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- Jan 14, 2013
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I was bored, so I decided to throw out another take on a direction we could head this off-season. There are plenty of players who you've seen before because I like those players.
Cut
OG Rodger Saffold
HB Tre Mason
TE Lance Kendricks
DE Eugene Sims
C Tim Barnes
Re-sign
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $7.5 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $4.5 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat - ERFA Tender
DE/OLB Matt Longacre - ERFA Tender
Free Agency - Big Money Acquisitions
Ronald Leary LG - 5 years $40 million
We need OL help. There were rumors that Dallas was trying to trade Leary before the season. With the injury to La'El Collins, Leary stepped back into his starting spot. He was also a starter on the dominant 2014 Cowboys OL. Leary is a mauling run blocker who has the versatility to play in either a ZBS or a PBS. He's also a quality pass protector. Either ways, he's a huge upgrade on what we have. Plus, he came up under Aaron Kromer's mentor, Bill Callahan.
Logan Ryan CB - 5 years $40 million
Coming off a strong 2015 season, Ryan got off to a rocky start in 2016 but finished with a bang. Ryan had a dominant second half of the season as the Patriots shifted him between the slot and the boundary. Ryan looked especially good when allowed to play press man coverage in the slot. Ryan is a physical CB who tackles well and has quality ball-skills. He's a versatile player who can play in the slot or outside at CB. He'll offer us a poorer man's version of Chris Harris.
DeSean Jackson WR - 3 years $24 million
Initially, I had some concerns about Jackson coming to LA because of his reported ties to gang members. However, it genuinely seems like McVay and Jackson have a very close relationship. With Jackson being from LA, I think he'd be willing to come here if we match his best offer. He definitely offers us a nice skill-set. He put up 1000+ yards in McVay's offense this year.
Brandon Carr CB - 3 years $22.5 million
Carr said he was pondering retirement after the Cowboys' playoff loss, but I don't believe it for a second. He loves football too much. He was just a guy venting after a tough loss. There are some here who don't like signing him, but I disagree with them. He's a perfect fit for the Aqib Talib role in Wade's scheme. Carr has always been at his best when allowed to get physical at the LOS and battle with bigger WRs. That's exactly how Wade will use him in his scheme.
Free Agency - Cheaper Signings
Ryan Groy C/OG - 4 years $16 million
Markus Wheaton WR - 2 years $8 million
Vance Walker DE/NT - 2 years $4 million
Jordan Mills OT/OG - 2 years $3 million
Sean Lissemore DE/NT - 2 years $2 million
Dwight Freeney OLB - 1 year $1 million
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #5 - T.J. Watt OLB Wisconsin
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uEp6aW5bH4
Summary: Watt is probably my favorite prospect in this class. @A.J. Hicks posted a great breakdown of Watt's game in this forum. Watt has only played defense for two years at the college level but is already a very mentally polished prospect. He has great instincts on the field that allow him to find the ball and undermine the blocking scheme. As a pass rusher, Watt uses his length, powerful hands, balance, and elite flexibility to consistently put pressure on the OL across from him. At 6'5" 245, Watt is still growing into his frame and doesn't have a consistent power game yet. However, he has the growth potential to play around 260 and flashes the ability to develop a legitimate power game as he physically matures. This is a kid whose best football is ahead of him.
Round 3 Pick #5 - Ahkello Witherspoon CB Colorado
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v84iZchLGzo
Summary: Ahkello is one of my favorite under the radar prospects in this draft. He was one of the national leaders in passes defensed in 2016, and his coverage metrics when targeted were off the charts good. Ahkello is 6'2" 195 with outstanding ball-skills, tremendous quickness and hip flexion for his size, and the long speed needed to play outside the numbers in the NFL. Ahkello is one of the most physically talented players in this class. He's a tad raw in terms of technique, but he has gobs of upside at CB. Plus, he's a highly intelligent kid who has aspirations of becoming a doctor. We need more intelligent players. This kid has the potential to be one of the best CBs in the game. My one big complaint with him is that he doesn't like to come up and hit.
