Report: Vet Edge Rusher Market At $12 Million
February 23rd, 2016
There’s lots of growing chatter across various NFL media that the Broncos will break up their Super Bowl band of dominant pass rushers: Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson.
Denver, it’s said, won’t open the vault for three defensive linemen.
Jackson, 26, is the young up and coming buck among the bunch, and while his sack totals are pedestrian, 14 1/2 over the past three years, he’s widely considered to be a strong player and a versatile force at 6-6, 290 pounds.
He’s could be a free agent in 15 short days when the free agency dinner bell rings.
Noted Sports Illustrated scribe Peter King had Joe coughing up oatmeal yesterday when he typed for MMQB.com that Jackson is likely to command $12 million a year.
4. I think I see Malik Jackson going to the highest bidder in free agency. And I am beginning to be dubious about whether that will be Denver. The Broncos will keep Derek Wolfe, DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller (with at least the franchise tag) this free-agency season. The fourth pass-rusher, Jackson, might be too much for John Elway’s cap to take. I do believe someone (Giants? Falcons?) will pay Jackson $12 million a year, and that could be too rich for Denver.
What?
Jiminy Christmas! Next thing you know, Jacquies Smith will crank out another seven sacks next year and demand to be paid eight figures.
Joe’s all in favor of dudes getting paid, but it would be pretty damn stunning if Jackson is paid $12 million a year by the Giants or Falcons. King must have heard something about a booming market for defensive ends.
Perhaps proven Mario Williams’ big demands are, in fact, reasonable.
February 23rd, 2016 at 12:56 pm
I posted this on another Bucs page and thought it was pretty relevant BUT….
If we would draft the receiver from Baylor in the 1st then move back up to get the DT from Louisville. Sign a top tier DE. We could move GMC to one of the DE spots. have GMC, Spence, Rankins (from Louisville), and a top tier DE on that line we could fix the depth at receiver, bolster the D-line and create amazing depth at the same time. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
February 23rd, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Joe,
Your previous article mentioning trading for Mario Williams makes a lot more sense given the projected salary numbers you posted in this article. Package Glennon and another low round pick for Super Mario… It’s the bucs only shot at getting him he won’t come her in free agency.
February 23rd, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Supply and demand and the increase of the cap will mean, yes 12 million for Malik and 10 million for Oliver.
February 23rd, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Hell we have enough money to bring in 2 at that price. We need to develop a young end as well.
February 23rd, 2016 at 1:56 pm
@1Gr8Buc
GMC is a 3-tech. I cant see him being dominate at DE. Moving him over would be a waste of talent
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:14 pm
A premium position of need for every team – and there ain’t even close to 64 players who can “get the job done” consistently at this level to go around….
Supply and demand dictates the market. It also makes teams reach and overpay and “project” future success at DE with very little to support those projections. Its called desperation in evaluation and has plagued this team for years (ala Gaines Adams, Adrian Clayborne and Daquan Bowers, Michael Johnson).
Show us what ya got Jason Licht and Co. Screw overpriced Free Agency – Draft us 2 good Defensive Ends that can get consistent pressure on NFL Quarterbacks. There are quite a few good prospects out there this year. Go back to back and solve this edge rush problem in the same way you quite successfully doubled up on the Oline in the 2nd round last year.
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:14 pm
always tough to throw money at a guy who may or may not be the beneficiary of playing alongside\subbing in for tremendously talented teammates. 2 years of overpaying impotent Johnsons has driven that point home
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Jacq Smith with double-digit sacks…..?????
Come on Joe, put that bottle down!
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:46 pm
I understand that DE or any pass rusher on the market will easily find a team because the position is at a high premium and players that are considered pass rushers are at a high probability to get overpaid. Now you have to question yourself, is Malik Jackson a product of his environment (Denver’s historically great defense this year) or is he that good to command $12 million a year? Because there are so many examples of “pass rushers” putting up great numbers on a defense that’s surrounds them with actual great pass rushers. Jackson has benefitted from playing along 2 of the premiere pass rushers we have in the league right now in Demarcus Ware and Von Miller. Obviously teams are scheming to double team and to contain Ware and Miller opposed to Jackson. So I have to question if Jackson is good because of his individual talent or if it’s because he was surrounded by top tier pass rushers.
