You're GM A Peters. How do you build this roster. Fun off-season game

[CommDownMan]

A few names I could swap out, but this was an exercise to get 4-5 mid+ range FAs, 5-8 lower priced FAs and see how the cap would look.  I think LB/DE/S/G are really good spots to aim high in FA.  

 

FA:

Defense:

I think we’ll see more here FA.  Mostly based on what is stronger at needs.

 

Josh Uche (3/24) –

Dante Fowler (1/3.5)

Ahkello Witherspoon (2/20)

Azeez Al Shaiir (4/36)

Xavier McKinney (4/44)

I’m not expecting Winfield Jr to hit FA, but I’d make some changes if it did happen.

 

Offense:

Michael Onwenu (4/56)

Juaun Jennings (2/8) yeah RFA, but I’d take the shot if Right of First Refusal is used.

Ertz (1/3)

 

ST:

Reaves (2/5.5)

Someone Good (2/4) – Lots of options, just find a good one

 

Cut Candidates: 1

TE Logan Thomas (6.5mill savings)

 

 

This is probably deemed a fairly heavy FA signing period, but with cuts and only small changes from AAV for year one (eg McKinney 8/10/12/14), the cap remaining is about 40 million (and 100 million-ish for 2025).  Another 10.3 mill for draft picks per https://overthecap.com/draft  I’m still 4 players shy of a full 53, and would expect a few UDFA and 2-3 mill 1 year type deals.  Effective cap won’t change much, as other contracts drop off the list, so ~25 mill left in cap even after all this.  

 

Draft:

Pick 1.2: QB.  Not going to say, but I’m be mind blown if this isn’t a QB.

2.36: I see a trade with a team (New Orleans for this exercise) traded for 2.45, 5.149, 5.167

2.40: Cooper Beebe OG.  If this goes down, I'm probably finding a way to replace Wylie.

2.45: Xavier Legette: Bigger receiver, nice compliment to what we have.

3/3/4/5/5/5/6- Lots of options and I've gone down the rabbit hole enough tonight.  (OT, TE, DE, LB, CB, S, RB listed below to spread the love).

 

Offense: 24

QB: Draft Pick 1.2, Howell (2)

RB: Robinson, Rodriguez, Draft Pick (3)

WR: McLaurin, Brown, Dotson, Jennings, Legette (5)

OT: Leno, Daniels, Onwenu, Draft Pick (4)

OG: Paul, Cosmi, Beebe, Wylie (4)

OC: Gates, Stromberg (2)

TE: Bates, Turner, Ertz, Draft Pick (4)

 

Defense: 22

DE: Henry, Jones, Uche, Fowler, Draft Pick (5)

DT: Allen, Payne, Mathis, Ridgeway (4)

LB: Davis, Shaiir, Draft Pick, UDFA (4)

CB: Witherspoon, St-Juste, Forbes, Martin, Draft Pick (5)

S: McKinney, Forrest, Butler, Draft Pick (4)

 

Special Teams: (3)

K: Someone (1)

P: Way (1)

LS: Addington (1)

Edited February 17 by CommDownMan

[c slag]

Wondering if they will decide to keep Cody Barton on the Linebacker roster, possibly in a backup role and special teams 

[gooseneck]

If we can get a Trey Lance type trade for no. 2, then I would take it.  This is a great draft to have many picks and can look to trade up next year with extra no, 1 picks.  I would be somewhat conservative on free agent signings, saving cash for next year.  My objective would be having a solid offensive line and defensive line set for some years.  A trade with Atlanta should give us Fashanu, in the first, a franchise type center with their 2nd, with our draft picks hitting on a deep draft class of wide receiver and BPA.  To me, this year, is fairly undefined.  We might find out some of our disasters (Forbes) under the old regime might be solid starters. I am a bit reluctant to take a huge leap until we figure out what we have.  I would prefer another bad season maximizing what we have and securing resources for the future once we know what we have, than a better season with more undefined data for the future.

[Koolblue13]

7 hours ago, c slag said:

Wondering if they will decide to keep Cody Barton on the Linebacker roster, possibly in a backup role and special teams 

I would think so, with his ST coach coming on board.

