2025 Draft Prospects for Packers

[tynimiller]

These are some interesting options V re: Willis and using him in a trade to address areas on the team in need of improvement. Hadn't thought of that.

I haven't seen any comments suggesting that Willis should be cut. That makes absolutely no sense to me. He is a valuable asset for the Packers, and if they don't keep him, they should get something in return if he leaves.

As far as draft capital. I don't think he's worthy of a 2nd round pick, but who knows? Good QBs are scarce and he had good games as a backup last season. He certainly showed he can be successful with the right coaching and a game plan allowing for his strengths. On the few occasions he did pass last year, I thought he did well (I looked at him primarily as a game manager with a lot of emphasis on the run, but he's more than that).

So keep him or trade him, Willis definitely has value to the Packers.

I'm not saying Willis should be or would be, but he is the perfect candidate for a conditional pick to be included in the trade....so it could be:

2025 3rd rounder
2026 5th rounder that becomes a 4th if he starts half the 2025 season, becomes a 3rd if he is a top10 QB in a named category say TDs or Passing Yards or Passer Rating....

Each team in a QB trade scenario understand his value could be a bust or BOOM and each team would want to protect some against that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Thanks for the detail, and yeah, I forgot to mention Rodgers specifically. I really don't know much about how cap is calculated and when it counts or is pushed out. I think it's logical to assume dead cap only applies to the team trading the player (Why would an acquiring team assume dead cap? Is that even possible? I doubt it.)

I didn't know or just forgot that Rodgers restructured his deal with GB to make the trade possible. Again, that's money that the Packers have to account for, not the acquiring team. Well, I think so........

And as you note - interesting that in one year his cap hit is so low (2023), and then so large in 2024 when the option bonus has to be accounted for, the 58.3 mil. Am I reading that correctly?

Cap numbers can get a bit confusing.

First, you have to always keep in mind that the cap numbers that you see don't usually equate to the checks that the team is writing to a player. The cap numbers usually represent how a team wants to handle said payments to players on their "Cap Accounting For NFL Purposes Only." Todays contracts can come from loaded with a lot of guaranteed money and signing bonuses to a player. A contract that includes such money, except for rare circumstances, automatically go on the teams books as cap that has to be reported at some point.

Below is a pretty decent article that explains the NFL Salary Cap. It isn't as complicated as it seems, but their are some nuances to it. Two such nuances that are different from some sports is this:

• Percentage limit:
  Up to 50% of the first $2 million of a player's salary can be deferred, and up to 75% of the salary exceeding $2 million can be deferred.
  
  
  
• Time Limit:
  
  Deferred amounts cannot exceed 5 years. So basically, there isn't a limit on how long a contract can run (Mahommes signed a 10 year deal), but initial bonuses and guarantees that are paid out, must be accounted for within 5 years or less. Some teams take advantage of this and sign a 3 year deal plus 2 void years. This allows the team to push those cap hits out past the 3 years (2 additional years).
  
  
  
  

  How Does the NFL Salary Cap Work? NFL Salary Cap Explained (Updated 2024)

  The NFL salary cap has been in place for three decades. Let's run through how the cap works and its effects on NFL rosters and contracts league-wide.

  www.profootballnetwork.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If Gute decides to part ways with Willis and doesn't get something substantial in the process, he will be putting his own feet to what could become a raging fire.

Why? If Gute can't find a decent backup QB to replace Willis and something happens to Love in 2025 and his replacement stinks, the media and fans will point to Gute getting rid of Willis as a HUGE mistake. They will point to what Willis did in 2024 and turn that against Gute and the new backup.

IMO, the only way Gute would find a backup QB that is equal to or better than Willis is to sign a FA Vet, for $5M or more per year. Said Vet will need to work fast and learn the Packer playbook. That alone is another reason why parting ways with #2 would be foolish. Malik knows the offense, is very capable and eventually will slip away into Free Agency, but provide the Packers with a nice Comp Pick or offset when he does.

