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OP updated to reflect Spotrac has finally updated their numbers a little bit. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/cap/2024/ Still 1 player short, they have updated Will Fries and Kylen Granson's contract to reflect salary escalators though, they are moving in the right direction. Looks like their missing player in Trevor Denbow($985k). That should only adjust the number by $70k as one guy will fall off top 51 at $915k. Went through player by players, not seeing the other $1.8m difference at the moment. @Hawkeyecolt

Would love Sneed, not sure I would give up #15 for him, but maybe a 2nd and a player or additional conditional pick in 2025. 3rd that can become a 2nd if certain conditions are met?

Aaron Donald is the big pusher of the DT numbers. Chris Jones played a good part to. Buckner is kinda in line with the rest of top 10-15.

Could transition tag, but only have right to match. No compensation back if refuse to match. Grover - $18.491m Moore - $17.215m Both those are still to high.

Not a chance Grover tag amount - $22m Moore tag amount - $19.8m Pittman or no one

Lol, that's why I posted it like this above: To at least attach it to the conversation and try and bring it back a little bit. Dayo 622 Kwity 700 4.5 snaps a game difference. Definitely think Dayo is a better pash rusher at the moment, he does move around the line though to help with matchups, where Paye is outside against the Tackle pretty much exclusively. Paye did have 14 more tackles than Dayo, so almost a tackle more a game in those 4.5 extra snaps. I don't think it's an either or type of situation, I think there is room for them both going forward, unless they both just ball out this year. It could get tricky if that happens, hopefully it does and hopefully we had used the option on Paye as well, if that happens.

Outside of literally being used in the same sentence, they are not being used in the same sentence as to put them on the same skill level. Saying someone will be paid 2.5 times less doesn't put them on an equal level or suggest he is elite. It shows how little the $13m is, in the DE/Edge spectrum. I think it's pretty obvious , kinda like my answer above. 5th year option has no future cap allocations after it. Back loaded extension, would have bigger cap hits after year 1 that might not need to be committed. Weren't you talking about patience? Why would you want to commit more money to the future than needed, if you can have another relatively cheap evaluation year to make the call. Now like I said, they might half way through the 5th year evaluation period to decide to give him an extension, maybe not, but they will have more time to make that informative decision. That's exercising patience.

Spotrac isn't correct at the moment, both have the rollover already included. Spotrac doesn't even have all the players currently under contract listed yet. They will be updating the salary escalators eventually. Example from last year is Johnathan Taylor, Spotrac had him at his $2.4m(something like that), and OtC had him at $4.3(something like that). Eventually Spotrac will catch up. I like Spotrac because it's easier to read their format, but have usually found OtC has the more accurate cap figures.(especially early) Player performance bonuses are separate from cap. Player performance bonuses are different than salary escalators. So yeah, I didn't use correct terminology above. Meant salary escalators, that's my bad. You're referring to this: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfls-performance-based-pay-program-rises-by-1-million-per-team-in-2024 I'm referring to, see below. Salary escalators count against the cap. Although most time not guaranteed. https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-free-agency-explainer-vital-information-on-franchise-tags-contract-term#:~:text=An earned escalator translates into,the benefit of his escalator.

5th year option 2.5 times lower than the elite players at the position, is not dishing out a big contract without exercising patience. The 5th year option is exercising patience, and there is a deadline to do so(and I'm all for waiting till the deadline to do so). Sign the 5th year option and you don't have to worry about a big contract until 2026, if that isn't being patient, I then I don't know is. That's the difference, you don't sign the 5th year option, then you have to make an early decision on if you want to sign a longer contract a year sooner than needed. The Colts might exercise the option and still work out a long term extension in 2025, but that will be after they used as much evaluation time as possible and came to the conclusion that Paye is worth the long term investment. And the could be higher is just like this year. It was projected to go up to the $240-$242m mark, instead it went up to $255m. If they select an Edge at #15, like I said, it will lower the chances of that happening, but I don't think it would for sure have them not exercise the option still at that point. We would have in 2025. Ekubam - $11m Paye - $13m #15 Edge - $4m So (3) guys for under $30m, still lower than the (1) elite player at the position, and we know we need waves of players in the rotation, so the more the merrier.

