Tyni's February Mock Draft

[SudsMcBucky]

Oh there will be I'd suspect one if not two above minimum type signings - Gute will have some money for sure, between walking Jenkins, restructuring somewhat likely Gary and/or also Jacobs you're getting into the realm of real $20M space or so

Agressive restructure on Gary using void years (not crazy amounts) - saves us about $14M this year cap hit
Restructure McKinney - about $3M
Release Jenkins - $19.5M

We got $30M in cap space...that's without maybe reworking Jacobs...or asking Banks or Hobbs to tweak anything.

Christian Watson could be signed longterm and potentially lower his cap just slightly...by like $1M

If we sign a guy at CB we have more faith in than Nixon...Nixon cut could be $4M (I am not a Nixon fan but will say I think his current hit is worth having around for 2026).

Jordan Love could even be restructured to a degree - we ain't letting him walk any time soon

Actually, a Nixon cut would save $5.0MM.

 

[tynimiller]

Actually, a Nixon cut would save $5.0MM.

Spotrac is rarely wrong out of all the sites in my experience and they show essentially $4M...but for sure one of those two and roughly the same. I'll be honest say we go out and grab Greg Newsome Jr. for say $9M....I'm gladly cutting Nixon to help cover half of Newsome's cost.

 

[gopkrs]

Spotrac is rarely wrong out of all the sites in my experience and they show essentially $4M...but for sure one of those two and roughly the same. I'll be honest say we go out and grab Greg Newsome Jr. for say $9M....I'm gladly cutting Nixon to help cover half of Newsome's cost.

Nixon would be good to have as a reserve. Is his salary considered too much for that?

 

[tynimiller]

Nixon would be good to have as a reserve. Is his salary considered too much for that?

Not at all - I just mean if it came down to Ball telling Gute we gotta clear some space and we are $4M or so from making Newsome fit (or equivalent CB) I'm gladly swapping Nixon for Newsome is all.

Perfect world we somehow keep him for 2026 (which yes his like $7M hit) is worth it given the fact we have no clear #1

 

[gopkrs]

Not at all - I just mean if it came down to Ball telling Gute we gotta clear some space and we are $4M or so from making Newsome fit (or equivalent CB) I'm gladly swapping Nixon for Newsome is all.

Perfect world we somehow keep him for 2026 (which yes his like $7M hit) is worth it given the fact we have no clear #1

Why given that fact? I was saying as a backup and so assume we would have someone else starting

 

[tynimiller]

Why given that fact? I was saying as a backup and so assume we would have someone else starting

I think I must be terrible at expressing myself or something. His hit isn't bad at all and I think play wise he is perfect for first up if a guy goes down type situation...but again the savings is absolutely worth it in my opinion if it means we enter 2026 with for example Newsome who I think has far and above ceiling compared to Nixon and plays more disciplined.

If I can make it work with Nixon still here, his hit isn't crazy.

 

[tynimiller]

Honestly another very smart and easily justified thing we could do to save some money is extend Wyatt. His club option hit is around $12M in 2026. A three or four year extension could easily bring that down...

Barmore signed a 4 year 83M and his first year cap hit was $6.3M
Odighizuwa signed a 4 year 80M and his first year was also 6.2M
Kinlaw signed a 3 year $45M and his first year was a hit of $5.3M

 

[OldSchool101]

Any ideas on where Willis might land?

I'm ok with anywhere except MN. It depends on whether the queens are willing to stick with JJM for another season. He hasn't done much to justify that, IMO. At least for the moment, Willis is the better bet at starting QB. That said, there is little long-term experience to draw from for both players.

Actually some talk that Hafley could bring him to Miami. Tua has a difficult contract situation (similar to us an Elgton but at a more costly level). Also Tua’s production has waned and he’s got quite a few injury concerns

 

[milani]

Any ideas on where Willis might land?

I'm ok with anywhere except MN. It depends on whether the queens are willing to stick with JJM for another season. He hasn't done much to justify that, IMO. At least for the moment, Willis is the better bet at starting QB. That said, there is little long-term experience to draw from for both players.

