The Le'Veon Bell Mock
 

So, Direkshun wants a Le'Veon Bell mock, eh?

Here goes (mind you I'd, personally, never sign Bell)...

Extensions

WR Tyreek Hill: It's imperative to lock up the team's most dynamic player long-term and give Mahomes a weapon for the foreseeable future. Hill must be retained and he won't get cheaper.
5 years/$95.0m contract extension with $65m in guarantees, $42m guaranteed at signing, and $20m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 6.097 2020: 18.75 2021: 19.25 2022: 19.75 2023: 18.25 2024: 15.00
Notes: Hill will earn the NFL Proven Performance Escalator for the last year of his rookie deal which means his base salary will increase to the Right of First Refusal tender amount. That amount was $1.907 million in 2018 and increases by the percentage the cap increases with a minimum of 5% and a maximum of 10%. If the NFL carries through with an approximate 6% increase in the cap, then that base will be $2.02 million, which was used in the 2019 cap estimate.

DL Chris Jones: I've been preaching the same thing Andy Reid mentioned not too long ago: the quickest route to the QB is a straight line and having defensive lineman that can get after them up the middle is better than good edge rushers in today's NFL that sees QBs get the ball out quicker than ever. Jones has stepped up his game considerably and we should project that to continue.
5 years, $85.0m contract extension with $42.5m in guarantees, $36.0m guaranteed at signing, $17.5m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 5.483 2020: 15.75 2021: 16.75 2022: 16.75 2023: 16.50 2024: 16.75

2019 Cap Effect (includes Hill PPE): +$8.8m

Restructures

SS Eric Berry: Agrees to convert $8.0m of base salary in 2019 to a signing bonus, freeing up $6.0m in cap space for 2019. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 10.50 2020: 15.50 2021: 18.00 2022: 16.00
Notes: Berry has offseason surgery to repair the Haglund's deformity in his heel and will rehab throughout the summer. We actually see him play before December in 2019!

2019 Cap Effect: -$6.0m

Tags/Tenders

ED Dee Ford: Franchise Tag estimated $15.4m (more later)
FS Jordan Lucas: RFA Original Round Tender estimated $2.02m
OC Austin Reiter: RFA Original Round Tender estimated $2.02m (I'm just going to leave this in here until the details of his extension are released)
DL Justin Hamilton: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
PK Harrison Butker: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
WR Markus Kemp: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
WR Gehrig Deiter: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus

2019 Cap Effect: +$21.88m

Free Agent Signings

RB Le'Veon Bell (PIT): Chiefs address their RB position by going for the top back in free agency, and perhaps in the NFL to replace the departed Kareem Hunt. Someone will pay what he wants for his production, so why not the Chiefs... right? Right?
4 years/$72.0m with $32.0m guaranteed at signing, including a $24m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 14.50 2020: 17.50 2021 18.50 2022: 21.50

TE Maxx Williams (BAL): Williams has had alot of injuries throughout his career but he's still extremely young and has flashed what made him a high round pick. He'd make an excellent number two type with solid hands, route running, and blocking ability.
3 years/$9.0m with $1.5m signing bonus, and $1.0m roster bonuses in 2020 and 2021 if he's on the roster the 5th day of the new league year. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 2.00 2020: 3.25 2021: 3.75

CB E.J. Gaines (CLE): A native of Lee's Summit, Gaines may want to return home. Gaines is a solid CB but has an injury history. He should come relatively cheap given that he has missed some games this year after signing a 1 year deal for $4m in Cleveland but he's been very solid when on the field.
3 years/$14m with $5.0m guaranteed and $3.0m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 3.75 2020: 4.75 2021: 5.50

