Hulky's Fake NFL Franchise

[Hulky]

I've run it on another site for a couple years and this will be the third. Figured I'd keep track of it here as well.

[Hulky]

Instead I am not going to start with a prior team, and instead enlist current FAs and cherry pick some mocked "unprotected" players from existing rosters somewhat like how NFL Expansion teams did. Then I will begin with pick 0 of each round of the NFL draft for the first year before self-evaluating what pick I will have in the following years. I will also manage the team's cap space and can adopt any irl FA signing with the following conditions: 1. can not "steal" an NFL FA signing if the real signing team is a contending team and the St Louis Music are not. 2. If the St. Louis Music are a bottom 10 team the adopted contract is given a 10% premium. 3. If the adopted NFL FA signing is a premium player and the St. Louis Music are a middling team a 5% premium is added to the contract. 4. If starting potential is available on the St. Louis Music, but the real awarded team projects as rotation or depth, then rule 1 can be waived. 4. Can not adopt the contracts of FAs of other teams who resign with the team they last played on.

Coaching I will cherry pick a staff from the NFL that is not currently employed, or is employed at a lower coaching position (I can promote an OC from an existing team to HC of the Music for example). All coaching contracts are 4 years and I lose coordinators if they are hired in real life to HC.

[Hulky]

St. Louis Music

Coaching hires:
Kris Richard, Head Coach (Dallas Cowboys DB & Passing Game Coordinator)
Marcus Brady, Offensive Coordinator (Indianapolis Colts QB Coach)
Aaron Glenn, Defensive Coordinator (New Orleans Saints DB Coach)

The Jaguars selected 36 players from NFL teams when they were added to the league, so here we go (I am going to limit myself to one player from each team):
01. Sean Lee, LB Dallas Cowboys, 2019 cap hit $10,075,000
02. Paul Perkins, RB New York Giants, 2019 cap hit $783,137
03. Nelson Agholor, WR Philadelphia Eagles, 2019 cap hit $9,387,000
04. Josh Norman, CB Washington Redskins, 2019 cap hit $14,500,000
05. Jordan Howard, RB Chicago Bears, 2019 cap hit $2,107,007
06. Jimmy Graham, TE Green Bay Packers, 2019 cap hit $12,666,666
07. TJ Lang, LG Detroit Lions, 2019 cap hit $11,510,418 (Retired)
08. Mike Remmers, RT Minnesota Vikings, 2019 cap hit $6,350,000
09. Joshua Garnett, RG San Fransisco 49ers, 2019 cap hit $2,960,463
10. Bo Scarbrough, RB Seattle Seahawks, 2019 cap hit $495,000
11. Jon Sullivan, C Los Angeles Rams, 2019 cap hit $6,250,000
12. Robert Nkemdiche, DT Arizona Cardinals, 2019 cap hit $2,736,555
13. Andrus Peat, OL New Orleans Saints, 2019 cap hit $9,625,000
14. Vernon Hargreaves, CB Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2019 cap hit $4,511,076
15. Vic Beasley, DE Atlanta Falcons, 2019 cap hit $12,810,000
16. Vernon Butler, DT Carolina Panthers, 2019 cap hit $2,671,618
17. Obi Melifonwu, SS New England Patriots, 2019 cap hit $723,436
18. Brian Winters, RG New York Jets, 2019 cap hit $6,500,000
19. Brice Butler, WR Miami Dolphins, 2019 cap hit $805,000
20. Patrick DiMarco, FB Buffalo Bills, 2019 cap hit $2,150,000
21. Morgan Burnett, SS Pittsburgh Steelers, 2019 cap hit $6,466,666
22. DeShon Eliot, FS Baltimore Ravens, 2019 cap hit $609,448
23. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Cincinnati Bengals, 2019 cap hit $10,953,125
24. Howard Wilson, CB Cleveland Browns, 2019 cap hit $796,751
25. Justin Ellis, NT Oakland Raiders, 2019 cap hit $4,750,000
26. Scott Quessenberry, C Los Angeles Chargers, 2019 cap hit $641,063
27. Brandon Marshall, MLB Denver Broncos, 2019 cap hit $8,843,750
28. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE Kansas City Chiefs, 2019 cap hit $1,178,514
29. Duke Ekofor, DE Houston Texans, 2019 cap hit $616,314
30. Marqise Lee, WR Jacksonville Jaguars, cap hit $9,000,000
31. Jacoby Brissett, QB Indianapolis Colts, cap hit $2,045,000
32. Jamil Douglas, G Tennessee Titans, 2019 cap hit $570,000

2019 Cap Hit: $153,290,817 / $190,000,000

Team Roster:
QB: Jacoby Brissett, Brett Rypien, Brett Hundley
RB: Jordan Howard, Paul Perkins, Elijah Holyfield, Bo Scarbrough
FB: Patrick DiMarco, Alec Ingold
WR: Marqise Lee, Brice Butler, Emanuel Hall
WR: Nelson Agholor, Kelvin Harmon
Slot: Jamison Crowder, Anthony Johnson
TE: Jimmy Graham, Dax Raymond
LT: Trent Brown
LG: Andrus Peat, Jamil Douglas
C: Jon Sullivan, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Brian Winters, Josh Garnett
RT: Dalton Risner, Mike Remmers


DE: Nick Bosa, Tanoh Kpassagnon
NT: Justin Ellis, Gerald Willis
DT: Zach Allen, Robert Nkemdiche, Vernon Butler
OLB/Edge: Vic Beasley, Shaquill Barrett, Duke Ejofor
SLB: Brandon Marshall, Khalil Hodge
MLB: Sean Lee, Jake Ryan, Tre Lamar
OLB: Mack Wilson, Terill Hanks, Chase Hansen
CB: Josh Norman, Howard Wilson
CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Vernon Hargreaves
Nickel: Bryce Callahan
FS: Jaquan Johnson, DeShon Eliot
SS: Morgan Burnett, Obi Melifonwu

K: Justin Yoon
P: Jake Fox

Free Agency:
1. Trent Brown, LT 4y/66mil signed March 11th 2019 (IRL reported Raiders)
2. Jamison Crowder, WR 3y/28.5mil signed March 11th 2019 (IRL reported Jets)
3. Shaquill Barrett, DE/OLB 1y/5mil signed March 14th 2019 (IRL reported Buccs)
4. Bryce Callahan, CB 3y/21mil signed IRL Broncos
5. Markus Golden, OLB 1y/3.75mil signed IRL Giants
6. Brett Hundley, QB 1y/2mil signed IRL Cardinals
7. Jake Ryan, LB 2y/8mil signed IRL Jaguars


Draft Picks:
1.00 Nick Bosa, DE The Ohio State
2.00 Dalton Risner, RT Florida
3.00 Zach Allen, DE/DT Boston College
4.00 Mack Wilson, LB Alabama
5.00 Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State
6.00 Jaquan Johnson, S Miami
7.00 Brett Rypien, QB Boise State

Undrafted Free Agents:
Gerald Wills, DT Miami
Dax Raymond, TE Utah State
Khalil Hodge, LB Buffalo
Tre Lamar, LB Clemson
Chase Hansen, LB Utah
Terill Hanks, LB New Mexico State
Elijah Holyfield, RB Georgia
Alec Ingold, FB Wisonsin
Emanuel Hall, WR Missouri
Anthony Johnson, WR Buffalo
Justin Yoon, K Notre Dame
Jake Fox, P Rice

[Hulky]

The St. Louis Music selected Nick Bosa, DE The Ohio College with the 1st pick of the first round.
The St. Louis Music select Dalton Risner, OL Kansas State with the 1st pick of the second round.
The St. Louis Music select Zach Allen, DE/DT Boston College with the 1st pick of the third round.
The St. Louis Music select Mack Wilson, LB Alabama with the 1st pick of the fourth round.
The St. Louis Music select Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State with the 1st pick of the fifth round.
The St. Louis Music select Jaquan Johnson, S Miami with the 1st pick of the six round.
The St. Louis Music select Brett Rypien, QB Boise State with the 1st pick of the seventh round.

[Hulky]

Very happy with my draft, and at the conclusion of the draft we sign the following UDFA's (will edit out anyone drafted in the remaining picks)
Gerald Willis, DT Miami
Dax Raymond, TE Utah State
Khalil Hodge, LB Buffalo
Tre Lamar, LB Clemson
Chase Hansen, LB Utah
Terill Hanks, LB New Mexico State
Elijah Holyfield, RB Georgia
Alec Ingold, FB Wisonsin
Emanuel Hall, WR Missouri
Anthony Johnson, WR Buffalo
Justin Yoon, K Notre Dame
Jake Fox, P Rice

[Hulky]

Updated Team Roster for this preseason, Robert Nkemdiche, Patrick DiMarco and Marqise Lee have been removed from the team to settle into a 53 man roster (the two starting guards are the reserve tackles for their respective sides):

QB: Jacoby Brissett, Brett Rypien, Brett Hundley
RB: Jordan Howard, Paul Perkins, Elijah Holyfield, Bo Scarbrough
FB: Alec Ingold
WR: Brice Butler, Emanuel Hall
WR: Nelson Agholor, Kelvin Harmon
Slot: Jamison Crowder, Anthony Johnson
TE: Jimmy Graham, Dax Raymond
LT: Trent Brown
LG: Andrus Peat, Jamil Douglas
C: Jon Sullivan, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Dalton Risner, Brian Winters, Josh Garnett
RT: Mike Remmers


DE: Nick Bosa, Tanoh Kpassagnon
NT: Justin Ellis, Gerald Willis
DT: Zach Allen, Vernon Butler
OLB/Edge: Vic Beasley, Shaquill Barrett, Duke Ejofor
SLB: Brandon Marshall, Khalil Hodge
MLB: Sean Lee, Jake Ryan, Tre Lamar
OLB: Mack Wilson, Terill Hanks, Chase Hansen
CB: Josh Norman, Howard Wilson
CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Vernon Hargreaves
Nickel: Bryce Callahan
FS: Jaquan Johnson, DeShon Eliot
SS: Morgan Burnett, Obi Melifonwu

K: Justin Yoon
P: Jake Fox

[Hulky]

Going to edit update this post as moves occur

Quarterback:
1. Brett Rypien 2020 $613,079 || 2021 $703,079 || 2022 $793,079

Runningback:
1. Todd Gurley 2020 $8,000,000
2. Bo Scarbrough 2020 $585,000
3. Elijah Holyfield 2020 $591,666 || 2021 $681,688

Fullback
1: Alec Ingold 2020 $588,333 || 2021 $678,334


Wide Receiver
1. Kelvin Harmon 2020 $672,208 || 2021 $762,208 || 2022 $852,208
2. Jamison Crowder 2020 $10,000,000 || 2021 $11,500,000
3. Emanuel Hall 2020 $585,000 || 2021 $675,000
4. Anthony Johnson 2020 $585,000 || 2021 $675,000

