stitches

March 11

Some insane IOL contracts. Q's contract has the potential to be a steal... if only he stays healthy and returns to his pre-injuries form.

March 11

Tyquan has been very solid player any time he's been healthy and on the field. Lets hope he stays healthy going forward.

March 11

12 minutes ago, Superman said:

By the way, I ran a bunch of sims, and the first 14 picks generally went something like this:

1 - Caleb Williams

2 - Drake Maye

3 - Jayden Daniels

4 - Marvin Jr

5 - Malik Nabers

6 - Joe Alt

7 - Brock Bowers

8 - Olumuyiwa Fashanu

9 - Rome Odunze

10 - Jared Verse

11 - Laiatu Latu

12 - Jer'Zhan Newton

13 - JC Latham

14 - Dallas Turner

So those players were generally not available at #15.

Would you give up a second rounder to go up for Odunze?

I still think I'd rather have Arnold than Chop Robinson... but you are probably right that Ballard wouldn't do that...

March 11

You are a weird fan...

BTW did you give up on your hate for Jordan Love?

March 11

Just now, 2006Coltsbestever said:

What would it take to get Jefferson? This years 1st and next years 2nd?

Yep... Or 2 1sts...

March 11

Cousins just left Minnesota for Atlanta...

@NFLfan @VikingsFanInChennai So... #15 and 2025 second for Jefferson. Yay or nay?

March 11

Just now, NewColtsFan said:

Thanks…. I misunderstood his meaning.

That explains it. Honestly I’m not wild about Z’s new contract. That’s a LOT of money.

Agreed... hell, screw it... I will say it. I don't think Zaire is as good as people seem to think just because of tackle numbers.

March 11

1 hour ago, Superman said:

I said I would try to get a mock out before free agency. I worked on this over the last few days here and there, and I took too long because now stuff is happening. We don't have details on the Pittman and Franklin deals yet, so I'm not sure how they affect the cap. I'm going to ignore them for now, and proceed with how I set up my mock.

This mock is kind of a blend between what I think the Colts should do, flavored by what I think they actually would consider doing. So no huge trades, no extreme cap manipulation, not super aggressive in free agency. I'm also doing no trades in the draft, because that's unpredictable. I used NFLDraftBuzz.com for the draft, and my cap info is taken from Spotrac and OverTheCap. I used PFF for some charting and performance also.

Let me know what you think. Doesn't matter if you think Player X is going to get way more in free agency, or if you think Player Y is going to go way higher in the draft... no one knows at this point. Just want to talk about how we think the roster would look and perform. My goal would be to have a division contending team in 2024, while maintaining cap flexibility for the future.

Colts current cap standing: $210.6m committed, adjusted cap $259.8m, 2024 cap space $49.2m, 2025 projected cap space $149.4m

Adjustments: Mo Alie-Cox released (-$5.9m), Michael Pittman extended (-$11.8m) Kwity Paye's 5th year option declined; total savings $17.7m

Updated cap standing: 2024 cap space $66.9m, 63 players under contract

I kind of feel like we probably keep Kwity. I'm not sure we should, but Ballard probably has enough stake in him doing better that he probably would guarantee his 5th year.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Colts free agents:

Michael Pittman (tagged): Four years, $90m, 2024 cap hit $10m, 2025 cap hit $15m ($20m signing bonus, backloaded)

Seems like you got the contract pretty spot on on $ per year basis...

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Kenny Moore: Three years, $27m, 2024 cap hit $5.5m, 2025 cap hit $9m (need to maintain vet presence in the secondary)

Julian Blackmon: One year, $2.5m (compete for starting spot)

I was wondering if Blackmon can't get more but... he's just had way too many injuries... maybe someone gives him like... 1/5? But you are probably right.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Gardner Minshew: One year, $4.5m (familiarity and a stable floor)

Ronnie Harrison: One year, $1.125m

Rigoberto Sanchez: Three years, $9m, 2024 cap hit $2m, 2025 cap hit $3m

Danny Pinter: One year, $1.5m (depth at interior OL)

Trey Sermon: One year, $1.055m (depth at RB)

Solid signings...

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Grover Stewart: Not retained (age, cost)

Taven Bryan: Not retained

Jacob Martin: Not retained

Tyquan Lewis: Not retained

With that many losses at DL, lets see what you do to fortify the trenches in FA and the draft...