Round 4 Pick #5 - Ishmael Zamora WR Baylor
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBmVYWcvEDo
Summary: Ishmael wasn't invited to the Combine because of the video of him beating his dog. He's a crummy person for doing that, but football isn't about putting together a team of choir boys. Declaring after his sophomore year, Zamora's production as a sophomore is nearly identical to Josh Gordon's production as a sophomore at Baylor. A former state champion hurdler, Zamora has the same sort of freakish attributes that made Josh Gordon such an effective NFL WR. Simply put, he's a 6'3" to 6'4" 220+ pound WR who can go up and get the ball, can run away from CBs, will run through tackles, and will come down with the ball in traffic. He's raw coming out of Baylor's system, but he has first round caliber physical talent.
Round 4 Comp Pick - Jonnu Smith TE Florida International
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA2bCEmQ5TE
Summary: Jonnu has the potential to be a Jordan Reed-like player in McVay's scheme. At 6'3" 245, Jonnu is undersized for an inline TE. However, he's a willing blocker with the strength to handle himself in the NFL. He won't be Gronkowski, but he won't be a total liability either. Where Jonnu truly shines is as a pass-catcher. Like Jordan Reed, he'll sometimes let passes into his body. However, Jonnu's hip flexibility and quickness make him potentially special. He moves and cuts like a WR. He can break tackles and create yardage after the catch too. He has a very high ceiling as a move TE.
Round 5 Pick #5 - Ejuan Price OLB Pittsburgh
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIqN25AT8Pg
Summary: Price had injury issues early in his career. He's rebounded to post 42.5 TFLs and 24.5 sacks over the past two years. He's a really small guy at 5'11" 255, but he has serious explosiveness and quickness as a pass rusher. He's a really good fit as a 3-4 OLB. He has the athleticism to not be a liability in coverage while possessing the speed to be a dangerous pass rush specialist. He uses his natural leverage and explosive power well while rushing the power. If he can learn how to convert his speed to power, he could be a very dangerous NFL pass rusher. Dwight Freeney is a great mentor for this kid to have.
Round 6 Pick #5 - Jerry Ugokwe OT William & Mary
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZw1IYJK0Z8
Summary: I have not had a chance to evaluate Ugokwe myself, but I like what I've read from Lance Zierlein on him and seen in his interviews. Ugokwe is a 6'7" 315 pound OT with long arms who walked on at William & Mary and ended up starting 42 games. He's reportedly an intelligent, competitive, and coachable player with a mean streak. Zierlein's scouting report makes clear that Ugokwe is very raw but has the tools to develop into a starting OT. From everything I've seen, there are no questions that he has the right attitude to reward a team that is patient with him.
Round 6 Comp Pick - Joshua Holsey CB Auburn
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-MJCkkQ1Bs
Summary: Holsey is another guy on my list of underrated CBs. This is such a deep and talented class that a guy like Holsey can go unnoticed. Holsey had two torn ACLs in his career, so that is a concern with him. However, he has exceptionally quick feet, the speed to run with WRs deep, loose hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but as we all know, some CBs use that to their advantage (*cough* Richard Sherman). Holsey is a CB who hides it well and uses it to his advantage. Holsey handled a number of top college WRs, including Mike Williams, during his senior season at Auburn.
Round 7 Pick #5 - Joey Ivie DE Florida
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w496Aftsryg
Summary: Ivie is an underrated player in this class. He's a solid athlete with a relentless motor who has the ability to be a productive rotational interior DL at the NFL level. Ivie uses his hands well and does a nice job of stacking and shedding blocks in the run game. He's athletic enough to disrupt plays in the back-field and pressure QBs in the passing game. Ivie should be able to carve out a career as a rotational DL on an aggressive front like Wade's. He can provide depth at any spot along the 3-4 DL in Wade's scheme.