Tight End
1. Eric Ebron 2020 7,000,000 2021 7,000,000

Left Tackle
1. Trent Brown 2020 $21,500,000 || 2021 $14,000,000 || 2022 $15,250,000

Left Guard
1. Dalton Risner 2020 $1,815,795 || 2021 $2,178,954 || 2022 $2,542,113

Center
1. Scott Quessenberry 2020 $731,063 || 2021$821,063

Right Guard
1. Jamil Douglas 2020 $660,000

Right Tackle
1. Jack Conklin 2020 15,700,000 | 2021 15,700,000 | 2022 15,700,000

Edge Rushers
1. Nick Bosa 2020 $7,990,601 || 2021 $9,588,721 || 2022 $11,186,841
2. Shaq Barrett 2020 16,266,000
3. Tanoh Kpassagnon 2020 $1,374,936
4. Duke Ejofor 2020 $631,314 || 2021 $796,315

Interior Defensive Line
1. Jurrell Casey 2020 $11,787,500 || 2021 $12,281,000 || 2022 $13,850,000
2. Zach Allen 2020 $975,855 || 2021 $1,171,026 || 2022 $1,366,197
3. Gerald Willis 2020 $585,000

Linebackers
1. Corey Littleton 2020 $13,000,000 || 2021$13,000,000 || 2022 $13,000,000
2. Kevin Pierre Louis 2020 $4,000,000
3. Mack Wilson 2020 $711,126 || 2021 $876,126 || 2022 $966,126
4. Chase Hansen 2020 $586,666 || 2021 $676,668

Cornerbacks
1. Dre Kirkpatrick 2020 $11,093,750 || 2021 $11,250,000
2. Mackenzie Alexander 2020 $4,500,000

Safety
1. Karl Jospeh 2020 3,000,000
2. Haha Clinton-Dix 2020 $4,500,000
3. Jaquan Johnson 2020 $637,328 || 2021 $727,328 || 2022 $817,328
4. Deshon Elliot 2020 $699,448 || 2021 $789,451

[Hulky]

Free Agency 2020:
Jack Conklin, RT signed 3y 47mil
Corey Littleton, ILB 3y/39mil
Todd Gurley, RB 1y/8mil
Eric Ebron 2y/14mil
Mackenzie Alexander, CB 1y/4.5mil
Haha Clinton-Dix, S 1y/4.5mil
Kevin Pierre Louis, LB 1y/4mil
Karl Joseph, 1y 3mil
Beat Broncos Trade of 7th for Jurrell Casey, by giving a 6th.

Released:
Josh Norman, CB
Bryce Callahan, CB
Brian Winters, G
Jake Ryan, ILB
Jimmy Graham, TE
Morgan Burnett, S

[Hulky]

2020 Draft picks
1.004 Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
2.036 Yetur Gross-Matos, DE Penn State
2.049 AJ Epenesa, DE Iowa
3.068 Josh Jones, OT Houston
3.080 Lloyd Cushenberry, C LSU
4.110 Amik Robertson, CB Louisiana Tech
4.123 Rashard Lawrence, NT LSU
4.140 Ben Bredeson, OG Michigan
5.150 Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR Michigan
5.163 Quintez Cephus, WR Wisconsin
6.195 Eno Benjamin, RB Arizona State
6.210 Trade for 219 + 249 + 253
7.218 Rodrigo Blankenship, K Georgia
7.219 Joseph Charlton, P South Carolina
7.228 Hunter Bryant, TE Washington
7.242 Lamar Jackson, CB Nebraska
7.249 AJ Green, CB Oklahoma State
7.253 Trey Adams, LT Washington

apparently expansion teams start out with extra picks, so maybe we wouldn't have been as bad last year! I'm going to make believe, since it's all make believe, that I traded them all to this year and now I have a surprise haul of 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7 that I wasn't expecting! Yay!
Edited April 25, 2020 by Trojan

[Hulky]

Very happy with the draft this year, and proud to announce four UDFA this season. (edit 5 because 53 player roster)
1. Jared Pinkney, TE Vanderbilt
2. Gage Cervenka, G/C Clemson
3. Scott Frantz, OT Kansas State
4. Bronson Reichsteiner, FB/RB Kennesaw State
5, Michael Pifer, LS Naval Academy


So that looks like we are going to look something like the following:

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Brett Rypien
RB: Todd Gurley, Eno Benjamin, Bo Scarborough, Elijah Holyfield
FB: Bronson Reichsteiner
WR: Quintez Cephus, Emanuel Hall
WR: Kelvin Harmon, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Slot: Jamison Crowder, Anthony Johnson
TE: Eric Ebron, Hunter Bryant, Jared Pinkney
LT: Trent Brown, Trey Adams, Scott Frantz
LG: Dalton Risner, Gage Cervenka
C: Lloyd Cushenberry, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Ben Bredeson, Jamil Douglas
RT: Jack Conklin, Josh Jones

4-3 Under multiple defense under 2nd year HC Kris Richard
DT 5Tech/3Tech: AJ Epenesa, Tanoh Kpassagnon
NT 1Tech: Rashard Lawrence, Gerald Willis
3Tech/5Tech: Jurrell Casey, Zach Allen
Edge Hand in dirt 9Tech: Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos
Edge Stand up blitzer: Shaq Barrett, Duke Ejofor

LB: Corey Littleton, Kevin Pierre-Lewis
LB: Mack Wilson, Chase Hansen

CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, AJ Green (Oklahoma State)
CB: Mackenzie Alexander, Lamar Jackson (Nebraska)
Nickel: Amik Robertson
FS: Haha Clinton-Dix, Jaquan Johnson
SS: Karl Joseph, Deshon Elliott

LS: Michael Pifer
K: Rodrigo Blankenship
P: Joseph Charlton

[Hulky]

Oops 52 players, got to sign one more player.
Um.

As a Navy veteran and GM of a fake team that doesn't have a long snapper... the 53rd spot on my roster will go to UDFA
Michael Pifer, LS Naval Academy

[Hulky]

Offensively we are excited about landing Tua Tagovailoa, and with no trade up there felt like a real chance we wouldn't land him with rumors of teams moving to Detroit's third spot. Once we landed Tua I felt like our offense should be vastly improved, and in the second round we wouldn't need to grab a WR like Mims and instead could could one of two ways. The first plan was making the defensive line a true strength long term by investing even more assets in the defensive line, which is the path I took. The other considered path was taking corners Jaylon Johnson and Kristian Fulton.

Had we gone the other direction our edges would have remained Nick Bosa and Shaq Barrett, with interior lineman Zach Allen and Jurrell Casey. It's really appealing now in retrospect just as it was at the time. Johnson, Fulton, Mackenzie Alexander and Amik would have been a very good CB group and would have opened up moving on from Dre Kirkpatrick.

However I valued building a bully more with depth and took Yetur and Epenesa. One reason was that I expect Shaq Barrett to command a tremendous contract next season and I don't think I'll be able to afford it. The other is I think this line has potential to elevate the play of the rest of the defense, because it can rotate and be fresh.

I am looking to have Nick Bosa at a wide nine, then next to him in the 3 gap is Jurrell Casey, followed by Rashard Lawrence, then AJ Epenesa as a 5 tech base end. From Epenesa side I will have Shaq Barrett as a stand up blitzer mimicing a 3-4 look. These 5 are the pressure we will bring, with Zach Allen rotating with Casey and Epenesa, Lawrence rotating out in passing situations for a second 3 tech (Epenesa or Allen), and Yetur as a rotational rusher for Shaq Barrett and Nick Bosa.

If all hell breaks loose and we have to move on from Casey and lose Shaq then we still have Bosa, Yetur, Allen, Epenesa, and Lawrence. This is the foundation of the team and our identity.

The other trench was built up too. Arguably we over paid last offseason for Trent Brown, then we drafted Dalton Risner. Quessenberry is alright as a reserve, but the rest of the line was going to get Tua killed if we didn't revamp it. Signing Jack Conkin in free agency gave us book end power tackles, and then drafting Cushenberry as a center with rare positional length and Bredeson I'm happy. I almost wonder if Cushenberry and Risner would be better off flipping positions.as Risner played his freshman year as a center and his athleticism would be benefitual while Cushenberry's strength and length could work at guard. Regardless, I think this offensive line is worse than our defensive, but very solid and considerably better than where I feel an expansion team would be expected to be at. We can't afford to "David Carr" Tua. The only issue is our line is a real good looking power gap scheme looking line, and Gurley did a lot of work on outside zone runs. Gurley is only a 1 year deal though, so if it works it works, if not alright. Also we drafted Josh Jones to develop which was important as tackles can take a beating and both Trent and Jack has injury histories.

Tua's weapons aren't fantastic, but they are roster able. Quintez Cephus will need to get more separation, and projecting him as the starter is a big ask, however last year we had Brice Butler -- soo we've upgraded the spot. Cephus impressed me with his possession catches and his ability to win 50/50 balls. He has hops, and so does Donovan Peoples-Jones our other rookie wide out. DPJ I drafted earlier, but is our projected backup because he is an athletic project in our view. We think he has WR1 upside, but needs time to develop into that player. This shortened offseason may harm that outlook as well and we likely look at the top crop of WRs next year and roll the wheel again. Harmon returns as a successful 5th round pick last year, and we hope Cephus can provide similar or better returns and DPJ as a longer term investment. Our slot Crowder looks to have a heavy load as the veteran of the group, and hopefully Ebron can focus and limit his drops to add another element. Rookie TEs Hunter Bryant looks like an athletic receiving option that is ready to roll as a #2 as long as his knees check out. I'm not too sad about his run blocking prospects as he was one of our 7th round picks and the receiving outlets aspect is more important right now for Tua. Pinkney I liked as a person and although he doesn't have the athletic profile I think he is a try hard and an effort guy that would be able to contribute.

Littleton and Kevin Pierre Lewis should upgrade our LB corps, especially if Mack Wilson takes a step. Between Wilson and Littleton I believe we have two above average coverage linebackers which is a nice feeling when I intend to send 5 frequently at the QB. I like KPL and believe he may start over Wilson if Wilson doesn't take the necessary step this year, which is possible with the weird offseason.

AJ Green, Lamar Jackson come in as depth CBs with the right build. It's funny that they have the superstar names, but I was targeting Dane Jackson as well, but Buffalo snagged him. I wanted some guys that could work in press man. I hope at least one of the two pans out so I don't need to go off on the position next offseason, but I am confident in Amik to lock down a spot. With Haha and Kojo on one year safety deals I think the defensive backs will be passable, especially due to what I consider an impressive front line that should generate considerable pressure.

After last year not taking STers I'm happy to have landed Hot Rod and Charlton two guys I think can possibly be long term solutions at kicker and punter. I'm not demanding excellence, I just want NFL talent there.