I think they are generally referenced the way they are because it's easy to look at grades and rankings that already have some research behind them, rather than just raw stats. As I said, no one says they are the end-all, or anything, just a tool. I'm not sure what I see him at, at this point. I do know that the cap is projected to be about $273m in 2025(could be higher), and $13m is less than 5% of that. $13m in 2025 just isn't that much. Carl Granderson is under contract for nearly $12m($13.8m dead cap) in 2025. John Franklin-Myers is under contract for $17.4m($7m dead cap), 33 year old Preston Smith $17.5m($9.8m dead cap). Franklin Myers might not be a good example. Guess my point is, I see more positive than negative on picking up the option. I will be surprised if the Colts don't exercise the option, but as I said before, there is no need to rush the decision. We have the 2 months to see what moves are made at DE. If we draft one high, definitely lowers the chance of exercising option. If we sign a FA, lowers it even more. Seems like a small gamble, that could potentially have a huge payoff. Where as on the flip side, what if he does have a 12 sack or more season with increased pressures(whatever your definition of improvement is) to go with his good edge run defense next season? He probably would be asking for $20m in 2025, if we don't exercise the 5th year option. Would rather him feel wanted with the option than to worry about maybe giving him a few million more than he may be worth on the 5th year if he regresses. If we exercise the option and he continues to grow it will be worth every penny. Don't see any reason for regression this coming season, I just see golden opportunities to improve. New DL coach has me a little pumped up. Anyway, that's a long post. I'm ready for the off-season to kick off already. Like everyone else.

I know you dislike PFF, that's why I said some don't like them at all(and was surprised NCF tagged you asking about it). It's just an additional tool to look at. Paye has been improving every year as a pass rusher, I expect him to get to double digits this season. Double digit sacks and a good edge rush defender is pretty solid combo. Can't wait to see what this new DL coach does with everyone. I'm not even talking about a 2nd contract at the moment. I wouldn't hesitate to give him $13m 5th year option though(I'd still wait till after FA and the draft to see how things play out). $13m will be about 1/3 of what elite pass rushers will be making come 2025, when the 5th year kicks in. And don't take anything I say about Dayo as a negative, I love the guy, one of my favorites. Hope his development keeps improving as well.

PFF grades: Paye 74.3 (37/112) Dayo 56.9 (92/112) I know PFF isn't the tell all and some don't like it at all, but they clearly have them 2 on completely different tiers. Paye's run defense doesn't get enough recognition.

When I started my response I took the PFF starter/ backup tiers that was listed in the Zoltan post above as what they were. Wasn't till I almost got done with my post before I went and confirmed what the actual tiers were from our weekly grades threads Had to edit a few things out that didn't make sense. Probably left some remnants.

What's the question? PFF tiers: Elite 90+ Great 80-89 Good 70-79 Above Average 65-69 Average 56-64 Below Average 50-55 Bad <50 For instance there are 64 starting guards in the league. Only 79 with a ranking. I actually use their rank when thinking of starters, because like I said every team starts 2 guards, so that is 64 players there. So if they rank in top 64, they rank as starters to me. That doesn't mean they grade out that way but that's just how I look at it. Will Fries ranked out at #32, so in my eyes we had (2) #1 guards on our team. Again not what the grade says, but what the ranking shows. But with a 61.2 grade, he grades out at an average grade. @Solid84is probably better person to ask, as they have PFF premium. I just posted the free grades that were updated every week. Now something else to look at is, the Colts actually had (3) DEs graded as starter lever in their rankings. Ekubam - 14(mid #1), Paye - 36(high #2), Lewis - 40(mid-high #2), and their grades for that matter. Hope that helps a little?

Biggest hole we have currently.(Buckner, Adebawore and Johnson(lowest rated DT last year)) those are only 3 on roster. Of course Dayo can play inside too, but we are thin thin where we need the most bulk. You're right though, there are a few FA options out there. I'm still hoping to see T'Vondre Sweat in Colts blue next season. Even if we do bring Grover back, we still need to draft one for the future.

Biggest hole right now is DT, no doubt.

