2020 Free Agency Thread

packerboi posted:

Like, seriously, how is O'Brien still employed? They gave up a 2nd round pick to the Rams. In an incredibly deep WR draft. Not to mention that Cooks had 2 concussions in 25 days last year. So, yes, that is a serious concern. Makes Matt Millen's days as a GM  with the Lions look genius in comparison.

 

The Texans have essentially traded DeAndre Hopkins for Brandin Cooks.

Bill O'Brien is that dude in your fantasy league who makes the most trades and transactions, but never finishes above fifth place.

— Adam Rank (@adamrank) April 9, 2020

Maybe because his teams have won their division 4 of his 6 years and the only losing season he had was with a rookie starting QB?

He's a little like Mike Sherman- fine except when he tries to be a GM.

Good luck with that

@DanGrazianoESPN: Source: Bears are signing OT Jason Spriggs to a one-year deal. Former Packers second-round pick was on IR last season.

GB already has a west division and now Chi is turning into GB south!

Addition by subtraction for the Packers.  And a move you would expect from TBSS.

Fandame posted:

GB already has a west division and now Chi is turning into GB south!

The Vikings, Bears, and Lions should all send their draft picks to GB for training - since they like Packer players so much.  

For the Packers that leaves 4 URFAs; S Ibraham Campbell, CB Tramon Williams, OT Jared Veldheer, and WR Ryan Grant.  Veldheer may want to retire.  GB pulled him out of that last year to get him to play.  I don't know about the rest.  Maybe they will wait to see what the draft brings.  

Why would they sign Grant if they never activate d him?

did Kumerow sign?

Veldheer has mentioned he wants to play again. He's at that point in his career where teams will wait to see what they draft before they sign a so-so vet. He'll get picked up if he truly wants to play again, and maybe even by GB, but he's going to have to wait and take a very team-friendly contract. Tramon is about in the same boat, and really, his best bet is GB and he probably doesn't want to go somewhere new at this point in his career. Gutter probably signed Grant as insurance; my guess is that a WR last year may have had a hidden injury and they signed Grant just in case. Campbell was going to be good, blew out his knee and is now in the "wait-and-see" category. He's another one who is going to have to take a smaller contract somewhere.

Seem to recall part of the reason the Packers moved up for Spriggs was because of interest from the Bears in him. Still infuriating that the team spent all that draft capital and couldn't even get a serviceable backup out of it.

Well, if the Bears put him on the field the Packers instantly get some of that investment back.

Never mind my ignorance on WWJ

On March 17, 2020, the Packers tendered Kumerow as an exclusive rights free agent, which saw him remaining at Green Bay for another year.

Honestly who cares about Kumerow, he’s a nobody

The #Ravens have agreed to a one-year with LB Jake Ryan, pending a physical, source said. A #Jaguars LB last year, Ryan was a consistent starter with the #Packers before that. Some depth before the draft.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 18, 2020

YooperPackfan posted:

Honestly who cares about Kumerow, he’s a nobody

But, but, but, He's the Whitewater Jesus and he has a hottie for a Mom!

During a little downtime at work last night, I did some research.  It seems that the only player that the Packers "let go" in F.A. that became a star elsewhere was Casey Hayward.  I'm not sure if it's more of a league wide thing in terms of FA or if the Packers are the outlier. (didn't have enough time to research the rest of the NLF).  It seems to me that even though we've had a QB on an expensive contract throughout, the Packers have been able to keep all of the UFA's that were worth keeping.  

DocBenni posted:

During a little downtime at work last night, I did some research.  It seems that the only player that the Packers "let go" in F.A. that became a star elsewhere was Casey Hayward.  I'm not sure if it's more of a league wide thing in terms of FA or if the Packers are the outlier. (didn't have enough time to research the rest of the NLF).  It seems to me that even though we've had a QB on an expensive contract throughout, the Packers have been able to keep all of the UFA's that were worth keeping.  

I would add Micah Hyde to that list.  He's been great on and off the field in Buffalo and has helped turn the culture around there. 

Go get him Gute! Good receiver, only 28, and might be cheaper than normal because he's coming off an injury. Depending on the price I'd like to see him come in as WR2 and let any draft pick ease in. When healthy he's a pretty dependable player.

A surprise: The #Jaguars are releasing WR Marqise Lee, source said. One of their most productive receivers is now a free agent – fully healthy and completely cleared medically — right before the draft.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2020

RochNyFan posted:

DocBenni posted:

During a little downtime at work last night, I did some research.  It seems that the only player that the Packers "let go" in F.A. that became a star elsewhere was Casey Hayward.  I'm not sure if it's more of a league wide thing in terms of FA or if the Packers are the outlier. (didn't have enough time to research the rest of the NLF).  It seems to me that even though we've had a QB on an expensive contract throughout, the Packers have been able to keep all of the UFA's that were worth keeping.  