[CommDownMan]

7 hours ago, gooseneck said:

If we can get a Trey Lance type trade for no. 2, then I would take it.  This is a great draft to have many picks and can look to trade up next year with extra no, 1 picks.  I would be somewhat conservative on free agent signings, saving cash for next year.  My objective would be having a solid offensive line and defensive line set for some years.  A trade with Atlanta should give us Fashanu, in the first, a franchise type center with their 2nd, with our draft picks hitting on a deep draft class of wide receiver and BPA.  To me, this year, is fairly undefined.  We might find out some of our disasters (Forbes) under the old regime might be solid starters. I am a bit reluctant to take a huge leap until we figure out what we have.  I would prefer another bad season maximizing what we have and securing resources for the future once we know what we have, than a better season with more undefined data for the future.

 

Based on Re-calibrate vs Re-build, I don't see them going that quiet in FA this year.  I don't see 2-3 100+ million deals, but the coaching staff doesn't want status quo and it can't all come from the draft.  The coaching staff hires were a blend of experience and up-and-comers, I expect a similar approach to the player side of the offseason.

 

I see some arguments for trading back, even though it would still surprise me.  

 

Also, they need to have a 4 year rolling average cap spend of 89%.  The example I gave above is right about the 89% mark (not that we need to hit that mark each year).  With rollover, they'd be at 130ish million with no big ticket players needing to be re-signed (Cosmi and Davis are the only names I see as maybes, and they won't be massive deals).  Jonathan Allen and McClaurin come up again in 2026, but no other big ticket players are appearing (at least from what we've seen so far).  

 

Saving money and then spending big in FA future doesn't work out in reality.  This article below talks about how it rarely bounces the way you'd expect.  With few internal players to spend on, combined with the desire to get some players to help change the culture, I think intentional roster churn is going to happen and FA will be needed to make it happen.  

https://www.the33rdteam.com/free-agent-spending-vs-long-term-success-part-1/

 

 

 

 

  

[lovemaskins]

Cool thread. Hmm, I’m GM.🤔

First I’d build the best scouting department money can buy.  Ozzie Newsom style!

 

FA: pay a good linebacker to solidify Quinn’s defense and make the calls. Need a general in the middle. And re-sign Curl, he’s the general on the backend. Sign a mid level pass rusher who “butthole and elbow” hustles!
 

Find an interior lineman to stabilize the front, either center or guard.  ($$-splash Snyder style!) Maybe both. Sign a big WR, Tee Higgins type (without the injuries) opposite McLaurin.  

Re-sign Leno and Cosmi.  Let Thomas, Gibson, and Samuels walk and most of that putrid oline. 50/50 on Fuller. Probably should let him leave but if I’m Quinn, he stays.🤔. Intense team building there! Storming phase!

 

Draft: Offense Heavy for QB development! Daniel’s at #2. Game changing back in the second! Tight ends and lineman with the next few picks per my draft board. Find a kick / punt return specialist!  
 

Finish with depth for special teams and a Cigar w/ bourbon. Top shelf! Fly somewhere nice before the season. Pacific blue!

[gooseneck]

2 hours ago, CommDownMan said:

 

Based on Re-calibrate vs Re-build, I don't see them going that quiet in FA this year.  I don't see 2-3 100+ million deals, but the coaching staff doesn't want status quo and it can't all come from the draft.  The coaching staff hires were a blend of experience and up-and-comers, I expect a similar approach to the player side of the offseason.

 

I see some arguments for trading back, even though it would still surprise me.  

 

Also, they need to have a 4 year rolling average cap spend of 89%.  The example I gave above is right about the 89% mark (not that we need to hit that mark each year).  With rollover, they'd be at 130ish million with no big ticket players needing to be re-signed (Cosmi and Davis are the only names I see as maybes, and they won't be massive deals).  Jonathan Allen and McClaurin come up again in 2026, but no other big ticket players are appearing (at least from what we've seen so far).  

