Lawrence trolls will go back into hiding.  

On defense, I obviously re-sign Allen.  I'm one of the few on record who wanted to extend him last year as I believed his price would go up this year.  Oh well.  Baalke didn't consult me.

If Herndon will sign for a price similar to last year, I re-sign him.  He's a good inexpensive stop gap.  Junior (an ERFA who I would re-sign) took a big step forward last year and maybe he can do it again this year.  It would be nice if he could take over that role.  If not, we can address the position next year.  

I like Campbell and Williams as our starters on the outside and Brown as our top depth.

I use a third and a fifth rounder on upgrading our interior defensive line.  I use our other third rounder (which I assume we'll receive as a comp pick) on a third edge rusher (the Chaisson replacement).  I re-sign Smoot if he's affordable and I think he will be.  Ledbetter, as an ERFA, would be resigned as inexpensive depth.

We let Quarterman walk as a free agent and replace with Miller returning from injury.  No other changes at inside linebacker.

We let Thomas walk as a free agent, but otherwise, no major change at safety.  I know Jenkins is a tough call, but you can't fix everything in one off-season.  For now, I retain him.  Maybe I change my mind tomorrow.

For special teams, I do re-sign McManus assuming he's willing to agree to a fair deal.  I obviously keep Cooke and Matiscik.

In conclusion, my main strategy is to keep much of the team together.  The one big exception is the offensive line.  My plan is to almost completely revamp it.  If we do that, I believe our offense will be among the best in the league.  I wish that I could do more on defense, but you have to prioritize.  I'm hoping a new defensive coordinator, a couple of third round picks, and better health will make a significant difference.

All in all. I like your approach. With me only being a little nit picky with your day three decisions. My [BLEEP] head would explode if I saw this team draft yet another RB or TE in any round at this point. 

I think you have a solid core three in Engram, Strange (remains to be seen, but, you dropped a 2nd RD pick last year on him) and I also really like Farrell. RB wise, if you have Etienne, you're bringing back Johnson, and, you already dropped a 3rd RD pick on Bigsby the previous year?

Why invest anymore picks at these positions? I would continue to swing for the fences and add more lineman on both sides of the football at that point. Especially if you're cutting Scherff, Fatukasi and Robinson with guys like Fortner trying to compete for a back-up role, along with Hodges, a 7th RD investment coming back who didn't see much action at all as a rookie due to injury. You're also opting not to bring back Cleveland. 

The interior of the offensive line is the primary focal point. It should be the heaviest thing they approach in March with maybe a touch up or two in the draft. Same can be said with the interior of the defensive line, followed by, competent edge rushing options to add into the mix. They could also approach this via free agency. 

For me, personally, I would like to see a tandem effort. Get me two good offensive lineman and two good defensive lineman in March. Get me another two good offensive lineman and two defensive lineman in April. The rest of the expectations then fall back on Baalke's previous class. 

While I also agree that the running game being fixed and the offensive line playing better would improve everybody offensively. From Lawrence through Ridley, Engram, Kirk & Jones. I STILL think a WR or two should be on this team's radar. Especially on the opening night and going well into RD5. There's some big guy, small school type receiver's that could help us out. 

The year they should have double dipped at TE in the draft was last year, that was about as deep of a class as you could have asked for, and, they missed BIG TIME in evaluations. Green Bay got it right. Buffalo got it right. Detroit nailed it. We [BLEEP] the bed. It happens. 

Baalke should stick to these principles, as it seems to work in his favor though from what we have seen throughout his career:

1. Stick to defense in the draft, he seems to be better at finding talent on that side of the football everywhere historically. 

2. Stick to offense in free agency, as his history in the draft on offense is pretty bad. Doesn't mean you don't take stabs at it though. BUT, his eye should be finding starters on offense in March with replacement players to develop in April in my opinion.

---