My expectations are about 6 to 8 wins with our WRs and DBs being the biggest issues. I hope for a break out from either group, but overall very excited for the future of the team especially with the foundations laid in the trenches and a franchise QB on board, just have to shed a few more of those starter expansion contracts this next year and the team should really take shape.

[Hulky]

The St Louis Music claim Leonard Fournette 1y/4mil and waive Haha Clinton Dix

sign Javin White minimum (corresponding move: waive Elijah Holyfield)

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Brett Rypien
RB: Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette, Eno Benjamin, Bo Scarborough
FB: Bronson Reichsteiner
WR: Quintez Cephus, Emanuel Hall
WR: Kelvin Harmon, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Slot: Jamison Crowder, Anthony Johnson
TE: Eric Ebron, Hunter Bryant, Jared Pinkney
LT: Trent Brown, Trey Adams, Scott Frantz
LG: Dalton Risner, Gage Cervenka
C : Lloyd Cushenberry, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Ben Bredeson, Jamil Douglas
RT: Jack Conklin, Josh Jones

4-3 Under multiple defense under 2nd year HC Kris Richard
DT 5Tech/3Tech: AJ Epenesa, Tanoh Kpassagnon
NT 1Tech: Rashard Lawrence, Gerald Willis
3Tech/5Tech: Jurrell Casey, Zach Allen
Edge Hand in dirt 9Tech: Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos
Edge Stand up blitzer: Shaq Barrett, Duke Ejofor

LB: Corey Littleton, Kevin Pierre-Lewis
LB: Mack Wilson, Chase Hansen, Javin White

CB: Dre Kirkpatrick, AJ Green (Oklahoma State)
CB: Mackenzie Alexander, Lamar Jackson (Nebraska)
Nickel: Amik Robertson
FS: Deshon Elliott, Jaquan Johnson
SS: Karl Joseph

LS: Michael Pifer
K: Rodrigo Blankenship
P: Joseph Charlton

[Hulky]

If anyone could give me feedback on roughly where they would think my team would be picking in the upcoming draft that would be much appreciated. With Tent Brown missing a lot of time, Josh Jones will have been the other tackle with Jack Conklin. With Bosa's injury Shaq Barrett and Yetur Gross Matos are the primary edges with Zach Allen and AJ Epenesa rotating as base ends and three techniques with Lawrence and Willis as nose. Tanoh gets rotation work at every position. Chase Hansen is the reserve 4th Safety.

Bewteen my corners and receivers and having a rookie QB, I think there is argument for top 3 draft selection. On the other hand I think the OL, DL and run game are closer to league average and the rookie QB has limited interceptions and played winning football so I dunno. Any feedback (especially guess as to roughly where this team would be picking) is welcome as I'd like to start preparing a little bit for the draft and FA.

[TAO Edit: People responded and I have the 2nd overall pick in this upcoming draft]

[Hulky]

Cut: Trent Brown and Dre Kirkpatrick
Were under contract so right to resign: Shaq Barrett, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Mackenzie Alexander, Karl Joseph, Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette, Bo Scarbrough, Jamil Douglas

QB: Tua Tagovailoa (through 2024), Brett Rypien (through 2022)
RB: Eno Benjamin (through 2023)
FB: Alec Ingold (through 2021), Bronson Reichsteiner (through 2023)
WR: Quintez Cephus (through 2023), Emanuel Hall (through 2021)
WR: Donovan People-Jones (through 2023), Kelvin Harmon (through 2022)
Slot: Jamison Crowder (through 2021), Anthony Johnson (through 2021)
TE: Eric Ebron (through 2021), Hunter Bryant (through 2023)
LT: Josh Jones (through 2023), Trey Adams (through 2023)
LG: Dalton Risner (through 2022)
OC: Lloyd Cushenberry (through 2023), Scott Quessenberry (through 2021)
RG: Ben Bredeson (through 2023)
RT: Jack Conklin (through 2022)

DE: AJ Epenesa (through 2023), Duke Ejiofor (through 2021)
DT: Jurrell Casey (through 2022), Zach Allen (through 2022)
DT: Rashard Lawrence (through 2023)
DE: Nick Bosa (through 2023), Yetur Gross-Matos (through 2023)
LB: Corey Littleton (through 2022)
LB: Mack Wilson (through 2022), Chase Hansen (through 2021)

CB: AJ Green [CLE/Ok State] (through 2023)
CB: Lamar Jackson [NYJ/Nebraska] (through 2023)
CB: Amik Robertson (through 2023)
S: Jaquan Johnson (through 2022) Deshon Elliott (through 2021)

K: Rodrigo Blankenship (through 2023)
P: Joseph Charlton (through 2023)

Without doing the math I think I have roughly 60-65 mil of cap space heading into the year

[Hulky]

This is ugly on this forum, but it's the contracts I keep track and my cap total to keep in mind for FA signings

Player


Position / PFF Grade


2021


2022


2023


2024


2025

Tua Tagovailoa


QB / 65.4


7351270


8821524


10291778


(5th year option)



Brett Rypien


QB / 40.5


613079


703079












QB















Leonard Fournette


RB / 59.8


















RB















Eno Benjamin


RB / NA


823115


938115


1053116






Alec Ingold


FB / 64.0


678334















WR















Quintez Cephus


WR / 64.8


857668


972668


1087668






Donovan Peoples Jones


WR / 71.8


866785


981785


1096785






Jamison Crowder


WR / 75.3


11500000












Kelvin Harmon


WR / NA


762208


852208









Anthony Johnson


WR / NA


675000












Emanuel Hall


WR / NA


675000












Eric Ebron


TE / 55.6


7000000












Hunter Bryant


TE / 72.1


804435


919435


1034435






Jack Conklin


OT / 84.3


15700000


15700000









Josh Jones


OT / 43.0


1117587


1341104


1564622






Trey Adams


OT / NA


799820


914820


1029820









OT















Dalton Risner


OG / 61.3


2178954


2542113









Ben Bredeson


OG / 47.4


903600


1018600


1133600









OG


















OG















Lloyd Cushenberry


OC / 40.5















Scott Quessenberry


OC / 68.1


821063












Nick Bosa


DE / 84.9


9588721


11186841









Shaq Barrett


DE / 70.7















Yetur Gross Matos


DE / 54.7


1907056


2288468


2669879






Duke Ejiofor


DE / NA


796315












AJ Epenesa


DE/DT / 64.7


1503779


1804534


2105290






Tanoh Kpassagnon


DE/DT / 55.4















Jurrell Casey


DT / 74.4


12281000


13850000









Zach Allen


DT / 54.9


1171026


1366197









Rashard Lawrence


DT / 47.8


962318


1077318


1192318






Corey Littleton


LB / 47.1


13000000


13000000









Mack Wilson


LB / 36.2


876,126


966126









Chase Hansen


LB / 60.5


676668












Kevin Pierre Louis


LB / 67.8


















LB


















LB


















CB















Mackenzie Alexander


CB / 60.4















Amik Robertson


CB / 42.2


977972


1092972


1207972






Lamar Jackson


CB / 50.4


799820


914820


1029820






AJ Green


CB / 60.0


799820


914820


1029820






Jaquan Johnson


S / 53.9


727328


817328









Deshon Elliott


S / 66.6


789451












Karl Joseph


S / 52.7


















S















Joseph Charlton


P


780000


895000


1010000






Rodrigo Blankenship


K


807536


922536


1037536









LS


















Cap total


102572854


86802411


29574459

[Hugh]

That is by far the nerdiest post ever created about the NFL or any other professional sport, Hulky. Anywhere. I’m talking all-time.
Very impressive.

[Hulky]

Mine only a few years old, there's a lot people run for much much longer. I thought about it for years basically since Khalil Mack/Derek Carr 2014 draft I've done single season mock offseasons. Each year I kept wondering how I'd build off the last, and finally started this one the year Kyler Murray came out because I knew I didn't want him and could have to gamble a bit on who my QB would be. Free Agency tampering starts tomorrow so I'm excited to see what holes I can fill in my roster pre-draft. Also this is going to be year three so I kinda need a turn around a bit or I am going to fire the coaches... and if hiring coaches I might do a scheme change and thing I have to think about fit. It's pretty fun to do if you are really into NFL offseason. Then you can compare how much you suck comparatively or if you'd actually sport a good team for a long time. I think my team is decent for only two draft classes in and I don't think I'd be fired yet so that's good. Like I think my free agents and draft picks easily beat Mike Mayocks so far lol.

[Hulky]

St. Louis Music Resign:
Shaq Barrett 4y/68mil 17 per
Kevin Pierre-Louis 2y/8mil 4per

St. Louis Music sign:
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB 1y/3mil (IRL HOU 1y/2.5mil)
John Johnson III, S 3y/37mil (IRL CLE 3y/33.75mil)
Corey Davis, WR 3y/40mil (IRL NYJ 3y/37.5mil)
Henry Anderson, DL 2y/8mil (IRL NEP 2y/7mil)
Jamaal Williams, RB 2y/8.5mil (IRL DET 2y/7.5)
Ahkello Witherspoon, CB 1y/4.4mil (IRL SEA 1y/4mil)
Will Fuller V, WR 1y/11mil (IRL MIA 1y/10mil)
Desmond King, CB 1y/4mil (IRL HOU 1y/3.5)
Morgan Cox, LS 1y/1.4mil (IRL TEN 1y/1.1mil)

St. Louis Music Release:
Jurrell Casey, DT (two years remaining since we traded for him, but he got hurt last year, so I'm moving on for more depth signing money)
Emanuel Hall, WR

[Hulky]

We moved and changed team name because of another St. Louis team in the forum I run it on. We are now the Oakland Renegades.
https://i.imgur.com/6EY0vBn.jpg

Additionally the Oakland Renegades are trading the 2nd selection of the 2021 NFL (1.002) draft to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the 8th (1.008), and 39th (2.039) picks of the 2021 NFL draft as well as a 2022 2nd round pick that conditionally becomes a 2022 1st round pick if the Panthers advance past the Wildcard round of the playoffs.

