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Originally Posted by IndyNorm
I like just about everything you posted Dam. Couple of comments to add to the discussion:
- Hunter might not be available as I would think Minny will do all they can to re-sign him. They don't have a ton of cap space, but they do have some at ~$26M. Per OTC Hunter will count ~$15M in dead cap space when his contract voids in March, which is included in the Vikes' current cap number. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that goes away if he signs an extension before his contract voids (I'm sure Ironshaft can clarify). So this gives them extra incentive to get a deal done before FA begins. On a side note Kirk Cousins is a similar situation only he's ~$28.5M in dead cap space.
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So I am guessing on that, but of all the pass rushers that have impending Free Agency, Hunter's situation seems like the best combination of high end talent and likely to get to the free agent market, because of Cousins. Josh Allen and Brian Burns are likely to be franchised, and you're taking a much bigger risk if you go after Chase Young, Josh Uche, or Za'Darius Smith. Hunter is a proven elite pass rusher, and because the Vikings have the Cousins situation to deal with, they likely won't have the franchise tag at their disposal. If he gets to free agency, the Colts should be offering him a contract.
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Originally Posted by IndyNorm
- Latu has a scary medical history. Not saying that this should exclude us from drafting him; just something that could factor into the decision. I'm sure it'll be a big talking point in the lead up to the draft.
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The medical history is why I think he'll be there at 15. I don't see how he wouldn't be EDGE1 and a top 5 pick without it. In gathering information on him, two players came to mind. The film reminds me of Myles Garrett, though I don't necessarily think he'll reach those heights because he's two years older coming out. The medical situation reminds me of Jaelan Phillips, who fell to 18 because of his medical status (both also wore 15 at UCLA at different points, coincedentally). Phillips's tape was not as good as Latu's, though. Even with the medical history, the tape is so good I like Latu over Verse, and Verse is very reminiscent of Brian Burns with no medical history.
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Originally Posted by IndyNorm
- If we can sign Lewis to a similar deal to his '23 contract ($2.6M cap hit) then I'd like to see him re-signed. If he can get more elsewhere then agree that it's best to let him go.
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If the Colts are addressing DE in the manner I did above, there's no room for Lewis on the team. Odeyingbo and Latu take his interior snaps, and Hunter, Paye, and Ebukam take his edge snaps. That said, under different circumstances I wouldn't be opposed to bringing both Lewis and Taven Bryan back.
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Originally Posted by IndyNorm
- As far as I can tell Ironshaft didn't include the draft class in his base cap number, so under your plan you'd have to make a little bit of room for the draft class. Only ~$1M based on '23 cap hits for the draft slots where we're picking and that our bottom end guys are at $900K cap hits.
- This would put us right up against the cap, which we all know Ballard isn't going to be comfortable doing  |
Shit, I didn't think to check that, Ironshaft usually does include the draft pool in his numbers. I'll add a Kelly restructure, it's something I think should happen anyway.