CrimsonCrew wrote:I'm very interested to see how the roster rounds into form this year. We have huge holes, but they have seemed to very deliberately leave those holes open (or create the openings). I think the theory is that they can get tolerable players in FA after the draft. In doing so, they avoid impacting comp picks, and they can probably score some relative bargains.
Instead of bringing in a Gross-Matos, Yiadom, Ya-Sin, or Devondre Campbell (antics aside and just considering performance) before the draft and paying a premium to do so, can you try to upgrade spots through the draft and, failing that, backfill with guys who aren't much worse than those guys we brought in last year? I think it's at least worthwhile to try. This team hasn't exactly killed it with mid- and lower-level FAs lately (few do).
I know the offseason has been frustrating, but overall I'm okay with the approach given a deep draft, lots of picks, and the recent struggles to hit on FAs. The losses that sting are Greenlaw of course, and Collins and Floyd. Those two weren't great last year, but they were at least adequate starters, we didn't realize much of anything in terms of cap savings to part with them, and the replacement players at those positions aren't starting-caliber. Not to mention if they played out their contracts and then signed elsewhere next year they would have factored into the comp pick formula. Other than saving Jed some money, I can't see the logic in parting ways with them.
The team also wanted to get younger. That might be part of it.