A financial looks at poistions.
Offense
QB
Darnold will be the starter going forward. That much is clear. The future backup QB is not currently on the roster so Mac will need to find a veteran backup at a reasonable price. Or perhaps use a mid-round pick on a prospect.
RB
Mac has done a nice job finding good pieces for this group without breaking the bank. If Crowell finds his groove and McGuire improves it's likely Bilal Powell won't be on the team in '19. Mac will look for a third RB in free agency or a mid-round pick. No need to spend a lot of capital here.
WR
If Enunwa is healthy he will get a new contract for good money and it will be money well spent. Anderson needs to stop shooting himself in the foot to get a new contract. The key here will be Stewart and Hanson. If they step up and fill roles Mac won't need to find another receiver for big money or a low draft choice.
TE
A total crap shoot here. It all depends on the two young guys, Leggett and Herndon. If they prove they're the future Mac won't have to address this position next year. Tomlinson is an excellent low cots complement.
OL
A complete mess. The top four guys, Beachem, Carpenter, Long and Winters account for $30mm of cap space. That is not the highest number in the league but it's pretty high for a mediocre group. Shell is still on his rookie contract. It's likely Mac overhauls this group next year with a huge chunk of cap space and low draft picks. This group is an albatross around this team.
Defense
DL
A lot of moving parts here. Leo is the big guy here making a lot of money and earning it. McClendon and Cooper are decent low cost fill-ins but do not make this an elite group. Anderson was a draft pick well spent. The key is if Simon, Sheppard and Fatukasi can fill these roles and improve their play. If that happens Mac will not have to spend big in '19. If not, he will.
LB
One of Mac's best gets in FA was signing Williamson in the prime of his career at a reasonable cost. Darren Lee is still on his rookie contract and bigger things are expected from the first rounder. Jenkins is solid on one side and is still on his rookie contract. Mac fully intended to spend big here this season but was shut out when Ansah and Lawrence were tagged. Mac will go full guns next year to get his guy. The 2019 draft is loaded will talent at OLB and Mac knows that. Of the two main needs, OL and OLB, I expect Mac to try to sign an elite LT, Mac will spend big in both cap space and low draft picks. If he has to pick one, it's more likely he pays big for a LT and will draft his OLB of the future given the available talent here.
CB
Trumaine Johnson got the money he deserved and re-signing Claiborne was a very solid signing. Even so, CB will be a big need next offseason. Unless Burris or Clark/Jones prove they can handle a starting role, Mac will need to find or draft a #2 CB. It's highly unlikely they will use their first round pick next year on a corner. Ditto for round three given all of their other needs. Expect Mac to sign a mid-level corner next year.
Safety
Adams and Maye are still on their rookie contracts. Mac will try to improve their backups but I don't expect him to spend big here.
Overall
There aren't enough young players ready to step in to replace high priced veterans. 2017 and 2018 mid-round picks will need to show up this year or there will be too many holes to fill again next season.
Offense
QB
Darnold will be the starter going forward. That much is clear. The future backup QB is not currently on the roster so Mac will need to find a veteran backup at a reasonable price. Or perhaps use a mid-round pick on a prospect.
RB
Mac has done a nice job finding good pieces for this group without breaking the bank. If Crowell finds his groove and McGuire improves it's likely Bilal Powell won't be on the team in '19. Mac will look for a third RB in free agency or a mid-round pick. No need to spend a lot of capital here.
WR
If Enunwa is healthy he will get a new contract for good money and it will be money well spent. Anderson needs to stop shooting himself in the foot to get a new contract. The key here will be Stewart and Hanson. If they step up and fill roles Mac won't need to find another receiver for big money or a low draft choice.
TE
A total crap shoot here. It all depends on the two young guys, Leggett and Herndon. If they prove they're the future Mac won't have to address this position next year. Tomlinson is an excellent low cots complement.
OL
A complete mess. The top four guys, Beachem, Carpenter, Long and Winters account for $30mm of cap space. That is not the highest number in the league but it's pretty high for a mediocre group. Shell is still on his rookie contract. It's likely Mac overhauls this group next year with a huge chunk of cap space and low draft picks. This group is an albatross around this team.
Defense
DL
A lot of moving parts here. Leo is the big guy here making a lot of money and earning it. McClendon and Cooper are decent low cost fill-ins but do not make this an elite group. Anderson was a draft pick well spent. The key is if Simon, Sheppard and Fatukasi can fill these roles and improve their play. If that happens Mac will not have to spend big in '19. If not, he will.
LB
One of Mac's best gets in FA was signing Williamson in the prime of his career at a reasonable cost. Darren Lee is still on his rookie contract and bigger things are expected from the first rounder. Jenkins is solid on one side and is still on his rookie contract. Mac fully intended to spend big here this season but was shut out when Ansah and Lawrence were tagged. Mac will go full guns next year to get his guy. The 2019 draft is loaded will talent at OLB and Mac knows that. Of the two main needs, OL and OLB, I expect Mac to try to sign an elite LT, Mac will spend big in both cap space and low draft picks. If he has to pick one, it's more likely he pays big for a LT and will draft his OLB of the future given the available talent here.
CB
Trumaine Johnson got the money he deserved and re-signing Claiborne was a very solid signing. Even so, CB will be a big need next offseason. Unless Burris or Clark/Jones prove they can handle a starting role, Mac will need to find or draft a #2 CB. It's highly unlikely they will use their first round pick next year on a corner. Ditto for round three given all of their other needs. Expect Mac to sign a mid-level corner next year.
Safety
Adams and Maye are still on their rookie contracts. Mac will try to improve their backups but I don't expect him to spend big here.
Overall
There aren't enough young players ready to step in to replace high priced veterans. 2017 and 2018 mid-round picks will need to show up this year or there will be too many holes to fill again next season.
