2024 Free Agents - who are we keeping?

[Primus Porcus]

As this offseason continues, i'm actually leaning toward trying to get Samuel back. I think he was vastly under-used (similar to Antonio Gibson) and I have very little confidence in the coaching situation, so I have to grade them on a curve. I don't think we got anywhere near the most out of any of these guys, and I have to believe that pretty much everyone on the offensive side of the ball will be 'better' simply with the coaching adjustments... I continue to feel that if I lack confidence in the coaching staff, that it ultimately held back A LOT of the players abilities.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I finally actually voted

Curtis Samuel - I think he was under-used and still young enough with enough talent to be a weapon
Kendall Fuller - I think he's still a good vet presence and was our most consistent DB last year
Cody Barton - This is a curiosity vote - I'm wondering what his former coach can get out of him
Jeremy Reaves - Love the kid
Khaleke Hudson - Flashed last year in a defense that we all question the game plan
Jabril Cox - Liked this kid coming out of college, want to see him develop
Kamren Curl - I think he's our best DB - Interested in the cost
Casey Toohill - inexpensive DE that has flashed. I think he's a good rotational player in a room that's almost empty


Obviously cost is the ultimate factor here, and it's highly unlikely we would sign all off these guys.

 

[burgold]

I turned around on Samuel’s a little. I had been thinking too often injured and not enough splash plays when he played. In other words, a poor man’s Randle El.

I think he did up his game this season and showed better. Now, that realization does come with the fear of a player out producing in their contract year, but given how many players had their worst year last year I will take someone who kept fighting.

I’d be okay with a three year deal.

 

[Chris]

Samuel’s statistical performance over the past 2 seasons were almost identical. I see no evidence that there was any ’contract year improvement/motivation‘ in his play.

 

[burgold]

Isn't that interesting? Perception versus reality, I suppose. I guess it was the hangover of that first year here in DC.

 

[Chris]

Isn't that interesting? Perception versus reality, I suppose. I guess it was the hangover of that first year here in DC.

Yeah, since that first season of exercise bike olympics, Samuel has played in 96.9% of games.

 

[Bulldog]

I am not wedded to too many players off a 4-13 roster.

If the deal is right and for a 28 year old for the right term, then I would consider bringing Samuel back. He's a contributor.

But I am not going to pay him $16-$18M to be a secondary option on offense if I am the owner or GM.

 

[Canadian Hog]

I haven't chimed in too much on this thread, but to answer the original question, I think part of it comes down to the approach this FO will take to roster building. Do we take the long view, with an emphasis on a patient path towards success through drafting and player development? Or, do we want to be competing for division titles and conference championships within two years? Everything I have heard to this point from Peters suggests that we want to build something that is really sustainable for a long period of time - think the type of runs that teams like the Patriots, Steelers, or Ravens have been on in recent memory. I know you have to field a team, but if you don't see yourself truly competing within a two to three year window or so, I think it eliminates a lot of guys on our list from the conversation.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

For what it’s worth, Spotrac estimates Samuels value at 11.5 million average salary. I think somewhere around $12 million a year is reasonable, but I wouldn’t go up to like 15. That seems like it’s too much. Also, the highest multi year WR contracts last year had average values 13 million (Hopkins) and 11 million (Lazard and Meyers). The year before Kirk kind of blew things up with an average of 18 million and Allen Robinson cashed in with 15 million. Kirk lived up to his salary, but Robinson has not.

Terry McLaurin has an average salary of 22 million a year, with his next 2 years having the largest cap hits of 24 and 23 million. So he’s going to be eating up the WR cap space. That has to be a consideration as well. How much of the space are they willing to dedicate to one position, and also realizing a decision on Dotson will be coming after this year with his option and then should they extend him or let him walk. They have time on that one, but I think that plays into the decision on Samuels. A good GM should be able to see several years down the road. If they can sign Samuels for 10 or 11 million a year, they absolutely should. I will be upset if he signs elsewhere for that amount. But if he signs somewhere else for around 15 million, then good for him and good luck on your new team.

Curtis Samuel | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Curtis Samuel contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[Primus Porcus]

For what it’s worth, Spotrac estimates Samuels value at 11.5 million average salary. I think somewhere around $12 million a year is reasonable, but I wouldn’t go up to like 15. That seems like it’s too much. Also, the highest multi year WR contracts last year had average values 13 million (Hopkins) and 11 million (Lazard and Meyers). The year before Kirk kind of blew things up with an average of 18 million and Allen Robinson cashed in with 15 million. Kirk lived up to his salary, but Robinson has not.