If anything, Matt should be finding ways to work Malik into the offense, when Love is healthy. Get creative Matt, don't waste the talent while you have it.

 

[tynimiller]

If Gute decides to part ways with Willis and doesn't get something substantial in the process, he will be putting his own feet to what could become a raging fire.

Why? If Gute can't find a decent backup QB to replace Willis and something happens to Love in 2025 and his replacement stinks, the media and fans will point to Gute getting rid of Willis as a HUGE mistake. They will point to what Willis did in 2024 and turn that against Gute and the new backup.

IMO, the only way Gute would find a backup QB that is equal to or better than Willis is to sign a FA Vet, for $5M or more per year. Said Vet will need to work fast and learn the Packer playbook. That alone is another reason why parting ways with #2 would be foolish. Malik knows the offense, is very capable and eventually will slip away into Free Agency, but provide the Packers with a nice Comp Pick or offset when he does.

If anything, Matt should be finding ways to work Malik into the offense, when Love is healthy. Get creative Matt, don't waste the talent while you have it.

Yeah Malik offers immense insurance for sure, which is why I still think the only way I'm listening to trade offers or using him in a trade offer is for one of those team shifting type moves. If some team wants to give us a 2nd that becomes a first rounder in 2026 depending on how he plays...that's about the lowest I'm likely wanting to consider and even then I want a 4th or something this year to play with too...


BUT.....


IF Gute really wants to make something happen, hit the gas if you will and target Maxx Crosby....if in those talks they bring up getting Malik back in return as part of the package....NOW we are talking about a time I could get behind Malik going elsewhere. Truth is we are hitched the the trailer of Love and if Malik was our starter all last year I don't see more than 7 or 8 wins...could be wrong high or low. BUT you add Maxx Crosby to this team, who IMO walks out DAY 1 as our best defender on the team.....well that has potential to be that Reggie White type move for Gute....Including Malik in that package no doubt would lesson the strain of massive draft pick equity back to them...as they are also lets not forget QB hungry.

Say a package for Maxx right now starts with two first rounders to even get Oakland to discuss....does adding Malik make that start at a first and a seecond? Does it shave off more of the cost of the main pieces??

Maxx is a guy I'd move Malik for without BLINKING. But I'm also a guy that would give both this and next year first rounders if it brings in Maxx.

In a DREAM world you give Raiders two second rounders and Malik and get Maxx and maybe a package of this and next year 6th round flyers back.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

IF Gute really wants to make something happen, hit the gas if you will and target Maxx Crosby

Nice thought, but.....I think the asking price for Crosby will be too high. I also think that Maxx will want a new contract in a trade. Sure, he only has 2 years left on his current one, but the terms of it would totally make the trade worthwhile for the Packers. Those terms being ~$23M in 2025 and ~$19.5M in 2026.

This could be one of those trades where the trading team wants too much in return and the Player uses it to re-up his contract.

Great player and yes fully worth thinking about a trade for him, if it is on his current contract, but if he suddenly wants to be the highest paid at his position (~$34M/year), I'll pass.

 

[tynimiller]

Nice thought, but.....I think the asking price for Crosby will be too high. I also think that Maxx will want a new contract in a trade. Sure, he only has 2 years left on his current one, but the terms of it would totally make the trade worthwhile for the Packers. Those terms being ~$23M in 2025 and ~$19.5M in 2026.

This could be one of those trades where the trading team wants too much in return and the Player uses it to re-up his contract.

Great player and yes fully worth thinking about a trade for him, if it is on his current contract, but if he suddenly wants to be the highest paid at his position (~$34M/year), I'll pass.

Don't disagree,

I will say I think a sneaky quieter option IF we hear Gute is trading for an edge piece is actually more likely than Maxx and that is Myles Garrett. Browns are a mess and he really isn't a bad contract and is still a very good player (he'll be 30 in this next season) with still two years on his deal.