I would add Micah Hyde to that list.  He's been great on and off the field in Buffalo and has helped turn the culture around there. 

Speaking of Buffalo, I'd have to throw Bryce Paup also.
He only went on to become the DPOY the year after he left Green Bay, and made the Pro Bowl every year in Buffalo.

I'd love to see them sign Lee to a 1 year deal.  I'd be pretty happy going into the season with Adams, Lee, Funchess, and a 2nd rounder and let Lazard, MVS, ESB and Kumerow fight for the 5th and 6th spots.  

Lazard is way better than a 5 or 6. 

ammo posted:

Lazard is way better than a 5 or 6. 

 

I agree. Lazard is our #2 and has built a relationship with ARod. The only way they can supplant Lazard at #2 is if they draft a top tier WR and use him in that position. I do not see any of our current WRs moving Lazard out of the #2 spot, unless ESB has recovered from his injury, and even then I see ESB more as a slot guy.

ammo posted:

Lazard is way better than a 5 or 6. 

 

He's a 3.  Could be a #2 considering what Funchess can actual do and new WR development.  Otherwise, he's a 3.

Dude is an injury time bomb. Even a one year minimum deal you are taking away a spot from a guy that can at least stay healthy. Teams don't just dump players like that if there isn't a valid reason.

https://sportsinjurypredictor....yer/marqise-lee/696

Hard pass on Marquise Lee. 

Lazard can prove it and earn the #2 or #3 spot but they cannot go into the season assuming that.  Best part about that Funchess deal is it's only $2.5m if he sucks or gets hurt.  I'd give Lee a similar prove-it deal.  Provides a lot of flexibility to let the best WRs play.  

If Lee is healthy though he's a talented and reliable player. You're gambling on him being healthy and being the player he can be. Same gamble with Funchess and Kirksey. The upside is very high. Again though, as in all things it depends on the money.

You can take risks on guys who are potential injury liabilities...but if you stack your roster with them, you are taking an unacceptable risk IMO.

"Imagine how good this offense would have been had X, Y or Z not gotten hurt," isn't good for anyone...the franchise nor fans.

That’s true, but in the end you still have Lazard, MVS, Kumerow, etc. which is a group you made the NFCC a year ago with. 

http://www.nfl.com/player/marqiselee/2543475/profile

Out of a potential 96 games (6 years x 16 games), Lee has appeared in 59 games. He didn't even play in 2018 due to injury. With a "grand" total of 

Hence the explanation of my "Hard Pass" post earlier. We can do much better & less expensive

I'm not pushing for the guy, but there's no doubt that when he's healthy he's a pretty good receiver...not elite, but a better option than everyone not named Lazard on our roster. GB was able to coax a healthy season out of our core guys in '19, maybe it's the new S&C approach and culture in the locker room, so it may be worth the gamble on talented players who have had bad injury luck. Certainly that approach worked out for San Diego with injury prone Casey Hayward. They, realistically, bought him far lower than what they got in return because of that. I think Gute is playing the same game with guys like Funchess and Kirksey and it may entice him to take a shot on Lee depending on how the draft shakes out.

I'm still excited to see what ESt.B can do. I basically through with MVS but St. Brown may still be a + factor.

ESB, MVS, and Lazard are all coming up on their third year, which I've heard is when receivers often hit their stride.

Really?

Just heard from Gronk, already took his physical for Bucs, trade not completed but he’s coming back for Bucs if all goes through.

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 21, 2020

Interesting, H5.

Pat's fans must be shitting themselves. 

The #Patriots and #Bucs have agreed to terms on a trade: Tampa gets Rob Gronkowski and a 7th rounder in exchange for a 4th rounder, sources say.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2020

ammo posted:

I'm still excited to see what ESt.B can do. I basically through with MVS but St. Brown may still be a + factor.

I lost my enthusiasm for ESt.B when Clarence Clemons passed.

Does the GRONK TRADE MATTER ,if I’m the @packers i try and trade for O J HOWARD bucs TE

— leroy butler (@leap36) April 21, 2020

packerboi posted:

Pat's fans must be shitting themselves. 

The #Patriots and #Bucs have agreed to terms on a trade: Tampa gets Rob Gronkowski and a 7th rounder in exchange for a 4th rounder, sources say.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2020

That is wild.

Gronk better get back on the juice in a hurry, he looks 25 pounds lighter than when he last played. 

It's going to be glorious watching them lose this year. 

If we get to watch live Ootball