Terry McLaurin has an average salary of 22 million a year, with his next 2 years having the largest cap hits of 24 and 23 million. So he’s going to be eating up the WR cap space. That has to be a consideration as well. How much of the space are they willing to dedicate to one position, and also realizing a decision on Dotson will be coming after this year with his option and then should they extend him or let him walk. They have time on that one, but I think that plays into the decision on Samuels. A good GM should be able to see several years down the road. If they can sign Samuels for 10 or 11 million a year, they absolutely should. I will be upset if he signs elsewhere for that amount. But if he signs somewhere else for around 15 million, then good for him and good luck on your new team.

Curtis Samuel | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Curtis Samuel contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

I dont know about that.

We don't know what Peters mentality is, but i have a sneaking suspicion that he's not looking at position group spending as individuals, and instead he's looking at playmakers and offensive weapons. Again, i'm only going by what he saw in San Fran, where he's got Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle... All 3 of those guys are versatile enough they can be used in multiple positions, and you don't necessarily look at them as WR / RB / TE other than on the depth chart. Deebo plays the 'role' of a RB quite a bit, McCaffrey as a slot / outside WR, and Kittle as a WR.

I dont know if Peters will look at McLaurin and say "we've got $XX already committed to the WR, so we can only spend $XX more." As much as he looks at guys and says 'are they worth the money, and can we get the most out of them"


or at least I hope

 

[Chris]

I love Terry in so many ways…but I also don’t think that his cost is commensurate with his value.

 

[burgold]

I love Terry in so many ways…but I also don’t think that his cost is commensurate with his value.

It's so hard to tell because of our QBing. That said, I agree that he disappointed last year. I think he'd admit that, too.

 

[Neophyte]

Yeah, as much as I hate to say it Chris, I agree.

Terry had more than one rough game and dropped some balls that, while not easy catches, are catches a true #1 makes more often than not to bail out his team and his QB.

Sam is taking a lot of heat right now but we could put together a highlight reel of drops by receivers that give any jury reasonable doubt.

 

[SkinsOrlando]

If we overpaid Terry, we overpaid him based on historical production as well, pretty damn similar stats to prior years. Now if we were expecting an increase in production after his contract, a lot of that does fall on whose throwing the ball. See Randy Moss in 05 when Kerry Collins was QB and 06 when some career backups were under center and then his resurgence with Brady.

 

[Chris]

DJ Moore played on a bad team with questionable quarterbacking last season (but without Bieniemy) and makes $2m less per season on average.

I love Terry (I really, really do) but I don’t see his $24m per year average being in line with his production. He does bring with him a long list of intangibles though that do have a lot of value and that is probably why he was rewarded beyond what solely his skills on the field demand.

 

[Bulldog]

This draft is deep at receiver, I don't know that I wouldn't look at solutions in April rather than resigning 28 year old players who may not be around when this team is ready to contend 2-3 years from now.

If we take a receiver in Round 2 or even as part of a trade down, then we get a player that we can pay $1.5M for 4 years.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Mike Evans re-signed with the Bucs for 2 yrs 52 Million, with 35 million guaranteed. He was the most productive free agent WR out there, but that also sets an impressive WR contract ceiling for this cycle. I think that’s going to push the cost to re-sign Samuel way up. He’s not worth 26 million a year, Evans probably isn’t either, but don’t be surprised if Samuel is offered way more than anyone expected.

 

[Bulldog]

Then it's a good thing that wide receiver, along with quarterback and tackle, is supposed to be the position with the most depth in the draft.

And while McLaurin dropped balls last year so did Mike Evans.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Regarding Terry and his lack of production last season, I think Ron and EB broke the entire team. You could tell Terry was not bought into what EB was selling.

I forgive him his sins and look forward to massively better production this year. I blame Ron/EB for almost everything which went wrong last year with the good players. Just horrendous job putting players in a position to win, motivating them and creating a wining environment.

They will need another receiver. Samuels is a FA. So, somewhere they will find another WR to be the WR 3. I don't think they have the luxury of paying Curtis.

They're going to have to sign a couple guys and draft a couple guys and see who develops.

 

[Bulldog]

Look folks, Peters can't cut all 53 players and replace them with 10 plus draft picks and 30 undrafted free agents and 10 veteran free agents

There is enough to do at quarterback, offensive line, tight end, rush end, linebacker and safety (since Curl looks to be moving on).

Unless we are planning on going 0-17 with a new quarterback the way Jimmy did in Dallas in 1989 we have to keep SOME productive players on the roster in 2024.

Whether Terry McLaurin is still a top receiver or whether he is a notch below that let's let 2024 with a new regime evaluate that during the season and make a move NEXT offseason if need be.

Ditto for Payne and a few others.