2016 NFL Draft - Offensive Linemen

OK, this is a bit of a redirection as I am not beginning this thread to highlight the top O-Linemen in this upcoming 2016 draft, instead I am bringing to light exactly what the Browns already enjoy on this roster. It would be a HUGE mistake to let this line dismantle. Many have been calling for Mitchell Schwartz' replacement since his sophomore year...He is a gem in a world that some think linemen grow on trees as the following article eludes to.

First line of business, imho, is locking in Alex Mack's commitment, which would then cement Joe Thomas renewed commitment to the team...then go get Schwartz signed BEFORE free agency begins. Once he hits the market, he will get PAID..

The article at ESPN:

Now...IF Mack opts out and the fail to re-sign Schwartz, then Thomas COULD ask for a trade which will immediately make this thread very active and VERY important!!

I'm hoping the metrics show these moves are important for the state of the franchise.

 

I don't think Thomas or Schwartz will leave but I feel Mack is gone with the mind. I would place a tag on him so I'll get something in return.

I feel Erving is a backup at best. Thinking that I would draft or sign a center. Erving is a bust, to soft.

 

Erving played his best ball at center the last half of his Sr yr....he never played guard in college only OT and center...he does need 2 get stronger and Im sure that will happen

 

I'm not sure he is eligible for the tag since he is opting out of a contract...In fact I think his opt out date is by April 4th 2016, as his salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed on April 5th..

The tag dates for 2016 are from Feb. 16-March 1 by 4:00 PM EST

March 9th free agency begins, so Mack can opt out any time after March 1st and enter free agency with NO opportunity for anyone to block him...Watch for that March 2nd date to see what he is going to do..

 

Well Irish, I gotta admit. You were right about Schwartz a long time ago. I was one of his biggest critics until this season, but he has been solid. Very solid....I hope we can retain his services.

I'm almost certain Joe Thomas will stay. He's been through it all, and I gotta believe he can feel a positive vibe throughout this organization. Hue Jackson will intrigue him. In spite of everything, Joe has always been a very faithful soldier and the Browns have paid him accordingly....I think Hue will sell him and Joe will be happy to stay in Cleveland.

Mack is the one I'm worried about. Not that he played so well, but more that I'm especially worried about Cam Erving. He was just awful and there is no getting around it. I've never seen a guy get blown up that consistantly on FG's.....It was sad to see. I'm not sure if we can keep Mack, but maybe tagging him is a good idea (not sure who mentioned it earlier)......At least we can get something if he bolts.

What are the chances that the Browns go OL with the #2 overall pick?

 

Quick thoughts -

I think Hue would have to dislike the top 3 quarterbacks in this draft to the point that even if he traded back 5-7 spots he still wouldn't take one.

Or, Thomas gets traded in a package deal for a quarterback (TB/NYG) and the need for QB is filled and an opening on the line is created.

 

We CAN'T tag Mack...He is under contract. You can't tag someone with a contract.

 

Oh...ok....So why is everybody saying that Mack is leaving? Are they talking about the following year?

 

Cause he has an opt out clause.

 

No, he can opt out of his contract in 2016, 2017 or 2018. He has 3 years left on his contract, but he has the option to opt out in any of those 3 years. The opt out can be done up until April 4th, the day before his 2016 salary is guaranteed...The last day to tag a player is March 1st, a full month before Mack has to make his decision. To make it even more prevalent, as of March 2nd, he can opt out, and no tag can be applied, this making him a free agent, I believe immediately, a week before regular free agency begins March 9th.

 

Ok, I understand now....That's kind of a flimsy contract from the teams' perspective. Mack is holding all the cards. Now all the fuss makes more sense....

 

Close, but no cigar, Irish.

"No, he can opt out of his contract in 2016, 2017 or 2018. He has 3 years left on his contract, but he has the option to opt out in any of those 3 years."

Mack actually has only one chance to opt out of his contract and that chance is now. He has the option to void the final three years of his contract after the 2015 season (that would be now). I can find no reference to him being able to exercise this option after the 2016 or 2017 season.