Browns are another team that could have eyes on Malik....

I still think no trades happen, Gute operates within the normal FA and if we are involved in a trade Jaire is actually the piece involved.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Don't disagree,

I will say I think a sneaky quieter option IF we hear Gute is trading for an edge piece is actually more likely than Maxx and that is Myles Garrett. Browns are a mess and he really isn't a bad contract and is still a very good player (he'll be 30 in this next season) with still two years on his deal.

Browns are another team that could have eyes on Malik....

I still think no trades happen, Gute operates within the normal FA and if we are involved in a trade Jaire is actually the piece involved.

I've always been a Myles Garrett fan and yeah, wow on his contract if you could get him. A team would only be paying his base salary of $1.255M in 2025 and $1.3M in 2026.

Would love to have him, but I doubt the Browns part with him. Why? His Dead Cap hit would be $36.216M. Even if they split that over 2 seasons, just not one they will take.

His contract is a really interesting one to look at. I have linked it below. The Browns really hitched their wagons too him by pushing out a ton of the cap hit.

Myles Garrett | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Myles Garrett contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[tynimiller]

I've always been a Myles Garrett fan and yeah, wow on his contract if you could get him. A team would only be paying his base salary of $1.255M in 2025 and $1.3M in 2026.

Would love to have him, but I doubt the Browns part with him. Why? His Dead Cap hit would be $36.216M. Even if they split that over 2 seasons, just not one they will take.

His contract is a really interesting one to look at. I have linked it below. The Browns really hitched their wagons too him by pushing out a ton of the cap hit.

Myles Garrett | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com

Myles Garrett contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Oh I think you offer to pay some of that, which unless something changed I thought you can do. Let me research that some.

 

[tynimiller]

@Pokerbrat2000 I texted my contact that is still with an organization quick (no not Packers) and he said no cash options cannot be included in trades BUT what is commonly done is the trading team and player knowing the deal is redo their contract structure in a way to slide that money around. Now this is typically the case where the team losing the player moves base into bonus and they cover more of the players cost, but in this case specifically I don't know if the Browns could do anything thought the way they pushed everything out on their dime.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

@Pokerbrat2000 I texted my contact that is still with an organization quick (no not Packers) and he said no cash options cannot be included in trades BUT what is commonly done is the trading team and player knowing the deal is redo their contract structure in a way to slide that money around. Now this is typically the case where the team losing the player moves base into bonus and they cover more of the players cost, but in this case specifically I don't know if the Browns could do anything thought the way they pushed everything out on their dime.

Thought about a contract "rework" myself with Garrett. I think the problem the Browns would face is that all the "money" was shoved out via the "option prorated". They have already benefited from that over the last 4 seasons. Guessing the NFL would simply say "No, you chose to account for it that way, you can't reverse the contract and start over." Who knows though, I could be wrong.

I think this is the danger a team faces when signing huge deals and then expecting to "pay for them later". However, those contracts do work out when said player doesn't get injured, plays at the same or a higher level and is happy sticking with that team for the entirety of the contract. The Browns have to feel pretty good about the fact that they have had one of the best defensive players in the NFL, playing at a high level, while staying healthy and all for "just" $25M/season. The big question though; "Does Myles now want out of Cleveland?"

I did some searching to see if anyone else entertained the idea of trading Garrett. There were a bunch of them. The article below points out the absurdity of some writers of these "articles". Sure he talks about how he might be traded to the Cardinals, but like the other articles, doesn't account for the huge impact of his dead cap hit.

Maybe NFL contract guru's know the answer, but to just blatantly write about a trade, without discussing the financial nuts and bolts is just irresponsible journalism.

The Browns are currently looking at a $72.935 million cap charge for the Watson deal in 2025. They owe him $92 million in cash for 2025 and 2026.

Someone has been drinking at the cap desk over there in Cleveland!