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Markus Wheaton vs. Ishmael Zamora vs. Mike Thomas
ZWR: DeSean Jackson
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: Ronald Leary
C: Ryan Groy
RG: Jamon Brown vs. Jordan Mills
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Vance Walker
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: T.J. Watt
LILB: Mark Barron
RILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Brandon Carr
RCB: Ahkello Witherspoon
SLCB: Logan Ryan
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin
Cut
OG Rodger Saffold
HB Tre Mason
TE Lance Kendricks
DE Eugene Sims
C Tim Barnes
Re-sign
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $7.5 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $4.5 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat - ERFA Tender
DE/OLB Matt Longacre - ERFA Tender
Free Agency - Big Money Acquisitions
Ronald Leary LG - 5 years $40 million
We need OL help. There were rumors that Dallas was trying to trade Leary before the season. With the injury to La'El Collins, Leary stepped back into his starting spot. He was also a starter on the dominant 2014 Cowboys OL. Leary is a mauling run blocker who has the versatility to play in either a ZBS or a PBS. He's also a quality pass protector. Either ways, he's a huge upgrade on what we have. Plus, he came up under Aaron Kromer's mentor, Bill Callahan.
Logan Ryan CB - 5 years $40 million
Coming off a strong 2015 season, Ryan got off to a rocky start in 2016 but finished with a bang. Ryan had a dominant second half of the season as the Patriots shifted him between the slot and the boundary. Ryan looked especially good when allowed to play press man coverage in the slot. Ryan is a physical CB who tackles well and has quality ball-skills. He's a versatile player who can play in the slot or outside at CB. He'll offer us a poorer man's version of Chris Harris.
DeSean Jackson WR - 3 years $24 million
Initially, I had some concerns about Jackson coming to LA because of his reported ties to gang members. However, it genuinely seems like McVay and Jackson have a very close relationship. With Jackson being from LA, I think he'd be willing to come here if we match his best offer. He definitely offers us a nice skill-set. He put up 1000+ yards in McVay's offense this year.
Brandon Carr CB - 3 years $22.5 million
Carr said he was pondering retirement after the Cowboys' playoff loss, but I don't believe it for a second. He loves football too much. He was just a guy venting after a tough loss. There are some here who don't like signing him, but I disagree with them. He's a perfect fit for the Aqib Talib role in Wade's scheme. Carr has always been at his best when allowed to get physical at the LOS and battle with bigger WRs. That's exactly how Wade will use him in his scheme.
Free Agency - Cheaper Signings
Ryan Groy C/OG - 4 years $16 million
Markus Wheaton WR - 2 years $8 million
Vance Walker DE/NT - 2 years $4 million
Jordan Mills OT/OG - 2 years $3 million
Sean Lissemore DE/NT - 2 years $2 million
Dwight Freeney OLB - 1 year $1 million
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #5 - T.J. Watt OLB Wisconsin
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uEp6aW5bH4
Summary: Watt is probably my favorite prospect in this class. @A.J. Hicks posted a great breakdown of Watt's game in this forum. Watt has only played defense for two years at the college level but is already a very mentally polished prospect. He has great instincts on the field that allow him to find the ball and undermine the blocking scheme. As a pass rusher, Watt uses his length, powerful hands, balance, and elite flexibility to consistently put pressure on the OL across from him. At 6'5" 245, Watt is still growing into his frame and doesn't have a consistent power game yet. However, he has the growth potential to play around 260 and flashes the ability to develop a legitimate power game as he physically matures. This is a kid whose best football is ahead of him.
Round 3 Pick #5 - Ahkello Witherspoon CB Colorado
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v84iZchLGzo
Summary: Ahkello is one of my favorite under the radar prospects in this draft. He was one of the national leaders in passes defensed in 2016, and his coverage metrics when targeted were off the charts good. Ahkello is 6'2" 195 with outstanding ball-skills, tremendous quickness and hip flexion for his size, and the long speed needed to play outside the numbers in the NFL. Ahkello is one of the most physically talented players in this class. He's a tad raw in terms of technique, but he has gobs of upside at CB. Plus, he's a highly intelligent kid who has aspirations of becoming a doctor. We need more intelligent players. This kid has the potential to be one of the best CBs in the game. My one big complaint with him is that he doesn't like to come up and hit.
