Roster room

[El Duderino]

Now that we got an extra second rounder for Williams, it got me to thinking about something. Many have thought and suggested that it might be wise to trade our 30th choice choice for a second rounder and maybe grab an extra third. Sounds very possible to me given how often Thompson trades down.

The thing i wonder about is available roster spots

The last few years Thompson kept trading down to acquire need depth and youth to the roster, we'd end up with 9-10-11 man draft classes.

Now the roster is vastly better and i wonder how many roster spots are there for the taking? If Ted trades down again more than once along with this extra second rounder for Williams, we could end up with another 10-11 man draft class. We'll also likely sign 5-7 undrafted guys.

On top of that, we have over 20 million in cap space. Is Ted going to not spend a penny of it in free agency and just put it to no use at all? If he does sign a player or two, that's another roster spot or two unavailable for a draft pick or or an undrafted free agent who may play well in camp.

Unless Thompson decides to not put to use any of our 20 plus million in cap space, i really wonder if we have room on the roster to keep 7-8 draft picks/undrafted free agents without having to cutting a few quality talents? If he did sign a quality free agent or two, that roster crunch gets very tight if Ted has a good draft.

Obviously, having surplus talent that makes roster cutting very tough is a good thing, but i wonder if this leads to less of trader down Ted. Is anyone else thinking about this?

[eagle13]

I do not see as many hands off players on this roster as others do. Also injuries in preseason always create openings.

There are wide open spots at CB(1or2), TE(1or2), OLB(1or2) for sure.
There is 1 spot for DE, OT & RB if good one is added
There are spots to be challenged at P, S, G, C, WR, MLB

CB- Walters is a goner. Unless they make major progress (and they may) Tramon, Blackmon and Bush are nothing more than prospects. Not one could own the nickel job last year - much less be a starting CB. Blackmon has shown return ability but is only a prospect at CB and he's always hurt. I like Tramon but so what. Bush sucks but maybe he'll come on. Who knows? Odds are that 1 of those 3 emerge but that means either or both of the other two could get cut if we had better We'll be lucky to have 1 better. Depending on if we keep 9 or 10 like last year that's 2 possible. Probably just the 1 rookie we hopefully draft high.

S- 3 of 4 are set - 1 possible - its likely between culver coming off IR and trying to beat out peprah but opening is there for stand out new guy.

LB- White probably makes it b/c of ST play but a better LB prospect that also plays super ST could beat him. Bishop and Hodge compete at MLB but both are vulnerable IMO. And I expect we will keep 6 LBs this year per normal. That's up to 3 new possible. Likely only 1 new.

DT- Muir and Harrel are prospects. Cole is needed vet unless maybe late season addition big body Bolston surprises. Jenkins plays in passing. So while there is easily a spot for a good DT - since DT is weak in draft - it is unlikely a new guy can beat what we have. But Jenkins, Hunter and Muir were all walk ons and Kamp & Mont low picks - so who knows?

DE- Kamp, Jenk, KGB +? Neither Montgomery or Hunter have done much as DEs but both are valuable on ST. IF we are lucky to draft DE high then one goes.

OL - Guys we have now could emerge but will they? Maybe 1 spot available for a higher pick or surprise prospect. A rookie G won't start so why take one? A better OT prospect would feel better but Colledge or Barbre could develop there. Spitz is backup C so if he keeps starting job - a good C prospect could make it. But unless we pick OL in top 3, it will be the same guys.

TE- 1 maybe 2 spots if we keep normal 3 - only 2 last year which I expect again. Humphrey and Krause may develop but they are by no means anything special (yet) and I hope we find better.

WR- no spots unless we keep 6 again then bodiford is vulnerable.

RB- Grant & Jackson. 1 spot open for Wynn, Herron or new guy. IF we draft high then its obvious.

QB- 1 spot open if we keep normal 3 but I expect we start season with 2.

P- vulnerable
K- locked
LS- set

So we lost 6th pick (for grant)
We gained 2nd ( for Cory)
we gain a 6th as comp I think

that gives us 8 picks.

We certainly have at least 8 spots that NEED upgrade.


DE-5 spots - 1 avail = depends if drafted high- if not = 0 new
DT-5/6 spots - 1 avail = no better prospects = 0 new
MLB-2spots - 1 avail = 0 new
OLB-3/4 spots - 1 or 2 avail = 1 new
CB- 5/6 spots - 2avail = 1 or 2 new
S- 4 spots - 1 avail = o new

OL- 9/10 spots - 2 avail = depends if drafted high- if not = 0 new
TE- 2/3 spots - 1 or 2 avail = 1 new
WR- 5/6 spots - maybe 1 avail = 0 new
FB- 2 spots = 0 new
HB- 3 spots = 1 new
QB- 2/3 spots = maybe 1 new

P- 1 avail

Realistically we probably won't get better guys than we have at several positions even tho we have need but since TT does so well on 2nd day we could have plenty of change again.

[Johnny Newman]

I was discussing this at work. We usually trade down for more picks. Then end of draft double total selection before beginning of draft. I don't see us trading to much now. Also JSonline said after Cory Williams trade we have $24 million. Not saying we spend it all on free agents. But could see us extending our own that deserve it.

[xTitan]

I think trading down is a brilliant strategy...when you bring in 10 players the odds for success is much better than if you bring in 6-7....especially when not alot separates a ltef first and a third.....you rely on your people and your board.

[El Duderino]

I'm by no means against the theory of trading down in drafts. All GM's are going to make mistakes in picking players and if you draft 10 guys instead of 6, your odds go up of being right more times.

I was just wondering if we had room to add say 10 different players if Ted added a free agent or two along with a bunch of draft choices.