While signing of Quinn is good, broke Phins must now free up CAP
The out-of-left-field news from Friday is that the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angels Rams have a trade agreement in place to swap Robert Quinn for picks. The deal being touted is Quinn and a 2017 6th RD pick for a Phins mid-round pick in 2017 and a 6th in 2017.
What exact round that mid-round pick will be is yet to be disclosed… But it’s believed to be one of the 4th’s. We can only hope, of course.
Ultimately, if it is for a 4th (and even more so if it’s the Eagles 4th), then from a value standpoint it’s a win for the Phins.
YES it’s a win… even if it didn’t fill a need and puts a lot of money in a crowded and expensive position group. That doesn’t sound right? Does it. But it is… or more correctly, should be. Also, this deal’s success will depend on what wheeling and dealing Mike Tannenbaum does in the coming days and weeks to make the deal financially feasible, because the Phins are broke.
Despite Quinn having back surgery a couple of years ago and his production taking a dip since his mega 2013-14 seasons, he’s only 27yrs old (28 by the season) and a talented edge player who will do much better in the Fins Wide-9 / 4-3 alignment than he did in the Rams 3-4.
Personally, after watching some film of his, the position change from DE to OLB, along with recovering from the surgery, seems to have played a part in his production dip. Even still, Quinn posted 32 tackles and 8.5 sacks with 2 forced fumble in 2017 from mostly in the stand-up position. Better than Andre Branch did this season in his natural position–but to be fair though, Branch played hurt…
…Speaking of which, Miami currently has Cameron Wake ($8.6 mill), Branch ($10 mill), 1st Rd pick Charles Harris ($2.4 mill), and now Quinn for ($10.3 mill). Rough math says Miami’s invested $30 mill on DE’s, about 17% of their CAP.
That’s A LOT.
Robert Quinn doesn’t help the holes at QB, OL, LB, or RB
But a bigger question is how can Miami afford this loaded DE group since they have a current CAP of negative $8 mill and a hair?
The answer is, big moves are coming to free up space in the CAP.
An even Bigger question is, how exactly will they do it?
We all know that unless the Phins went insane Julius Thomas and Lawrence Timmons are good as gone. With Quinn’s contract in the books the Phins will be around negative $19 million. So the $14.7 mill they save from cutting Thomas and Timmons will still leave Miami in the red at negative $4 mill or so.
Now there’s likely to be a restructure or extension of Quinn’s deal to move money into 2019-20. But (let’s be generous) even if you wipe out all of Quinn’s contract this season (which won’t be the case as a portion will still stick in 2018), Miami will only be in the black $6.5 mill (minus whatever Quinn’s costs) after those cuts. This will be about what they need just for their draft picks, not including UDFA’s, FA’s, and ect.
Thankfully Landry’s Franchise Tag will be covered.
Ohh, and forget about a post June 1st cut of Suh that won’t help the Fins now when they need money for the offseason… this would only helped if they went with a hard reset and a purge. And I don’t see that coming.
Poor people don’t rent or buy a Porche
So that leaves Ja’Wuan James as the next likely cut likely freeing up $9.3 million. They’ll need a portion of that to hold over into the season in case of injuries and injury settlements, leaving Miami with $5-7 mill to use for FAs and UDFAs to fill up the roster. That’s not enough given Miami needs:
Quality Running Back unless they rely on Radcliff and Perry
Back up QB (1-2) unless they rely on Doughty
1-2 Tight Ends unless they rely on Derby, Gray, Duarte
Left Guard
Center (Pouncey’s status is always an issue and no backup is on the roster)
Tackle unless they rely on Sterup, E. Smith, Hickey, Davis
WLB & SLB unless they rely on Anthony, McMillian, Alonso, Allen
Cover Safety unless they go with M. Smith, Calhoun, Elston
Right Guard unless they rely on Asiata, Larson, Davis
Unless they go young and cheap, or plan on nailing every pick, the Dolphins will need to free up more money to bring in more live bodies. But given Gase is on a bit of hot seat and likely wants to win, I doubt a total rebuild is the case. So the Dolphins must also make some of these moves:
Rescinding Landry’s Tag, trade him, or get him to agree on a long term extension
Cut Pouncey to free up $7 mill
Cut Wake to free up $8.1 mill
Restructure contracts with Suh, Tannehill, Alonso, Jones, and / or Branch (last 3 would be nuts)
Tannenbaum, Grier, and Gase need to have their Opus Maximus this offseason
So the question now is, what’s the next big move to free up cash? I like the trade for Quinn in regards to talent, but this move will force the FO to make some other very big moves. Phinsnews has expressed their worry that Tannenbaum will go Jeff Ireland to save this regime. We’ve also talked about how Landry is in control and the Fins run the risk of losing him. We will find out very shortly what the case is.
