sparky151

There's a lot of speculation that the Chargers are looking to trade down for more draft picks while teams like the Broncos, Vikings, or Raiders would trade up to 5 for JJ McCarthy.

Good move. He's a free safety and not a great tackler but can cover down the field. That will free Lou to move Dax around, maybe in the slot at times. We should also bring back Vonn. He's getting 6 mil guaranteed from Carolina for this season, subject to offset. So unless someone wants to pay him more than that, he might take a vet min salary for his new team.

Most years. The cap last year was around 225 mil and the Bengals were only 10 mil under at year's end.

With Harbaugh there, they are likely to take a RT in round 1 or 2. They need more weapons for Herbert but their cap issues may require them to move on from both Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack this offseason in addition to WR Mike Williams.

I'd hoped the Bengals would be in on Edwards.

Tee is a free agent. He can speak with any team he wants and ask them what they are willing to pay him. If he finds an offer he likes, he can then ask the team what they would give in trade to the Bengals for him. Then take it back to Tobin. It may be that no team will meet his contract demands or they prefer to draft a cheaper rookie. But there should be a team with cap space and a need at WR. Bears, Titans, Giants, and Patriots would fit the bill. One of them could trade for him if they wished.

Uh, taxes took probably more than half of his career earnings before he ever saw them. He'll never be close to being a billionaire.

You mean Justin Jefferson?

Eh, Tee requesting a trade means about as much as Jonah requesting one last year. If the Bengals get an offer they like, they'll move him, otherwise he's a Bengal for 2024.

Pittman has been more productive than Tee during his 4 years. They were picked back to back in 2020. Tee would have to take less than Pittman got.

Come back Vonn.

For what it's worth, teams can't sign outside free agents until after 4 pm eastern time on Wednesday. So Cushenberry isn't "Signed" by the Titans, they've merely agreed on terms.

Seems like a lot for a backup TE who is mostly a blocker. Tip Reiman will be available in round 5 or 6 and is probably a better blocker than Sample.

That's more than the vet min benefit deal he had last season. He'll count at full price for 2024 if he makes the team.

Cushenberry was certainly better than Karras last year. He's also a good bit younger and signing him would let us move Karras to LG. But Cushenberry will probably have bigger offers than 9 mil. Bears are desperate for a center and could easily go to 12 mil for him.

Eh, Armstead would be ok if he's desperate but there are better options for the Bengals, especially if he wants 10 mil or more.

Estime certainly plays faster than he timed at the combine. Bengals have re-signed Trayveon Williams, btw.

I'm surprised the Bears paid that much for an older and slowing guy. Titans, then Eagles moved on from him. IMO Bears should have paid up for McKinney or Simmons.

DeJean always seems in control on the field. He reminds me a bit of Minkah Fitzpatrick when he came out of Bama.

They may have to cut Chubb if he doesn't take a paycut.

Teams can't start negotiating with outside free agents until tomorrow afternoon, unless the player was released by his prior team.

I didn't mock out free agency but this draft was assuming a typical minimalist approach from the Bengals. We lose Awuzie, Boyd, and Williams while cutting Mixon and re-signing Reader. We re-sign Irwin and the TEs and add a vet swing tackle like Becton, Fleming, or Fant. Then I took DeJean to mix things up from usually taking a RT at 18. Bowers and Murphy were off the board but Johnny Newton and Brian Thomas were available then and also considered.

I think Audric Estime or Braelon Allen will be available in the middle of the 4th round. One might be on the board still in the 5th. Estime has good film but ran slowly at the combine so perhaps he'll fall. He'd be my preference.

Teams can't talk to other team's players until Monday and can't sign them until Wednesday. For the bottom of the roster guys who won't have outside interest, it makes sense for them to sign early and get certainty on their situation. Otherwise they run the risk of it turning into musical chairs with no place for them when the music stops if their previous team has replaced them.

Teams can get a max of 4 comp picks in a season for loss of players. But they can gain an unlimited number for developing minority talent who become head coaches or GMs for other teams. I think DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon were both hired last offseason so I would have expected 2 picks for Frisco.