Just look at Ray Edwards from the Atlanta Falcons when he came over from the Vikings. He put up great numbers because he was on a line that featured Jared Allen in his prime and benefitted greatly from one on ones. Atlanta signed him to a good size deal and he was never heard from again. You can even take a look at one of our Bucs alumni in Booger McFarland. He put up great numbers playing next to Warren Sapp on our shutdown defense and left to play for the Colts and wasn’t the same guy.
There are plenty of stories of guys who’ve benefitted from great talent around them or playing in a scheme that is tailor made to fit their strengths but they go into another team and scheme and they bomb out, example Demarco Murray in Philly.
Opening your pockets and paying a guy like Jackson $12 million a year is somewhat of a pricey gamble that might turn out to be a huge bust. I preferably wouldn’t pursue Jackson at $12 million a year and I hope the Bucs don’t pursue him either at that price. Besides Von Miller and Muhammad Wilkerson, which both will most likely be tagged, I don’t see any pass rusher on the market this year that’s worth that kind of money. I just hope we don’t end up with another Michael Johnson at DE because it would suck to completely whiff again at a position we desperately need.
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:46 pm
Pick6
I agree with you for the most part that being said the bucs have not been able to draft and or develop a decent DE for close to 20 years… I do trust Licht more than his predecessors but free agency although expensive can not be ignored… Take a moment and think back on all the high first round and second picks the bucs have wasted on the de position. It’s beyond laughable bordering a curse…
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:47 pm
pick6
Agree completely about judging whether or not a player is benefitting a huge amount from the players beside him.
I’ll never forget the Alvin Harper fiasco. He looked good in Dallas running alongside Michael Irvin…but he got here and he was clearly not a #1.
Tom
I’m assuming you believe Jack Smith cannot remain healthy. If you take his two years totals here and project that average out to 16 games he actually would be getting right at 10 sacks. He has 13.5 in 18 starts or .75 sacks per start that ‘s 12 over a 16 game schedule.
I think there are only two big questions about Jack Smith…can he stay healthy and is he strong enough against the run to be more than a 3rd down player.
When he has started he has gotten to the QB. His .75 sacks per start over the past two years compares to GMC’s .45 sacks per start over his career.
February 23rd, 2016 at 2:58 pm
StPeteBucsFan
I like jack smith that being said I see no evidence he can hold up against the run which leaves as a situational pass rusher at best unless he plays kick arse special teams I think he can be upgraded.
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:02 pm
The Broncos will keep their whole defense together. I’m glad Jamies will face them next year cause we won’t play a better defense. They held Aaron Rodgers to 78 yards passing even when their rush wasn’t great that game. Jamies and Dirk will have to find ways to move the ball against them and the Oline must protect.
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Hard to believe the going rate would be that high in a strong draft year for DEs. I don’t see the Bucs dishing out a giant contract for a mid-tier DE. I mean, you’re going to pay a guy who has done nothing for your team yet almost as much as you’re paying Gerald McCoy? I just don’t see it. I mean, if it were Von Miller, OK… but not any of the other guys I’ve heard about.
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:11 pm
You are damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Sign a free agent like Malik for way to much like a michael Johnson and its wasting good money. Or draft the highest rated DE and take the 50/50 gamble that in a few years he can dominate.
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Ghost Johnson got 9 million to do nothing…
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:26 pm
What mike just said and always what St.Pete touched on..
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:34 pm
That’s why you go get the nastiest DT to line up next to GMC(Nkemdiche) and for the most part problem solve. Yea we all couldn’t help but notice Miller and Ware come off the edge this season. We all couldn’t help but notice the cats Short and Lotuolele get a similar productivity from the interior also.
February 23rd, 2016 at 3:48 pm
I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hanging out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holler at me
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:07 pm
If those chumps are worth eight figures, maybe GMC isn’t as overpaid as we all thought…
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:29 pm
The draft is deep at DE, he won’t get $10 million.
