If they do any kind of restructure/reworking of contracts like Pat's, Thuney, etc. when do we see that happen? When do those cap cleaning measures take place? I guess they'd have to before the FA period if they plan on any big moves.

It won't be official until March 16 but teams can agree in principle at any time AFAIK. Alex Smith was essentially traded before the league season began, they just couldn't submit the stuff to the league office until the 2nd week of March.

FWIW, teams don't have to be under the salary cap at 4pm on March 16. There's a grace period after free agency starts.

I'll see if I can look it up.

Bakhitiari was a 4th round pick, Mailata like a 7th rounder. Donavan Smith a 2nd Rounder. Obviously the earlier in the 1st, the better your chances but you see quality in the mid-rounds often. Orlando Brown was a 3rd rounder and he had a pedigree.

Those late round guys are pretty rare. That's like saying you don't need a 1st round QB because Tom Brady was a 6th rounder. It's just statistical probabilities.

Plus, this past draft class as loaded with tackles and none of them really turned into good LT's outside of the two guys drafted in the top 15.

I'd be all for a legit no 2 WR or solid CB but for the most part this team needs a ton of draft picks to build the D. Those two playoff games should have spelled out for everyone how few playmakers and game changers this D has.

We really need to spend the effort on D line that we spent on O line last year...

I'd like to see them address DE and WR in free agency. Then address DL, DB, and the rest in the draft. Of course, that depends on what they do with HB as well.

That's true but it's also why I'd rely on Veach to find the player with solid potential. He could tell the tackles he'd prefer wouldn't be there before we'd pick so he traded for Brown. He was right. Get a 3 year contract in place and you have time to find your guy. Maybe it is through the draft or maybe it's a more viable LT from another team that is a bit more worth a longer contract. I'm just not sold on Brown, especially with the style of offense we are trying to run. I also don't want to let him walk until we have a viable replacement. I just see that as a way to buy time and not need to overspend on what seems like an average LT for what we'd ask him to do.

Like I said, I wouldn't be upset if they signed him long term but I just don't think he's worth what he wants. I'd treat him more as a rental and keep looking.

At this point I don't think HB matters. Andy's never going to turn the game over to one so what we've got is fine.

We need to. I think being willing to pound the ball to open up the offense and force the D to defend it should happen but Andy won't do it. The Andy/Pat combo just refuses to do what works until it's stopped. They'll run for a drive or for a few plays to eat clock but that's about it...

My apologies. I meant "HB" as in Honey Badger. If the re-sign him, we don't really need a starting safety, so we could look at depth in the draft. If they let him walk though, we probably need to get one in FA.

Franchise tag period opens tomorrow.

They don’t have the cap space to do tag him, right?

Someone is going to get cut or restructured.

They don't have to be under the cap until after the league season starts, AFAIK.

Correct, which is the start of FA.

Right, March 16th.

From what I understand, they can cut people then to make room for the tag, even though they can use the tag now.