[Hulky]

1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB (65.4 PFF Grade) 2021: 7351270 || 2022: 8821524 || 2023: 10291778 || 2024: 5th year option

2. Brett Rypien, QB (40.5 PFF Grade) 2021: 613079 || 2022: 703079

3. Jamaal Williams, RB (73.2 PFF Grade) 2021: 4250000 || 2022: 4250000

4. Eno Benjamin, RB (N/A PFF Grade) 2021: 823115 || 2022: 938115 || 2023: 1053116

5. Alec Ingold, FB ( 64.0 PFF Grade) 2021: 678334

6. Corey Davis, WR (86.9 PFF Grade) 2021: 13333333 || 2022: 13333333 || 2023: 13333333

7. Quintez Cephus, WR ( 64.8 PFF Grade) 2021: 857668 || 2022: 972668 || 2023: 1087668

8. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR (71.8 PFF Grade) 2021: 866785 || 2022: 981785 || 2023: 1096785

9. Jamison Crowder, WR (75.3 PFF Grade) 2021: 11500000

10. Kelvin Harmon, WR (NA PFF Grade) 2021: 762208 || 2022: 852208

11. Anthony Johnson, WR (NA PFF Grade) 2021: 675000

12. Will Fuller V, WR (86.2 PFF Grade) 2021: 11000000

13. Eric Ebron, TE (55.6 PFF Grade) 2021: 7000000

14. Hunter Bryant, TE (72.1 PFF Grade) 2021: 804435 || 2022: 919435 || 2023: 1034435

15. Jack Conklin, OT (84.3 PFF Grade) 2021: 15700000 || 2022: 15700000

16. Josh Jones, OT (43.0 PFF Grade) 2021: 1117587 || 2022: 1341104 || 2023: 1564622

17. Trey Adams, OT (NA PFF Grade) 2021: 799820 || 2022: 914820 || 2023: 1029820

18. Dalton Risner, OG (61.3 PFF Grade) 2021: 2178954 || 2022: 2542113

19. Ben Bredeson, OG (47.4 PFF Grade) 2021: 903600 || 2022: 1018600 || 2023: 1133600

20. Lloyd Cushenberry, C (40.5 PFF Grade) 2021: 1066467 || 2022: 1279760 || 2023: 1493054

21. Scott Quessenberry, C/G (68.1 PFF Grade) 2021: 821063

22. Nick Bosa, DE (84.9 PFF Grade) 2021: 9588721 || 2022: 11186841 || 2023: 5th Year Option

23. Shaq Barrett, DE/SLB (70.7 PFF Grade) 2021: 17000000 || 2022: 17000000 || 2023: 17000000 || 2024: 17000000

24. Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (54.7 PFF Grade) 2021: 1907056 || 2022: 2288468 || 2023: 2669879

25. Duke Ejiofor, DE/SLB (NA PFF Grade) 2021: 796315

26. AJ Epenesa, DE/DT (64.7 PFF Grade) 2021: 1503779 || 2022: 1804534 || 2023: 2105290

27. Henry Anderson, DE/DT (67.9 PFF Grade) 2021: 4000000 || 2022: 4000000

28. Zach Allen, DT (54.9 PFF Grade) 2021: 1171026 || 2022: 1366197

29. Rashard Lawrence, DT (47.8 PFF Grade) 2021: 962318 || 2022: 1077318 || 2023: 1192318

30. Cory Littleton, LB (47.1 PFF Grade) 2021: 13000000 || 2022: 13000000

31. Mack Wilson, LB (36.2 PFF Grade) 2021: 876126 || 2022: 966126

32. Chase Hansen, LB/S (60.5 PFF Grade) 2021: 676668

33. Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB (67.8 PFF Grade) 2021: 4000000 || 2022: 4000000

34. Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB (50.4 PFF Grade) 2021: 3000000

35. Desmond King, CB (65.5 PFF Grade) 2021: 4000000

36. Ahkello Witherspoon (80.2 PFF Grade) 2021: 4400000

37. Amik Robertson (42.2 PFF Grade) 2021: 977972 || 2022: 1092972 || 2023: 1207972

38. Lamar Jackson, CB (50.4 PFF Grade) 2021: 799820 || 2022: 914820 || 2023: 1029820

39. AJ Green, CB (60.0 PFF Grade) 2021: 799820 || 2022: 914820 || 2023: 1029820

40. John Johnson III, S (85.6 PFF Grade) 2021: 14000000 || 2022: 13000000 || 2023: 13000000

41. Jaquan Johnson, S (53.9 PFF Grade) 2021: 727328 || 2022: 817328

42. Deshon Elliott, S (66.6 PFF Grade) 2021: 789451

43. Joseph Charlton, P (76.1 PFF Grade) 2021: 780000 || 2022: 895000 || 2023: 1010000

44. Rodrigo Blankenship, K (61.3 PFF Grade) 2021: 807536 || 2022: 922536 || 2024: 1037536

45. Morgan Cox, LS (PFF Grade) 2021: 1400000

46. Draft Pick 1.008 || 2021: 3838581 || 2022: 4798226 || 2023: 5757871 || 2024: 6717516 || 2025: 5th year option

47. Draft Pick 2.034 || 2021: 1625535 || 2022: 2031919 || 2023: 2438303 || 2024: 2844687

48. Draft Pick 2.039 || 2021: 1525066 || 2022: 1906333 || 2023: 2287600 || 2024: 2668867

49. Draft Pick 3.066 || 2021: 949712 || 2022: 1187140 || 2023: 1424568 || 2024: 1661996

50. Draft Pick 4.107 || 2021: 861841 || 2022: 1026841 || 2023: 1141841 || 2024: 1256841

51. Draft Pick 5.034 || 2021: 748715 || 2022: 913715 || 2023: 1028715 || 2024: 1143715

52. Draft Pick 6.185 || 2021: 711963 || 2022: 876963 || 2023: 991963 || 2024: 1106963

53. Draft Pick 7.034 || 2021: 688615 || 2022: 853615 || 2023: 968615 || 2024: 1083615


TOTAL Team Cap hit: 2021: 182016682 || 2022: 143410256 || 2023: 90440322 || 2024: 35484200

[Hulky]

Signed Sammis Reyes, TE from the International Player Pipeline & Tulane Basketball for $875k year one (2021) and a million years two and three (2022/2023). Waived Anthony Johnson.

[Hulky]

I selected Justin Fields at the 8th pick

[Hulky]

Traded Justin Fields to Chicago for what they gave up to move up and take him. Took Christian Darrisaw at 20

[Hulky]

Took Javonte Williams, RB North Carolina right here at 34

[Hulky]

Took the Bears trade at 39

*** Traded to Bears 2.039 + 5.146 -> 2.052 + 3.083 + 6.204 ***

[Hulky]

Took Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, SS/WLB Norte Dame right here at 52

[Hulky]

With the 66th pick, I am taking Alim McNeill, DT North Carolina State

[Hulky]

With the 83rd pick (from Bears) select Wyatt Davis, RG The Ohio State

[Hulky]

Selected Jabril Cox, LB LSU at 107 second pick of 4th round

[Hulky]

Selecting Marvin Wilson, DT Florida State at 164 in the 5th round

[Hulky]

selected Thomas Graham Jr., CB Oregon with the 186th pick

[Hulky]

selected at 230 Shaka Toney, SLB/LEO Penn State

[Hulky]

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Brett Rypien
RB: Javonte Williams, Jamaal Williams, Eno Benjamin
FB: Alec Ingold
WR: Corey Davis, Kelvin Harmon
WR: Will Fuller, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Slot: Jamison Crowder, Quintez Cephus
TE: Eric Ebron, Hunter Bryant, Sammis Reyes
LT: Christian Darrisaw, Josh Jones
LG: Dalton Risner
OC: Lloyd Cushenberry, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Wyatt Davis, Ben Bredeson
RT: Jack Conklin

5T: AJ Epenesa, Henry Anderson
1T: Alim McNeill, Rashad Lawrence
3T: Zach Allen, Marvin Wilson
9T: Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos
SLB: Shaq Barrett, Shaka Toney
MLB: Jabril Cox, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Kamu Grugier-Hill
WLB: Cory Littleton, Mack Wilson, Chase Hansen
CB: Akhello Witherspoon, Tay Gowan, Lamar Jackson (also SS #3)
CB: Thomas Graham, AJ Green
Nickel: Desmond King, Amik Robertson
FS: John Johnson, Jaquan Johnson
SS: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Deshon Elliott
LS: Morgan Cox
K: Rodrigo Blankenship
P: Joseph Charlton

[KBHoleN1]

I'm not great at judging player talent or team building from a meta perspective. Is there a way for you to grade your team against other teams created on this forum? Like, can you score your draft based on needs or evaluate your total roster? Do you use the team to track fantasy scoring during the season? Or is this just a theoretical exercise that you have fun with?

Also, The Oakland Renegades is a much better team name than the St Louis Music. At the risk of turning you into an Arena team, I feel like the gray jerseys need a neon orange accent to make them pop.

[Hulky]

I'm not great at judging player talent or team building from a meta perspective. Is there a way for you to grade your team against other teams created on this forum? Like, can you score your draft based on needs or evaluate your total roster? Do you use the team to track fantasy scoring during the season? Or is this just a theoretical exercise that you have fun with?

Also, The Oakland Renegades is a much better team name than the St Louis Music. At the risk of turning you into an Arena team, I feel like the gray jerseys need a neon orange accent to make them pop.

Purely theoretical no scoring or anything. The other people that run them none of us really compare to one another, some do like "I'm the GM for the Saints for the next 3/4 years" to see if they think they did a better job than the real GM. Others are more like mine where I made a mock expansion team where I didn't really intend to keep the players long term, but draft and sign FAs to see if I could make a competitive team. I think probably close to 40 players on the roster I've either drafted or signed as undrafted free agents and this is the 3rd offseason so far. Usually at the end of the year I make a post kind of explaining the general thought of how my team would have done and ask people where they think my team would be picking in the draft. No scoring or anything like that, but people usually say things like you have defensive pieces, but because Bosa was hurt and your CBs aren't good you likely have a bottom 10 defense, and Tua missed the start of the year then Trent Brown was hurt bottom 10 offense you pick 2nd or 3rd. That type of thing, not really RB has 1100 yards, the same guy would have 1100 on this team. Just kinda a rough "is this team good or bad" then keep building. I do roughly 10% over winning FA bids and don't steal from elite teams unless they are going to be depth for the good team and a starter for me. This way I can't sign just anyone and everyone and contend, I mostly stick to the cap but some things you can't super do well like restructures and guarantees and moving dead space around. I just try to stay under and overpay FAs. Resigning my guys though, I pay market rate because I already had them in house (ie. Shaq Barrett). I also don't structure the money exactly how irl does, like Raiders paid Cory Littleton 33 mil or something like that over 3 years, and I did 39 over year. Mine was 13 13 13, Raiders did like 3, 12, 9, then dead years of 3 3 3 or something along those lines. Sometimes I'll front load a bit to get closer to the cap year one and be a more normal wage down the line too. I think I did that for John Johnson or Corey Davis this year with something like 14 13 13.

In my three years, pretty sure I've outperformed Mike Mayock for the Raiders lol. All my drafted players (except Trey Adams who retired) are still on my team and Amik Robertson is probably my biggest bust but he was a 4th rounder... that Mike Mayock also took (I think in the 5th?). When I draft I draft during my time slot, and if that spot actual factual traded I can accept the trade. That happened this year with pick 39, but also I took Justin Fields, then just accepted the deal when the Bears traded up to take him a few picks later (but I took him when I was OTC not hindsight). I would have kept Fields if a team didn't move up for him. The only projection-y fake trade was the Panthers who I took a less than normal rate for the pick before even the 49ers moved up. I also can beat trades, like I beat the Broncos trade for Jurrell Casey last year, and when I moved down from 39 I gave up a slightly high late round pick since other teams dont have the exact same picks as me.

