Do I let go of a top WR to save cap room for 2-3 years from now?

[SouthernWarrior]

Currently the Giants and we won the SB 31-0. Very dominant season with a LOT of young players. We won off our defense who has Jaire Alexander and 2 superstar development DB's who are 2-3 years away from FA. Used a very mediocre (But young) o-line and a decent QB with amazing WR's.

Offensively, my issue is Darius Slayton. He is an 88 overall, 26 years old and up for FA. The last 2 seasons has averaged around 900 yards and 3-4 TD's. However I also have a 23 year WR at 81 overall who in his 2nd year had 800 yards and 5 TD's, and a 22 year old WR at 83 overall who had 720 yards and 6 TD's.

Also a slot guy at 75 overall 23 years old, had 130 yards and 1 TD but his rookie year before one of the WR's overtook him had 456 yards and 2 TD's.

This is all with a normal development QB at 75 who is 23 now (playing on sim mode).

Slayton wants a 4 year deal at about 55.2 million.. if I give him what he wants I still have 30 million in cap space, however I know in a. year or two my guys are going to need to be paid massively and want to keep as many as possible.

There is also a stud WR in the draft with A- abilities in catching, spec catch and catch in traffic where I can grab him so Slayton is replacable.

Here is my dilemma:

A) Do I just let him walk in FA?
B) Do I franchise tag him?
C) Do I sign him for 4 years?


I'm leaning towards franchise tagging him, BUT this WR in the draft class looks like a total stud and if I keep Slayton one of my WR's is not getting fed next year...

But also want to repeat next seasons so unsure what to do.

Advice?

[iceman43]

Franchise and trade

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[Richie71]

Agree. Franchise and trade.

I think you need two good WRs and a TE to have a good passing game. The third WR doesn't need to be great. Nice to have a fast guy or a big guy there.

I usually have my #2 WR as the slot WR, whether he's especially suited to the role or not.

[SouthernWarrior]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richie71

Agree. Franchise and trade. I think you need two good WRs and a TE to have a good passing game. The third WR doesn't need to be great. Nice to have a fast guy or a big guy there. I usually have my #2 WR as the slot WR, whether he's especially suited to the role or not.

Do I take any cap penalty if I trade him after franchise tagging him?

Also would you recommend trading Slayton at the draft (have the #2, #29, #28 picks...) or waiting till week 8 so he continues to contribute and then trade him to one of the worst teams for the best possible draft pick?

My only issue w the latter would be again not being able to develop the WR whoever I draft.. already have the 2 WR's mentioned in the original post

[Richie71]

Trade before the draft. You should be giving playing time to the two younger WRs and any draft pick.

[SouthernWarrior]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richie71

Trade before the draft. You should be giving playing time to the two younger WRs and any draft pick.

so in essence should I every year be using the franchise tag (on a player I don't want) and then trading them away for draft picks?

Still unclear if I suffer any cap penalty for doing a franchise tag, then trading them pre-draft

[iceman43]

I believe you dont as the team assumes the deal

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[SouthernWarrior]

Quote: Originally Posted by iceman43

I believe you dont as the team assumes the deal Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Wow I should’ve been doing this every year cause every player is tradable and at worst then you might only get a 5th or 4th rounder but at least it’s something