Tom Sykes -> RE: Free Agency 2021 (3/22/2021 3:28:32 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen quote:
ORIGINAL: The Happy Norseman quote:
ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes quote:
ORIGINAL: Bruce Johnson quote:
ORIGINAL: Chris Olson I remember them saying he was great fit, but also one of best C prospects of last 5-10 years... this is the kind of hype I remember: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2019/4/3/18288079/garrett-bradbury-nfl-draft-2019-minnesota-vikings-center-first-round-scouting-report and now this is what we are hearing about Bradbury today: https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/pff-garrett-bradbury-vikings-worst-draft-mistake-past-5-years that is basically two OL can't miss prospects from last 10 years that were complete whiffs...I can remember how elated I felt over both those picks, thinking how they would lock up their position for next decade + sigh I'm going to blame coaching. There are a lot of free agents left. I don't think many of them are going to get the kind of money they were expecting. There are going to be some good bargains if the Vikings remain patient. I don't pretend to have a clue about scheme fit, but IMO we are already at the bargain bin phase of FA OGs. As in, its a bargain for the players out there to get signed by any team. (ok that's harsh but....) Top Free Agent Guards STILL Available (keep in mind walterfootball rankings are for free agent OGs only, pff are for all positions) walterfootball.com (Top FA Guard rankings updated 03/20) #4 Lane Taylor, G, Packers. Age: 31. (ranked #222 FA by pff) Lane Taylor is a very talented guard, but he's also a 31-year-old coming off a knee injury, so there is definitely major risk involved. #6 Trai Turner, G, Chargers. Age: 27. It seemed like the Chargers obtained a steam when they traded for Trai Turner in exchange for Russell Okung. Turner, however, had an injury-ravaged 2020 campaign, which was his worst in the NFL. Turner is still young, however, so he figures to rebound in 2021 and beyond. #10 Mike Iupati, G, Seahawks. Age: 34. Seattle missed Mike Iupati when he was sidelined in 2020. He still blocks well at his age, but his durability is a major issue. #11 Jermaine Eluemunor, G/OT, Patriots. Age: 26. (ranked #221 FA by pff) Jermaine Eluemunor has been a career backup thus far, but he played well in relief for New England last year. He deserves a chance to compete for a starting job, and at 26, he has some upside. #12 John Miller, G, Panthers. Age: 28. John Miller is a capable starter, but has some injury concerns. He's played just one full season in his career. For comparison sake, Elflein was the #16 rated FA OG, Forrest Lamp is #20, Nick Easton is #21. pff.com (Top 250 FA rankings updated 03/20) 193. OG James Carpenter (ranked #23 FA OG by walterfootball) The last two years for Carpenter looked a lot like his first two in the league when he was on his way to being viewed as a first-round draft bust. He has overall PFF grades of just 45 and 56 over those two years and hasn’t had an above average year in pass protection since 2018. 207. G Oday Aboushi (ranked #24 FA OG by walterfootball) After an excellent start to his career with a 71.7 overall grade in 2014, Aboushi rarely approached that level of play until last season’s 66.6 graded in eight games as a starter. He allowed an impressive 11 pressures on 426 attempts last season and he’s done his best work in gap schemes in the run game. Spielman has taken a bad oline and made it worse. The team currently has 3 starters total! The BEST case scenario is that whoever the team gets off the scrap heap is an upgrade over Dozier, and that whoever RS drafts can step in on day one and be a serviceable starter. Yikes! Worst case scenario, the scrap heap FA sucks or gets injured, and our draft pick underwhelms. History would point to the latter scenario. Either way, zero depth means one injury and we're toast. Doesn't seem like the way to build a Superbowl contender. Aboushi rarely approached that level of play until last season’s 66.6 graded in eight games as a starter. He allowed an impressive 11 pressures on 426 attempts last season and he’s done his best work in gap schemes in the run game. There's our man! As long as he's ranked in the top 300 FAs, I'm on board.
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