I just took a Jersey and rolled with it, I dunno how well I could edit in a color swap somewhere but maybe. Basically when I started I wanted to be the Raiders but the Raiders still were in Oakland so I went STL. I originally had STL looking like a music note and was the Music and in the colors or light and dark blue. Another poster started a franchise in St Louis so I moved to Oakland to not confuse the two threads there.

[KBHoleN1]

It's really cool that you've found something like this that you get to world build for.

[Hulky]

Oakland Renegades sign #22 Steven Nelson, CB (IRL to Eagles 1y/4mil) to a 1y/5mil deal. Oakland Renegades are waiving Chase Hansen, LB and giving Jamison Crowder a paycut to $7,500,000 from $11,500,000, IRL Crowder took a paycut to $5,500,000 with the NYJ.

Lamar Jackson (Nebraska) will enter training camp as a SS, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah a WLB, in addition to Cory Littleton moving to MLB and changing his number to #42.

That makes it:

QB: Tua Tagovailoa (MIA), Brett Rypien (DEN)
RB: Javonte Williams (DEN), Jamaal Williams (DET), Eno Benjamin (ARI)
FB: Alec Ingold (LVR)
WR: Corey Davis (NYJ), Kelvin Harmon (WFT)
WR: Will Fuller (MIA), Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE)
WR: Jamison Crowder (NYJ), Quintez Cephus (DET)
TE: Eric Ebron (DET), Hunter Bryant (DET), Sammis Reyes (WFT)
LT: Christian Darrisaw (MIN), Josh Jones (ARI)
LG: Dalton Risner (DEN)
OC: Lloyd Cushenberry (DEN), Scott Quessenberry (LAC)
RG: Wyatt Davis (MIN), Ben Bredeson (BAL)
RT: Jack Conklin (CLE)

5T/DE: AJ Epenesa (BUF), Henry Anderson (NEP)
1T/NT: Alim McNeill (DET), Rashard Lawrence (ARI)
3T/DT: Zach Allen (ARI), Marvin Wilson (CLE)
9T/DE: Nick Bosa (SFO), Yetur Gross-Matos (CAR)
SLB/DE: Shaq Barrett (TAM), Shaka Toney (WFT)
MLB: Cory Littleton (LVR), Jabril Cox (DAL), Kevin Pierre-Louis (HOU)
WLB: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (CLE), Mack Wilson (CLE), Kamu Grugier-Hill (HOU)
CB: Ahkello Witherspoon (SEA), Tay Gowan (ARI), AJ Green (CLE)
CB: Steven Nelson (PHI), Thomas Graham (CHI)
CB: Desmond King (HOU), Amik Robertson (LVR)
FS: John Johnson (CLE), Jaquan Johnson (BUF)
SS: Deshon Elliott (BAL), Lamar Jackson (NYJ)

LS: Morgan Cox (TEN)
K: Rodrigo Blankenship (IND)
P: Joseph Charlton (CAR)

[Hulky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7NMBeJNWo

Traded Amik Robertson for Jacob Eason when Eason was released earlier this year.
Traded Ahkello Witherspoon for the offer the Steelers gave for him, then used that pick for Charles Omenihu at trade dead line. I think that more or less catches up to the moves I did during the season. I picked up Kingsley Keke when the Packers cut him.

I wrote this end of year:

Just curious if the other posters think my projection of 6-11 seems reasonable to the other posters. I won't take offense if you think my team has more or less wins, I just want to have a more accurate positioning for the draft.

QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Brett Rypien (2 starts), Jamie Newman (only was on the roster when Tua was hurt), Jacob Eason (picked up in trade when he was waived as QB3)
RB: Javonte Williams, Jamaal Williams, Eno Benjamin (Williams would split carries, with Javonte being a bellcow when Jamaal was hurt)
FB: Alec Ingold (got hurt)
WR: Corey Davis (got hurt), Quintez Cephus (got hurt)
WR: Donovan Peoples Jones, Kelvin Harmon (WFT PS irl)
SLOT: Will Fuller V (got hurt), Jamison Crowder
TE: [essentially none] Eric Ebron (terrible despite the name value and contract), Hunter Bryant (hurt), Sammis Reyes (end of roster WFT)
LT: Christian Darrisaw (hurt early), Josh Jones
LG: Dalton Risner
OC: Lloyd Cushenberry, Scott Quessenberry
RG: Wyatt Davis (irl didn't play), Ben Bredeson (was very bad on NYG, but started games irl)
RT: Jack Conklin (fantastic, but got hurt), Carson Green (I don't think he played irl)

[with Conklin out my vision is LT: Darrisaw LG: Jones �� Quessenberry RG: Cushenberry RT: Risner]

DE: AJ Epenesa, Henry Anderson/Charles Omenihu (Anderson went on IR, Omenihu was traded for to replace, they rotate at 5tech with Epenesa and 3tech in passing situations)
NT: Alim McNeill, Rashard Lawrence, Marvin Wilson
DT: Zach Allen, [Marvin Wilson]
DE: Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross Matos
LB/EDGE: Shaq Barrett, Shaka Toney
LB: Jabril Cox (got hurt), Kevin Pierre-Louis, Corey Littleton
LB: Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Mack Wilson
CB: Steven Nelson, AJ Green
CB: Desmond King, Tay Gowan
Nickle: Thomas Graham
FS: John Johnson III, Jaquan Johnson
SS: Deshon Elliott (got hurt), Lamar Jackson [JOK would play box safety role after Elliott fell]

LS: Morgan Cox
K: Rodrigo Blankenship (got hurt)
P: Joseph Charlton (got hurt)

___
The Oakland Renegades are firing Kris Richard as Head Coach after three seasons. I posted earlier in the year the goal for extensions was a short term one is pick outside of the top ten, and a long term was make the playoffs this year. I think injuries bit us a touch too much and top 10 this year is 7 wins and I feel that is pretty close and I think 6 is realistic. We unfortunately lost Tua for a couple games early, and when he returned our WR group was battered, and our best offensive player got hurt around the return as well with Conklin.

The Renegades are promoting Aaron Glenn (interviewed Brian Flores, Brian Daboll and Matt Eberflus as well) and retaining our offensive coordinator Marcus Brady with a three year extension, so all coaches will have 4 year deals ('22, '23, '24, '25). Additionally going to hire out some more staff.

Head Coach - Aaron Glenn
Offensive Coordinator - Marcus Brady
Defensive Coordinator - Jerry Gray
Special Teams Coordinator - Tracy Smith
QB Coach - T.C. McCartney
RB Coach - Kennedy Polamalu
WR Coach - Keenan McCardell
TE Coach - Taylor Embree
OL Coach / Asst. HC - Mike Munchak
DL Coach - Andre Patterson
LB Coach - Larry Foote
DB Coach - Jonathan Cooley

With the regular season finished the Oakland Renegades finish the season 6-11 and will pick 8th (right before the 7 win teams ATL DEN NYJ WFT SEA). Additionally OAK holds the Bears first round pick from trading Justin Fields, so the Renegades will pick 7th and 8th in 2022. From the Panthers trade down from 2nd overall, the Renegades also have the 38th pick, as well as our natural 39th pick. In the third round we pick after the Bears at 72. In the fourth we hold the Bears pick (IRL held by NYG) at 103rd, as well as our natural 4th at 104th. In the last three rounds we only hold our natural picks which land at 136th after the Bears in the 5th, 166th before the Bears in the 6th, and 200 after the Bears in the 7th. Leaving us with a before compensatory picks announced list of:

1.007
1.008
2.038
2.039
3.072
4.103
4.104
5.166
6.166
7.200

[KBHoleN1]

Robot Joe Buck is tripping me out.

[Hulky]

Free Agency 2022 (edit as moves happen)
2022 Draft Picks
1.007
1.008
2.038
2.039
3.072
4.111
5.155
6.201
7.227

Resignings
Morgan Cox, LS 1y/1,272,500
Desmond King, CB 2y/7,000,000

Tender
Alec Ingold, FB 1y/2,433,000

Extensions
Nick Bosa, DE 4y/120,000,000 (instead of the ~11mil this year and 30 per the following 4 years, it is ~35mil this year then 24mil per in 23, 24, 25, 26)

Trade acquisitions
Amari Cooper, WR
La'el Collins, RT

Free Agents
James Daniels, IOL 3y/29mil (9,666,666 apy)

___________
above is copy paste from my other thread. Still looking to resign Jamison Crowder and Deshon Elliott just waiting to see if their real life contracts beat what I could do. I fake extended Nick Bosa for top defender money where in real life I think SF is waiting. I wanted to push some money forward (which SF would not want to do lol) so I did mine now. I think 30 per is something he'd take especially after losing 1 of his first three years to a knee injury I'm sure money now instead of 4th year, option year, then messing with franchise tags and all that. James Daniels is going to be in a weird competition in the summer, he'll play RG if Wyatt Davis is worse at his job than Lloyd Cushenberry is at center and Daniels will play center if the reverse is true. The loser would become the primary reserve interior lineman. I traded my second fourth round pick, then swapped in the 5th and 6th for Amari and La'el. The picks have changed otherwise a bit because of comp picks.

[Hulky]

Site was dead during the draft. This was the Renegades draft haul:

2022 Draft Selections
1.007 -- Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
1.008 --Accept the Saint's trade up to the Commanders at 11. Renegades send pick No. 8 to the Saints for Nos. 16, 98 and 120.
1.016 -- From NOLA -- Trent McDuffie, CB Washington
2.038 -- Accept the Falcons trade up to the Giants at 38. Renegades send pick No. 38 to the Falcons for Nos. 43 and 114.
2.039 -- Kyler Gordon, CB Washington
2.043 -- From ATL -- Nakobe Dean, MLB Georgia
3.072 -- Travis Jones, NT Connecticut
3.098 -- From NOLA -- Sam Howell, QB UNC
4.111 -- Charlie Kolar, TE Iowa State
4.114 -- From ATL -- Khalil Shakir, WR Boise State
4.120 -- From NOLA -- Zach Tom, T/C Wake Forest
5.155 -- James Mitchell, TE Virginia Tech
6.201 -- Ryan Stonehouse, P Colorado State
7.227 -- Jalen Wydermeyer, TE Texas A&M

Blog entry 1: Initial plan was Sauce Gardner at 7, and Derek Stingley at 8. When Stingley went 3rd, I moved Ikem Ekwonu as my choice at 8. Sauce went 4th, and my plan altered to Ikem at 7 and Kyle Hamilton at 8. Ikem went 6th and I had Kyle Hamilton at 7 and wait to see if I could match a trade down while OTC. I waited as the 8th, 9th and 10th picks rolled off the board and was targeting either Devin Lloyd or Trent McDuffie. I was going to select Devin Lloyd when I saw the Saints trading up to 11 and accepted the same deal for pick 8. I was now on the board for 16 with my two choices of McDuffie and Lloyd. As the picks crept I decided on McDuffie as I was more confident either Lloyd or Dean would make it to one of my second round picks than I was of a CB1 like McDuffie, Elam, Gordon or Booth. I need both a CB1 and another potential CB2 to take over for Steven Nelson potentially and Lloyd is a bit older of a prospect for an additional tie breaker. I had Lloyd as a 90 grade initially and McDuffie as an 88, so the grades were close. Now that I landed McDuffie I'm less knocking McCreary for his arm length as I was in my initial grades and McCreary has drastically risen on my board (about 10 points ~83). I'm very excited for day 2.

