Hard no on the trade with the Saints. Like that we get a high R2 and a 2024 R1, don't like that we move back TWENTY-FOUR spots in Round 1, and absolutely HATE the inclusion of Alvin Kamara. Aside from the off-field stuff (which is bad enough) and the strong possibility of him facing a 6-game suspension, he'd really only be a 1-year rental. Cap hit in 2023 (via trade) = $1.08M (yay!). Cap hit in 2024 (via trade) = $11.8M ($10.2M base + $1M roster bonus + $500k in per-game roster bonuses + $100k workout bonus). No thanks. 2025 cap hit = $25M !!!!!!! ($22.4M base + $2M roster bonus + the same per-game and workout bonuses as 2024). NO, NO, NO, NO, NO !!!!!!
Even if the trade was a good idea (which it's not), how would the Saints even make it work?
Right now, per OTC, the Saints have $14,659,642 in available cap space. That's before they sign their draft picks, field a practice squad, etc. Kamara's cap hit in 2023 is slated to be $8.157M, but . . . there's $24.292M in dead money on it that would hit the cap the second the Saints made that trade (since the draft is before June 1st and the Saints couldn't push any of the dead money to 2024). That means the Saints would instantly LOSE $16.135M in cap space and $16.135M is more than they currently have.
On top of that, swapping #29 + #40 for #5 would INCREASE the cost of signing their 2023 draft class by $2,186,239 which means the Saints would be even further underwater.
Well, it is pretty clear that we cannot draft Troy Palamalu. He is not available, nor is Reggie White or Bobby Wagner (because we already have Wags!). What I am looking for early on from this draft are Career 'Gold Jacket worthy' players.
Too many marginal QBs have come through the turnstiles WAY too soon to be in their draft position. Thus I am more focused on what I do not want in this year's draft. Reaching for marginal talent is OK late in the first round or later on, but in No way am I cool with being the team that passed on Generational talents.
Hoping for a QB who had a marginal college career to be worthy of a top-5 pick just seems so - well I do not want to come off as an elitist, but it screams not understanding the game. IF a career difference-maker at QB can be had later on, why give up the chance for an Game-wrecking defender?
The Hawks must have 2 interior D-line positions filled. Since we already have QB-1 and QB2, drafting a 'down the road' QB can be done down the road some...maybe even in this very draft - but Not at the top. Nope.
Not unless PC/JS are looking John Cusack-style at a 'Sure Thing'. For that matter, let this 80's movie be the lesson here - maybe the Seahawks sure thing is the less obvious choice.
I don´t want to go with Tyree Wilson (think he´s more fit for 4-3 D), ANthony Richardson, Will Levis (low floor and chance of getting 2024 1st rounder makes a chance... adressing QB next year (Penix, Maye, Williams or even McCall or whoever everges on the scene), other DB´s (i like Gonzalez very much, but i dont think he is Pete s type), nor OT´s.... i like Smith-Njigba very much, but not at 5.... )
Long story short - there are (solely in my view) only 3 (and a half) players above the line for No. 5 pick...
Nor FBI nor Party.... I think about it this way: A. If they are in love with either Torreence or Schmitz (or whoever else) and they know there is at least one team, that would pick them before 37/52, it´s not party, it´s just...rather now than not....B, If they didnt adress DL or OLB with 5th pick, take IOL and there is still someone like Van Ness or Nolan Smith, it takes me to closer to the FBI doors :), C. If they pick OT, i would count it towards "adressing IOL" because it would mean one of two things...either Abe inside, or... this O"T" is not regarded as OT but as IOL....
Come on y'all. An IOL at #20?!? He'd have to be really special for me to get on board with that. Are we talking about someone specific here? Torrence or Schmitz? Maybe I could see a tackle that gives us flexibility to try out guys in different positions, but I'm gonna need some convincing to leave my minority "arrest Pete and John" vote to join the "Party Patrol."
IMO the league has been entering a period of "overspending". Most teams are near the limit and dumping good players. Hence, affordable, 2nd/3rd round picks are the new coveted commodity. Seriously, we don't need 1 player, we need 6 or 9. Dig, because I got my own life to live for...
Anyway - trade down if there are any good offers - especially 2024 1st or 2nd rounders. This draft is rich at picks 15 to 55.
With Carter, I believe having vets and former players like Bobby, Diggs, Kam, Avril makes a big difference. As you heard in Sherman’s podcast with Diggs.