So here we are with the Fins in a financial vice and they are making their situation tighter: The lowest rollover money in the NFL, top 5 in least money to spend, a pricey Franchise Tag in their lap, and coming off a terrible season with a bunch of holes to fill.
This tightrope the brass is walking could be amazing or a disaster.
Okay, this was a nice first move… if they follow it up with brilliance. And even if the Davis Trifecta is brilliant, they will have to sacrifice either the future, some Dolphins elder statesmen, or quality of the roster as a whole (unless they are better talent evlauators than they’ve proved in the past). This offseason has just become even more interesting… far, far more interesting. I just hope it’s not interesting like a train wreck. Grab your popcorn. Go Fins!!!
Man, Jimmy is on vacation and I’m trying to take one and the Phins are pounding away… guess the vaca will get a pause. They only received a 4th and 7th… I don’t think he was ever in consideration to be brought back Steve. The only way now for the PHns to gt more picks is the trade back… this should be an exciting run over the next few weeks… I do hope with that excitement there are wins too of course.
Before the Quinn deal is official, here are the Dolphins’ draft stock of 2018 draft picks:
First round: No. 11 overall Second round: No. 42 overall Third round: No. 73 overall Fourth round: No. 107 overall, No. 121-128 (from Philadelphia, hinges on playoffs) Fifth round: No selection (traded to New Orleans for Stephone Anthony) Sixth round: No. 169 overall Seventh round: No. 199 overall (from Tampa Bay because of a 2017 draft trade), No. 203 overall
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Once the Quinn deal is official:
Here are the Dolphins’ picks in each round (in parentheses) and the overall draft selection:
First round (11th pick of round): No. 11 overall
Second round (10th pick of round): No. 42 overall
Third round (9th pick of round): No. 73 overall
Fourth round (31st pick of round): No. 131 overall (Miami also had No. 111, but will send to Rams to complete Robert Quinn trade)
Fifth round: None
Sixth round (35th pick of round): No. 209 (Miami had No. 183, but swapped with Rams to complete Robert Quinn trade)
I don’t see Nelson falling to 11. LB or QB seems likely. FA will show a lot. I still say they need a cover safety or SLB more than a WLB. I really do like Anthony. I also like the trade back… Steve sold me on that… but I also like Vea. Not sure if it’s hype or not, but Mayfield’s recent interviews seems to be reeling me in. Not sure if he makes it to 11 or not. I’m a newb when it comes to the draft to be truthful. I defer to others wisdom on that.
As such the Patriots six selections for the April draft will include a first-round pick at No. 31 overall, two second-round selections at No. 43 and No. 63, a third-round pick at 95 overall, a compensatory selection after the fourth round at No. 136 and a sixth-rounder at No. 205.
Jimmy: this is an ideal situation to be in above, having 1 first rounder, two second rounders, One third rounder a 5th rounder and a sixth rounder. I think your best value is in the second round, If I was a manager I would set the Bar to achieved drafting minimum of 5 second rounders a season and the rest would be un-drafted players.
When it comes down to trading Dolphins players one condition would be if that players plays 50% of the season once traded then that draft picked would move up to the next round. Insurance to prevent the Sucker deal.
Admin: I’m not saying you are wrong about Quinn. There! Are better ways to achieve the best players. Mike Tannenbaum and Grier are getting paid to create a MESS!
Always paying too much for the wrong players. The Fins are looking to let go of a DE, right? So, why not let go the DE not performing i.e. just drafted last season?
Another route or solution and for the future: Draft a DE early and late rounds.