Blog entry 2: Was looking hard at McCreary as mentioned in my previous blog, and with him going off the board I traded 38 for 43 and 114 when I entered the clock, and Gordon was my clear next CB with Booth slightly behind him but with injury questions. Pairing both Washington CBs in Oakland. Booth remains on the board for future picks, but the injury concerns drop him although I feel this is his healthy range. Nakobe Dean is my top target upcoming, but felt comfortable with the slight trade back given reports of injury concerns and being a LB. Some depth at LB too if I get sniped.

Blog entry 3: Andrew Booth goes 42, very happy to have gone with Gordon at 39 almost got locked out of my CB2 which was a high priority to me. Very happy to land Nakobe Dean. Loved both Devin Lloyd and Dean and was impressed with each of them off the field and their leadership abilities, getting one at value is absolutely ideal. I was willing to roll with another linebacker in the 3rd or 4th, but I really wanted one of the two I viewed as exceptional people and leaders in the second. Identity builder.

Blog entry 4: On the wait to 72, I did not expect Travis Jones to still be there. Between Alim and Travis it's going to be a lot of blockers occupied for our linebackers to operate. I was initially going to target TE here, but with my collection of 4th rounders I'm going BPA once again.

Blog entry 5: I'm up at 98 and had a little moment of disappointment when I saw the Colts move up, then they didn't take him. I want Howell. I had DeMarvin Leal written up for 98, who is not available after going to the Steelers in the 80s, and I'm moving Howell from the 4th where I had him only due to the QB slide to now. Love Howell and excited to add him to the QB room.

Blog entry 5: Cade Otton off the board at the start of the 4th and a guy I was targeting in this round. Was hoping for Otton at 111 and Kolar at 114. New plan is Kolar at 111 and Khalil Shakir at 114.

Blog entry 6: Torn between Jalyn Armour Davis and Zach Tom here upcoming at 120. edit: Oh Armour-Davis just went 119, that makes it easier.

Blog entry 7: I'm debating Matthew Butler who I really liked, but I feel like I had one DT slot and I took Travis Jones. I still might want Butler as a 3tech, but I have Kingsley Keke, Marvin Wilson, Zach Allen and my 5 techs Charles Omenihu and AJ Epenesa could get snaps there. It's a rough competition for roster spots for my big boys. Alim and Jones are my top two DTs though, but I'm still intrigued in what Butler would add. My other considerations are Justyn Ross who would add a lot of size to my WR group, but I have Amari, Davis, and Crowder with DPJ, Cephus and rookie Khalil Shakir. I think the slot Ross would battle for is Cephus'. Thomas Booker and Curtis Brooks are two more DTs I like behind Butler, but same issue of how many capable bodies under contract, that also makes three guys if all remain on board to maybe wait. Punter Matt Araiza is on my radar, but I also really like Ryan Stonehouse and I may just continue waiting it out until one of the two goes or pick 227 comes up. I'm still slightly intrigued by some TEs mainly James Mitchell and might gamble on Wydermeyer developing behind Kolar, but I feel like that's more a 201 thought. I'm mostly leaning towards Butler v. Mitchell v. Ross. Getting one of the athletic freaks with insane size at CB would be something too, but I'm happy with my CB group after adding McDuffie and Gordon. Kingsley Enagbare I like around here as well, but I have Yetur behind Bosa and I'm not really looking to hold a third behind them. edit: 4 picks out and I'm leaning towards Mitchell because I see a clear path to the 53 man roster.

Blog entry 8: I wrote: "Punter Matt Araiza is on my radar, but I also really like Ryan Stonehouse and I may just continue waiting it out until one of the two goes or pick 227 comes up." Well, Araiza went 180th, so at 201 I took Ryan Stonehouse. I have one more pick this year at 227 in the 7th, and Curtis Brooks, Justyn Ross, and Jalen Wydermeyer I mentioned in the previous post and as of right now at 201 are still available. I think I'd rank them Brooks, Ross and then Wydermeyer, but best chance to make the 53 man roster is the opposite order. Hopefully one or two (but not all three!) go off the board before 227 to make it easier. I liked Devin Harper as my sleeper 7th for a long time and thought Damone Clark's spine might make him available as well, but each of them is gone. Diesch and West OL from ASU would have been considered, but I addressed both T/C with Zach Tom in the 4th. Dontarrio Drummond the WR from Ole Miss might be my sleeper 7th at the moment.

[Hulky]

5th year option for Tua Tagovailoa picked up.

Resignings:
Jamaal Williams, RB -- MATCHED -- 3y/12,000,000/4,000,000 per year (NOLA)
Dalton Risner, LG -- MATCHED -- hasn't signed yet, but will match
DeShon Elliott, S -- MATCHED -- 1y/1,770,000 (MIA)
Charles Omenihu, DE -- thank you for your time with the Oakland Renegades -- 2y/20,000,000 with the KC Chiefs
Zach Allen, DL -- MATCHED -- 3y/45,750,000/15,250,000 per year (DEN)
Morgan Cox, LS -- MATCHED -- 1y/1,317,000 (TEN)
Trayvon Mullen, CB -- thank you for your time with the Oakland Renegades -- ????? with the Baltimore Ravens
Jaquan Johnson, S -- MATCHED -- 1y/1,232,500 (LVR)
Mack Wilson, LB -- MATCHED -- 1y/2,200,000 (NEP)
Jamison Crowder, WR -- thank you for your time with the Oakland Renegades -- 1y/1,317,500 with the NY Giants
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB -- thank you for your time with the Oakland Renegades --
Brett Rypien, QB -- thank you for your time with the Oakland Renegades --

Free Agents:
Cory Littleton, LB -- welcome back to OAK-- 1y/2,200,000 (HOU)

Trade:
Jeff Okudah, CB -- welcome to OAK -- 4.125 to DET (beat ATL '23 5th) -- 1y/5,182,074 (5th year/11,514,000 option -- which we pick up)

2023 Draft Selections
1.021
2.054
3.085
5.156
7.239


The Oakland Renegades are meeting with the following for their top 30 visits:
01. Bijan Robinson, RB Texas
02. Chase Brown, RB Illinois
03. Josh Downs, WR North Carolina
04. Michael Wilson, WR Stanford
05. Michael Mayer, TE Notre Dame
06. Darnell Washington, TE Georgia
07. Peter Skoronski, OL Northwestern
08. Broderick Jones, OT Georgia
09. Paris Johnson Jr., OT The Ohio State
10. Jon Gaines II, RG UCLA
11. Dillan Gibbons, LG Florida State
12. John Michael Schmitz, C Minnesota
13. Olusegun Oluwatimi, C Michigan
14. Brett Neilon, C USC
15. Nolan Smith, EDGE Georgia
16. Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE USC
17. Kobie Turner, DL Wake Forest
18. Moro Ojomo, DL Texas
19. Jack Campbell, LB Iowa
20. Trenton Simpson, LB Clemson
21. Henry Too'too, LB Alabama
22. DeMarvion Overshown, LB Texas
23. Joey Porter Jr., CB Penn State
24. Mekhi Blackmon, CB USC
25. Sydney Brown, S Illinois
26. J'Ayir Brown, S Penn State
27. Jordan Battle, S Alabama
28. Jammie Robinson, S Florida State
29. Jake Moody, K Michigan
30. Christopher Dunn, K North Carolina


2023 Draft Selections
1.021 -- Accept the Giants trade [to Jaguars at 24] of 1.025 + 5.160 + 7.240
1.025 -- Accept the Bills trade [to Jaguars at 25] of 1.027 + 4.130
1.027 -- Nolan Smith, EDGE/LB Georgia
2.054 -- John Michael Schmitz, C Minnesota
3.085 -- Darnell Washington, TE Georgia
4.130 -- Antonio Johnson, Nickel CB/S Texas A&M
5.156 -- Chase Brown, RB Illinois
5.160 -- Isaiah Moore, LB North Carolina State
7.239 -- Christopher Dunn, K North Carolina State
7.240 -- Dillan Gibbons, LG Florida State
UDFA: Jalen Wayne, WR South Alabama

Draft Notes:
Blog entry 1: I really wanted Michael Mayer and was on it for a while, until my number one player was on the board at 21. I started to write in Nolan Smith, but was really comfortable with my board and uncomfortable with the number of picks I had. Although Nolan was much higher on my board than Michael Mayer (who was #1 on my board for reasonably available), I think I could hide the hole Nolan would fill easier with scheme than I could Mayer. The Giants moved up and I matched figuring they were selecting a prospect off my board but I assumed it would be John Michael Schmitz. I could accept that risk because I really want more picks.

Blog entry 2: The Jaguars are back on the clock at my new selection of 25 and trade down again for a 4th, which I was very excited to recoup as I traded mine for Jeff Okudah. The Bills were jumping Dallas, and I figured Michael Mayer was probably leaving my board either with the Bills or Cowboys pick, but that's alright because I'll have Nolan Smith if it goes TE TE. Worst case maybe Mayer goes, then Nolan Smith (maybe Micah plays "LEO" and Smith "SLB" for Dallas' defense instead of bouncing Micah back and forth). If that's the case I can go John Michael Schmitz and at least I've recoupped a 4, 5 and 7. I think the risk is fine again.

