In terms of vision and keeping what we have I like the O and D line investments early in Holmes’s tenure here. But we have to keep talent here while adding to it while building into the vision that Holmes has.
I read that we are roughly $40 million under the cap in 2022 before we do anything about Trey Flowers. I want to look at the list of critical re-signs as well as trying to add two impact players via free agency as this is how Holmes likely sees things too. As I write this I look forward to hearing from folks who know more than me about cap stuff. Look at this list of should do and must do re-signs:
- Extend CB Amani O…Brad can do this without changing the 2022 terms as this is the last year of his rookie deal. Likely to cap issues here in 2022.
- Extend OLBer Charles Harris. This is tough. Charles signed a one year $1.75 million contract with the Lions but hois value has clearly gone up. He has 7.5 sacks right now and would be an ideal depth player/rush specialist for the Lions in 2022. What would another team pay him knowing he failed in two places before and he isn’t totally killing it now overall but he is producing. Maybe a deal in the $4 million range?
- Extend WR Josh Reynolds. Josh signed a one year $1.75 million deal with the Titans. Then got cut and he has done well here. Seems like a $2 million deal for a couple years might get him to re-sign here? Say $4 million for two years? He isn’t likely to do better anywhere else?
- Extend LBer Jalen Reeves Maybin. This may be the toughest one of them all. Is he a viable starter? Seems to me he is a great depth player who can be a starter and he has made plays. Would another team see him as a starting LBer? How much is he worth? Seems like a $3-4 million/year guy to me. I would hate to lose him but paying $5 million or more for his services seems unwise.
- Extend LBer Alex Anzalone. Like Josh Reynolds with the Titans Alex signed a one year $1.75 million dollar deal with the Lions. He has played well for us but my guess is most will see him as a solid veteran back up. Maybe a $3 million/year guy now?
- Extending Safety Tracy Walker. This is a bit of a leap of faith as Tracy has been really up and down in his time here and guessing his value on the open market is very, very tough. If he worth $8 million/season?
I know this is almost so simple and maybe wrong that the value is questionable. BUT…Holmes/MCDC now know these guys and this is a nice set of moves on top of what was built with the 2021 draft. The above moves may cost $21 million combined in 2022. Maybe this could be as high as $25 or as low as $15 depending on how the contracts are structured and of course AO doesn’t count as we can use his 2022 rookie contract extending him past this number if necessary. We also have rookie to sign.
If I am to believe some of what I read about cutting Flowers…that may mean freeing up $10 million in 2022? Hard to know for sure but that seems roughly what smarter folks note about cutting Flowers in 2022 as a post June cut. If that is true the Lions have close to $50 million to send in 2022 and they also have to sign rookies and leave some $ left over for emergencies. If that is the case that leaves maybe $20ish million after accounting for the rookie pool? That doesn’t smell a lot like two huge signings but maybe, if contracts are built correctly, maybe that can happen?
The tag value of Marcus Williams contract in 2021 was for $10.6 million. And if the Lions go after a second tier FA WR like a James Washington from Pitt. that might get the job done…ESP. if the Lions draft a WR in the 1st, 2nd or early 3rd rd. That would seem to fit the Campbell/Holmes vision best.
If we Flowers and nothing else and we add say:
- Safety Marcus Williams
- WR James Washington. James was a total BEAST at Ok. State and the Steelers are loaded at WR. Washington might be a perfect fit here and can be had at a lower price than guys with less question marks. Washington is 26 in April 2022.
- Draft OLBer Hutchinson/Thibs…replaces Flowers.
Is that enough? Does that fit the Holmes’s vision? If the Lions did this and added a WR, LBer and more secondary help with their next three draft picks and then added DL, TE and other rookies kater in the draft that looks like a team on the rise to me.
At WR James Washington, a rookie, Josh Reynolds, Amon Ra and Kalif Raymond if we also want him back (likely a vet. min, deal). A WR core that looked like that makes me smile.