If he decides to opt out at this point in time, he would lose out on the $8M 2016 base salary which would be 100% guaranteed on April 5th if he stays. The $8M for 2017 and the $8M for 2018 (I believe) would be guaranteed for injury only.

This one is definitely going to be interesting to follow.

 

The way Jacksonville worded Mack's contract actually benefited the Browns initially. Mack ended up making only $39,000 less than the going transition tag rate at the time when the Browns matched the offer but Mack ended up with $18M in guaranteed money for 2014 & 2015.

If he decides to stay, he's still looking at $24M over the next three years with $8M guaranteed (if he signs up by April 4th). The question he has to ask himself is "can I do better than that in the open market".

 

Thanks Lym, they were talking about Mack's contract (and other free agents) earlier this week on 92.3 The Fan and they said, he could opt to stay in 2016 and if nothing changes could still opt out in either 2017 or 2018..But you're right, I can't find anything that states that. All I have seen is just as you say, he can opt out in 2016, then the Browns can opt out in 2017 or 2018 just like any other normal contract with no dead money.

 

I got curious and started sniffing around for an answer.

Alex Mack could opt out and STILL be a Brown in 2016. If he doesn't opt out, he's scheduled to make $8M in 2016 (all of which would be guaranteed for injury only). For 2017 and 2018, his base salary drops to $6M with a $2M roster bonus for each year (with none of it guaranteed). In essence, that's a three year, $24M contract with $8M guaranteed for injury only (assuming he's on the roster in both 2017 and 2018).

If Mack opts out because he (and/or his agent) feel his market value is worth more, then there is nothing preventing the Browns from signing him as a Free Agent at whatever his new market value ends up to be.

 

That's a very good point and you can take it a step farther where the opt out isn't even necessary. The Browns could proactively just offer him a new contract.

 

Yes, they could. But I have a feeling he really wants to test the FA market to get a solid feel for his own market value and, at the same time, get a feel for how much he's valued in Berea.

 

Just give him a $1M in 2016 and $1.5M in 2017 and $2M in 2018 and get him shored up for the next 3 years...and then go from there..That is the market value, if they consider him the top C in the NFL...If they don't then analytics will tell him, take it or leave it.

I'm hoping he is on the team in 2016!!

 

Also posted in the DPL....

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...cted-to-opt-out-could-still-return-to-browns/

While getting Mack back would be a terrific get for the Browns from a purely talent standpoint, it would also (conceivably) mark a turnaround from a morale standpoint as well.

If Thomas, Mack, and maybe Schwartz stick around because they're excited about Hue's offense or the direction of the Browns, that is a huge boost to morale -- not to mention saving us precious draft picks.

Of course, being the top-paid guy doesn't hurt either.

 

I want Mack back..continuity is the name of the game in the NFL and having him there would keep that going, a year removed from his injury.

Now, that said, this line is becoming expensive..Right now after the latest roster moves, we stand at $134.2M for our "Top 51" which is what counts against the cap ceiling.

They are expecting a 2016 cap around $152M..So we currently stand at about $18M and have high draft picks which, I believe puts us around $8.9M for the rookie salary cap...

Which currently puts us with about $10M to spend..give Mack a raise and that number goes down. It's no wonder the Browns said they wouldn't be big spenders in free agency...

We still need to try to sign Benjamin and Schwartz....

So, in order to make room...I could still see some players cut:
Dwayne Bowe saves $3.4M (but would still cost us 4.6M without taking a snap)
Brian Hartline saves $3M

These are the most likely...Then you have less likely
Alex Mack saves $8M if he opts out and isn't re-signed
Donte Whitner saves $3.95M (we are already down a safety if Gipson isn't re-signed)
Paul Kruger saves $5.3M
Desmond Bryant saves $5M
Karlos Dansby saves $3.5M
Tramon Williams saves $3.18M
John Greco saves $2.93M
Josh McCown saves $2.7M

That's about it and I don't really see anyone we can spare...