Dotson and a contract

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WestCoastRam said:
Interestingly, hasn't Baker's success in the playoffs made it so he might be a 4th or 5th rounder comp as opposed to something lower? I thought I read that somewhere.
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As far as I know, it has nothing to do with performance. It's how many players are signed vs. lost, and the size/terms of the contracts. Others can chime in, in case I am mistaken, That happens ... a lot.
 
Noregar said:
I think they have other options at RG if the price gets too high for Dotson. I am in the camp of allocating top OL money into tackles especially Left tackles. I think a better option than paying/overpaying for Dotson, is to take that money (15-20 mil) and to sign Tyron Smith at LT. If they sign Smith they still tender Jackson and move him to right guard while also keeping Noteboom. As far as cap space is concerned Notboom essentially cost 5 mil in cap hit to keep him (15 mil dead cap to cut him) for a backup that is starter capable. He provides excellent depth as he can play 4 postions on the line in case of injury. (Smith could be the next Whitworth). Also if they let Dotson walk the Rams will get 3rd or 4th round comp pick as well. This all hinges on if Dallas can resign Smith or is willing to resign him.
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If Smith hits FA then I am fine with him being the priority. Not sure that happens though. Tend to think it won't happen in fact. When was the last elite OT to hit the market not named Whit. Because teams overlooked him due to his age. Cornerstone types who are elite rarely hit the market.

Granted he is 33 which means this is probably his last contract. But still I would guess if anything it will be a tag 'n trade circus with him. I'd love to see it happen. LT confidence strongly affects Stafford's gunslinger tendencies I think. But there is something to be said for a philosophy of building a line with strong interior so the QB can step up. Because then you can succeed with a lesser talent at LT who you would not need to pay elite LT money.

Also and btw if they are saying in their draft strategy "if Penix is there we're going to take him" that might affect their plans with the tackles because his blindside is on the right. From there ensuring the interior is sound means he would have that pocket to step up in on most snaps and lessens the load on Havenstein if and when the kid has to play.

So I'm not a "sign Dotson at all costs" type. Rather an appreciator of what Dotson brings to this line and I would feel a lot better about it if they get him inked at a reasonable deal prior to the market. Don't think that's gonna happen but I do think he is a guy who is capable of giving you years of elite play on the interior if his head is right.
 
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Allen2McVay said:
OK ... maybe because that would impact the size/terms of the deal.

Hey, I want to be wrong here. Puka Nacua was drafted with a comp pick!
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Yes, his contraxt apy moved him to a 5th and comp based on incentives earned in reg season and now in the playoffs. Overthecap is now predicting a 5th as well for Mayfield. Gay is close, but listed as a 6th. And Ashawn Robinson is listed as a 6th, but close to the cutoff for a 7th.
 
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Depending on how FA goes, I could see us jumping back into the 4th for some players with these picks. Do we have the original 5th?
 
Psycho_X said:
Sounds like they plan to make an attempt to match an offer if it's not outlandish at least. But was really hoping they could get Dotson done before FA. But not surprising and smart of him to test it.


View: https://x.com/AdamGrosbard/status/1762936029336723883?s=20
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Kind of felt like Dotson had to see what might be available in free agency. See if some moronic organization that is flushed with cap space might make an absurd offer ... it only takes one.

Disappointed that the Rams couldn't retain Shelton before Free Agency.
 
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Psycho_X said:
Sounds like they plan to make an attempt to match an offer if it's not outlandish at least. But was really hoping they could get Dotson done before FA. But not surprising and smart of him to test it.


View: https://x.com/AdamGrosbard/status/1762936029336723883?s=20
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Dotson gonna get paid IMO. Whether that's by the Rams or not remains to be seen. He's not going to let what happened with Pittsburgh prevent him from getting the most he can. As should every free agent and every team should try to get the best deal for them as well.
 
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Question is, if Rams lose both Dotson and Shelton, does that change the equation on Boom?
 
OldSchool said:
Dotson gonna get paid IMO. Whether that's by the Rams or not remains to be seen. He's not going to let what happened with Pittsburgh prevent him from getting the most he can. As should every free agent and every team should try to get the best deal for them as well.
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"We need to fork over the dough" ~ @Merlin
 
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I think they will be able to afford to keep Shelton, but I'm sure someone will over pay for Dotson. Or they will have to pay Dotson basically the same contract as Havenstein. This is why I've been saying that they may have to cut Havenstein and Noteboom if they want to pay Dotson. Cutting Havenstein and Noteboom as post June 1 transactions would give them about $21M in cap space. That would pay for Shelton and Dotson. That wouldn't be a bad tradeoff since at most Havenstein would only have one year on this team anyway. The same can be said for Noteboom. Then the Rams can simply tender Jackson and draft an OT to play RT this year and move to LT next year.

People mock me for saying they might have re-signed Bruss to look at as an OT this year in OTAs and TC, He was signed as an OT not OG this year. He was a very good RT in college. So are they looking at him as a swing OT this year and possible RT next year? If the Rams want to extend both Shelton and Dotson they will have to clear cap to do it. Both Havenstein and Noteboom are tying up a lot of cap space. Neither project beyond this year anyway.

This is why I posted about the Rams FAs waiting to see what their market value is. They will likely need at least $20+ M to extend both Dotson and Shelton. All I've been saying all along is that this will come down to numbers, i.e. how they want to allocate their cap dollars. Shelton and Dotson would give them stability inside for then next 4 years.
 
Feels to me like Dotson is gone. Or more accurately it feels like the decision has been made to hit the market, which makes sense for him, and from there some stupid fucking team is going to overpay him.

So for now and until I hopefully hear differently I'm thinking maybe the plan is drafting the replacement. That could take two different shapes too. It could be drafting a LT prospect and moving Jackson to RG. Or it could be drafting an interior lineman.

Pisses me off but in the end if they were to find a LT in this draft that would be far better than paying Dotson. I know those two things are not exclusive. But you can figure guard out. LT however is quite specific and some guys are simply never going to be what you want year to year, maybe not even game to game. Jackson has done an admirable job filling that role but I just can't seem to convince myself that it's wise to pay him to do it. I don't think he's got the feet for it. So if the Rams plan is to attack LT in this draft then I cannot fault that, even though I do want them to sign Dotson.
 
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