2019 Mock Offseason (Stage 2 - FA)

[e16bball]

This mock FA will rely on my determination that with 5 moves (cut S. McGee, cut M. Foster, cut Z. Brown, cut V. Davis, re-sign B. Scherff to extension), the Redskins could create up to about $33M in cap space going into free agency.

 

FA Signings:

 

1. Sign ILB CJ Mosley to 5 year, $54M contract with $22M guaranteed. This contract would allow Mosley to become the 2nd-highest-paid ILB in the league, by both total value and AAV on paper, but is in reality a fair amount of fluff. I would expect it to look something like a 3/$27M deal with some big cap numbers in the last two seasons that would function as a team option after year 3 -- they would either cut him or re-do the deal to keep him longer-term. It's a substantial commitment to an off-ball LB, but I think he fits this team very well, with his Bama pedigree and intelligence/leadership qualities. He's the perfect player to pair with Reuben Foster to maximize that investment. Year 1 Cap Cost: $8.5M.

 

2. Sign S Tashaun Gipson to 3 year, $15M contract with $7M guaranteed. By all accounts, he's been a solid, above-average veteran S for the Jaguars since signing a big FA contract a few years ago. He was a surprising cut, and he joined a glut of FA safeties on the market. He would provide the Redskins with a well-rounded option at the position -- he's not really a true center-fielder or a true hammer in the box, but he gives you the ability to do both pretty well. A good fit for what they generally look to do with the cover two man schemes they likely want to employ. Because he was cut, he wouldn't cost us a comp pick. Year 1 Cap Cost:$4.1M.

 

3. Sign S Tre Boston to 3 year, $11M contract with $7M guaranteed. This is a guy I've always been really high on, he just stands out on tape. He's really good in coverage, and he isn't afraid to stick his nose in and make a hit either. He's a high-energy guy (and some teams may be turned off by that somewhat Swearinger-esque persona), but I think he and Gipson would make a really solid pairing. Especially in terms of coverage ability. Earlier today, PFF named him one of their likely "best bargains" of FA, and I agree. Year 1 Cap Cost: $3.0M.

 

4. Sign EDGE Markus Golden to 1 year, $3M deal. A classic "prove it" deal for a guy who couldn't get back into form last season after an ACL injury in 2017. The Cardinals tried to force him into a 4-3 DE position, and it did not go well. Prior to injury, though, he put up 12.5 sacks from a 3-4 OLB spot and showed very natural pass-rush skills. I think he's worth a gamble in FA -- we need a pass-rush type to pair with Ryan Anderson, and if Golden returns to pre-injury form, he's a steal. Could either be extended or produce a comp pick. Year 1 Cap Cost: $3.0M.

 

5. Sign TE James O'Shaugnessy to 2 year, $3M contract with $1M guaranteed. This is a guy who was a really good athlete coming out of a small school in the draft; he was considered a bit of a "basketball" TE, but his blocking needed work. Fast forward a couple seasons and he's considered at least a decent blocker (with high effort) and he still has that athleticism. I think he started breaking out a bit last season before the Jags' passing game went in the toilet. I'd let he and Sprinkle battle it out for the #2 TE spot. Year 1 Cap Cost: $1.3M..

 

After those signings, we would have about $13M remaining in cap room. I would still look to stay in contact with WR Jamison Crowder, as I'd like to re-sign him -- but not if he's pushing up towards $9M as Dan Graziano suggested on ESPN. If they could keep him in the fold for something more like $7M AAV (I'm thinking 4/$28M), I would think long and hard about it. And would be willing to either trade Norman or restructure Kerrigan to free up space to keep him and still sign draft picks.

[turtle28]

Love it E

[e16bball]

If the reported Kwon Alexander deal is correct, I suspect we’d need to bump the Mosley offer up to more like 5/65M with more guaranteed. 

I don’t think I would do that. 

I might look long and hard at whether former Eagle Jordan Hicks would fit next to Reuben in the 3-4. If so, he might be the more cost-effective (and well-rounded) option at ILB. 

[MKnight82]

1 hour ago, e16bball said:

1. Sign ILB CJ Mosley to 5 year, $54M contract with $22M guaranteed. This contract would allow Mosley to become the 2nd-highest-paid ILB in the league, by both total value and AAV on paper, but is in reality a fair amount of fluff. I would expect it to look something like a 3/$27M deal with some big cap numbers in the last two seasons that would function as a team option after year 3 -- they would either cut him or re-do the deal to keep him longer-term. It's a substantial commitment to an off-ball LB, but I think he fits this team very well, with his Bama pedigree and intelligence/leadership qualities. He's the perfect player to pair with Reuben Foster to maximize that investment. Year 1 Cap Cost: $8.5M.

