But no, I disagree. Martin didn’t take the step last year and is closer to being cut than being a solid replacement for LO. Running everyone back minus Onwuzurike and McNeill isn’t enough
Edit: looking around I see some projections as high as $15M and if so then I am wrong. Most have him in the $8M - $10M range
It’s crazy everyone here seems to want 2 30 million a year DEs but but then say we’re ok at DT with Wingo Reader and a 1/2 season McNeil. And Reader is on his last leg, Gaines would be fine if you didn’t have Reader. This team needs a DT more then a DE.
Levi is $4.5-$8 million per according to OTC and Spotrac, he stays IMO. Agree that unless Bro Mart takes a significant step he’s headed for the door or PS. I’m all for DE/DT for the first 2 rounds. Good draft for both positions I have to believe that need matches talent for us.
I definitely think Hutch has been covering up for a lack of talent on the defensive line. I think we need to add talent all over the DL. Watching the Eagles DL play the Commanders after us was eye opening.
Other than Reader, None of these guys is a starting NFL DT. Reader should play better by not having to rehab all offseason and camp, but he is in the last year of his contract.
Cominsky was on the bubble to make the roster before he was injured and I’m not sure he is back.
He, Wingo, and O’Connor are all comin off of season ending injuries.
BroMart ended the season on consecutive healthy scratches.
Pachal is a situational 3T at best.
Might as well throw Practice Squad call up Chris Smith in there as well.
Yes. I believe a cheap vet and a draft pick are resources needed for DT.
Levi will likely seek a long term chance to start somewhere at 3T and get paid more than Reader.
I think Levi is in that 3 yr between $20M-$30M bucket.
Holmes hasn’t paid any reserve a lot of money, and this roster won’t allow it.
Kalif is the highest earning reserve ($5.25M AAV) and technically he is the starting returner for both punts and kickoff.
Brock Wright has an AAV of $4M and only because Holmes was forced to match the 49ers offer sheet.
I don’t see Holmes paying a reserve $8M-$10M.
Holmes would probably pay Levi as much as $6M but I think he can get more and a long term opportunity to start at 3T somewhere else.
3T isn’t critically low but Levi should be giving us a big discount for sticking with him. But he’s not a NT.
So, I’d kick the tires on Poona Ford who I think can do a little of both. Seems to be a few of those players in FA. I’d get one of these guys esp. if Levi prices himself out.
Best case - Wingo lights it up in his second year, and he ends up starting, until Alim gets back along side Reader who stays healthy.
People say you should address needs in FA, but this year may be an exception. We need to get a DT in this draft.
Last offseason I said Jonah is decent but nothing special, not paying Jonah 12+ mill a year, it was crazy to me and he’d never get it. Even debated a few guys on it, who thought he was a staple of the offense. No names mentioned
I was so wrong and right at the same time. Jonah got 3 years 50 mill and stinks.
Levi gonna get way more than people think based off what I learned last year.
It would only surprise me a little if he got that type of contract.
I don’t think he will get that much because he is not a slam dunk starter.
I think wherever he goes he will have to win the job.
But my question is why do you think Levi owes the Lions a discount?
If you use 2 NT’s on run downs teams will just pass the ball, run hurry up tempo, and your fat NT’s will be stuck on the field being useless.
Then when those fat NT’s are exhausted and taken off the field the offense will run the ball down the throats of the little guys you put in to replace them.