For QB in first round the only option I feel good about is Young. If they want to take someone like Hooker in the 3rd round that’s cool with me.
I said I trust PCJS so if they find a IOL who they think is worth a first round pick then I will trust their choice until proven wrong.
You've beat the shit out of me into getting Grayson McCall, so stay away from QBs this year. Spend the capital mostly on defense and let's find out if Clint Hurt (what a great football name) is a good coordinator.
"The Saints signed Derek Carr, but New Orleans loves to be aggressive and maybe they’d be the team that thinks they can get the most out of Anthony Richardson with a three-year plan"
Insert ----Denver and Sean Payton. THAT I would love to see!
"The Saints signed Derek Carr, but New Orleans loves to be aggressive and maybe they’d be the team that thinks they can get the most out of Anthony Richardson with a three-year plan"
Insert ----Denver and Sean Payton. THAT I would love to see!
You opened Pandora's box on me Kenneth. Witherspoon. This guy IS a difference maker. He is not Sherman but blend Kam and Richard into a smaller CB and wholla!!!!! We have a FOOTBALL player!!!
I wouldn't trade 5 for anything out of the top ten. As long as we get their 2023 first and their 2024 first. I don't believe there's nobody worth getting in the top ten. Team just has to do its homework.
I almost said okay to the N.O. trade. Then saw Kamara. Naaa. I agree with Charles Swift below. If you're hot enough on Kamara, why not just draft Bijan?
I don’t know if Ken’s daily meditation habit is rubbing off on me (transcendental enlightenment by osmosis?) but I’m feeling pretty zen about any of the options presented here. Part of it is that I’ve typically felt underwhelmed with Seahawk first picks under Pete, and also typically had my perceptions proven wrong so often (in both directions). Just waiting, with no expectations, feels pretty good. I’m sure I’ll still react after each pick though.
Hard no on the trade with the Saints. Like that we get a high R2 and a 2024 R1, don't like that we move back TWENTY-FOUR spots in Round 1, and absolutely HATE the inclusion of Alvin Kamara. Aside from the off-field stuff (which is bad enough) and the strong possibility of him facing a 6-game suspension, he'd really only be a 1-year rental. Cap hit in 2023 (via trade) = $1.08M (yay!). Cap hit in 2024 (via trade) = $11.8M ($10.2M base + $1M roster bonus + $500k in per-game roster bonuses + $100k workout bonus). No thanks. 2025 cap hit = $25M !!!!!!! ($22.4M base + $2M roster bonus + the same per-game and workout bonuses as 2024). NO, NO, NO, NO, NO !!!!!!
Even if the trade was a good idea (which it's not), how would the Saints even make it work?
Right now, per OTC, the Saints have $14,659,642 in available cap space. That's before they sign their draft picks, field a practice squad, etc. Kamara's cap hit in 2023 is slated to be $8.157M, but . . . there's $24.292M in dead money on it that would hit the cap the second the Saints made that trade (since the draft is before June 1st and the Saints couldn't push any of the dead money to 2024). That means the Saints would instantly LOSE $16.135M in cap space and $16.135M is more than they currently have.
On top of that, swapping #29 + #40 for #5 would INCREASE the cost of signing their 2023 draft class by $2,186,239 which means the Saints would be even further underwater.
The Sure Thing...
Well, it is pretty clear that we cannot draft Troy Palamalu. He is not available, nor is Reggie White or Bobby Wagner (because we already have Wags!). What I am looking for early on from this draft are Career 'Gold Jacket worthy' players.
Too many marginal QBs have come through the turnstiles WAY too soon to be in their draft position. Thus I am more focused on what I do not want in this year's draft. Reaching for marginal talent is OK late in the first round or later on, but in No way am I cool with being the team that passed on Generational talents.
Hoping for a QB who had a marginal college career to be worthy of a top-5 pick just seems so - well I do not want to come off as an elitist, but it screams not understanding the game. IF a career difference-maker at QB can be had later on, why give up the chance for an Game-wrecking defender?
The Hawks must have 2 interior D-line positions filled. Since we already have QB-1 and QB2, drafting a 'down the road' QB can be done down the road some...maybe even in this very draft - but Not at the top. Nope.
Not unless PC/JS are looking John Cusack-style at a 'Sure Thing'. For that matter, let this 80's movie be the lesson here - maybe the Seahawks sure thing is the less obvious choice.
My Board for No. 5 ...