Blog entry 3: I'm OTC at 27 and write in Michael Mayer. Maybe I've missed some major injury news on Nolan Smith. I start googling, it's the pectoral I knew about. I don't care about the pectoral. I quickly edit "or Nolan Smith". I'm tripping it's my two favorite prospects for the Renegades. I decide to let the clock run out repeatedly to see if the Bengals or Saints either take Mayer/Nolan so I'd get the other or get an appealing offer to trade up and get Levis with a 5th year option. I figured the Bengals would select Mayer, and if they did I'd stop and immediately select Nolan as I think the Saints might take him. The Saints pick is in, meaning no trade offer, and I'm not risking Nolan rejoining Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and now Jalen Carter in Philly. I'm taking Nolan Smith and can't believe he's available. I am deeply hoping NFL teams are on arm length for TE and there is a micro-shot I can get in range for Michael Mayer tomorrow. If not I love my BB and will trust it. I can't believe I got my number one prospect (check this quoted post for Raiders BB for pick 7, though I did take Jalen Carter in my Raider Nation v.. Ziegler and with pick 9 for the Idaho Hogs). I'm so fired up for Nolan Smith and he steps into the role I have Shaq Barrett in, and who is coming off an Achilles injury, and Shaka Toney who is indefinitely suspended for gambling. The need was realistically greater than my perspective while collecting picks, but the trade downs were so small at the time and the fit of Mayer was good enough to constantly take that risk. Really happy.




On 4/25/2023 at 5:24 PM, Trojan said:

1. Nolan Smith
2. Will Anderson
3. Jalen Carter
4. Trade Down
5. Anthony Richardson
6. Bijan Robinson
7. Paris Johnson
8. Devon Witherspoon

* Jalen Carter pending he passed the character and interviews, replace with Peter Skoronski if not.
Expand


Blog entry 4: Patiently waiting for the Renegades second round pick, and the Raiders took my ideal target on a trade up. Very happy for Michael Mayer as the Raiders are my irl favorite team. As 54 approaches, I'm hoping for John Michael Schmitz who I graded as a first rounder.

Blog entry 5: I see the Chiefs have moved up to 54, going to take a minute and review the offer. edit: Chiefs moved to 55 from what I see not 54. I'm taking JMS.

Blog entry 6: As Tucker Kraft comes off the board at 78, 8 picks before the Renegades are up we are nervous our target Darnell Washington is at risk. If Washington goes we'll have a big pivot. Josh Downs oof, that was the first pivot to keep it an offensive weapon for Tua/Howell. Washington is higher on our board than many TEs that have gone, but once he goes we're on a tier dump and can't target TE in the 1/2/3 rounds anymore. With Downs going I'm not sure we're going offense if Washington goes.

Blog entry 7: I'm willing to trade up for Washington and I see Panthers just moved up, see if I can match that. Not sure what that trade is yet. edit: to beat their trade it would cost our 3rd and 4th so we passed. He shouldn't be available, so we hope he keeps sliding just a bit more. Looking at Antonio Johnson as a slot corner/reserve Kyle Hamilton role if Washington goes.

Blog entry 8: Man screw the 49ers drafting one of the kickers I brought in for a top 30 visit in the third. I was REALLY hoping it'd be at a more reasonable place so I can either get Moody at value or time when to strike for Dunn. Dunn is my accuracy kicker, but maybe a modest range. I have that sort of kicker, but an even more modest range in Rodrigo so I'm not going to reach I don't think. Really frustrating. 3rd round really?

Blog entry 9: New England Patriots in the early fourth select the second kicker off the board. Angry react but at least it's not Dunn.

Blog entry 10: As the 4th round approached I looked at my board and kept looking at Antonio Johnson. He was typically evaluated as a safety but played a lot of slot corner (more snaps there than anywhere else). He produced as a nickel corner at a high level and here he can compete with Desmond King, who has one year left on his contract, and if King continues to earn the job Antonio can compete at safety where John Johnson struggled last year. The Antonio Johnson selection felt like a merger of BPA and a transitional plan to reduce future needs. Braden Daniels, Jon Gaines and Isaiah McGuire were all considered, but went before making it really easy. Jammie Robinson was also considered (a top 30 visit and originally a backup plan in case Sydney and Ji'Ayir Brown were gone by my 3rd and 4th selections, or if BPA caused the 3rd round selection to be needed elsewhere (which is what happened with BPA Nolan Smith making TE go from round 2 to round 3, with JMS in round 2). When Antonio Johnson was up and the extra versatility and size sold me, I had originally thought Antonio would be a late 2 - early 3 player and didn't think he'd be a realistic option.

Blog entry 11: My two fifths were approaching and Isaiah Moore had been locked in as one of them for a long time. The other was long locked as Michael Wilson who would bounce between my plan A 4th or 5th round target, and eventually had settled as my 5th round assuming his foot injury history would scare teams down. He went 94th so I had almost two rounds to prepare something else, and decided to change up my RB3. I've had Eno Benjamin and felt he did well, but clearly something weird is with him to be released while preforming with the Cardinals and then I think bouncing from Houston to New Orleans. My RB4 was Kylin Hill who was not "wanting it" or whatever enough for GB, so I held his rights from waivers with hoping I wouldn't get stranded relying on him. Sydney Brown was one of my favorites in the class, and a selection of mine for the Idaho Hogs, but his brother Chase Brown is close to being a favorite. Chase's only knock to me is fumbling issues and we can work on that as RB3. The tandem of Jamaal Williams return and Chase Brown will allow us to not rush Javonte back if Javonte needs more time.

Blog entry 12: 7th round rolls around and I'm a bit sad my super long time targets of Christopher Dunn and Dillan Gibbons is going to be disturbed with Andrew Vorhees still being available, but the Ravens moved back into the draft and let me take my plan. I love these prospects even if they are longer shot types. I have one empty spot in my team with never addressing the WR position when Michael Wilson went. I really like the person of Jalen Wayne and he came across great in interviews to me, and then seeing instagram footwork drills and whatnot I like what he is improving and what he showed as progress and ability to jump in competition in Senior Bowl. Jalen Wayne, assuming he goes undrafted, if my one UDFA signing and making the team.

2023 Draft Selections
1.021 -- Accept the Giants trade [to Jaguars at 24] of 1.025 + 5.160 + 7.240
1.025 -- Accept the Bills trade [to Jaguars at 25] of 1.027 + 4.130
1.027 -- Nolan Smith, EDGE/LB Georgia
2.054 -- John Michael Schmitz, C Minnesota
3.085 -- Darnell Washington, TE Georgia
4.130 -- Antonio Johnson, Nickel CB/S Texas A&M
5.156 -- Chase Brown, RB Illinois
5.160 -- Isaiah Moore, LB North Carolina State
7.239 -- Christopher Dunn, K North Carolina State
7.240 -- Dillan Gibbons, LG Florida State
UDFA: Jalen Wayne, WR South Alabama


Quarterback (2/53)
Tua Tagovailoa, #13
Sam Howell, #7

Tua played elite last year, and when injured Sam Howell showed NFL talent. Tua is starting for the Miami Dolphins, and Sam Howell is starting for the Washington Commanders. On the Renegades there isn't a QB competition, but we are taking Tua's health and well being seriously and well being seriously and would no play him after head injuries like the Dolphins did. Last year when Tua did miss time, we felt confident in Howell's hands. We are extremely excited about the security he proves the team and if needed he could lead us back to the playoffs, although we projected ourselves as losing our first playoff appearance last year under Howell that was because of injuries amongst the team and his inexperience at the time. Howell has multiple starts for us. Both players are roster locks.

Runningback (3, maybe 4/53)
Javonte Williams, #25
Jamaal Williams, #30
Chase Brown, #22 (Rookie)
Eno Benjamin, #33
Kylin Hill, #32

The Renegades were so pumped for the next step for Javonte last year and unfortunately his knee gave out early on. Jamaal became a surprise starter, for both the Renegades and the Lions, and set the Lion's franchise rushing touchdown record. For the Renegades he was a fan and lockerroom favorite and named a team captain before he was even the starter. Chase Brown enters the room as the role Jamaal originally signed for years ago, a cheap contract high quality infectious personality football player that if called upon can carry a full load and be successful. Javonte and Jamaal have been models of working well in tandem situations and we excited about this trio and it's potential to alleviate Javonte's burden as he eases back from his injury. Eno Benjamin popped off in real life right when we needed him to show something, and he functioned as Jamaal's backfield mate for much of the year. In real life when Eno's role was reduced when James Conner returned from injury something happened and Eno was released, then spent time with both the Texans and Saints. Here Eno is on the last year of his deal and his roster spot isn't guaranteed. Ideally the Renegades would carrry two runningbacks as we also field a fullback. With Javonte's progress Eno may slide into the 53 once again. Kylin Hill was claimed after the Packers released him for not being professional enough or something along those lines and Hill is unlikely to make the 53 man roster and was claimed because I liked him as a prospect and if needed for a game I think he could carry the load and not be embarrassing.

Fullback (1/53)
Alec Ingold, #45

Alec Ingold returns again as a member of the undrafted free agents of the Renegades inaugural draft class (then the St. Louis Music). Alec Ingold is on the final year of his extension and all he needs to do is maintain his play, ideally improve like everyone else's goals, and stay healthy. We love Ingold in Oakland.

Wide Reciever (5, or 6/53)
Amari Cooper, #19
Corey Davis, #84
Donovan Peoples-Jones, #11
Khalil Shakir, #12
Jalen Wayne, #87 (Rookie)
Jacob Harris, #86

Amari, Corey, Donovan and Khalil return from last year's group. Amari proved he remains a WR1 after his trade from the Dallas Cowboys and this year Donovan and Corey Davis will compete for the WR2 job as Davis suffered some more injuries and DPJ impressed with development from his humble beginnings as a raw rookie. DPJ's classmate Quintez Cephus ended last year on IR and then he was involved in the gambling and would be suspended for the year (he wasn't our only player involved), so he isn't listed as we don't expect him to play for the team again. Khalil Shakir will compete with DPJ for the slot role, and he flashed in a similar role with the Bills as a rookie last year. Regardless all four will see action as rookie undrafted free agent Jalen Wayne plays on special teams and develops as a wide receiver making a fairly significant leap from South Alabama to the NFL. Jacob Harris is a receiver with tight end versatility which is why he was claimed by the team last year as Kolar started the year hurt. Harris isn't a lock to make the team, but carrying him as WR6 is not unreasonable, nor is he unreasonable as TE4.

Tight End (3, or 4/53)
Darnell Washington, #80 (Rookie)
Charlie Kolar, #88
James Mitchell, #82
Jalen Wydermeyer, #85
Honorable mention: Jacob Harris, #86; Sammis Reyes, #12

As the Renegades took off as an expansion franchise we started with a broken down Jimmy Graham, with a UDFA Dax Raymond. Then we pivoted to an end of career Eric Ebron pair with a 7th round rookie who never got healthy in Hunter Bryant, and a new UDFA in Jared Pinkney. Year three we experimented with selecting Pitts if he'd fall to us, but realistically looked at Hunter Long and just generally didn't like the TE class and passed when the opportunity came. We signed Chilean basketball player Sammis Reyes on a Darren Waller long shot gamble, and had to hit up the position repeatedly in year four. We came away with Charlie Kolar, James Mitchell and Jalen Wydermeyer after passing on higher graded options like Trey McBride. An opportunity presented itself to trade for Zach Ertz with draft capital and Tay Gowan, but I liked what 2/3rds of our rookie TEs offered especially paired with the upcoming draft class. We passed and passed and almost missed out again, but Darnell Washington was available in the 3rd round after a huge TE run. Darnell offers tremendous blocking potential and helps realize our vision. Mitchell is a good complementary receiving TE, and Charlie Kolar is solid overall offering positive blocking effort and receiving skill. This trio is such an exciting development for the Oakland Renegades and we have high expectations for the group. Jalen Wydermeyer hung on to a roster spot by a string last year with Kolar's injury to start the year, but he is unlikely to make the team this year barring injuries. We've mostly given up on the Sammis Reyes long shot, but we still have one more year of control and Reyes will compete against Jacob Harris for the WR/TE role if it exists.