Yes they can, they just have to give him the tag and he has to sign it to be traded. Then new team gives him an extension.

It's interesting because the Lions selected a LB in round 1 last year, so some teams clearly have different views on the subject. I think how the Colts went about the Ronnie Harrison situation might give a glimpse into how they might be viewing things? They only thing I worry about is signing Franklin to a big deal, that would be the ultimate mistake, imo. You want to replace Leonard? Do it cheaply through the draft. Just don't replace the money you spend on him, on a 1 dimensional LB like Franklin. So in essence, I hope you're right. Hopefully Ballard has changed his philosophy a little.

I keep the OP updated as well, so no need to find in the thread. Both options are available though.

2024 Cap Space: Spotrac - $79,250,395(including 2023 rollover)(57 players shown under contract) OtC - $72,323,573(including 2023 rollover)(62 players shown under contract; which is what I have) $72.3m is the number I would go off for now. Spotrac has 5 less players shown under contract and doesn't have projected updated salaries from player performance. 2 player examples are: Will Fries - Spotrac ($1,076,346), OtC ($3,006,344) Kylen Granson - Spotrac ($1,231,592), OtC ($3,161,591) Almost $4m difference there

Yeah, I moved a few over the other day, then 5-6 more today.

I haven't heard of any hesitations on the Colts end, just from posters here. That doesn't mean they don't have any, just not something I've heard. I'm not convinced we bring any kind of substantial upgrade at Edge. Will we bring in a body? More than likely, but I'm not seeing a big move there, as we sit here today. Definitely don't see a big FA signing there, if anything it would be a 1st round edge in the draft.(have #15 going CB/WR/DE right now), or a mid tier signing like Ekubam was.(that one turned out great) Paye has improved every year so far, his arrow is pointing up. He isn't just a 1 trick pony either. He can get to the QB and set the edge. 2021 - 15 games, 32 tackles, 4 sacks, 639 snaps 2022 - 12 games, 45 tackles, 6 sacks, 546 snaps 2023 - 16 games, 52 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 700 snaps Some might argue 2022 was better than 2023 production wise, considering he missed 4 more games, but he has clearly been improving since he got here. $4.3m cap hit this year and $13.4m next year if we pick up option. Pretty cheap to see if he can maximize his talents even more. Can't see Ballard trying to replace him at this juncture, especially when he has been producing. I can see him bringing in another compliment there, but again, it's a little early. Things can change very fluidly in the next few weeks. The new DL coach just needs to further unlock the potential.

Here is Paye's week by week grades. Paye - 74.1(27/106), 75.8(29/107), 69.8(43/112), 65.9(53/111), 65.9(51/114), 62.5(66/111), 63.2(63/109), 66.8(52/113), 67.4(51/107), 67.6(52/106), 68(48/106), 71.7(43/109), 73.1(38/108), 75.3(37/111), 75.6(38/113), 74.3(37/114), 74.3(37/114) Started a little slow, but after missing week 5, he dropped to his lowest ranking in week 6, but pretty much improved every week till week 17, when he had small drop off. #37 is a pretty solid grade. High #2 DE grade. Ekubam was clearly our #1.(14/112)

I'm ok with picking it up, the good thing right now though, is no decision needs to be made till after the draft. So if we add any new Edge(s), either through FA or the draft, we could opt to not exercise the option. $13.3m next year(2025) isn't a bad cap hit though, especially after the cap will go up by another big margin, in all likelihood. Top Edge will be $30-$35m, so $13m really isn't anything. I think Paye played some good ball last year, especially after he came back from his 1 game he missed. Took a game to get back going then his performance improved pretty much the rest of the season.(PFF grade wise) Would like to see what our new DL can do with him, and all of our DL for that matter.

I moved all of these post in this thread over from a Colts thread, on 2 separate occasions. So they were actually were in a Colts thread at one point. It's not a big deal either way though. So many post, a lot slip through the cracks, I probably haven't even been in a good majority of the new threads for the last month. usually only move post, if it is blatantly not about topic at hand, or there is a report or someone mentions it in a thread. like I said though, a lot slips through, especially in the slow season.