Browns Predicted to Trade Myles Garrett to Shocking NFC Team

The Cleveland Browns will be faced with an absolutely monumental decision heading into the NFL offseason. Should they trade Myles Garrett? Garrett recently expr

www.si.com

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm not saying Willis should be or would be, but he is the perfect candidate for a conditional pick to be included in the trade....so it could be:

2025 3rd rounder
2026 5th rounder that becomes a 4th if he starts half the 2025 season, becomes a 3rd if he is a top10 QB in a named category say TDs or Passing Yards or Passer Rating....

Each team in a QB trade scenario understand his value could be a bust or BOOM and each team would want to protect some against that.

That would be a good trade scenario. I'd feel better if he remained a Packer, but if some GM thinks Willis might be a starter, well what you suggest may be a deal too good to pass up.

 

[tynimiller]

Thought about a contract "rework" myself with Garrett. I think the problem the Browns would face is that all the "money" was shoved out via the "option prorated". They have already benefited from that over the last 4 seasons. Guessing the NFL would simply say "No, you chose to account for it that way, you can't reverse the contract and start over." Who knows though, I could be wrong.

I think this is the danger a team faces when signing huge deals and then expecting to "pay for them later". However, those contracts do work out when said player doesn't get injured, plays at the same or a higher level and is happy sticking with that team for the entirety of the contract. The Browns have to feel pretty good about the fact that they have had one of the best defensive players in the NFL, playing at a high level, while staying healthy and all for "just" $25M/season. The big question though; "Does Myles now want out of Cleveland?"

I did some searching to see if anyone else entertained the idea of trading Garrett. There were a bunch of them. The article below points out the absurdity of some writers of these "articles". Sure he talks about how he might be traded to the Cardinals, but like the other articles, doesn't account for the huge impact of his dead cap hit.

Maybe NFL contract guru's know the answer, but to just blatantly write about a trade, without discussing the financial nuts and bolts is just irresponsible journalism.

The Browns are currently looking at a $72.935 million cap charge for the Watson deal in 2025. They owe him $92 million in cash for 2025 and 2026.

Someone has been drinking at the cap desk over there in Cleveland!

Browns Predicted to Trade Myles Garrett to Shocking NFC Team

The Cleveland Browns will be faced with an absolutely monumental decision heading into the NFL offseason. Should they trade Myles Garrett? Garrett recently expr

www.si.com

You know who could make an already fairly attractive guy to teams look even better by doing the money shuffle?

The Packers could slide some of Jaire's base over to bonus and eat it immediately or even add a void year....imagine if you're a team that will entertain a trade for him and the Packers want say a third...you're like heck no not worth the risk....but the Gute goes, what if we restructure his deal and make his cost to you only like $10M in 2025 and 2026.....

Now you're talking....

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You know who could make an already fairly attractive guy to teams look even better by doing the money shuffle?

The Packers could slide some of Jaire's base over to bonus and eat it immediately or even add a void year....imagine if you're a team that will entertain a trade for him and the Packers want say a third...you're like heck no not worth the risk....but the Gute goes, what if we restructure his deal and make his cost to you only like $10M in 2025 and 2026.....

Now you're talking....

"Buying draft picks"

But yeah, if the Packers feel that strongly on JA. Problem is, his dead cap is already $19M. Adding $14M onto that wouldn't be worth it IMO., unless you value a 3rd rounder to be worth that type of investment ($14M).

I'd rather see the Packers spend that $14M on a Free Agent. If they cut Jaire and take the Dead cap of $19M, they avoid paying out the $36.618M that is due to him in the next 2 years.

The Packers big decision falls on "Is it worth shelling out $18M+ each of the next 2 seasons for Jaire? If it is a "no" for them, it probably will be a "no" for most other teams, especially if they have to give up draft capital in addition to it.

So if the Packers don't want to keep Jaire, on his original deal and they can't renegotiate a deal with him or another team, I think he will just be outright cut.