FA Shopping List

[57reasons]

With Olsen on board and TE now looking set (other than hopefully re-signing Hollister), time to focus on the higher priorities of fixing the pass rush, upgrading RT, finding a slot guy, and adding quality depth to both lines. Of course it all starts with re-signing Clowney, or preferably, but far less likely, plucking Chris Jones from KC. Likely they will command similar dollars, so to me I'd rather have the stud interior player with less injury concern, but hard to see KC not franchising him. I'm not one to think that all is lost if we get neither, because the alternative candidate list is so extensive, but just makes things harder and limits your flexibility if Clowney not re-signed, meaning you need at least a couple guys from FA, draft, or trade (Everson Griffen or Von Miller?)

DL/Pass Rush:
Shaquill Barrett
Yannick Ngokue
Bud Dupree
Dante Fowler
Erik Armstead
Shaq Lawson
Matt Judon
JPP
Robert Quinn
Markus Golden
Mario Addison
Vic Beasley

First 4 above likely to cost huge coin, so might only target if losing Clowney. Bottom 5 there all older short-term solutions who might be good fits opposite Clowney. Middle few probably more attractive as Clowney's replacement if he goes than as his bookend (not sure they have the explosive burst we'd be looking for there). If he checks out physically Quinn opposite JDV could be very exciting, but most of those last 5 have been productive in at least one of the last couple years.

Fewer prospects on the interior (which is why i'd so covet Jones), but if age keeps his price down low enough, Gerald McCoy might be an option. doubt he gets more than Reed, so if Reed walks (which looks very possible) than that might even be a cap savings. Or longshot option I've also heard a rumor that Fletcher Cox may be available via trade.

Slot:
Brian Poole
D. Randall
K. Fuller

Since Coleman's departure we've seen the value of the slot corner, and how hard to replace. We've tried the cheap route and failed with Jamar Taylor, Akeem King and Ugo Amadi, time to make a real investment here.

OL:
J. Conklin RT
B. Bulaga RT
H. Vaitai OT (plays both)
C. McGovern G/C
G. Glasgow G/C
A. Peat G

Conklin the head of the class but more than i'd want to spend, rather save that investment for the draft with a pretty good group there. Would love Bulaga if his age and durability keep him affordable on a short-term deal as expected. Or Vaitai could have value as a starter at RT and backup on the left, something we lack Fant moves on. if signed long term he could potentially also serve as Brown's replacement should he decide to retire in the next year or two.
I would think either McGovern or Glasgow could step in for either Iupati or Britt as a starter without breaking the bank, providing versatility and draft flexibility. Peat less likely but a G option if the price is right.

[D-train]

If we sign Barrett and he only got half as many sacks as he did in 2019 he would still have 2.5 times more sacks than our Sack leader Green had in 2019.

He had 20 in 2019 and Green had 4.

[ThePro]

If they don't resign Clowney that will be one if the stupidest things a franchise has ever done. They will have let Clark go for picks and then don't sign his replacement. If that happens that will be the end of Schneider and Carroll.

No having said that . FA Oline.. no Brandon Scherff?

[ThePro]

Also if they don't spend huge coin on the Dline. Where exactly are they supposed to spend it?

[57reasons]

If they don't resign Clowney that will be one if the stupidest things a franchise has ever done. They will have let Clark go for picks and then don't sign his replacement. If that happens that will be the end of Schneider and Carroll.

No having said that . FA Oline.. no Brandon Scherff?

i didnt list Scherff as the top G available only because i wouldnt want to pay the coin he'll command for that position, nor do i think Schneider will, especially with the youngsters Jones and Haynes (or is it Hayes?) that he would be blocking. (how ironic to not want "blocking" from a lineman!)

[ThePro]

i didnt list Scherff as the top G available only because i wouldnt want to pay the coin he'll command for that position, nor do i think Schneider will, especially with the youngsters Jones and Haynes (or is it Hayes?) that he would be blocking. (how ironic to not want "blocking" from a lineman!)