Offensive Line (10/53)
Christian Darrisaw, #77
Dalton Risner, #66
John Michael Schmitz, #60 (rookie)
James Daniels, #68
Josh Jones, #74
La'el Collins, #71
Zach Tom, #50
Lloyd Cushenberry, #79
Dillan Gibbons, #75
Wyatt Davis, #52
Alec Lindstrom, #61

I love our line, and can't wait to match whatever offer Dalton Risner eventually accepts. La'el Collins and Josh Jones would battle for the RT job, but with Collins coming off injury it's presumed Josh Jones will win the job (outside shot of Zach Tom as well). Rookie second round pick John Michael Schmitz is projected to displace Lloyd Cushenberry who will likely rotate to guard this offseason to be a reserve guard and center. Zach Tom likely ends up being our reserve on the left side both as tackle and guard, and La'el the reserve on the right likewise. Gibbons will continue his development and hopefully earns the backup LG spot. Wyatt Davis is in a similar position, but with more draft capital used on him and disappointing years on the books. Lindstrom and Wyatt are likely battling for the 10th spot on the offensive line. If Collins misses the start of the year on PUP or something potentially all the players will make the roster. If Dalton Risner never signs, which would be very disappointing and we've intended to resign him and he's our team captain, then Zach Tom is the projected LG. When I got to the center class this year I was so excited there were so many prospects I liked and early on I kept jotting down Georgia's Sedrick Van Pran, but with his youth and coming off a Championship Van Pran returned. I had Van Pran comfortably ahead of Patterson, who I had a mid-round grade on, and just ahead of Oluwatimi and Olu a bit ahead of Stromberg. Then I got to John Michael Schmitz and thought "wow". I put him right up there with another late addition of Wisconsin's guard at the top of the class. I had Ohio State's center as my replacement Van Pran with youth and athleticism, but I kept coming back to Schmitz. Schmitz was the center I wanted most since I passed on the left handed Humphrey a couple years ago. Schmitz breakdowns on youtube just confirmed it and I moved him up and he ended up as my number two "likely available" board (just behind Michael Mayer, who has been my like forever target) for my pick in the early 20s. I thought there was a real chance he'd go 25 to NYG, and Mayer I thought would go to the Bengals if not to the Packers as his potential before me destination. Nolan Smith being my top big board player, then being available was heartbreak that I wasn't getting Michael Mayer. I absolutely love Nolan Smith as a prospect and couldn't pass on him, but I did offer a number of small trade backs so at worst I would get Mayer. I stopped in front of Philly and selected Smith and accepted Mayer almost assuredly wouldn't make it to my second (unless teams hated his length and technically, in this class, not great athleticism), but there was a glimmer I'd get to have a shot, or a shot of a trade up, for John Michael Schmitz. He's the solution to my interior. I love my guards in Risner and Daniels, but they aren't so strong as to make up for having below average center play. Schmitz has enough power that initially I wasn't sure he'd be a zone fit, then you watch him move. Watch him position himself and pass players off before going to the next phase. I'm hyped for JMS and I think he gives my OL top 5 potential.

Defensive Line (10/53)
Zach Allen, #93
Alim McNeill, #92
Travis Jones, #95
Nick Bosa, #97
Nolan Smith, #54 (Rookie)
Shaquill Barrett, #58
A.J. Epenesa, #57
Yetur Gross-Matos, #99
Rashard Lawrence, #90
Marvin Wilson, #91
Shaka Toney, #57

I love our line. We still use an attacking front and line up like a 4-3 under frequently. This is sort of a 5 man front in a way with a 5tech base end (Zach Allen, AJ Epenesa), 1tech nose tackle (Alim McNeill, Rashard Lawrence), penetrating 3tech (Travis Jones, Marvin Wilson), and a wide 9 edge rusher (Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos), the 5th comes from an outside linebacker position (Shaq Barrett, Nolan Smith, Shaka Toney). This is the same group as last year a major reason of our projected wildcard berth. Shout out Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa and I gave him a front loaded extension this offseason, and if the 49ers pay him considerably more I'll pay him a bonus to not cheat the man that makes my team tick. The difference for the Renegades is last year Shaq Barrett tore his Achilles, and this year we expect him back, but we have first round pick Nolan Smith manning his position and he doesn't need to play all downs and if his explosiveness is sapped it's likely Nolan's job to lose. Shaka Toney, like Quintez Cephus, was suspended in the gambling ordeal so all players will make the team. Shaka has a better chance to return to the team after his suspension if details don't emerge to make me cut him, but he has an opportunity to replace Shaq Barrett as Nolan Smith's reserve long term. The suspension suspends his contract essentially extending him a year so we have 3 team controlled years left, just with nothing offered this year. We have the 4-3 under looks, but Aaron Glenn is multiple and came up through the 3-4 system even if he changes for personnel. In 3-4 looks we can have fronts that feature Zach Allen, Alim McNeill and Travis Jones as our down lineman, with Bosa and Smith (and Shaq... and sometimes Yetur) as stand up rushers.

Linebackers (5 or 6/53)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, #46
Nakobe Dean, #17
Jabril Cox, #59
Isaiah Moore, #41 (Rookie)
Mack Wilson, #51
Corey Littleton, #48

Familiar faces return with JOK, Dean, Cox, and Wilson from last year, and Corey Littleton from the year before. Jabril Cox is hopefully finally healthy, and Nakobe Dean developed. If not Mack Wilson is likely to fill in as he has been with the Renegades from the inaugural draft class. That said there is a chance the rookie linebacker impresses and moves up. We really liked Isaiah Moore's attacking gaps and shedding blocks watching him at NC State. He has familiarity working behind Alim from college, and I believe he has leadership potential if his play reaches his potential. Moore also has some of the highest "thumper" potential of our group and may find a role in run situations even if he doesn't get a starting role. It's not a high pressure situation for him though and we are happy as a reserve and special teamer if everything is firing well. Littleton has an outside shot of redeeming his original FA bust label as we moved on in previous years, but brought him back as our only outside the organization free agent this year on a similar contract as Mack Wilson. Ideally neither Wilson nor Littleton has to start for us, but each provide experience in our system and guidance for our young linebackers on low cost veteran one year deals.

Corners (6/53)
Trent McDuffie, #21
Kyler Gordon, #6
Jeffrey Okudah, #0
Desmond King, #20
Antonio Johnson, #27 (Rookie)
A.J. Green, #39
Thomas Graham, #24

Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon got a familar new assistant DB coach from who they learned under at Washington together in Will Harris assisting returning DB coach Jonathan Cooley. The two Washington boys are our projected outside corners, and the rookie Antonio Johnson will battle Desmond King for the slot role, but two slots under contract is beneficial against spread offenses and if King wins Johnson can get some third safety looks if he earns them. Jeff Okudah is here to push Kyler Gordon for the CB2 job, and if he wins but the King/Johnson battle disappoints Gordon may be in the nickel. AJ Green returns for his final contract year after being a 7th round pick for the team and we still like him as a reserve boundary corner. I really like this group and it's very young. I think they can thrive with our pressure potential. I don't think Thomas Graham is going to make the 53.

Safeties (4/53)
Kyle Hamilton, #14
John Johnson III, #43
Deshon Elliott, #34
Reed Blankenship, #42
Jaquan Johnson, #44

We plan to only carry four safeties with out nickle options at corner having safety versatility. Jaquan Johnson's roster spot isn't completely lost though as John Johnson may lose his contract for money to open up to resign Dalton Risner whenever I can match. Jaquan was the team's first sixth round pick and got a 1 year extension this offseason with the potential of losing team captain JJ3 to cap and play performance. If JJ3 is cut, Reed Blankenship will battle extended expansion member DeShon Elliott for the starting job opposite Kyle Hamilton. Reed was an UDFA of ours last year who impressed in spots with the Eagles last year. We like the group, but it's somewhat likely JJ3 may need to take a pay cut (would be more than what he eventually signs irl as a fa) or he gets cut to make room for Risner. I still like the group for a budget safety group without JJ3 if that's where it needs to go. I do appreciate the player and would be sad if we lose him. edit: On the topic of JJ3 potentially being cut for cap reasons, if you look at my chart above it looks like I am above the cap as is, but cap is top 51 contracts and my calculated total is 63 players, so without reordering and exactsies checking it's ~10-12mil less than listed (...to exactsies the top 51 it would be 219,776,221 of a 224.8mil cap, so ~5 under).

Specialists (3/53)
Ryan Stonehouse, #4
Christopher Dunn, #3 (Rookie)
Rodrigo Blankenship, #9
Morgan Cox, #53

Ryan Stonehouse was above and beyond as a rookie setting the all time record and getting his cleats sent to the HOF. Amazing and I'm proud to have targeted and drafted him. Morgan Cox has continued to be one of the best long snappers in the NFL and was an easy resign to maintain continuity. Christopher Dunn was drafted, quite frankly, to beat Rodrigo Blankenship in camp for the kicking job. Rodrigo is an accurate kicker, but his range is just not enough to be as competitive as we need to be. Love Blankenship as a person, I just need more range. Dunn is extremely accurate (made all 200 XP attempts at NC State) as well. Dunn was almost perfect last year with 96.6% made, but previously had some issues with range (0-3 beyond 50 in 2021, and 0-2 in 2019). That said this past year wasn't just dink hits for percentage as he was 2/2 beyond 50 with a 53 yard long. He only has 11 misses 20-49 yards in his 5 years, out of 88 attempts which is a 87.5%. When I was scouting Christopher Dunn, I was really impressed with the other kicker in his class Moody. Then I noticed Moody's plant foot wasn't really all that consistently distanced from the ball, whereas watching Dunn kick his plant foot is right next to the ball. I flipped over to a Justin Tucker kicking video and Tucker's foot plants right next to the ball. I don't expect him to be Justin Tucker, but seeing someone with a ritualistic and consistent technique was encouraging. I watched videos of him talking and also bought into the low key hard working farmer background. Let's get to work and make field goals that matter, or Rodrigo if you win please improve.