What to do with $13 M in cap space?

[Patler]

According to the GBPG, the Packers have $13,515,388 in available cap space after getting all of their draft picks signed.

http://www.packersnews.com/article/2...ovides-options

So now the question is, what should they do with it? They still have some time to sign one of their own 2014 FAs and get him into the full training camp. (Finley, Pickett, Jolly). There are few if any other FAs available that have much value, although a few have name recognition going for them. Highly doubtful that TT will use any of the space yet in the off season for any of these, including Finley, Pickett or Jolly.

According to ESPN, these are the Packers FAs for 2015:

Offense
Randall Cobb
Jordy Nelson
Jarrett Boykin*
Ryan Taylor
Bryan Bulaga
Don Barclay
Scott Tolzien

Defense
B.J. Raji
Letroy Guion
Jamari Lattimore
Tramon Williams
Jarrett Bush
Davon House
Sean Richardson*

* - Restricted Free Agent

Looking further ahead to 2016, their FAs will include Brad Jones, Hawk, Crosby, Neal, Perry Starks, Quarless, Worthy, Goode, Hayward and Daniels.

Among the 2015 FAs, the only ones who aren't entering a "prove your worth" year are Nelson and Cobb who have already proven their value. Everyone else has to demonstrate that they are healthy and can remain so, or that they can have a productive 2015. I don't think there is anyone among the 2016 FAs that they would target to sign early at this time. Clearly one or more of the 2015 or 2016 FAs could play well enough in 2014 to earn a new contract during the season.

Even Cobb might have to wait and prove that he can stay on the field in 2015 after missing games in each of his first 3 seasons. Nelson has missed games in only two of his six seasons.

All in all, the Packers cap situation looks darned good at this point.

[mraynrand]

BRING BLACK WELLS!!!

[vince]

At this point I'd say they're playing it right.

1. Finley only on a deal he probably won't sign.

2. Tweaked defensive approach means Pickett probably doesn't fit except as a back-up NT and it looks like Boyd's ready to become the younger, cheaper and probably more disruptive version of him.

3. Jolly brings an attitude and seems to be a great clubhouse guy but probably not much else at this point. If I had a gun to my head I'd probably rather go into battle with him than Worthy though at this point and I haven't looked up Guion's production since back when he was signed but I recall being very underwhelmed even though he looks like he should be better than he is. Hopefully I'll have to eat those words about Worthy some day.

4. Jordy will probably cost a bit more than Cobb but I'm not sure that'll be the case at this time next year as long as Cobb stays healthy. This is Jordy's peak and Cobb's ascending. Get 'em both signed sooner the better unless Jordy holds tough for too much than get Cobb signed ASAP and roll the dice with the 30 year old. That strategy hasn't seemed to work very well recently for guys like Jennings and Raji, and Jordy seems like he values the continuity and security more than getting every last dollar.

5. Sherrod could make or break Bulaga's eventual payday.

6. The rest of the guys are all expendable. Tramon will be an interesting one. He's not really old yet but when he loses a step he's done. The problem is I'm not sure they've got his full-time replacement on the roster yet - at least the same quality cover man. I'm not sold on House and I'd prefer Hayward - assuming he rebounds back to form - in the slot where he's elite rather than outside where he's probably a lot closer to average.

[bobblehead]

Thread is over. You guys summed it up well. No point in throwing money at anyone except Jordy right now. Carry over cap space. Sign the guys who show they are worthy towards the end of the season, but no one other than Jordy has earned any early love yet.

[mraynrand]

Good stuff above. I agree that T Will is one tweak away from being poor. House is really interesting because despite some grabby smurf tendencies, he can cover. I believe he was benched due to poor tackling/unwillingness to tackle. He has to show something more this year to get some cash.

[vince]

I hope you're right about House Ayn because unless he's forced into a lot of action due to injury this year - and he excels doing so, he should be pretty cheap to re-sign. He's a good gunner too. I think he tends to give up too much over the top but he does have good speed so perhaps another year of experience and getting coached up will help him overcome that. Then there were times you mention where he seemed unwilling to get his head in there and tackle a guy or he looked like he was standing still watching a back go right past him that made you wonder what he was thinking sometimes.

[pbmax]

Cobb before Nelson, but otherwise OK. I am not sure they want Cobb to be the #1 guy until he operates a full season from outside rather than the slot (Driver and Jennings could do both) but I guess we will find out.

Bulaga would have to have a monster year to demand a big deal, even then it'll be short term. I could see Bach at RT not sure if I could see the next guy. Barclay might be the season long backup everywhere, he could be brought back for a smedium deal. Otherwise, eh.

Both RFA guys will get competitive tenders, Boykin definitely, Richardson probably.

Raji same as Bulaga, Needs monster season to price himself into cap difficulty. I would be OK with that. Like Bulaga, I would make no attempt to resign until midseason.

House hasn't been able to hold down a starting job, so if they want him back they will get him. Bush will get paid one last time unless his legs go. I did not notice him as much on ST last year, but I haven't exactly watched the film.