You're not paying the coin. But if they wanted to do such a thing. He would fit under the cap nicely... even with a Clowney signing.

[HawkandMariner88]

Even if it means spending the bulk of your dollars on 2 premier DL, I'm all for it. Don't care whether it's Clowney & Ngakoue or Armstead or hell even Chris Jones. If it means sacrificing a 1st too, I'm all for it. Do what you can to get premier pass rushers on that DL. You can fill in the rest later. But shoring up that DL is without a doubt our top priority.

[ThePro]

Even if it means spending the bulk of your dollars on 2 premier DL, I'm all for it. Don't care whether it's Clowney & Ngakoue or Armstead or hell even Chris Jones. If it means sacrificing a 1st too, I'm all for it. Do what you can to get premier pass rushers on that DL. You can fill in the rest later. But shoring up that DL is without a doubt our top priority.

That's just it. This same crap comes up every year. With cuts the Hawks could have as much as 70 mil in cap space. It doesn't go into a savings account and collect interest if they don't use it. If they sign two premiere DL. They have the cap space to do that easily and another addition somewhere. Hawks don't do 5-6 year deals. Russell is only on a 4 year deal. Remember the big freakout over Wagner's contract? Everyone thought he was going to leave or destroy the salary cap. Clowney and whomever else they sign will be on 3 year deals with most of it guaranteed and a large signing bonus that is back loaded 3rd year.

Bottom line is Hawks are close. They need to add some talent particularly along the lines and go for it this year. Bringing in 2nd tier talent to this roster makes no sense.

[Hanjag]

Even if it means spending the bulk of your dollars on 2 premier DL, I'm all for it. Don't care whether it's Clowney & Ngakoue or Armstead or hell even Chris Jones. If it means sacrificing a 1st too, I'm all for it. Do what you can to get premier pass rushers on that DL. You can fill in the rest later. But shoring up that DL is without a doubt our top priority.

I think signing Clowney and another top or near top 1 or 2 guys on the DL would be great. However, signing away a guy that grades as a big-timer while throwing away a 1st rounder is not the best move.

Give me JPP and Clowney.

I also think you need to invest a high draft pick or F.A. signing on 3 O.L., 1 DB, 1 WR, and depending on JPP & Clowney they need 3 DL adds.

Here, Mel Kiper has us picking a Reed replacement with the #1
Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN.com: Defensive Tackle Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
Kiper: "Get to know Madubuike's name, because I expect him to rise at the combine. The 6-3, 305-pound defensive tackle put up stellar numbers as an interior penetrator for the Aggies the past two seasons, racking up 11 sacks and 22 total tackles for loss. He wreaked havoc on SEC offensive linemen. Seattle could see huge turnover along its defensive line with Jadeveon Clowney, Ezekiel Ansah, Jarran Reed, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods all free agents, so Madubuike would help it reload after a down season in which the Seahawks had just 28 sacks. They have an extra second-round pick to help them restock."

These are the present Hawks picks:
1st round

2nd round

2nd round (lower of two picks between KC Chiefs and SF 49ers)

3rd round (compensatory for losing Earl Thomas)

4th round

4th round (compensatory for losing Justin Coleman)

5th round

5th round (from Steelers)

6th round (compensatory for losing Shamar Stephen)

7th round (compensatory for losing Mike Davis)

I have looked back at Hawks drafts back to 2013 and they all add multiple notable players. 2013 I would consider a whiff I think the most notable was 5th rounder LUUUUUUUUKe Wilson. I think the odds are with the position and number of picks that the Hawks add a handful of significant players through the draft.

[57reasons]

the 2013 draft class was historically bad league-wide, not just the Hawks. though not drafting any of them, at one point (or over a year spread anyway) the Hawks had 3 of the top 6 overall picks from that draft. Not sure we'll be seeing Luke Joeckel, Dion Jordan, or Barkevious Mingo in the Ring of Honor anytime soon - lucky if they ever raise the 12 flag.