So, 4 players from KC earned the Proven Performance Escalator for the final year of their deals. They are:
CB Kendall Fuller
WR Tyreek Hill
FS Eric Murray
WR Demarcus Robinson
As you know, that means that these players will have their 2019 salaries increased to the Original Round tender value for RFAs. That is estimated at $2,035,000. This salary is NOT guaranteed.
So, the question now becomes, are Eric Murray and Demarcus Robinson worth keeping at this rate?
Not only this, but FS Jordan Lucas and ILB Terrance Smith are both RFAs who will be in line for the same amount unless they reach a deal for a contract or are allowed to walk.
My personal opinion is that Lucas should be retained on a 1-year vet-minimum deal for $720,000 + $90,000 bonus money and not be tendered. Smith should walk.
I am in the air about Murray and Robinson. I don't think either bring enough value to the team to actually be worth that escalator, but then can the Chiefs afford to cut either?
Murray is really the only FS on the team right now unless Berry is retained AND is healthy in 2019 AND moves permanently to FS. With Conley and DAT both being FAs, Robinson is the only receiver next in line that really has experience.
I don't think you can get rid of Robinson him and mahomes seem to have some kind of connection. Murray don't let the door hit you on the way out [Reply]
I anticipate Murray gets released and would not be shocked if Robinson is cut too. If Andy really likes Kemp, Dieter and/or Pringle’s potential, we will know soon. I expect an investment at receiver through the draft as well. Watkins will be out in 2020 if Hill gets a big extension. [Reply]
Gotta cut Murray at that figure. I like the idea of having him around for one more shot at seeing if the time put into him is going to pay off but I'm not interested in paying him $2 million for the privilege.
He'd get half that on the open market; cut him loose and see if he's interested in coming back. Maybe you extend him at 2 years, $2.6 million total (1.2 and 1.4). He's fine to have around when he's inexpensive but he's pricing himself out at $2 million/season.
Robinson's probably someone I'd approach similarly but I understand if the Chiefs just choose to move on as well. He just doesn't seem reliable within the flow of the offense. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
Robinson's probably someone I'd approach similarly but I understand if the Chiefs just choose to move on as well. He just doesn't seem reliable within the flow of the offense.
He isn’t a guy that you can count on to get open by himself but damn is he good at getting to where Mahomes wants to throw the football. The off script plays that those two make together almost makes up for his shortcomings as a true WR.
I don’t want him to start but I think he’s a solid #4. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
He isn’t a guy that you can count on to get open by himself but damn is he good at getting to where Mahomes wants to throw the football. The off script plays that those two make together almost makes up for his shortcomings as a true WR.
I don’t want him to start but I think he’s a solid #4.
Sure; I like him as depth.
But can you pay $2 million to a 4th WR when you have as many big contracts as this team's gonna have to carry? [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
Sure; I like him as depth.
But can you pay $2 million to a 4th WR when you have as many big contracts as this team's gonna have to carry?
I think I’m okay with paying Robinson as he’s actually done something of value with Mahomes. I think losing both Conley and Robinson would be a little worrisome in terms of depth and unproven ability.
I think we can make other moves that would help us financially. Murray, Ragland, X Williams, Sorenson. Those guys should all go IMO.
I do think some sort of receiver, be it TE or WR, will be one of our first 3 picks. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RunKC:
I think I’m okay with paying Robinson as he’s actually done something of value with Mahomes. I think losing both Conley and Robinson would be a little worrisome in terms of depth and unproven ability.
I think we can make other moves that would help us financially. Murray, Ragland, X Williams, Sorenson. Those guys should all go IMO.
I do think some sort of receiver, be it TE or WR, will be one of our first 3 picks.
Here's the thing about Ragland - his replacement will probably cost about what he does, even if it's as a draft pick. He's cheap next year, man; just $1.25 million. Minimum cap hit's gonna be $500k and guys on draft pick deals even through the third round make more than that. You probably figure on a $700K cap hit at least if we invest as little as a 2nd day pick on an ILB.
Is there really any point there? I think I'd just as soon keep him around for the marginal cost savings we'd get after replacing him.
Williams is a good call, though. Williams, Murray and Sorensen yield about $7 million in freed cap. In a deep DL draft, he should be pretty easy to replace (and we may prefer a different kind of DT given Nnadi's emergence and the 4-3 switch). As much as I liked that signing, he just never seemed to do what we needed him to do. Justin Hamilton looked to make a bigger impact than Williams simply by doing his job. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RunKC:
I think I’m okay with paying Robinson as he’s actually done something of value with Mahomes. I think losing both Conley and Robinson would be a little worrisome in terms of depth and unproven ability.
I think we can make other moves that would help us financially. Murray, Ragland, X Williams, Sorenson. Those guys should all go IMO.
I do think some sort of receiver, be it TE or WR, will be one of our first 3 picks.
These moves alone would pay for half of Ford’s tag. And they aren’t that hard to make either IMO. Williams is the only one I might keep. [Reply]
I could see Veach and the FO not spending too much in FA this year because they want to have flexibility when Mahomes gets paid. Maybe they set it up where they have very few long, expensive contracts on the books from 2020 onward.
Not saying it will be the case for certain, but the major coaching investments on defense make me wonder if they aren’t planning to keep things cheaper on that side of the ball in regards to personnel. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
I could see Veach and the FO not spending too much in FA this year because they want to have flexibility when Mahomes gets paid. Maybe they set it up where they have very few long, expensive contracts on the books from 2020 onward.
Not saying it will be the case for certain, but the major coaching investments on defense make me wonder if they aren’t planning to keep things cheaper on that side of the ball in regards to personnel.
They really don’t need to spend that much. They’ve got two 2nd rd DE’s to utilize + an entire defensive draft to mix in.
I think they need to get cheap talent at important positions. I would be fine if we took these positions with our first 100 picks: pass rusher, ILB, corner and receiver (TE or WR).
Safety or ILB is the one spot I’d spend some money next month. If we can get a top end ILB or Safety, it won’t break the bank. [Reply]
I think Murray and Sorenson are the obvious cuts, but then you have to go free safety with one of the first 3 picks.
The cap situation is the main reason why I think the tag and trade of Ford is the preferred move. You free up the $16m and also get younger by adding another 2nd round draft pick.
I don't think the Chiefs pull the trigger on it though, I think maybe a couple of cuts, a defense heavy draft and a full season of Houston, Berry and Ford on the tag with limited FA impact is probably on the cards. [Reply]