 

Saving money and then spending big in FA future doesn't work out in reality.  This article below talks about how it rarely bounces the way you'd expect.  With few internal players to spend on, combined with the desire to get some players to help change the culture, I think intentional roster churn is going to happen and FA will be needed to make it happen.  

https://www.the33rdteam.com/free-agent-spending-vs-long-term-success-part-1/

 

 

 

 

  

Excellent educational response.

[MartinC]

On 2/12/2024 at 12:00 PM, Koolblue13 said:

Happy first day of the off-season. One that we should definitely win.

 

What pending FAs are you keeping. Who are you chasing in FA? How do you play the draft.

 

What does our roster look like next season to you?

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/washington-commanders/

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/quarterback/?ref=trending-pages

 

 

I’d try to resign Fuller and Kurl on defense and Gibson on a short term cheapish deal. I’d try to being Brissett back as well but I think I he will get offers for fringe starter money and I wouldn’t pay that.

 

I’d probably being Slye back as well.

 

Other than that I don’t think there is anyone I’d want to bring back.

 

Needs then are QB, OT (possibly x2), LG, WR (ideally larger X type), 3rd down back and a TE who can stretch a seam and is a RAC threat.

 

Defense Edge, LB, FS and CB.

 

Then depth.

 

QB is going to be draft. I’d sign at least one starter on the O’line to good money in free agency, maybe two. Jonah Williams as an OT maybe. I’d look to spend some big free agent dollars on edge and corner as well. I wouldn’t spend big on receiver, TE, running back or off the ball linebacker.

 

Draft is QB then 2/3 rounds I’m looking for O’Line, WR with size (good draft for both positions in the 2 and 3rd range). I might go backer as well 3rd or 4th.

[CapsSkins]

Anyone want to trade for Brandon Aiyuk if he forces his way out of SF? Nice player and young but we'd have three smaller receivers. Would need to draft a bigger receiver or find a bigger TE who can be a receiving threat.

[Warhead36]

12 hours ago, CapsSkins said:

Anyone want to trade for Brandon Aiyuk if he forces his way out of SF? Nice player and young but we'd have three smaller receivers. Would need to draft a bigger receiver or find a bigger TE who can be a receiving threat.

We're not at the stage in our team building that we should be trading significant assets AND spending significant money to sign a WR when we have two quality ones already. Aiyuk is the type of guy a team like the Ravens or Packers need to trade for, that extra weapon to get them over the hump.

[method man]

On 2/17/2024 at 7:16 AM, Koolblue13 said:

I would think so, with his ST coach coming on board.

He won’t be particularly expensive either. Not bad as a depth LB

[Koolblue13]

39 minutes ago, method man said:

He won’t be particularly expensive either. Not bad as a depth LB

Yep. I don't want to see him on the field except STs, but he's great there. We can finally dump Mayo.

[KillBill26]

My crack at GM:

 

I would be aggressive in free agency and try to bring in a lot of quality players. Not top tier, but maybe a notch or two below. I want to start the Quinn era right and be competitive sooner rather than later, so I'm putting our league high cap space to good use. 

 

I'd keep Leno, I don't see him as the problem, and I'd rather focus on filling other more pressing needs.  

 

For cuts, I'm releasing Logan Thomas (6.5 mil savings) and Wylie (4.25). With about 80 mil in cap space to start, these moves bring us up to 90 mil.

 

I'm re-signing:

 

CB Fuller - 3 yr 40 mil (10 mil cap #)

SS Curl - 4 yr 40 mil (7)

    *Projections I'm reading are curl commanding more than McKinney on free agent market, with curl getting more than numbers above. I'd be negotiating with a number of S at the outset. If curl doesn't accept this offer, there is a decent FA safety class so I want a quality one at this price range

T Corn Lucas - 2 yr 7 mil (3)

S Jeremy Reeves - 3 yr 10 mil (3)

DE James Smith-Williams 2 yr 6 mil (3)

WR/PR Jamison Crowder 1 yr 2 mil (2)

 

Down to 62 in cap space.