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Isaiah McKenzie: Not retained

Zach Moss: Not retained (cost, role)

Genard Avery: Not retained

Henry Black: Not retained

Tony Brown: Not retained

Cap space used: $29.18m in 2024, $27m in 2025

Free agency:

Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB, Titans: Three years, $20m ($6m, $6.5m) -- starting CB with all the traits the Colts love, production, scheme fit

Good one. Good fit with the scheme and Ballard's length requirements too..

1 hour ago, Superman said:

DJ Chark, WR, Panthers: Two years, $12m ($5m, $7m) -- starting WR with explosive ability, better version of Alec Pierce

Honestly... I'm not really sure he's better than Pierce... or rather... much better. I think we need top tier talent at WR/TE rather than depth.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Ashtyn Davis, FS, Jets: Two years, $8m ($3.5m, $4.5m) -- potential starting FS who can also play all special teams, puts Blackmon back into competition at SS, and Rodney Thomas back to a reserve role

Josh Jones, OT, Texans: Two years, $8m ($3.25m, $4.75m) -- competition/depth across the OL, can start at either tackle spot in a pinch, also help at guard

Derrick Nnadi, NT, Chiefs: One year, $5m -- nose tackle replacement for Grover Stewart

Mykal Walker, LB, Steelers: One year, $2m -- competition at LB, athletic, rangy, physical, was very promising with Falcons and then had a lingering injury before 2023 season

Cap space used: $24.75m in 2024, $22.75m in 2025

I like those... some good depth signings to round out the roster.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

Draft:

1/15: Chop Robinson, DE, Penn State: Seems like the Ballard guy to me from an athletic standpoint, still has room to add size and has potential to be refined as a pass rusher, can compete with Paye at LEO, has better upside than any pass rusher on the roster right now

Yeah... he's an option. What do you think is the chance we trade back in the draft. IMO it's almost certain unless some of the top tier players falls to 15.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

2/46: Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State: Another size/athlete fit, plays multiple DL positions, mostly would be a 3T in the NFL, has pass rush potential, high motor, fiery competitor

I was thinking Fiske was a candidate for us because of his testing but then I saw his length was really poor. I'm not sure Ballard would take a DT this short this high.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

3/82: Xavier Leggette, WR, South Carolina: The best AJ Brown comp in this year's draft, IMO; good size, fast, strong, great catch radius, high points the ball, wins against DBs, willing and aggressive blocker, not a technical route runner but has some advanced footwork and can create separation, long speed is dangerous, can run through tackles

Good shot to take on a WR that might become an X receiver.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

4/116: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pitt: Size, versatility, athleticism, scheme fit, had a toe injury that cut his 2023 season short, basically another Braden Smith

5/150: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire: Productive dual threat back, special teams ability, higher RAS score than you'd initially think

6/190: MJ Devonshire, CB, Pitt: Not a great RAS guy, but has decent size and speed, is physical and competitive, fluid movement, played multiple DB positions, has ball production

7/234: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky: Back to RAS, good college production, can blitz, rangy, tough, potential as both a Mike and Will in either defense that Ballard appears to like

Cap space used: $9.1m 2024 (based on Spotrac projection)

1 hour ago, Superman said:

New cap standing: 2024 remaining cap space, $3.87m; 2025 projected cap space $99.65m (not including 2024 draft picks); 76 players under contract, need 14 UDFAs

Potential 2025 free agents, cap casualties: DeForest Buckner, Ryan Kelly, Kwity Paye, Dayo, Speed, Granson, Minshew, Fries; still need a long term option at NT, backup QB, etc.

Depth chart: (rookies in bold; veteran FAs in italics)

QB: Richardson, Minshew, Ehlinger

RB: Taylor, Laube, Hull, Goodson, Scott, Sermon

WR: Pittman, Leggette, Montgomery

WR2: Chark, Pierce, Winfree

WR3: Downs, Dulin

TE1: Woods, Granson

TE2: Ogletree, Mallory

LT: Raimann, Goncalves, Witt

LG: Nelson, Hambright

Center: Kelly, Pinter, French

RG: Fries, Sills

RT: Smith, Jones, Freeland

DT: Buckner, Fiske

DT/NT: Nnandi, Adebawore, Johnson

RE: Paye, Robinson, Leo

LE: Ebukam, Dayo

LB/M: Franklin, Olubi

LB/W: Speed, Wallace

LB/S: Walker, McGrone, Stuard

CB1: Murphy-Bunting, Flowers, Devonshire

CB2: Brents, Jones, Baker

Nickel: Moore, Lammons

FS: Davis, Thomas

SS: Blackmon, Cross, Scott

K: Gay

P: Sanchez

LS: Rhodes

Still need to fill out the roster with UDFAs and depth/competition, and the depth chart doesn't include everyone under contract. Should have plenty of cap space in 2024, and still in strong position for 2025. Losing some vets at DL, but I think adding some youth with upside; it hurts losing Grover, but it's what I expect, and I think Nnandi is a decent replacement at less than half the expected cost. Greater pass rush potential with Robinson, and puts Paye on notice going into a contract year.