2019 Cap Effect: +$20.25m

Free Agent Re-Signings

CB Steven Nelson: Nelson has proven to be a solid CB here in KC as a starter with continued improvement throughout his tenure. If the team can expect him to continue to play as well or better than he has this year then he deserves a re-signing.
4 years/$31.0m with $10.0m guaranteed at signing, and $6.0m signing bonus and another $6.0m guaranteed (salary) if on the roster the 5th day of the 2020 league year. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 5.50 2020: 7.75 2021: 8.50 2022: 9.25

RB Spencer Ware: Ware is just a solid all-around back and that makes it difficult to get rid of him. Once he was healthy, Reid immediately turned to him as Hunt's primary backup and he's been nothing but a team player. I think he's brought back on a friendly deal.
2 year/$3.0m with $500k roster bonuses in each year. Estimated Cap Hits: 2019: $1.40 2020: 1.60

All PS on Minimal Deals that likely don't affect Top-51.

2019 Cap Effect: +6.90m

Let Walk

DE Allen Bailey - Bailey has definitely ran too hot and cold since receiving his deal and his performance against the run has dropped considerably. It's time to move on.
FB Anthony Sherman - Sherman is probably the best pure fullback in the NFL and he's excellent on special teams, but he's not especially worth tying up a couple million per year on. The league is moving to more of an H-back roll at the position where receiving is a big deal. Sherman is a good receiver, but he's a tank going down the field. I look for him to move on.
CB Orlando Scandrick - Scandrick has been a nice stop-gap, but certainly not the answer long-term and his lapses can be atrocious. If he can be brought back on the cheap, I'd re-sign him but it'd have to be cheap.
TE Demetrius Harris - He never developed on his last contract enough to bother retaining him and his hands are stone. Time to move on.
FS Josh Shaw - Hasn't really been on the field much to flash anything. Could be a vet min re-signing but I'm not banking on it.
RB Damien Williams - Doesn't have any noteworthy production to bother bringing back, but may change my mind between now and the end of season if he's given more opportunities.
OC Mitch Morse - Too many concussions and too much time in the tub. He's great when he's on the field but you can't give the guy a contract with that history.
FS Ron Parker - He was dumped last year for good reason but brought back to continue his garbage play. The team really needs a much better solution long-term.
WR De'Anthony Thomas - A nice kick return option if he's healthy, but he's always missing time. It's time to move on and find a healthier alternative.
OLB Frank Zombo - See above. Wouldn't be here if not for injury.
ILB Terrence Smith - Definitely has shown nothing to make me think the Chiefs should retain him for any reason, and certainly not at a $2m tender. Adios amigo.
WR Chris Conley - The problem I have with Chris Conley is not his talent, it's that the Chiefs have some serious money tied up in the position and you start looking at what Buehler talks about in terms of salary per units of production and you have a hard time fitting Conley in. He's a solid receiver that's going to catch the balls he's thrown but when he gives you 1 catch a game most of the time then you gotta tell yourself you can find that production from a really cheap guy.

Trades

Chiefs trade Dee Ford to the Seattle Seahawks for the 25th overall selection (based upon current standings).
Note: My mindset is that the Chiefs must do their best to extend Hill and Jones since they appear to be lynchpins. Ford is a nice player, but inconsistent although very much improved. I'd be okay signing the kid on a deal not that far off of what I'm handing Bell in this mock but you can't have everything. Tag and trade is the logical choice and I think he could bring a 1st round pick.
Chiefs trade #25 selection and 2018 2nd round selection to the Colts for the 15th overall selection.
I could have just sent Ford and a 2nd to the Colts for a first but what's the fun in that?