 

Sign these free agents:

 

LB Frankie Luvu - 3 yr 23 mil (6)

DE J Greenard - 4 yr 60 mil (13)

   *My approach with DE is sign a big fish and spend a premium pick for the other end. I don't agree with signing 2 big fish at DE, bc we will be right back to having too much $ tied up in one position group. I like Greenard bc he plays well vs the run, and playing next to payne/Allen, I think he looks even better as a pass rusher and will prove to be a great all around d end. Only concern is durability.

LB B Wagner - 2 yr 12 mil (5)

    *Hopefully Quinn can talk Wagner into coming here. A leader at MLB is a must

TE N Fant - 3 yr 27 mil (6)

    *TE is a tough call given I don't what to expect I terms of how air raidish our offense is. KK wanted us to think it won't be, but time will tell. Fant will also help with primary objective to upgrade oline/blocking up front.

LG Robert Hunt - 4 yr 44 mil (8)

   *Oline needs to be trustworthy with rookie QB coming in. Money well spent.

DE Dante Fowler - 2 yr 8 mil (3)

   *Quinn will attract the pass rushing specialist. Could have a big impact next to our DTs.

Kicker - 1 yr 2 mil (2)

Long snapper - anyone but cheeseman, cost is negligible

 

Would have 17 mil in cap room after these moves, with 10 of that going to rookie class. About 7 mil in cap space going into season, with restructuring terry and Payne being options if we need some extra room.  

 

*** I had WR Gabe Davis under consideration, a tall wr that scores TDs and can stretch the field would be huge for this offense. But I ran out of money lol.

 

Draft

1.2 QB Drake Maye. Or whichever QB we like most on the board. We have to stay put and get the best QB. 

2.36 DE Chop Robinson - Across from Greenard, talented edge rusher with relatively modest price tag for 4 years. We are back to being excited about our front 4.

2.40 T Patrick Paul - athletic with long arms, it's easy to see a scenario where Paul develops into a very good OT, especially in a system that will probably favor athletic OTs. RT in year 1

3.67 C/G Sedrick Van Pran - he and Strom battle it out for week 1 start at C.  

3.100. RB Bucky Irving - shifty scat back to complement B Rob / C Rod

4.102. WR - best on the board, hopefully with some height. Tez Walker / B Rice / Rosemary-Jacksaint among other possibilities

Rest of day 3 picks: need another LB, PR candidate, OL/DB depth

 

This team would be much more competitive than the last team we saw. Embarrassing black holes such as OL and LB would be in much better shape, and adding talent across the roster, and putting our young QB in a much better position to succeed than the last guy.

 

Complete makeover in one off-season, is that too much to ask 😂

 

Edited February 20 by KillBill26

[Warhead36]

9 hours ago, KillBill26 said:

My crack at GM:

 

I would be aggressive in free agency and try to bring in a lot of quality players. Not top tier, but maybe a notch or two below. I want to start the Quinn era right and be competitive sooner rather than later, so I'm putting our league high cap space to good use. 

 

I'd keep Leno, I don't see him as the problem, and I'd rather focus on filling other more pressing needs.  

 

For cuts, I'm releasing Logan Thomas (6.5 mil savings) and Wylie (4.25). With about 80 mil in cap space to start, these moves bring us up to 90 mil.

 

I'm re-signing:

 

CB Fuller - 3 yr 40 mil (10 mil cap #)

SS Curl - 4 yr 40 mil (7)

    *Projections I'm reading are curl commanding more than McKinney on free agent market, with curl getting more than numbers above. I'd be negotiating with a number of S at the outset. If curl doesn't accept this offer, there is a decent FA safety class so I want a quality one at this price range

T Corn Lucas - 2 yr 7 mil (3)

S Jeremy Reeves - 3 yr 10 mil (3)

DE James Smith-Williams 2 yr 6 mil (3)

WR/PR Jamison Crowder 1 yr 2 mil (2)

 

Down to 62 in cap space.

 

Sign these free agents:

 

LB Frankie Luvu - 3 yr 23 mil (6)

DE J Greenard - 4 yr 60 mil (13)

   *My approach with DE is sign a big fish and spend a premium pick for the other end. I don't agree with signing 2 big fish at DE, bc we will be right back to having too much $ tied up in one position group. I like Greenard bc he plays well vs the run, and playing next to payne/Allen, I think he looks even better as a pass rusher and will prove to be a great all around d end. Only concern is durability.

