Trading for an interior lineman - what this team really needs

[wu-dai clan]

So, looks like we're back to: Draft a solid pass pro C, and draft a decent dual-purpose G...I think the Bolts should also hedge their bets and sign a swing a decent FA C-G in the offseason...

Corey Linsley. Round 5.
David Andrews. UDFA.
Jeff Saturday. UDFA.
It can happen to you.

[Steve]

Corey Linsley. Round 5.
David Andrews. UDFA.
Jeff Saturday. UDFA.
It can happen to you.

Travis Kelce was a 6th round pick too. The guy he replaced (Jamal Jackson) was an UDFA who sat for a while then displaced the starter and held the job for 5 or 6 years till Kelce came along.

There are a couple of ways to approach it.

1). Draft high -> those guys are usually good enough to start right away. See Joe Alt.
2). Draft lower or develop an UDFA and sign a FA to play short term ->

Some guys end up being good enough right away, but many take some time. Usually the further you are from being a top pick, but that varies by guy.

Andrews, Linsley and Kelce all started their rookie seasons. Linsley was supposed to be a developmental guy, but the guy who was supposed to start was slow recovering from an injury (JC Tretter), but played so well Linsley kept the job after the other guy came back. Andrews and Kelce displaced the established guys and started right away.

If you are going to do the middle to late round, UDFA thing, you will probably fail more than you succeed. However, you can bring guys like that in bulk, and just throw numbers at the problem. If they are good players, they can play OG too.

The other guy that MIGHT be available is Brandon Schreff. When his contract was renegotiated in the offseason, they voided the future years, so he is a FA at the end of the season.

It's pretty clear Schreff will be moving on, so a late trade for them helps them net something. They may be trying to add some comp picks, but in truth we know that the jags will be going out to sign big name FA letting a guy like Schreff walk to offset their spending isn't going to net a comp pick for Jacksonville. He might for us, and when you remember good but not great OG were getting like $20 mill in FA last year, he might get us something juicy. Even better, he might sign a more reasonable deal and then fill the spot while we develop someone.

[wu-dai clan]

Thanks Steve. Scherff sounds very tempting.

Yeah you can draft high. Kelly in IND. Ragnow in DET. Frederick in DAL.

[Velo]

I like touchdowns.

[richpjr]

Travis Kelce was a 6th round pick too.

Kelce was a 3rd round pick, but your point is valid.

[richpjr]

[Bolt4Knob]

interesting name
isn't owed a lot of money
last year of his deal
would cost probably a 4th round pick

[Maniaque 6]

Do it !

[rensoul]

interesting name
isn't owed a lot of money
last year of his deal
would cost probably a 4th round pick

Scherff is a big name for an OG but he'll be turning 33 this December. If they think they can extend him for 1-2 years the trade might make some sense. It doesn't make much sense for a half season rental unless it's for very cheap.

[AFboltfan]

I'd take Scherff at this point... Hebert was sacked wayyyyy too many times today.

[Bolts&noles]

They need to do something.
Even if it's a "depth" piece

[Steve]

Kelce was a 3rd round pick, but your point is valid.

Sorry, I meant his brother Jason, who was the best C in football for virtually his entire time in the league and despite several different offenses.