Round 4 Pick #5 - Ishmael Zamora WR Baylor
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBmVYWcvEDo
Summary: Ishmael wasn't invited to the Combine because of the video of him beating his dog. He's a crummy person for doing that, but football isn't about putting together a team of choir boys. Declaring after his sophomore year, Zamora's production as a sophomore is nearly identical to Josh Gordon's production as a sophomore at Baylor. A former state champion hurdler, Zamora has the same sort of freakish attributes that made Josh Gordon such an effective NFL WR. Simply put, he's a 6'3" to 6'4" 220+ pound WR who can go up and get the ball, can run away from CBs, will run through tackles, and will come down with the ball in traffic. He's raw coming out of Baylor's system, but he has first round caliber physical talent.
Round 4 Comp Pick - Jonnu Smith TE Florida International
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA2bCEmQ5TE
Summary: Jonnu has the potential to be a Jordan Reed-like player in McVay's scheme. At 6'3" 245, Jonnu is undersized for an inline TE. However, he's a willing blocker with the strength to handle himself in the NFL. He won't be Gronkowski, but he won't be a total liability either. Where Jonnu truly shines is as a pass-catcher. Like Jordan Reed, he'll sometimes let passes into his body. However, Jonnu's hip flexibility and quickness make him potentially special. He moves and cuts like a WR. He can break tackles and create yardage after the catch too. He has a very high ceiling as a move TE.
Round 5 Pick #5 - Ejuan Price OLB Pittsburgh
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIqN25AT8Pg
Summary: Price had injury issues early in his career. He's rebounded to post 42.5 TFLs and 24.5 sacks over the past two years. He's a really small guy at 5'11" 255, but he has serious explosiveness and quickness as a pass rusher. He's a really good fit as a 3-4 OLB. He has the athleticism to not be a liability in coverage while possessing the speed to be a dangerous pass rush specialist. He uses his natural leverage and explosive power well while rushing the power. If he can learn how to convert his speed to power, he could be a very dangerous NFL pass rusher. Dwight Freeney is a great mentor for this kid to have.
Round 6 Pick #5 - Jerry Ugokwe OT William & Mary
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZw1IYJK0Z8
Summary: I have not had a chance to evaluate Ugokwe myself, but I like what I've read from Lance Zierlein on him and seen in his interviews. Ugokwe is a 6'7" 315 pound OT with long arms who walked on at William & Mary and ended up starting 42 games. He's reportedly an intelligent, competitive, and coachable player with a mean streak. Zierlein's scouting report makes clear that Ugokwe is very raw but has the tools to develop into a starting OT. From everything I've seen, there are no questions that he has the right attitude to reward a team that is patient with him.
Round 6 Comp Pick - Joshua Holsey CB Auburn
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-MJCkkQ1Bs
Summary: Holsey is another guy on my list of underrated CBs. This is such a deep and talented class that a guy like Holsey can go unnoticed. Holsey had two torn ACLs in his career, so that is a concern with him. However, he has exceptionally quick feet, the speed to run with WRs deep, loose hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but as we all know, some CBs use that to their advantage (*cough* Richard Sherman). Holsey is a CB who hides it well and uses it to his advantage. Holsey handled a number of top college WRs, including Mike Williams, during his senior season at Auburn.
Round 7 Pick #5 - Joey Ivie DE Florida
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w496Aftsryg
Summary: Ivie is an underrated player in this class. He's a solid athlete with a relentless motor who has the ability to be a productive rotational interior DL at the NFL level. Ivie uses his hands well and does a nice job of stacking and shedding blocks in the run game. He's athletic enough to disrupt plays in the back-field and pressure QBs in the passing game. Ivie should be able to carve out a career as a rotational DL on an aggressive front like Wade's. He can provide depth at any spot along the 3-4 DL in Wade's scheme.
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Markus Wheaton vs. Ishmael Zamora vs. Mike Thomas
ZWR: DeSean Jackson
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Greg Robinson
LG: Ronald Leary
C: Ryan Groy
RG: Jamon Brown vs. Jordan Mills
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Vance Walker
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: T.J. Watt
LILB: Mark Barron
RILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Brandon Carr
RCB: Ahkello Witherspoon
SLCB: Logan Ryan
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin
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