MichiganCardinal

Yes, but only if their contract is expiring. Like teams can't reach out and talk to Jared Goff, he's under contract. But as of Monday they could talk to CJGJ, whose contract expires today. Arik Armstead is under contract, but it's already been announced he is going to be released by the 49ers because he refused to take a significant pay cut and he has a $28MM cap hit. Teams can't tamper with him though, because even though the Niners announced they're going to cut him, they haven't yet, so he's still under contract. There is a chance with him too that the 49ers wait until June 1st to cut him. They would spread out their dead cap implications to him if they do.

FWIW

Osweiler was a terrible QB though who no one wanted. He had signed an asinine 4 year / $72 million deal with the Texans in 2016 and got benched for Tom Savage in week 15 of the same year. As opposed to Mack, who is still a high caliber player. The team that acquires Mack - whether by trade or free agency - will want to make use of him. Russell Wilson is someone who would have made more sense for an Osweiler type move, where the Broncos sent him to the Patriots, Titans, or Commanders along with two day two picks. The new team then would have absorbed that astronomical cap hit for the next two years, and either let him compete with their other QBs or just straight released him. I guess the Broncos valued their picks more than their $85MM though, or the other teams didn't want to be weighed down by the cap hit.

I think it's possible a team that is in a position to win now (or thinks they are) with cap space to spare offers a 6th or 7th to avoid a bidding war. The Bears, Seahawks, Raiders, Broncos, Colts, Lions, and Packers all probably qualify.

FWIW regarding Carlton Davis, reading the Bucs message boards there are mixed feelings. They're happy they got the 3rd, but the general consensus is that despite having a rough year last year, particularly in zone coverage, when he was healthy and on the field, he was a very reliable defensive back. For the comparisons being made to Jerry Jacobs, if we had traded Jacobs instead of releasing him I don't think anyone would have been sad.

I'd be pretty surprised if they chose to offload Bosa over Mack. To a certain extent, Horitz and Harbaugh are expected to win now in LA, but it's still a new regime and Bosa is five years younger than Mack. Even beyond their age, Bosa would save them $14MM against the cap; Mack would save them $23MM.

I think Mack actually makes a lot of sense, if he is willing to rework his contract to substantially reduce that cap hit. I might even extend him one year if it could spread that $38MM over the two years or beyond. He's elite against the run, still reliable for double digit sacks, and at 33 isn't going to be demanding a multi-year extension. He just wants a ring. Keenan Allen is a very similar player to ASB. Not to say having two ASBs would be a bad thing, but the roster fit would be kind of weird. I think Mike Williams would make more sense as a Reynolds replacement if he becomes available, but he's not worth anywhere near that cap hit. He's played 16 games in the last two seasons and is coming off a torn ACL... I wouldn't trade for him, but if he is released I would be interested in a one-year deal akin to DJ Chark's two years ago.

The odds of this happening should be zero, but would any of us actually be that shocked if we awoke to this headline on ESPN tomorrow morning?

Given his stance to this point has been “he’s coming back don’t shoot the messenger” I think it signifies something of a turning of the tide, even if minor. Someone told him something.

At 29, I'm surprised he didn't demand a four year deal.

He still didn't say a ****ing word.

It was hard to decide whether his flapping was worth it because he wasn't healthy. If he had played every game last season we may have a different opinion. I give him credit for rehabbing so aggressively to get back for the playoffs. When CJGJ was signed a year ago, he was signed to be a starter. He lost that role while injured. It's possible the Lions looked at it and said "there is a distinct possibility that even if we bring back CJGJ; Iffy and Branch could earn the starting nickel and safety jobs on this team. If that happens, we may ultimately need to release CJGJ, because his ego can't handle being a rotational player" If that was the case, the salary offer needed to be commensurate for that possibility. That said, I think the dude can ball (led the league in picks in 2022) and I think it's helpful to have someone on your team who can get under the opponent's skin like he can. I would bring him back on another one-year prove-it deal.

There aren’t a lot of positions where the premier talent is going to be available at #29, but guard is one. That said, I would be surprised if the Lions go into the draft without picking up a capable LG. They went into 2023 with six starting offensive linemen, which is what allowed them to transition seamlessly to Glasgow after Vaitai went down. Pigeon holing yourself to take a guard in the draft because it’s a glaring hole just doesn’t seem like Holmes’ MO at all.

Last year Holmes surprised us with CJGJ late(r) in free agency. I could see someone who wants a bigger deal taking a one-year prove-it deal when they don't get what they want from the market. Justin Simmons (S), Kendall Fuller (CB), Kenny Moore (CB), Tre'Davious White (DB), DJ Reader (DT), DJ Wonnum (EDGE), Mike Danna (EDGE), and Kevin Zeitler (OG) are names I would keep an eye on. White makes a lot of sense given the injury history and being an obvious buy-low candidate. Danna has Detroit ties and is only 26. I also wouldn't count out CJGJ eventually re-signing. If Holmes was 'in' on Sneed but the price was too much, the real blockbuster of a move could be a trade for Tee Higgins. It would make our offense arguably the best in the league. I would do #61 and a 2025 3rd for him, but the Bengals are probably wanting a 1st. The question of course would become can you pay all three of ASB, Higgins, and Jamo; along with Goff, Sewell, and Hutch. You probably could, but of course sacrifices would need to be made elsewhere.

More than I would have expected, but it's not my money and it's a one-year thing, so whatever. Hope he can stay on the field.

They wanted Witherspoon in the draft last year. I expect they’ll still be in the market for a corner this draft. I expect they are out on Sneed but maybe not out on corner altogether. Having a CB1 rookie in the shadows waiting wouldn’t be too bad.

I agree. I know they’re getting return picks, but I was hoping we wouldn’t give up a pick before day three.

At the Lions-Bucs playoff game, Carlton Davis’ mother and family sat two rows in front of me. When he was called for a penalty late in the game, my (dumbass) friend yelled out “WHAT HAPPENED DAVIS” and his mother turned around and said “Some BULL**** that’s what!”

I like Davenport. I remember the Saints LOVED him back in 2018. Mortgaged the future to go move up for him. That didn’t work out but clearly Glenn likes what he brings to the table.

Busy day for the NFC North sans Detroit.

Good for Jefe