Vegas.

 

[Pkrjones]

Vegas.

Mendoza will get drafted #1 & Vegas will play him immediately. Probably Miami, hopefully NOT NYJets. Estimates now are Willis will get $30+mil/yr deal & get GB a '27 3rd round compensation pick!!

 

[Heyjoe4]

All things of return will be impacted by whom we sign but yes honestly this could set up for a VERY strong 2027 draft compensatory picks to us....even guys like Doubs and Quay likely get starting money elsewhere.....Rhyan could get starting guard or center money and Enagbare likely gets Edge3 level money....

In truth if most sign where I think....

Malik - 3rd or 4th compensatory value
Rasheed - 4th compensatory value
Doubs - 4th or 5th compensatory value
Quay - 5th or 6th compensatory value
Rhyan - 6th or 7th compensatory value
Enagbare - 6th or 7th compensatory value

Wow, up to 6 comp picks next year. That's a lot of very useful draft capital for Gluten next year. Use the picks or trade up or down, or even for a player. After all, they got Willis with a 7th round pick.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Vegas.

Sounds about right. Poor Willis. Well he'll get a big payday.

And unless things change drastically, the Packers should get a 3rd round comp pick next year. Not bad considering Willis was acquired for a 7th round pick, and was an extremely good BU with starter-level play.

 

[tynimiller]

Wow, up to 6 comp picks next year. That's a lot of very useful draft capital for Gluten next year. Use the picks or trade up or down, or even for a player. After all, they got Willis with a 7th round pick.

It won't play out that way, that's the suspected initial values - but Gute is going to sign at minimum one or two guys that will offset some of that IMO.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Oh there will be I'd suspect one if not two above minimum type signings - Gute will have some money for sure, between walking Jenkins, restructuring somewhat likely Gary and/or also Jacobs you're getting into the realm of real $20M space or so

Agressive restructure on Gary using void years (not crazy amounts) - saves us about $14M this year cap hit
Restructure McKinney - about $3M
Release Jenkins - $19.5M

We got $30M in cap space...that's without maybe reworking Jacobs...or asking Banks or Hobbs to tweak anything.

Christian Watson could be signed longterm and potentially lower his cap just slightly...by like $1M

If we sign a guy at CB we have more faith in than Nixon...Nixon cut could be $4M (I am not a Nixon fan but will say I think his current hit is worth having around for 2026).

Jordan Love could even be restructured to a degree - we ain't letting him walk any time soon

I feel the same way about Nixon. I would like to see him go back to kick return duties.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It won't play out that way, that's the suspected initial values - but Gute is going to sign at minimum one or two guys that will offset some of that IMO.

Yeah the bottom line is that the team will get some decent comp picks, always a good thing, even if it's one or two guys. And getting a 3rd rounder for Willis would make him obe of Gluten's most valuable personnel moves.

 

[gopkrs]

I feel the same way about Nixon. I would like to see him go back to kick return duties.

Although I think a little of his bravado got knocked out when he got smashed by our ex linebacker in that filly playoff game.

 

[tynimiller]

Although I think a little of his bravado got knocked out when he got smashed by our ex linebacker in that filly playoff game.

Guys like Nixon don't change....no matter how many times they get humbled...

 

[OldSchool101]

It won't play out that way, that's the suspected initial values - but Gute is going to sign at minimum one or two guys that will offset some of that IMO.

Yeah exactly there will be several offsets. I thought there were a max 4 compensatory picks per team or did that change?

*Edit: I do see the Rams got 5 on 2024 so that helped answer my own question. So it is 4 max. The only way a team can get more is through a senior coaching hire of a minority. They call it a “special awarded Compensation pick”. I just found out Players can only bring a max of 4 compensatory picks per team. The Rams got a coaching hire bonus pick

2026 NFL Draft: Compensatory pick projections for every team

Which teams are in position to receive extra draft capital next year? Lance Zierlein provides his 2026 NFL Draft compensatory pick projections for every squad.

www.nfl.com

 

[Heyjoe4]

Guys like Nixon don't change....no matter how many times they get humbled...