I'm torn on this.  I don't disagree with the fit or need, but we're kind of pinched on cap space and I think we have bigger needs than this.  Especially since in Stage 1 you traded away Norman and let Haha walk.  Our secondary would currently be a mess.  Overall I don't think he's a bad player so I wouldn't be mad at this move but I wouldn't prioritize him as a signing, and he's your big ticket item.  

1 hour ago, e16bball said:

2. Sign S Tashaun Gipson to 3 year, $15M contract with $7M guaranteed. By all accounts, he's been a solid, above-average veteran S for the Jaguars since signing a big FA contract a few years ago. He was a surprising cut, and he joined a glut of FA safeties on the market. He would provide the Redskins with a well-rounded option at the position -- he's not really a true center-fielder or a true hammer in the box, but he gives you the ability to do both pretty well. A good fit for what they generally look to do with the cover two man schemes they likely want to employ. Because he was cut, he wouldn't cost us a comp pick. Year 1 Cap Cost:$4.1M.

I would really like this signing.  Seems like a good fit and fills a need.  Your contract doesn't seem unreasonable and with the deep safety market hopefully that suppresses contracts. 

1 hour ago, e16bball said:

3. Sign S Tre Boston to 3 year, $11M contract with $7M guaranteed. This is a guy I've always been really high on, he just stands out on tape. He's really good in coverage, and he isn't afraid to stick his nose in and make a hit either. He's a high-energy guy (and some teams may be turned off by that somewhat Swearinger-esque persona), but I think he and Gipson would make a really solid pairing. Especially in terms of coverage ability. Earlier today, PFF named him one of their likely "best bargains" of FA, and I agree. Year 1 Cap Cost: $3.0M.

Again, this is another signing I wouldn't flat out hate, but I'd rather go with someone younger at one of the safety spots.  Either try Nicholson out there another year or draft a mid round guy to compete.  I guess one of my concerns is going too heavy with veterans when I don't think we'll realistically be competing next year.  

1 hour ago, e16bball said:

4. Sign EDGE Markus Golden to 1 year, $3M deal. A classic "prove it" deal for a guy who couldn't get back into form last season after an ACL injury in 2017. The Cardinals tried to force him into a 4-3 DE position, and it did not go well. Prior to injury, though, he put up 12.5 sacks from a 3-4 OLB spot and showed very natural pass-rush skills. I think he's worth a gamble in FA -- we need a pass-rush type to pair with Ryan Anderson, and if Golden returns to pre-injury form, he's a steal. Could either be extended or produce a comp pick. Year 1 Cap Cost: $3.0M.

 

 I like this pick up, a lot better than retaining McPhee which I think you did in Stage 1.  I'd rather roll with a guy like Golden and draft someone athletic in the mid rounds as depth.  This is probably my favorite signing you did.  

1 hour ago, e16bball said:

5. Sign TE James O'Shaugnessy to 2 year, $3M contract with $1M guaranteed. This is a guy who was a really good athlete coming out of a small school in the draft; he was considered a bit of a "basketball" TE, but his blocking needed work. Fast forward a couple seasons and he's considered at least a decent blocker (with high effort) and he still has that athleticism. I think he started breaking out a bit last season before the Jags' passing game went in the toilet. I'd let he and Sprinkle battle it out for the #2 TE spot. Year 1 Cap Cost: $1.3M..

Would prefer to go with a draft pick here, but after the Iowa boys I don't know how deep this class is at the position.  With the contract you're giving him it wouldn't really matter, we could cut him in camp if need be.  Would be a good signing.  

Looking at what you've done so far my biggest concerns heading into the draft would be the #1 CB position, LG, and probably still ROLB, with secondary concerns at QB, WR, TE, and S.  

[Woz]

... now to go read what you wrote.

[Woz]

Having actually spent the time to read it, I was about to comment when I saw the Landon Collins deal and thus:

[e16bball]

Was way WAY off on Mosley, that deal was bonkers and I wouldn't have done it.

Tashaun Gipson just signed with Houston for about 3/$22M. In other words, something like $7M less per year than Collins got. When you add in the fact that Gipson wouldn't have counted in the comp pick formula, I think I'd probably argue that my proposed course of action was the better one. But you're most likely getting much more certainty in the performance of Collins, and a higher ceiling for sure.

[turtle28]

31 minutes ago, e16bball said:

Was way WAY off on Mosley, that deal was bonkers and I wouldn't have done it.

Tashaun Gipson just signed with Houston for about 3/$22M. In other words, something like $7M less per year than Collins got. When you add in the fact that Gipson wouldn't have counted in the comp pick formula, I think I'd probably argue that my proposed course of action was the better one. But you're most likely getting much more certainty in the performance of Collins, and a higher ceiling for sure.

While I like getting Gipson for cheaper, you're also getting a lesser player. I'd personally rather have the better player with a higher upside in Collins.