Priority Offseason Signings:

1. Cobb
2. Nelson
3. Play it by ear

[Pugger]

Thread is over. You guys summed it up well. No point in throwing money at anyone except Jordy right now. Carry over cap space. Sign the guys who show they are worthy towards the end of the season, but no one other than Jordy has earned any early love yet.

I might toss Cobb some of that money too.

[Brandon494]

Cobb before Nelson, but otherwise OK. I am not sure they want Cobb to be the #1 guy until he operates a full season from outside rather than the slot (Driver and Jennings could do both) but I guess we will find out.

Bulaga would have to have a monster year to demand a big deal, even then it'll be short term. I could see Bach at RT not sure if I could see the next guy. Barclay might be the season long backup everywhere, he could be brought back for a smedium deal. Otherwise, eh.

Both RFA guys will get competitive tenders, Boykin definitely, Richardson probably.

Raji same as Bulaga, Needs monster season to price himself into cap difficulty. I would be OK with that. Like Bulaga, I would make no attempt to resign until midseason.

House hasn't been able to hold down a starting job, so if they want him back they will get him. Bush will get paid one last time unless his legs go. I did not notice him as much on ST last year, but I haven't exactly watched the film.


Priority Offseason Signings:

1. Cobb
2. Nelson
3. Play it by ear

THIS!

Cobb only missed 2 games his first two seasons and last year was only injured due to a dirty hit. I'm not concerned with him being injury prone at all. Nelson is almost 30 and I don't see him getting any better. Cobb on the other hand is only 23 and we have yet to see the best of him. Sign Cobb before he has a monster year or we'll be paying him more next season.

[Patler]

Cobb has been hobbled often, even during his first two seasons when he missed only one game each season. Hopefully, they can get him off returns permanently and save those impacts for offense. He tends to play like a big, physical guy, but his body doesn't necessarily support that type of play. I'm not sure he has the elasticity/resiliency that Driver had (not many do). Hopefully, Cobb does and/or he learns discretion to avoid some of the bigger hits when little is to be gained. He brings a lot to the offense.

[Fritz]

Thread is over. You guys summed it up well. No point in throwing money at anyone except Jordy right now. Carry over cap space. Sign the guys who show they are worthy towards the end of the season, but no one other than Jordy has earned any early love yet.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Sign Nelson, Cobb, and Finley, then blow the rest of it on the player left in free agency who has the biggest name, regardless whether or not he can still play.

That's the only way you're gonna win the Offseason Super Bowl.

[MadScientist]

Jordy should have at least 3 very good years left. Sign him to a 4-5 year contract with a mix of signing and roster bonus so there isn't a massive cap hit if he needs to be cut at the end. Cobb is younger and more dynamic, but doesn't have the track record. He only has one good year. Try to get him for a contract closer to what Jordy signed last time (with the hook that he'll be 27 the next time he is on the market). Possibly sweeten his deal with game day roster bonuses.

Bulaga should be looked into extending during the season. Wait until he proves healthy before extending him, but try to get him before he hits the market if he's healthy and still good.

Everyone else can wait until the end of the season.

[Just Jeff]

We could resign the great Daryn Colledge

[Brandon494]

Jordy should have at least 3 very good years left. Sign him to a 4-5 year contract with a mix of signing and roster bonus so there isn't a massive cap hit if he needs to be cut at the end. Cobb is younger and more dynamic, but doesn't have the track record. He only has one good year. Try to get him for a contract closer to what Jordy signed last time (with the hook that he'll be 27 the next time he is on the market). Possibly sweeten his deal with game day roster bonuses.

Bulaga should be looked into extending during the season. Wait until he proves healthy before extending him, but try to get him before he hits the market if he's healthy and still good.

Everyone else can wait until the end of the season.

No way do we get Cobb for what Nelson signed his first contract. Also to say he only has had one good year is not a fair statement, his rookie year we were stacked at WR, his soph year he was a stud, and last season he was on his way to a pro bowl season before getting hurt and still came back to make the game winning catch to send us to the playoffs. Cobb can still improve his value this season unlike Nelson which is why we should sign him first imo. We were lucky to sign Nelson for such a cheap deal then he broke out, Cobb has shown from the beginning hes a super star in the making.

[pbmax]

No way do we get Cobb for what Nelson signed his first contract. Also to say he only has had one good year is not a fair statement, his rookie year we were stacked at WR, his soph year he was a stud, and last season he was on his way to a pro bowl season before getting hurt and still came back to make the game winning catch to send us to the playoffs. Cobb can still improve his value this season unlike Nelson which is why we should sign him first imo. We were lucky to sign Nelson for such a cheap deal then he broke out, Cobb has shown from the beginning hes a super star in the making.

I think Cobb may be cheaper than you think. That injury will hurt his totals and his guarantee. He can argue that healthy, he was on track for Jordy (or better than Jordy) production, but the totals aren't there. So he will get some speculative money that is not guaranteed and perhaps a short deal that will allow him to resign before 30.