Hired: Ejiro Evero - D-Coord, LA Rams.
I see LaFleur ultimately hiring someone like himself, a bright young guy who aspires to a bigger role. Evero is quite intriguing to me because he has been learning under Fangio, Phillips, Morris, and many other great D-coordinators so I would be quite excited to see him get his shot.
Free Agency: s/o to @lupedafiasco for the video on how GB can work the cap back down, that was instructive.
Walk:
- RB A. Jones
- CB K. King
- TE M. Lewis
- DL D. Harrison
YA CUT!!
- C. Kirksey (+$4.6m)
- D. Lowry (+$3.3)
- WR D. Funchess (+$1m+)
- BUSTS J. Jackson, O. Burks (~2m)
Re-structure:
~ Z. Smith (~$7m)
~ A. Rodgers (? ... sounds like his camp is down with it, though, and we can use all the free cap we can get)
Re-sign:
+ OL C. Linsley: I tried to avoid this because I think the money could be better spent, but C's don't cost too much and if Rodgers restructures, I can't imagine not using that to keep the OL intact -- maybe draw this one up with an "out" in Year 3.
+ RB J. Williams: ideal 3DRB behind Dillon, passable starter if needed, shouldn't cost much.
+ CB T. Williams: vet-min, basic competence at CB and can mentor young DBs we will bring in.
+ DL M. Adams: vet-min, good enough depth for another (1) year, should be motivated to play for a bigger deal.
+ OL L. Taylor: looked solid before the injury, I'd give him another shot.
+ TE R. Tonyan: 2nd-round RFA tender
+ DL T. Lancaster: RFA tender
+ DB R. Greene: RFA
+ WR A. Lazard: ERFA
+ CB C. Sullivan: ERFA
+ LB R. Ramsey: ERFA
+ OT Y. Nijman: ERFA
Draft:
Round 1: Rashod Bateman - WR, Minnesota
I am content with Adams-Lazard-MVS for another year, but all our contracts at the position expire over the next couple offseasons. Also, I would like to develop a guy to be WR1 as Adams ages out of it.
Sounds like an ideal receiver for Rodgers and groom behind Adams: prototype size, good hands, smooth route-runner, plus intangibles.
Round 2: Greg Newsome II - CB, Northwestern
"Value in 2" says if a draft class is deep at a position, pick it in the 2nd. I would sit tight and make our Need pick here.
Newsome happens to have a skill-set I like at the spot (good size, nice athlete, physical/competitive); the Packers lineage is a nice bonus!
Round 3: Jevon Holland - DB, Oregon
This prospect intrigues me; he profiles as a Minkah Fitzpatrick-style Dime DB: can line up at slot, in the box, etc.
No need for Redmond or relying on oft-injured Greene; Scott and Holland get to be the guys now (hitting their strides when Amos departs).
Round 4: Michael Carter - RB, North Carolina
On the smaller side, but dynamic, and has the burst/quickness for the Ervin role. Also complements Dillon/Williams real well.
Round 4: Monty Rice - ILB, UGA
I am cautiously optimistic for a Barnes/Martin duo and Summers is a solid depth guy, but adding competition is prudent.
Experienced against top competition, Rice should compete early. Solid-not-special athlete, but at ILB, you want guys who can play.
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Remainder of the draft: just go BPA sans QB, TE, K, LS. I would not draft a P, but I am open to competition for JK Scott possibly through UDFA.
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Thanks, 'hope your heartbreaks have been quelled somewhat by this exercise!
