One man’s plan…if I were GM

[Kray007]

My first move is one that I’m sure will be met with Universal approval. I would sign Daniel Jones to a one year deal. I know that he was ridden out of New York on a rail, but he has skills similar to Richardsons, and if he had to come in for a few plays, a game, or even extended games, there wouldn’t be any need to make adjustments in the game plan. The question is how much does he have left after having to spend his formative years slogging through the shit show that is the New York Giants organization. Indy provides a stable offensive line, a pro bowl running back, and a solid receiving corps. it’s a great place for him to salvage his career.

Bring back Kelly, Fries, and Braden Smith. With Kelly, it’s obviously a short term move, and you hope that Tanor Bortolini is the long-term piece of the puzzle. But, there’s no question that Kelly’s presence elevates the play of everyone around him. Fries is simply a gem that you can’t allow it slip away; and Smith is insurance in case Goncalves doesn’t develop into a book end Right Tackle. At the very least, bringing them all back gives you depth on the line and lets you spend limited draft and free agent capital on other, more pressing, needs. If Goncalves lights up training camp, you could always trade Smith to a team that’s hungry for a Tackle and pick up draft picks in 2026.

Sign LB Zack Baun as a free agent. Whatever value EJ speed brings to the table, coverage isn’t one of them. Baun excels both in coverage and as a blitzer. His presence would stabilize the position and give Anarumo a versatile, veteran piece at a critical position.

Sign DJ Reed to play corner. At best, his ceiling is the kind of shutdown corner we haven’t seen since Vontae Davis packed up his bags and left on the 1:10 to Buffalo. At the least, his floor is that you don’t have to line him up 10 yards off the receiver because he couldn’t cover a man in a wheelchair if you left him alone on an island.

Grab Tyler Warren in the first round. If Anthony Richardson, or anyone else, is going to thrive at quarterback, he needs a big time clutch player who can stake a claim to the middle of the field. Warren might not be as good as Brock Bowers, but he’s in the conversation.

Second round, Xavier Watts. Watts is the kind of do it all, dominate the field Safety that Gus Bradley desperately needed to make his defense work. Bradley is gone, but the need remains.

Later in the draft, simply try to fortify the roster with talent, hoping to hit on quality pieces across-the-board. Play to the strength of the draft, don’t force a pick because of need, and don’t be afraid to trade up or down.

That having been said, at some point either in free agency or the draft, you have to find someone to split carries with Jonathan Taylor. I’m not troubled by the prospect of handing the ball off to a running back 35 times a game, but giving all those carries to one player is a recipe for disaster. Essentially, I’m looking for someone who’s not only capable of toting the rock, but can block and doesn’t have hands of stone.

[apballin]

No way Daniel jones is the guy I’m signing. I’m having a discussion with Justin Fields and if he’s ok with taking ARs job then that’s the guy I’m signing. Whoever they bring in should have absolutely zero respect for AR and absolutely be gunning for his job if that’s not their mentality then I don’t want them.

I don’t think we need an overhaul of free agents on defense, I’d be looking to add someone with some real winning experience to teach these chimps about winning.

I’d still like to see them sign a Chase Young especially if they let Dayo walk

Definitely a TE in the draft if Warren is there at 14 that’s the pick.

As for Oline, gotta figure out what’s going on with Braden Smith but I’d be ok bringing Kelly back to finish his career.

[Dam8610]

Jevon Holland should be the top free agent priority. Great ballhawking safety that can also tackle. I don't care if we reset the market with him, he's 25 and worth it. I'll do a full write up at some point, but that is worth expressing by itself.

[Hoopsdoc]

I’d rather have Fields than Jones. Younger, more upside, not injury prone.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Jevon Holland should be the top free agent priority. Great ballhawking safety that can also tackle. I don't care if we reset the market with him, he's 25 and worth it. I'll do a full write up at some point, but that is worth expressing by itself.

Ballhawking? 5 interceptions in 4 years is pedestrian.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

I’d rather have Fields than Jones. Younger, more upside, not injury prone.

Only problem with this is some guys will have a mutual competitor respect for each other and I’m not saying Fields is like this because I don’t know but have enough respect for a guy you don’t want to take his job or be the reason he fails

[IndyNorm]

Mostly agree w/ the OP except for Daniel Jones. What exactly is AR going to learn from him? How to play just well enough to get a big extension from a desperate team and then completely shit the bed after that?

If we're going the support AR route then my vote is Mariota or (as I suggested in another post) try to bring Minshew back if possible.

Also, keeping Braden Smith is going to be tough if we want to make a splash in FA. We currently have $28M of cap space, so some room but not a ton to make many significant moves. Smith currently counts ~$20M against the cap and is a ~$17M cap savings if released. So unless he's willing to take a cut w/ a short extension he's probably gone.

Another player who's probably gone (or at least should be) is Raekwon Davis. He's ~$9M against the cap and would be a ~$6.5M savings is released.

[YDFL Commish]

I agree with the OP except, Braden Smith. Braden has to go, for 3 reasons...cap hit, injury concerns, overall subpar play.

Kelly has to stay because...he wants to play, he won't cost much, the O-line is noticeably better when ha plays.

Agree with IndyNorm Raekwon was not good and must go.

I believe FS is a bigger need in an Anuromo defense than CB.

I never wanna see EJ Speed in a Colts uni again.

I like the Baun idea. I would double down on that and draft Danny Stutsman in the 3rd. He's another good coverage LB with length.

We have to draft or sign young impact DT.

Ballard want QB2 to compete with AR for QB1. That's not Minshew or Marriota. That's either Fields or Jones.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

I agree with the OP except, Braden Smith. Braden has to go, for 3 reasons...cap hit, injury concerns, overall subpar play.

Kelly has to stay because...he wants to play, he won't cost much, the O-line is noticeably better when ha plays.

Agree with IndyNorm Raekwon was not good and must go.

I believe FS is a bigger need in an Anuromo defense than CB.

I never wanna see EJ Speed in a Colts uni again.

I like the Baun idea. I would double down on that and draft Danny Stutsman in the 3rd. He's another good coverage LB with length.

We have to draft or sign young impact DT.

Ballard want QB2 to compete with AR for QB1. That's not Minshew or Marriota. That's Fields.

Fixed it for you.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

Ballhawking? 5 interceptions in 4 years is pedestrian.

Interceptions can be misleading, like sacks and tackles. I've read and watched some about him lately because he's intriguing. He may not have the INTs, but he flies sideline-to-sideline and does his job keeping deep stuff in check, despite a lower graded '24.

Consensus seems to be that he's a top 3-5 FA and likely the #1 defensive FA and not even 25 yet. Only a possibility because the Dolphins cap situation is kind of fucked and the market makes him expensive. But as important as FS seems to be for Anarumo, this seems like a worthy consideration.

Here's an interesting Dolphins article about him. Ends with a prediction that Colts sign him for 5yrs/$100m.

https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/20...5-free-agency/

Camryn Bynum is the other name I see that I'm not sold on. Keep Blackmon in that case, who could return to form with a new DC.