1. Bryce Young
2. Will Anderson
3. Jalen Carter
4A. Try to trade for Big Haul
4B. CJ Stroud
5A Another Try to trade down for good return
5B. Try to ztrade down for smaller haul
5C. Devon Witherspoon
I don´t want to go with Tyree Wilson (think he´s more fit for 4-3 D), ANthony Richardson, Will Levis (low floor and chance of getting 2024 1st rounder makes a chance... adressing QB next year (Penix, Maye, Williams or even McCall or whoever everges on the scene), other DB´s (i like Gonzalez very much, but i dont think he is Pete s type), nor OT´s.... i like Smith-Njigba very much, but not at 5.... )
Long story short - there are (solely in my view) only 3 (and a half) players above the line for No. 5 pick...
Nor FBI nor Party.... I think about it this way: A. If they are in love with either Torreence or Schmitz (or whoever else) and they know there is at least one team, that would pick them before 37/52, it´s not party, it´s just...rather now than not....B, If they didnt adress DL or OLB with 5th pick, take IOL and there is still someone like Van Ness or Nolan Smith, it takes me to closer to the FBI doors :), C. If they pick OT, i would count it towards "adressing IOL" because it would mean one of two things...either Abe inside, or... this O"T" is not regarded as OT but as IOL....
Come on y'all. An IOL at #20?!? He'd have to be really special for me to get on board with that. Are we talking about someone specific here? Torrence or Schmitz? Maybe I could see a tackle that gives us flexibility to try out guys in different positions, but I'm gonna need some convincing to leave my minority "arrest Pete and John" vote to join the "Party Patrol."
IMO the league has been entering a period of "overspending". Most teams are near the limit and dumping good players. Hence, affordable, 2nd/3rd round picks are the new coveted commodity. Seriously, we don't need 1 player, we need 6 or 9. Dig, because I got my own life to live for...
Anyway - trade down if there are any good offers - especially 2024 1st or 2nd rounders. This draft is rich at picks 15 to 55.
With Carter, I believe having vets and former players like Bobby, Diggs, Kam, Avril makes a big difference. As you heard in Sherman’s podcast with Diggs.
For QB in first round the only option I feel good about is Young. If they want to take someone like Hooker in the 3rd round that’s cool with me.
I said I trust PCJS so if they find a IOL who they think is worth a first round pick then I will trust their choice until proven wrong.
You've beat the shit out of me into getting Grayson McCall, so stay away from QBs this year. Spend the capital mostly on defense and let's find out if Clint Hurt (what a great football name) is a good coordinator.
I would take the Saints trade in a heartbeat
"The Saints signed Derek Carr, but New Orleans loves to be aggressive and maybe they’d be the team that thinks they can get the most out of Anthony Richardson with a three-year plan"
Insert ----Denver and Sean Payton. THAT I would love to see!
"The Saints signed Derek Carr, but New Orleans loves to be aggressive and maybe they’d be the team that thinks they can get the most out of Anthony Richardson with a three-year plan"
Insert ----Denver and Sean Payton. THAT I would love to see!
The Seahawks are tight on salary cap, trading down might help that as I don’t think there is a player they have to have at the 5th pick.
You opened Pandora's box on me Kenneth. Witherspoon. This guy IS a difference maker. He is not Sherman but blend Kam and Richard into a smaller CB and wholla!!!!! We have a FOOTBALL player!!!
Kenneth,
1) Appreciate the post, as always. Thanks.
2) For whatever reason, I am still unable to vote in polls, even as a logged-in paid subscriber.
3) Finally for what it's worth, my votes are as follows: Yes, No, Yes, TPP, Cloud 9
Cheers -
I wouldn't trade 5 for anything out of the top ten. As long as we get their 2023 first and their 2024 first. I don't believe there's nobody worth getting in the top ten. Team just has to do its homework.
I almost said okay to the N.O. trade. Then saw Kamara. Naaa. I agree with Charles Swift below. If you're hot enough on Kamara, why not just draft Bijan?
I don’t know if Ken’s daily meditation habit is rubbing off on me (transcendental enlightenment by osmosis?) but I’m feeling pretty zen about any of the options presented here. Part of it is that I’ve typically felt underwhelmed with Seahawk first picks under Pete, and also typically had my perceptions proven wrong so often (in both directions). Just waiting, with no expectations, feels pretty good. I’m sure I’ll still react after each pick though.