Time for my weekly mock.
Here's what I'd do if I were in charge:
Fire
DC Tim Walton
Hire
DC Jim Schwartz
Analysis: With the Lions falling the way they have, Schwartz might be on his way out. If he is, I think he's a logical fit here to step in for Walton.
Re-sign
Rodger Saffold OT/OG - $30 million over 5 years with escalators based on health, the max value is $35 million...$15 million is guaranteed($4.5 mil first year cap hit)
Tim Barnes C - ERFA Tender($570,000)
Kellen Clemens QB - Veteran Minimum($855,000)
Jo-Lonn Dunbar OLB - $4 million over 2 years($1.5 mil first year cap hit)
Release
Cortland Finnegan CB - $7 million in cap relief
Harvey Dahl OG - $4 million in cap relief
Scott Wells C - $4.5 million in cap relief
Mike Person OG - $645,000 in cap relief
Analysis: The cuts are pretty typical and expected at this point. I liked what Clemens has done for us since Sam went down so I am going to hold onto him. I also think Dunbar can be brought back fairly cheap and love the energy he brings to our defense. Finally, I felt Saffold has to be brought back if he can be. I offered him a contract that pays him what a mid tier OT would make and a top tier OG would make that also gives us flexibility to cut him after Year 2 if he can't stay healthy but gives him additional money if he does stay healthy. It's a fair contract and fair market value.
Free Agency Cap Room -
$13.1 million
Free Agency
Anthony Collins OT - $9 million over 3 years with $3 million guaranteed($2.5 mil first year cap hit)
Yeremiah Bell S - $1 million over 1 year
John Jerry OG - $3 million over 2 years($1.5 million first year cap hit)
Analysis: This might disappoint some because the Rams don't make any big signings but I don't think they're necessary this year. I'd rather us keep cap room open in the future to extend Quinn and our other young players as necessary. We don't have that many glaring holes and mostly need depth. Anthony Collins is very arguably the games best swing tackle. In 6 starts this year in place of Whitworth in Cincy, Collins has given up 0 sacks, 0 QB hits and 9 QB hurries at LT. He can hold us over if Long isn't ready for Week 1. Yeremiah Bell gives us a veteran presence in the secondary. He's played well this year for Arizona and is a very capable box safety. John Jerry is a FA flier. He's started for awhile in Miami in their ZBS. I think he fits well in our PBS and I think a lot of Boudreau. Jerry has potential still and hasn't been a terrible RG when he's played...although he's been average. Regardless, he gives us depth behind Saffold and starting experience. And gives Boudreau a project to see if he can tap into Jerry's potential.
Trade
Rams trade:
Pick #15
4th Round Pick
Browns trade:
Pick #25
2nd Round Pick
Analysis: Browns draft a QB and trade up to draft Mike Evans. Norv Turner loves those big WRs that can get deep. They want to have a weapon across from Josh Gordon to help break in the QB and give them an explosive offense.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #2 -
JaDeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
Analysis: There's a whole lot of overblown talk of his character. Clowney is one of the best pure athletes I've ever seen. He's 6'6" 275 with 4.4 to 4.5 speed and great functional strength. He is quick off the snap with strong instincts and hits extremely hard. While he's prone to overpursuing or overrunning plays due to his aggressiveness, he is capable of taking the game over at any time. His motor can run a bit hot and cold though. Still, he's a rare athlete and will be coached up by one of the best DL Coaches in the game(Waufle) while playing across from arguably the best 4-3 DE in the game(Quinn). Match made in heaven.
Round 1 Pick #25 -
Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Analysis: This shouldn't be fair. Aaron Donald has decimated every team this year that didn't double team him...and even when double teamed, he managed to disrupt plays. He has a freakish burst off the snap along with surprising speed for a DT. While he's short and undersized(6'0" 285), he has long arms for his size(32.5-33') and elite balance. He uses his natural leverage well with a strong lower body, powerful hands and a great understanding of the position. This guy has the potential to be a Geno Atkins type disruptive force in the middle. And he's going to playing on a DL with Clowney, Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers and Chris Long. Lord have mercy.
Round 2 Pick #6 -
Jason Verrett CB TCU
Analysis: Another guy that drops due to his size(5'10" 180) but Verrett might be the best natural cover CB in this class. He challenges Dennard for that spot. He has extremely loose hips, quick feet, great short area burst and good long speed along with the requisite ball-skills. Verrett is a very polished CB with the best press technique of any CB in this class and a great understanding of how to mirror the WR. High IQ player that tackles reliably in space. Can play in the slot or outside.
Round 2 Pick #15 -
LaMarcus Joyner FS Florida State
Analysis: Joyner is an undersized(5'8" 195) but fearless headhunter at FS. Might get some flags called for targeting defenseless WRs in the NFL. A natural and instinctive player with a lot of athleticism, range and great tackling ability. Flies around the field like a missile and makes plays. Has some Bob Sanders and some Tyrann Mathieu in him. Capable of playing slot CB.
Round 3 Pick #15 -
Gabe Jackson OG Mississippi State
Analysis: Jackson is a massive man at 6'3" 340. He's an absolute wall in pass protection. Rarely ever gets moved off his spot. Great strength at the point of attack which allows him to engulf his man while run blocking. Lack of versatility, heavy feet and poor lateral agility drop him to the 3rd round but he's a rock solid OG in a PBS.
Round 5 Pick #15 -
Aaron Murray QB Georgia
Analysis: Very prolific passer that set numerous records at UGA. He's short and has some questions about his ability to handle the pressure of the big game. However, has a NFL arm, good mobility and a strong work ethic. Torn ACL suffered during the season drops him from a 2nd to 3rd round pick to a 5th. Has footwork issues and pocket presence issues that need cleaning up. Good developmental prospect.
Round 6 Pick #15 -
Antone Exum CB/S Virginia Tech
Analysis: Big time athlete that can play CB or Safety at 6'0" 220. Would likely have been a second rounder if not for all the injuries during his senior year. Enough cover skills to play CB with enough size and hitting ability to play safety. Versatile player that adds depth at both positions.
Round 7 Pick #15 -
Tim Flanders HB Sam Houston State
Analysis: 5712 yards and 66 TDs in 4 years as a starter. NFL build at 5'9" 212 with quick feet, patience, vision, balance and enough speed. Loves the jump cut and uses every cut he makes to set up his next cut. Solid leg drive and power. Great cutback lane recognition and anticipation.
Projected Starters
QB: Sam Bradford
HB: Zac Stacy
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Tavon Austin
ZWR: Stedman Bailey
SLWR: Austin Pettis
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Jake Long
LG:
Gabe Jackson
C: Tim Barnes
RG: Rodger Saffold
RT: Joe Barksdale
LDE: Chris Long
LDT: Kendall Langford
RDT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
SLB: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
SLCB:
Jason Verrett
FS:
LaMarcus Joyner
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
What do you guys think?