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:31 pm
I think elway will do what it takes
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:51 pm
Chyno1
:::APPLAUSE:::
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:52 pm
LOL…. Team Glazer asked that you ignore this article and move along…. JL said, ain’t happening…. SIMPLE AS THAT….
Big money will be spent but its likely gonna have to wait a year… This year is all about evaluating the talent you have and adding minor pieces to stop gap things… Look for the heavey hitters in FA next season… (Inside scoop)
February 23rd, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Oh and don’t be shocked if they let The Musel Hamster go… His talent is replaceable when you have coaches coaching to players talents!!!
They will draft to fix the D this year and use any big money FA to hook up Jamies. I really can’t see them being to aggressive with the roster based on the fact no one really knows who can do what other than not perform well under a Movie lead scheme…
Outside of the obvious wrong moves in personnel… You can’t really say our D lacks talent… I bet money we can win meaningful ball games with the guys we have…
Just a different way of looking at it is all I am saying!!,!
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Joe,
Please tell me you read the butcher job of an article on PFT regarding Jameis. Complete joke!!
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I would rather overpay for a productive DE…….the key word is “productive”……the problem is, you never really know. We might do just as well to bring back Ghost Johnson since we have his coach….and a new DC…..perhaps Cincy would trade….
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Ghost Johnson never wanted to be here. Him and his agent basically admitted it. Screw that guy.
If you’re gonna overpay someone, it needs to be someone who has consistent produced like Miller, Ware, Bennett. These guys who are up and coming or had 1 productive season, you just can’t give them the same kinda money.
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Yea I think the top of the edge rusher market will be around $12 mil, that’s probably what Olivier Vernon will get. Malik Jackson won’t, because he’s not an edge player. he’s an interior guy, as Ware and Miller play the edges in Denver’s 3-4. if Jackson goes to a 4-3 team like the Raiders or Giants, he will play DT…most likely a 3 tech.
considering the fact that he’s hardly an elite player, he will not get anywhere near $12 mil per. unless a team is completely out of their minds and overpays by a wide margin. even if there’s a bidding war, his deal will probably end up in the neighborhood of 8, maybe even 9 mil per year.
the only interior players who are worth 8 figure annual salaries are elite or very very good players. Watt (who shouldn’t even be compared to anyone, he’s in a class all by himself). Suh, Atkins, McCoy, etc. although McCoy is questionable in the elite category, he almost reached double digit sacks multiple times without ANYWHERE NEAR the type of talent around him that Malik Jackson had in Denver.
i know that was a lot to type just to basically say that this dude is not an edge rusher.
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:24 pm
thats so much money. but i think pass rushing is the 2nd most important thing after a qb. so i guess pay the man and bring him here. then try to hit in the draft
February 23rd, 2016 at 5:30 pm
@JAB83 … “You can’t really say our D lacks talent.”
Beg to differ JAB. Bucs have some excellent talent on the defensive side of the ball, just not enough of it. They’ve got lots of holes to fill (DE, CB and safety positions among them). And relatively little depth compared to teams like Denver, Seattle, NE, Arizona, Carolina.
Bucs D stunk up RayJay last year. Part of that was coaching and the defensive scheme, but a large part of that was lack of talent also. I’ll be very surprised if we don’t have 4-5 new starters on defense this year … maybe even more.
February 23rd, 2016 at 6:10 pm
I like what you stated Jab83..
February 23rd, 2016 at 7:34 pm
@Chyno1
Thank you for breaking up your words!!!!! 🙂
February 23rd, 2016 at 9:02 pm
very slow day!wish we would sign Doug….
February 23rd, 2016 at 10:25 pm
Malik jackson is a 3-4 DE or a DT in a 4-3 defense. He is an inside rusher, usually taking on a guard/center combo while Von or Ware take on the OT. He is rarely an edge rusher.
February 23rd, 2016 at 11:11 pm
My dad used to say “kill it with a stick” to mean let’s get this done once and for all. I never forgot what he meant and the Bucs have been trying to get a consistent pass rush since Simeon Rice, It is time for them to “Kill it with a stick”.
Here’s a way to do it! The Bucs have 49.3mil in cap space (OTC). Let’s project what it really could be with some bullet biting. Get rid of the people that can’t help you and get the people that can at a premium!
