My Ridiculously Early Start on a 2026 Offseason Plan

[manxman2601]

Or sign 1 in FA.

I think they may also realize that they have very little chance of getting a top pass rusher like Bain, Faulk, Parker or Bailey. I personally think Cashius Howell and R Mason Thomas will be limited by their size to sub roles. Quincy Rhodes is a possibility if he comes out. But not much depth.

CB more of a depth issue.

I've lost interest in R Mason Thomas a bit which is a shame because I got really excited by his highlight reel. I see Zion Young of Missouri had a couple of sacks yesterday and he's someone who can play both run and pass as can Joshua Josephs. There are still possibilities for the late first.

Chris Johnson is someone I'm focused on for that CB role. He and Avieon Terrell look like good options if they do want to go CB in the earlier rounds as is Keith Abney.

 

[mayoclinic]

They are, but I don't see them being impact players at the next level. I'd rather sign a FA like Jaelen Phillips or trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux. Getting a Bailey or Parker would be different, but a long shot.

 

[manxman2601]

They are, but I don't see them being impact players at the next level. I'd rather sign a FA like Jaelen Phillips or trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux. Getting a Bailey or Parker would be different, but a long shot.

My only issue with FA signings is that we need to prioritise Gonzo, Marcus Jones and, I think, Tonga. If there's money left after that for FA, then fine.

What I do like like is that it's pretty clear Vrabel and the FO are still working towards a long or mid-term plan. That's the path to success.

 

[mayoclinic]

I'm coming around a bit to Kadyn Procter - a guy I've been pretty hard on. A lot of his struggles seem weight related - when he's 380#"or above he's way too sluggish. He's supposed to be around 356# now, would love to see him get to around 342#, which was JC Latham's weight. At that weight he could probably play RT.

Procter has some risk, but also a much higher ceiling to me than most of the late 1st prospects. He's a bright kid (3.7 gpa) and seems to have a good attitude.

 

[manxman2601]

I'm coming around a bit to Kadyn Procter - a guy I've been pretty hard on. A lot of his struggles seem weight related - when he's 380#"or above he's way too sluggish. He's supposed to be around 356# now, would love to see him get to around 342#, which was JC Latham's weight. At that weight he could probably play RT.

Procter has some risk, but also a much higher ceiling to me than most of the late 1st prospects. He's a bright kid (3.7 gpa) and seems to have a good attitude.

A mega guard or RT. Either would do me. Obviously there'd need to be a plan if they're drafting him in the first but either will do. You don't get much more 'planet theory' than him.

 

[mayoclinic]

My 96 year old mother could average 4 ypc rushing behind Will Campbell at LT and Kadyn Procter at LG.

 

[manxman2601]

My 96 year old mother could average 4 ypc rushing behind Will Campbell at LT and Kadyn Procter at LG.

I was watching the Vandy game yesterday and they move their left sided or right sided players around based upon which side they're lining up their strength. So on two consecutive plays, their LT and LG might play on the left side on one play and then on the next play might switch to the right side and visa-versa. It makes Vandy linemen much easier to project to switching sides because they don't have a preferred side. Trouble is, they don't seem to have any projectable linemen this year but worth bearing in mind for the future. I wish more college teams would do that.

 

[silentone]

I'm really enjoying this thread and the thoughtful comments. I appreciate you guys.

 

[mayoclinic]

Still on the bandwagon to re-sign or Extend Boutte, Chaisson, and Hooper. All were strong today.

 

[manxman2601]

Still on the bandwagon to re-sign or Extend Boutte, Chaisson, and Hooper. All were strong today.

Chaisson certainly had a much better day. Boutte is a 100% re-sign.

 

[mayoclinic]

I still want more EDGE. But I think Chaisson deserves to be part of the rotation.

Not every player has to be Justin Jefferson, Brock Bowers, or Micah Parsons. All 3 are good rotational and depth guys, who are cost-effective.

Boutte's ceiling still unknown. I wpuldcre-sign him sooner rather than later.

 

[manxman2601]

Boutte's ceiling still unknown. I wpuldcre-sign him sooner rather than later.

But we know how good his floor is. If there's upside still to come then great.

 

[manxman2601]

Just trying to put some preliminary numbers on a 2026 plan.

Cut/trade - Dugger, Jennings, Onwenu, White, maybe Elliss, Tavai (although that leaves us only 2 LBs on the roster)

That's roughly 35M in cap savings resulting in approx 90m available cap.

I think this off-season should be about stability and to continue building through the draft so I believe in re-signing as many as possible and with a view to long-term deals for Gonzo, Boutte and Maye in the coming years.

