I think giving fair trade value for Gonzalez is an appealing move.
Problem -- we already have Watson and Thomas, so it's not so appealing unless we move one of them.
Well, if we trade Cassell AND a young TE for Gonzalez plus picks, I sure hope we'd get more than a high 2nd rounder in the pick area. But extend that deal with a high pick next year, and things get more interesting. We'd have upgraded at TE, added a pick this year, and added a pick next year, all in return for Cassell.
People giggled at me for this thought a couple weeks ago. Now there are some that have taken a second look. How does this sound? I have already mentioned this blockbuster IMO. Trade Cassel to K.C. along with Maroney and Dave Thomas, for an exchange of picks in round one (our #23 for K.C.'s first round #3 pick), their second round pick at #34 and we get LJ who wants out and is only 29 and Gonzales (96 catches and a decent CAP with three years remaining).
This way Pioli also keeps a first round pick for another OL stud.
The difference between LJ and Maroney is vision and the ability to not go down on the first hit. LJ is a cutback runner and Lord knows, Maroney would just run into the pile. We could still dump LJ for a pick if it did not work out. If we keep him he would run for at least 1,200 yards. Thomas is canon fodder but gives them a TE to make the deal more plausible.
Pioli drafted Cassel, Maroney and Thomas. He knows them well.
The #34 pick is like a first rounder only way less dollars. Use that to select at #34 either Clay Matthews who can play ILB and is a top ST player (maybe the best of all this years draft S.Cal LBs in the pros it has been stated). He is 6'3" 247 and is faster than Cushing. Or perhaps Sean Smith of Utah who is 6'1" and 215 and can play CB and S. Or ....as an impact player, Percy Harvin who could be a game breaker if we do not want off of Gator WRs.
Now what to do with the #3 pick? Now the big bonus! Swap it to Carolina for Peppers. They do not have a first round pick. They have to use the Tag for top OT Jordon Gross. Some here wanted Suggs or Dansby. They will cost as much as Peppers. It might cost us a third to but I would do the deal (we will have two third rounders).
Peppers wants out to go to a 3-4 team. Carolina can stay at #3 or milk a few added picks.
K.C. gets their QB. They move Gonzales who they wanted a third rounder for last fall and LJ wants out of town. Worse case is we trade LJ for picks. They get a young core that Pioli knows and drafted (Maroney is from that area).
Summary:
O gets TE Gonzales and RB LJ (perhaps Harvin at #34)
D gets OLB Peppers (perhaps a ILB Matthews or CB/S Smith at #34)
I would be a happy man with these pick ups.
So at the end of the day, yes I would take Gonzales, the second round #34 choice and swap our #23 first rounder for the Cheifs #3 first rounder and give up Cassel, Maroney and Thomas.
This is a good trade for each team and fair.
DW Toys