Once a player falls past the third round, most draft picks will sign a 4-year deal in the $2.4-2.9 million range. The only major difference late in the draft is the signing bonus, ranging from $400,000-600,000 in the fourth round to slightly more than $60,000 in the seventh round.
Here is what the Fins could have purchased for their 4th round sent to the Rams, if we are looking for DE at the 4th round value.
Don’t worry Steve I don’t for a second know I’m right… because I have huge doubts. Don’t like a player with back surgery in the least. But for a 4th, I can swallow it, especially if it’s the late 4th. I obviously prefer your method, but now this regime is in desperation mode to validate itself and that means cutting corners. I think when they went high on the guaranteed money with Kiko and Branch, they got desperate and it has grown since. They had been pretty patient before that. I think Landry is 99% gone. so picks will be coming. And a trade back is still on the table (but did you see my man Vea run a 5.11 at 340!! Think he is the 2nd coming of Nagata). SO I 50% gree with me and 50% agree with you.
Tweaked his hamstring though (Vea), concern, probably not??? Payne ran a 4.9, thus 30 pounds lighter. Seems to be decent depth at the DT position, LBer position, as well as CB. A trade back is looking more and more appealing by the day.
** Taking Edmunds at 11 would give us a 20 and 21 year old LBers in McMillan and say Edmunds. That alone has to appealing **
On a bit of a vacation and Jimmy is too… sorry for the delayed response. Yeah, no biggie. Sure the 40’s are a lots on him. Doubt he’s run them in a while. It happens and doesn’t concern me. I do like Edmunds… although he is a little to finesse for me form what I’ve seen. He also isn’t a maniac of effort. That’s my biggest concern with Edmunds and Smith… they seems to downshift and shy from contact. Not saying it will continue in the NFL or it’s a deal breaker… but it does show up on film. CB could be the best value… haven’t really thought about it or studied them… when I’m done with vaca I’ll get on it.
What concern most fans is when we see or hear Mike T, Grier And Ross go into the (Miami Dolphins Kamikaze) Trading down mindset or trading with teams who are best at taking advantage of the Dolphins Future. It should be against the law for the Dolphins to make deal without an adult in the room.
Landry is a Cleavland Brown!
Man, Jimmy is on vacation and I’m trying to take one and the Phins are pounding away… guess the vaca will get a pause. They only received a 4th and 7th… I don’t think he was ever in consideration to be brought back Steve. The only way now for the PHns to gt more picks is the trade back… this should be an exciting run over the next few weeks… I do hope with that excitement there are wins too of course.
Hello Admin
Here’s the bottom line on the Quinn deal below:
Before the Quinn deal is official, here are the Dolphins’ draft stock of 2018 draft picks:
First round: No. 11 overall
Second round: No. 42 overall
Third round: No. 73 overall
Fourth round: No. 107 overall, No. 121-128 (from Philadelphia, hinges on playoffs)
Fifth round: No selection (traded to New Orleans for Stephone Anthony)
Sixth round: No. 169 overall
Seventh round: No. 199 overall (from Tampa Bay because of a 2017 draft trade), No. 203 overall
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once the Quinn deal is official:
Here are the Dolphins’ picks in each round (in parentheses) and the overall draft selection:
First round (11th pick of round): No. 11 overall
Second round (10th pick of round): No. 42 overall
Third round (9th pick of round): No. 73 overall
Fourth round (31st pick of round): No. 131 overall (Miami also had No. 111, but will send to Rams to complete Robert Quinn trade)
Fifth round: None
Sixth round (35th pick of round): No. 209 (Miami had No. 183, but swapped with Rams to complete Robert Quinn trade)
Seventh round (5th & 11th picks of round): Nos. 223 & 229 overall
Scratch Edge player in the draft? QB, LB, Nelson?
I don’t see Nelson falling to 11. LB or QB seems likely. FA will show a lot. I still say they need a cover safety or SLB more than a WLB. I really do like Anthony. I also like the trade back… Steve sold me on that… but I also like Vea. Not sure if it’s hype or not, but Mayfield’s recent interviews seems to be reeling me in. Not sure if he makes it to 11 or not. I’m a newb when it comes to the draft to be truthful. I defer to others wisdom on that.