Re-sign

Marcus Jones

I imagine he'd want to be paid as the highest paid slot corner in the league which is 3/40m currently. Let's say for the sake of ease, he re-signs at 15m per year. (3 years 45m)

Austin Hooper

Currently playing on a 5m cap number. I think he'd re-sign for the same. (1 year 5m.)

Khyris Tonga

Probably gets a pay rise to re-sign. Lets give him 5m too. (2 years 10m)

K'Laivon Chaisson

If he keeps producing as he has then he'll obviously want a pay raise. Maybe something similar to Harold Landry. Again, let's say 15m. (3 years 45m)

Total - 40m

Putting aside 20m or so for the draft and emergency mid-season funds, we're looking at approx 30m for FA signings or extensions. My preference would be for extensions.

This only leaves the real holes on the roster as safety, guard and if we cut Elliss and Tavai, LB. I think we should probably keep Elliss for another year for continuity''s sake. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be adding talent at other positions.

This leaves us a 2-3 year window of adding talent through the draft before some of last years big contracts start expiring (Landry, Davis, Spillane, Moses) and we have to have big deals in place for Maye, Gonzo, probably Boutte and eventually Will Campbell.

 

[mayoclinic]

Good work.

I am NOT a capologist, so take what I say with a big grain of salt.

I think your cap hits are a tad high on multi-year contracts. For example, Harold Landry's 2025 cap hit on his 3-year $45M contract is only $8.5M.

I agree with your $90M starting point, and your re-signings, with minor adjustments:

- Marcus Jones. 3 yrs/$40M given injury hx, $8M 2026 cap hit.
- La'Kaivon Chaisson. 3/$45 seems a bit rich given we got him off the bargain heap. I say 3/$36M, $7M 2026 cap hit.
- Khyris Tonga. 2/$10M about right. $4.5M cap hit.
- Austin Hooper. 1 year/$5M solid, would consider 2/$9 with $6M guaranteed. 2026 cap hit $4-5M

That makes around $24.5M, leaving $66M.

I think $20M is high for the rookie/UDFA pool. Most of the 2025vhit was for Will Campbell, the #4 overall pick - $8M. $38 TreVeyon Henderson has only a $2M 2025 hit. We'll be picking much later. I'm estimating $16M.

That leaves $50M. Gonzo and Boutte should get extensions. Derek Stingly's 2025 year cap hit is only $12M or so, despite his 3 year $90M extension. I think costs can be kept down to around $20M or so for 2026 for both Gonzo and Boutte, which would leave around $30M.

I think there is still room to sign at least 1 outside major FA without pushing the limit.

 

[mayoclinic]

Good work.

I am NOT a capologist, so take what I say with a big grain of salt.

I think your cap hits are a tad high on multi-year contracts. For example, Harold Landry's 2025 cap hit on his 3-year $45M contract is only $8.5M.

I agree with your $90M starting point, and your re-signings, with minor adjustments:

- Marcus Jones. 3 yrs/$40M given injury hx, $8M 2026 cap hit.
- La'Kaivon Chaisson. 3/$45 seems a bit rich given we got him off the bargain heap. I say 3/$36M, $7M 2026 cap hit.
- Khyris Tonga. 2/$10M about right. $4.5M cap hit.
- Austin Hooper. 1 year/$5M solid, would consider 2/$9 with $6M guaranteed. 2026 cap hit $4-5M

That makes around $24.5M, leaving $66M.

I think $20M is high for the rookie/UDFA pool. Most of the 2025 hit was for Will Campbell, the #4 overall pick - $8M. $38 TreVeyon Henderson has only a $2M 2025 hit. We'll be picking much later. I'm estimating $16M.

That leaves $50M. Gonzo and Boutte should get extensions. Derek Stingly's 2025 year cap hit is only $12M or so, despite his 3 year $90M extension. I think costs can be kept down to around $20M or so for 2026 for both Gonzo and Boutte, which would leave around $30M.

I think there is still room to sign at least 1 outside major FA without pushing the limit.

Building on the above:

Free Agency:

- Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker, RB. 3 years/$24M, $6M 2026 cap hit.
- Jaelan Phillips, EDGE. 3 years/$45M, $8.5M 2026 cap hit.

That would leave an estimated $15M in cap space, after rookie/UDFAs and extensions to Gonzalez and Boutte.

Draft:

1. Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama. Protect the Drake. Proctor at under 350# is a different beast. Move him to RT, or to LG next to Will Campbell. Austin Siereveld and Fili Fa'amoe are backup options, possibly with a trade back.

Note: I would likely go EDGE/LB David Bailey, TJ Parker, or Sonny Styles if available here, then OT in 2nd round.

2. Jake Golday, LB/EDGE, Cincinnati. Anthony Hill also an option.

Note: If EDGE/LB in round 1 then OT here. Any of the above if they slipped, or Isaiah World, Caleb Fomu, or Monroe Freeling.

3. Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas. Really best available DB: Brent, Chris Johnson, or Tacario Davis at CB; Zakee Wheatley, Jermaine Mathews or Amare Ferrell at S.

4a. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn St. Really best available DB again, preferably safety if CB in round 3, or vice-versa.

4b. Brian Parker, OL, Duke. Can play RG for a year before likely moving to C. Really best available IOL here. Cayden Green, Chase Bisontis, Kade Pieper, etc.

5. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami.

6a. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia. Or Eli Raridon.

6b. Nyck Harbor, WR, S. Carolina.

7a. Moonshot

7b. Moonshot

Roster:

QB(3): Drake Maye, Josh Dobbs, Tommy DeVito

RB(3+): Breece Hall/Kenneth Walker, Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson; Antonio Gibson and Lan Larison likely start on PUP

WR(6): Stephon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, Pop Douglas, Mack Hollins, Efton Chism/Nyck Harbor

TE(3): Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Oscar Delp

OT(4): Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Kadyn Proctor, Marcus Bryant

IOL(5): Jared Wilson, Garrett Bradbury, Brian Parker, Ben Brown, +1

DT(4-5): Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Khyris Tonga, Josh Farmer

EDGE(5-6): Jaelan Phillips, Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson, Akheem Mesidor, Elijah Ponder/Tremaine Jones

LB(4): Robert Spillane, Jake Golday, Jack Gibbens (if re-signed), Marte Mapu

CB(6): Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Julian Neal, +2

S(4): Craig Woodson, Zakee Wheatley, Richie Grant, +1

Specialists(4): Andreas Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brendan Schooler

I would consider that a complete 2-year roster overhaul to one of the strongest and deepest in the league.

 

[manxman2601]

Good work.

I am NOT a capologist, so take what I say with a big grain of salt.

I think your cap hits are a tad high on multi-year contracts. For example, Harold Landry's 2025 cap hit on his 3-year $45M contract is only $8.5M.

I agree with your $90M starting point, and your re-signings, with minor adjustments:

- Marcus Jones. 3 yrs/$40M given injury hx, $8M 2026 cap hit.
- La'Kaivon Chaisson. 3/$45 seems a bit rich given we got him off the bargain heap. I say 3/$36M, $7M 2026 cap hit.
- Khyris Tonga. 2/$10M about right. $4.5M cap hit.
- Austin Hooper. 1 year/$5M solid, would consider 2/$9 with $6M guaranteed. 2026 cap hit $4-5M

That makes around $24.5M, leaving $66M.

I think $20M is high for the rookie/UDFA pool. Most of the 2025vhit was for Will Campbell, the #4 overall pick - $8M. $38 TreVeyon Henderson has only a $2M 2025 hit. We'll be picking much later. I'm estimating $16M.

That leaves $50M. Gonzo and Boutte should get extensions. Derek Stingly's 2025 year cap hit is only $12M or so, despite his 3 year $90M extension. I think costs can be kept down to around $20M or so for 2026 for both Gonzo and Boutte, which would leave around $30M.

I think there is still room to sign at least 1 outside major FA without pushing the limit.

The 20m draft cap hit also included a fund for in season signings, not just draft picks. You do need an emergency fund for that.

I understand that the cap can be manipulated to back load the cap hit. I just went for APY for ease. I don’t know how they would actually work the contract. You don’t want to backload the contract too much when you have three mega deals to sign in Maye, Gonzo and Boutte.

 

[mayoclinic]

Maye cannot be extended until after 2026. He is under contract through 2027 with s 5th year option binding him through 2028, but he will obviously earn a mega deal in the 5y/$250M range. I don't expect this one to be difficult.

Gonzo/Boutte I tried to assess above:

- Gonzo will be in the $30M/year range that Sauce Gardner, Darryl Stingley, and Jaycee Horn all got. His injury hx may keep the cost from spiraling further. Stingley's cap hit this year is only $12.5M.

- Boutte is under contract through 2026. I think they would be wise to extend him early, something like 3/$45M. That would give him lifetime security and an early extension, and he would still be in line for another contract around age 27-28.

 

[mayoclinic]

I feel like the above plan is reasonably realistic for 6 months out from the draft, i.e., no major reaches or miraculous signings. Resign and extend key guys, make a moderate FA signings or two, and all of the guys listed within reason. So obviously it won't happen, or anything close to it.

 

[stelfans]

I know Boutte is looking good and all but the later we are picking the more I want to draft Bell. I just don’t find any justification not to pick the best player available. I blame @mayoclinic for infecting me with this bell virus.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would not complain if we drafted Bell, Lemon, or Tate. All very good players.