LB B Wagner - 2 yr 12 mil (5)

    *Hopefully Quinn can talk Wagner into coming here. A leader at MLB is a must

TE N Fant - 3 yr 27 mil (6)

    *TE is a tough call given I don't what to expect I terms of how air raidish our offense is. KK wanted us to think it won't be, but time will tell. Fant will also help with primary objective to upgrade oline/blocking up front.

LG Robert Hunt - 4 yr 44 mil (8)

   *Oline needs to be trustworthy with rookie QB coming in. Money well spent.

DE Dante Fowler - 2 yr 8 mil (3)

   *Quinn will attract the pass rushing specialist. Could have a big impact next to our DTs.

Kicker - 1 yr 2 mil (2)

Long snapper - anyone but cheeseman, cost is negligible

 

Would have 17 mil in cap room after these moves, with 10 of that going to rookie class. About 7 mil in cap space going into season, with restructuring terry and Payne being options if we need some extra room.  

 

*** I had WR Gabe Davis under consideration, a tall wr that scores TDs and can stretch the field would be huge for this offense. But I ran out of money lol.

 

Draft

1.2 QB Drake Maye. Or whichever QB we like most on the board. We have to stay put and get the best QB. 

2.36 DE Chop Robinson - Across from Greenard, talented edge rusher with relatively modest price tag for 4 years. We are back to being excited about our front 4.

2.40 T Patrick Paul - athletic with long arms, it's easy to see a scenario where Paul develops into a very good OT, especially in a system that will probably favor athletic OTs. RT in year 1

3.67 C/G Sedrick Van Pran - he and Strom battle it out for week 1 start at C.  

3.100. RB Bucky Irving - shifty scat back to complement B Rob / C Rod

4.102. WR - best on the board, hopefully with some height. Tez Walker / B Rice / Rosemary-Jacksaint among other possibilities

Rest of day 3 picks: need another LB, PR candidate, OL/DB depth

 

This team would be much more competitive than the last team we saw. Embarrassing black holes such as OL and LB would be in much better shape, and adding talent across the roster, and putting our young QB in a much better position to succeed than the last guy.

 

Complete makeover in one off-season, is that too much to ask 😂

 

Replace Irving with Malachai Corley and you get the Warhead stamp of approval(which basically means nothing lolol)

[Renegade7]

Resist the temptation to bring the band back together on what was one of the worst defenses in history.

 

And keep $20 million cap space for a veteran QB contract, jusnin case we have to give it to someone or give it to Maye earlier then we planned.

[CommDownMan]

13 hours ago, KillBill26 said:

For cuts, I'm releasing Logan Thomas (6.5 mil savings) and Wylie (4.25). With about 80 mil in cap space to start, these moves bring us up to 90 mil.

 

DE J Greenard - 4 yr 60 mil (13)

   *My approach with DE is sign a big fish and spend a premium pick for the other end. I don't agree with signing 2 big fish at DE, bc we will be right back to having too much $ tied up in one position group. I like Greenard bc he plays well vs the run, and playing next to payne/Allen, I think he looks even better as a pass rusher and will prove to be a great all around d end. Only concern is durability.

LG Robert Hunt - 4 yr 44 mil (8)

   *Oline needs to be trustworthy with rookie QB coming in. Money well spent.

 

With a Guard signed, I do think Wylie goes, but I see a cap savings of just under 1.6 mill on sportrac and otc.  

 

I looked at Greenard as well, but was concerned with durability.  

 

Agree with the overall approach.  Want to see a good deal addressed during free agency, so the drafting for need is limited.

[KillBill26]

9 minutes ago, CommDownMan said:

 

With a Guard signed, I do think Wylie goes, but I see a cap savings of just under 1.6 mill on sportrac and otc.  

 

I looked at Greenard as well, but was concerned with durability.  

 

Agree with the overall approach.  Want to see a good deal addressed during free agency, so the drafting for need is limited.