Yeah, you did indeed address the DL losses both in the draft and in FA. I don't think that group would be worse than what we had last year and we would be having some nice young pieces with potential to develop further...

1 hour ago, Superman said:

The offensive potential is mostly based on Anthony Richardson's potential, bI think the WR room is significantly upgraded, and would have the dynamic ability and versatility that's needed to enhance the passing game. The TE room is full of youth, and of course this is based on the assumption that Ogletree is considered fully cleared by the league and remains on the team. Added depth/competition at OL, and keeping Gardner Minshew as a safety blanket for one more year. On defense, upgraded the DBs, put Blackmon and Cross in competition at SS, added a vet corner, added LB options.

Yep. The offense will go as far as AR takes it. I still think we need more/better weapons at WR and TE. IMO in this mock the main hope is that Leggette is A DUDE! I don't like the TE group. We have a bunch of JAGs, no needle mover... and there isn't really one in FA AFAIK so I can't blame you for not addressing it there... and in the draft - past Bowers, I'm not sure there really is one that is a dynamic weapons right away so... I guess we can wait for next year.

1 hour ago, Superman said:

I'm closer on the 2024 cap than I want to be, but the top 51 rule protects me through camp, and I think a small restructure for Nelson, or even an extension for Buckner, should be on the table as options before the season starts. Ideally, I'd want $10m in cap buffer as of Week 1, and I think that's very doable. And without the 2024 draft class (which we can estimate at around $12m), I'm still close to $100m under the cap in 2025.

Now rip this apart and tell me why I'm crazy. Also, check my math...

Good job overall with your mock off-season. Always appreciate well thought out mock. Thanks :thmup:

March 11

10 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

Franklin’s contract was way under market?

How so?

His previous contract was at about 3M a year, his new one is at over 10 a year.

March 11

March 11

5 minutes ago, csmopar said:

Yeah I can’t agree there . Okereke’s cap hit goes up to 15 mil next year, franklins is 7. For less production in every category.

Meh... Okereke is a better player. Raw stats mean very little, especially in different systems.

March 11

Looking at some of those numbers... this is new NFL money taking effect. The raise of the salary cap is hitting hard on the market. I wonder what Grover will get now... possible he gets something like... 3/48?

March 11

Is the legal tampering on?

March 11

1 hour ago, csmopar said:

Not really. Puts him just inside the top 15 salary wise BEFORE any of the other Lbs get extended or resigned. Which for how he played the last two seasons, is where he deserves.

Dont forget, Bobby Okereke with less production got more last year when he left. And Franklin is better

I'd rather have Okereke than Franklin on their respective contracts.

March 11

3 minutes ago, Dingus McGirt said:

Now, go draft Brock Bowers!

Now go get MHJ or Nabers...

March 11

8 minutes ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

Kind of cheap

Sounds good to me.

March 11

Hope I'm wrong but... this looks like a lot to me.

Still... good for Franklin. Well deserved payday.

March 10

3 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

Is the legal tampering period on?

March 10

15 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

How many do you have in 7 rounds? I know that the Bears have 2 in the first round.

Only 5...

March 10

26 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

It is likely that the Bears will trade Fields before the Mock Draft.

Fingers crossed... I need more picks :goodluck:

March 10

I hope we never pay anything over vet minimum money for RB in FA, now that we have made such a big committment to JT. If we need a backup/complement... draft one on day 3... get another one as UDFA...

If Moss is willing to come back for vet minimum, I'd welcome him too...

March 10

4 hours ago, VikingsFanInChennai said:

Players' trades are NOT included usually, and that would be the case this year. We can act like Fields is relegated to top backup QB in the league and Bears may do so too.

I think the Bears will likely get at least one second rounder for him by someone in the real world. I guess we will see soon enough, but not sure there will be much interest in him here...

March 10

BTW, am I allowed to trade Justin Fields? If I am allowed to do it, I'd like to hear some offers for him. It might help me with maneuvering around the draft since the Bears don't really have a ton of picks in this draft. Cheers :cheers: