Are any worth keeping?

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by Kray007

Fries, no question. There are only so many premium draft picks, and I don’t want to use one on a position where I already have a solution.

Second, Ryan Kelly. I know he’s over 30, and you usually avoid those guys like the plague; but…. The line play is much more cohesive and effective when he’s on the field. With any luck, Tanor Bortolini develops, but the bottom line is that 2025 is a make or break season. If Anthony Richardson doesn’t make the leap, heads will roll, starting with the general manager and head coach. If I’m the GM, my highest priority is to give Anthony Richardson a clean pocket.

At 30 years old, EJ Speed is someone I bring back if the price is right, if for no other reason than not signing him would create a hole that would have to be filled. I don’t kid myself…Linebacker is a real need. We simply have to find someone who stands a glimmer of a chance of covering opposing Tight Ends and Running Backs. But to me, that’s a midterm issue, not something that sits on the front burner.

Dayo Odeyingbo is a clear maybe. I could be wrong, but I see potential, and I wonder if he’d be more effective in a different system, with a different defensive coordinator. Right now, the day after the season ended, Gus Bradley‘s status is up in the air. If Gus is gone, whoever replaces him might be able to better utilize Dayo.

Dulin and Stuard for their value on special teams.

Just curious. Kelly is a free agent. What would be your offer/solution for keeping him?

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by albany ed

Just curious. Kelly is a free agent. What would be your offer/solution for keeping him?

4 year deal structured so that he can be cut after year 2 with little pain. $10 Million signing bonus with a minimum first year salary. First year cap hit around $4 Million. 2nd year cap hit $6 Million, 3rd year $8 Million, 4th year $12 Million.

To prettify it up and pad the value to make it look more lucrative, toss in a few workout bonuses, guarantee the first year and year 2 for injury, add a bonus for making the pro bowl, and a roster bonus in year 4.

In total, a partially guaranteed $40 Million over 4 years. In reality, 2 years $16 Million.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Kray007

4 year deal structured so that he can be cut after year 2 with little pain. $10 Million signing bonus with a minimum first year salary. First year cap hit around $4 Million. 2nd year cap hit $6 Million, 3rd year $8 Million, 4th year $12 Million.

To prettify it up and pad the value to make it look more lucrative, toss in a few workout bonuses, guarantee the first year and year 2 for injury, add a bonus for making the pro bowl, and a roster bonus in year 4.

In total, a partially guaranteed $40 Million over 4 years. In reality, 2 years $16 Million.

I can see the reasoning for bringing Kelly back. But, the most I'm offering is a 2 year deal, which can essentially be 1 year deal.

But, I also consider moving him to RG, due to the Fries injury. My main reasoning for this is 2022, when Ballard banked on Pinter and Pryor to replace Glowinski and Castonzo. We absolutely cannot do that again.

[Kray007]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

I can see the reasoning for bringing Kelly back. But, the most I'm offering is a 2 year deal, which can essentially be 1 year deal.

But, I also consider moving him to RG, due to the Fries injury. My main reasoning for this is 2022, when Ballard banked on Pinter and Pryor to replace Glowinski and Castonzo. We absolutely cannot do that again.

If I were inside the organization and had a better handle on what’s going on with Braden Smith, I’d be a lot more comfortable with charting a course forward on the line.

To me, one of the highest priorities is to create a safe place for Anthony Richardson to ply his wares. It’s going to be hard enough for him to develop without turning the pocket into a 21st century version of Fort Apache The Bronx. To that end, I value certainty. I like a veteran with the smarts and experience of Kelly directing the line when Houston starts crowding the box with 8 guys, trying to sow pre snap confusion.

Clearly, Ryan is not a long term solution, and I wouldn’t sign him to any contract that locks him in for 4 or 5 years. With any luck, Bortolini is the long term solution, but signing Kelly gives us insurance in case he’s not.