OG Logan Mankins retires and is replaced by either Kevin Pamphile or Vadal Alexander/LSU or Germain Ifedi/TXA&m taken in the 2nd round.
CB Alteraun Verner is cut and replaced by Harlan Miller/SE Louisiana or Deiondre Hall in the 3rd round.
OT Gosder Cherilus or Demar Dotson is cut and replaced by Mitchell Schwartz in FA.
TE Brandon Meyers is cut and replaced by up and comer Tevin Westbrook already on roster.
C Evan Smith is cut and has already been replaced by Joe Hawley.
DE George Johnson is cut and is replaced by Noah Spence in the 1st round.
FS Major Wright is cut and replaced by Tashaun Gipson/Browns in FA.
DE Kourtnei Brown and OG Garrett are cut and not replaced because they never should have been here.
THE MATH
Logan Mankins 7.00mil
Alteraun Verner 6.75mil
Bruce Carter 4.25mil
Gosder Cherilus 4.5mil
Evan smith 2.5mil
George Johnson 2.00mil
Brandon Meyers 1.75mil
Major Wright 1.75mil
Garrett Gilkey .675mil
Kourtnei Brown .525mil
Total Cap Savings 31.7mil
Current Cap Space 49.3mil + Total Cap Savings 31.7mil = 81mil
With 80.9mil in cap space, go out and solve this problem once and for all. Sign Mario Williams at 12mil/yr and Justin Pierre Paul at 10mil to 4 year contracts 2 years guaranteed with offset language! We will be fine in cap space going forward. Cap goes up by 10mil in 2017. Jackson’s 11mil drops off in 2017. McCoy and Williams (34) drop off in 2018. Kill it with a stick. Now!
DE Mario Williams/Bills 12.0mil
DE JPP/Giants 10.0mil
OT Mitchell Schwartz/ Browns 7.5mil
FS Tashaun Gipson/Browns 4.5mil
RB Doug Martin/Bucs 8.0mil
CB Brice McCain/Dolphins 4.25mil
Projected FA 46.2mil
Projected remaining cap space 34.8mil
February 23rd, 2016 at 11:48 pm
Macabee – the top 5 names on your list should and hopefully will be kept. Especially Mankins – but that’s his call because the Bucs will NOT cut him. Verner, Cherilus and Carter are all overpaid – but so what? All have reasonable amounts of talent why create more holes that need to be filled? – whether they are back-ups or starters. Evan Smith is a backup – but a veteran with years of experience that can play all 3 interior line positions reasonably well (I didn’t say he was good – just that there’s not a huge drop off if he comes in) – a guy like that is valuable and good insurance at $2.5M.
The rest of the list I could care less about – but they only represent about $6M and their replacements would cost roughly the same anyway. Johnson, Myers and Gilkey should all be gone and hopefully they will not wear Bucs uniforms again…
I expect the Bucs to draft at least 1 or more likely 2 DEs this year – so tying up $22M for that position is probably not necessary. And getting both those guys to come here would be nothing short of miraculous anyway. LOL We’ll see.
Interesting take though. “Kill it with a stick!”
February 24th, 2016 at 12:01 am
Johnny “America’s Commenter” Dejay – very good point. when the lucky not-at-all-elite batch of pass rushers (assuming no von miller) in this free agency class start getting deals at 75 to 85% of GMC’s paycheck, it puts into perspective 1) that GMC’s contract will look pretty fair by the end, and 2) how much cheaper signing your own excellent players is vs signing somebody else’s pretty good players.
February 24th, 2016 at 12:01 am
I think we should trade up and take bosa or ramsey
February 24th, 2016 at 7:08 am
We should do everything possible to sign Mario Williams. We have the cap space.
February 24th, 2016 at 9:44 am
I think the only FA DE worth that money is O.Vernon cause he’s constintally put up good numbers when he’s started and he’s only 26 yrs old. That the only problem I have with M.Williams he 31 and at the end of his career. He’s prob gonna want a 3 yr deal and he’s not worth it. Only if we could him get him at a 2 yr deal it would be worth the $. If I’m the Bucs I’m doing everything possible to get O.Vernon in a Bucs uniform.