News on the Patriots dated March 2, 2018
As such the Patriots six selections for the April draft will include a first-round pick at No. 31 overall, two second-round selections at No. 43 and No. 63, a third-round pick at 95 overall, a compensatory selection after the fourth round at No. 136 and a sixth-rounder at No. 205.
Jimmy: this is an ideal situation to be in above, having 1 first rounder, two second rounders, One third rounder a 5th rounder and a sixth rounder. I think your best value is in the second round, If I was a manager I would set the Bar to achieved drafting minimum of 5 second rounders a season and the rest would be un-drafted players.
When it comes down to trading Dolphins players one condition would be if that players plays 50% of the season once traded then that draft picked would move up to the next round. Insurance to prevent the Sucker deal.
…and 41 reps of 225 🙂
Admin: I’m not saying you are wrong about Quinn. There! Are better ways to achieve the best players. Mike Tannenbaum and Grier are getting paid to create a MESS!
Always paying too much for the wrong players. The Fins are looking to let go of a DE, right? So, why not let go the DE not performing i.e. just drafted last season?
Another route or solution and for the future: Draft a DE early and late rounds.
Once a player falls past the third round, most draft picks will sign a 4-year deal in the $2.4-2.9 million range. The only major difference late in the draft is the signing bonus, ranging from $400,000-600,000 in the fourth round to slightly more than $60,000 in the seventh round.
Here is what the Fins could have purchased for their 4th round sent to the Rams, if we are looking for DE at the 4th round value.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-draft-contract-values-2017-4
Ranked 106th best player in the 2018 draft (Sam Hubbard Ohio St.)
https://youtu.be/BIYMBnhErMg
Ranked 108th best player in the 2018 draft (Virginia )
https://youtu.be/-FK2uA7lOh4
Ranked 114th best player in the 2018 draft (Hercules Mata’afa: Washington )
https://youtu.be/TT7JRYFo35E
Ranked 129th best player in the 2018 draft (Trevon Young: Louisville)
https://youtu.be/WICyUSBNbSM
Don’t worry Steve I don’t for a second know I’m right… because I have huge doubts. Don’t like a player with back surgery in the least. But for a 4th, I can swallow it, especially if it’s the late 4th. I obviously prefer your method, but now this regime is in desperation mode to validate itself and that means cutting corners. I think when they went high on the guaranteed money with Kiko and Branch, they got desperate and it has grown since. They had been pretty patient before that. I think Landry is 99% gone. so picks will be coming. And a trade back is still on the table (but did you see my man Vea run a 5.11 at 340!! Think he is the 2nd coming of Nagata). SO I 50% gree with me and 50% agree with you.
Admin
I have not watch it yet!
Tweaked his hamstring though (Vea), concern, probably not??? Payne ran a 4.9, thus 30 pounds lighter. Seems to be decent depth at the DT position, LBer position, as well as CB. A trade back is looking more and more appealing by the day.
** Taking Edmunds at 11 would give us a 20 and 21 year old LBers in McMillan and say Edmunds. That alone has to appealing **
On a bit of a vacation and Jimmy is too… sorry for the delayed response. Yeah, no biggie. Sure the 40’s are a lots on him. Doubt he’s run them in a while. It happens and doesn’t concern me. I do like Edmunds… although he is a little to finesse for me form what I’ve seen. He also isn’t a maniac of effort. That’s my biggest concern with Edmunds and Smith… they seems to downshift and shy from contact. Not saying it will continue in the NFL or it’s a deal breaker… but it does show up on film. CB could be the best value… haven’t really thought about it or studied them… when I’m done with vaca I’ll get on it.
Admin
What concern most fans is when we see or hear Mike T, Grier And Ross go into the (Miami Dolphins Kamikaze) Trading down mindset or trading with teams who are best at taking advantage of the Dolphins Future. It should be against the law for the Dolphins to make deal without an adult in the room.
Past Miami Dolphins Kamikaze Moves below.
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/03/31/dion-jordan-and-the-dolphins-10-biggest-nfl-draft-busts-of-all-time/
totally agree. Surest way to lose their job it to get desperate… been saying that for a bit. Fear is the worst way to make a decision.