Might explain why he's always good for one truly stupid personal foul per game. He just doesn't learn. He is creative though. He has a number of ways to draw the flag for PF or unsportsman-like conduct.

Anyway, I'd like to see him go back to returning. The CB room will get some help, so the argument, if it can be called that, about getting injured on returns doesn't carry much weight. That always seemed like a lousy excuse anyway.

 

[tynimiller]

Yeah exactly there will be several offsets. I thought there were a max 4 compensatory picks per team or did that change?

*Edit: I do see the Rams got 5 on 2024 so that helped answer my own question. So it is 4 max. The only way a team can get more is through a senior coaching hire of a minority. They call it a “special awarded Compensation pick”. I just found out Players can only bring a max of 4 compensatory picks per team. The Rams got a coaching hire bonus pick

2026 NFL Draft: Compensatory pick projections for every team

Which teams are in position to receive extra draft capital next year? Lance Zierlein provides his 2026 NFL Draft compensatory pick projections for every squad.

www.nfl.com

That is my understanding as well.

 

[Sanguine camper]

As long as Willis doesn't go to the Vikings, I really don't care that much who signs him. I wish him the best except against the Packers. Talk about a guy who delivered when called upon.

Since the Vikings are well over the cap, I'm not convinced they can do much in free agency this off season. I doubt we'll see Willis in the NFC North.

 

[tynimiller]

As long as Willis doesn't go to the Vikings, I really don't care that much who signs him. I wish him the best except against the Packers. Talk about a guy who delivered when called upon.

Since the Vikings are well over the cap, I'm not convinced they can do much in free agency this off season. I doubt we'll see Willis in the NFC North.

Their RT Ryan O'Neil is a quick $19M saved by releasing
Greenard released is $12M

.......um.....and that leaves them only $12.2M in the negative and unable to even pay for their draft...... YIKES

Aaron Jones release would save them $7.7M.........sign him back cheap as our backup!

 

[Pkrjones]

Since the Vikings are well over the cap, I'm not convinced they can do much in free agency this off season. I doubt we'll see Willis in the NFC North.

The Vikes may be looking for a low(er) priced vet to compete with JJ. Maybe re-sign Wentz, or sign Garappolo?

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yeah exactly there will be several offsets. I thought there were a max 4 compensatory picks per team or did that change?

*Edit: I do see the Rams got 5 on 2024 so that helped answer my own question. So it is 4 max. The only way a team can get more is through a senior coaching hire of a minority. They call it a “special awarded Compensation pick”. I just found out Players can only bring a max of 4 compensatory picks per team. The Rams got a coaching hire bonus pick

2026 NFL Draft: Compensatory pick projections for every team

Which teams are in position to receive extra draft capital next year? Lance Zierlein provides his 2026 NFL Draft compensatory pick projections for every squad.

www.nfl.com

Thanks OS. Good stuff to know, and I had no idea how a team could get a max fifth comp pick.

Ty is probably right and the Packers will get one or two comp picks next year. The highest pick (3rd) will come from Willis. He'll get a starting gig and probably a deal worth $30 mil/AAV for 3 years. It seems lie Vegas is a likely landing spot. That should bring a 3rd round pick.

Willis was certainly a great value trade by Gluten. For a seventh round pick, he got a solid backup QB with starter-level talent, and will likely get a 3rd round comp pick back in 2027. That's one sweet deal. And while I haven't checked, I'm pretty sure Willis saved at least one or two wins.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Their RT Ryan O'Neil is a quick $19M saved by releasing
Greenard released is $12M

.......um.....and that leaves them only $12.2M in the negative and unable to even pay for their draft...... YIKES

Aaron Jones release would save them $7.7M.........sign him back cheap as our backup!

I wouldn't mind seeing Jones back in GB. He is still a fan favorite and brings a running style unique to Jacob and Wilson. And maybe fewer snaps means fewer injuries - kind of a stretch. He would be great in the locker room and a great teammate.

I didn't realize the queens were in cap hell, so thanks for the stats. That definitely takes Willis off their radar screen, if they had any interest in him at all.