Commanders could cut Andrew Wylie

Cap savings - $4.25 million (post-June 1 designation)

 

https://riggosrag.com/posts/5-early-commanders-cut-candidates-2023-midseason-point/3

 

4.25 based off of designating him as June 1st cut to spread it out. 

[method man]

13 hours ago, KillBill26 said:

Commanders could cut Andrew Wylie

Cap savings - $4.25 million (post-June 1 designation)

 

https://riggosrag.com/posts/5-early-commanders-cut-candidates-2023-midseason-point/3

 

4.25 based off of designating him as June 1st cut to spread it out. 

 

Why not just carry him another year and let a rookie guard develop behind him? If you cut him after next season, you save nearly $8M vs carry a $4.25M dead cap hit ahead of what will be a more pivotal offseason to compete

[KillBill26]

14 hours ago, method man said:

 

Why not just carry him another year and let a rookie guard develop behind him? If you cut him after next season, you save nearly $8M vs carry a $4.25M dead cap hit ahead of what will be a more pivotal offseason to compete

They could always keep him until final cuts to see how he does at LG, maybe the position switch will help.  Just seems with how bad he looked in a scheme he was supposed to do well in, that the 4 mil would be better spent elsewhere. 

 

I'd prefer to cut him immediately and bring in someone I have more faith in i.e. Robert Hunt. 

 

We need to improve the oline before we get another young QB shell shocked, and I don't feel comfortable relying on Wylie turning it around.  He stunk, he needs to see his way out.

[Est.1974]

Peters should be ultra aggressive in year one. Purge some talent in FA, and then go all in for the draft. Offer Chicago multiple future picks across 2025 and 2026 so that we get the #1 pick and Caleb Williams. We still get left with a stacked draft board in 2024 :
 

Round 1, Pick 1 (from CHI) - CALEB WILLIAMS, Franchise QB.

Round 2, Pick 36

Round 2, Pick 40 (from CHI)

Round 3, Pick 67

Round 3, Pick 100 (from SF)*

Round 4, Pick 102

Round 5, Pick 137

Round 6, Pick 180

Round 7, Pick 219

[veteranskinsfan]

I would keep Curl and sign Cosmi.  I am leaning toward cutting Samuels go because he has an expensive contract and his health is not always great.  But the offensive coordinator after looking at film can decide if he is worth keeping.  Maybe keep him if he accepts a cut in pay and if he won't take pay cut then release him. Release Logan Thomas and get someone to replace him from free agency or from another team who cuts a decent tight end like from a good team that was in the playoffs last year.  Secondary needs fixing.  49ers just cut Oliver and he did not play that much last year and had one interception.  Peters would know if Oliver is worth going after even if for only special teams coverage if he can't break into the secondary lineup. 

I would trade down to get Marvin Harrison Jr. for a receiver who will be great for many years OR go after the best left tackle available in the draft.  I know everyone wants the quarterback at number 2 but if you can get Harrison and some more draft picks that would be an attractive option to consider.  I just keep thinking about our drafting of Dwayne Haskins and how it was such a bad move and expensive wasted pick.  Only go for the quarterback if our coaches say he will be a can't miss player like picking Drew Brees.

[CommDownMan]

18 hours ago, veteranskinsfan said:

 I am leaning toward cutting Samuels go because he has an expensive contract and his health is not always great.  But the offensive coordinator after looking at film can decide if he is worth keeping.  Maybe keep him if he accepts a cut in pay and if he won't take pay cut then release him. 

 

Samuel's is a free agent.   The only reason he shows on the team next year is the cap hit from his void years.  I think it's unlikely they bring him back. 

[spjunkies]

Give Mark in Chevy Chase his shot at WR!

 

 

 

[Brokenstriker]

Priorities

1 - O Line (RT, C, LG, OT Depth)

2 - Linebacker - no remarkable LB talent currently on the roster (Davis is not good)

3 - Tight End - we don't have the impact TEs other good teams have

4 - Edge - add one game planning impact rusher

5 - QB ... if you think Howell can't win behind a quality line them make QB #1 but only if you can build a quality line.  No QB can play well behind the current line.

6 - hidden gems if any, high potential talent if any