2019 Cap Effect: -$15.4m

Draft

Estimated Rookie Pool: $6.46m
2019 Cap Effect: +$2.50m

1. FS Deionte Thompson, Alabama (6'2" 195)
A missile coming down hill in the run game and very solid in pass coverage, he's this year's best safety. Athleticism to run all over the field and play single high. If Veach doesn't get his man in free agency, then I believe he's going to be aggressive in fixing the weakest link on the defense.
1. DL Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame (6'6" 305)
A monster in the middle that can push the pocket very similarly to Chris Jones. Destroyed Michigan and Stanford this year.
2. ED DeAndre Walker, Georgia (6'2" 250)
Walker is the type of 3-4 OLB I think the NFL will be trending to more and more. He's a bit undersized, but he's quick and exteremly versatile in that he can rush the passer and is very functional in coverage. Very similar body type to Dee Ford.
3. WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams, North Carolina (6'1" 205)
Built like Sammy Watkins with good speed, good hands, and excellent downfield tracking ability. Very good at high-pointing the football in traffic. Good acceleration off the line and quickness in and out of breaks. Outstanding return specialist.
5. DL Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M (6'4" 305)
Another defensive lineman with good initial burst and quickness that can disrupt the LOS. The Chiefs will have to double-dip at DE whether it be in the draft or a combination of that and FA.
6. LB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron (6'0" 225)
Off-ball, weakside linebacker with outstanding range and speed. Excellent coverage linebacker. If the Chiefs don't go after a top-tier starter, they need to at least fill in the depth and special teams.
7. OL Sean Rawlings, Ole Miss (6'5" 295)
Athletic offensive lineman with experience at OT and C, but looks best inside. He'll need to get stronger at the pro level.

Total Estimated Remaining Cap Space: $5.51m

Roster (Not representative of 53)

QB: Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne, Chase Litton
RB: Le'Veon Bell, Spencer Ware, Darrel Williams
FB:
TE: Travis Kelce, Maxx Williams, Deon Yelder
WR: Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Anthony Ratliff-Williams, Byron Pringle, Marcus Kemp, Gehrig Dieter
OT: Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, Andrew Wylie
OG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Cameron Erving, Ryan Hunter, Khalil McKenzie
OC: Austin Reiter, Sean Rawlings, Jimmy Murray
DE: Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery, Kingsley Keke, Justin Hamilton, Joey Ivie
NT: Derrick Nnadi, Xavier Williams
OLB: Justin Houston, Breeland Speaks, DeAndre Walker, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Rob McCray
ILB: Anthony Hitchens, Dorian O'Daniel, Ben Niemann, Reggie Ragland, Ulysees Gilbert III
CB: Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson, E.J. Gaines, Charvarius Ward, Tremon Smith, D'Montre Wade
FS: Deionte Thompson, Jordan Lucas, Eric Murray
SS: Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, Armani Watts
ST: Harrison Butker, Dustin Colquitt, James Winchester

I like everything...except Bell. I'd drive to 1 Arrowhead and fight everyone.

Lol you "don't" like Bell? Why? Are you annoyed that he took a stand for what he deserves?

I don’t give a ****. In fact I hope the Steelers pay him every dollar he wants.

But if the Chiefs give that kind of jack to a RB I will cut a bitch.

A lot of interesting stuff in here, two first rounders makes me salivate.

I'm with Buehler, in that the worst thing about this mock is Bell. I will be pissed if the Chief s blow that much cash on a running back.

I don't follow college enough to do a mock draft, so was just looking at free agents and thinking in terms of what positions I would be looking to draft in each round, but I came to the same conclusion as this mock in that you probably need to sign at least two corners in free agency. Even signing two here you would be very thin at CB unless you think Tremon is ready to get snaps next year at corner, which I have no idea about.

I've come to the conclusion I'd be looking to sign 2 mid-level corners and also draft one if it was me.

I love how you are working the cap too, it's great to see we could in theory extend Hill and Jones and still spend $10m on corners and $15m on another star next year (or spend that $15m retaining Ford).

I don’t want Bell...

But I love this draft. You sold me on Deionte and that’s all I want now.

I’d take this scenario all day because of that...

The crazy good thing about this draft is if you don't like Bell and wanted to do -Bell +Damien Williams + Sherman, you have $10m to funnel into the defense somewhere and I honestly don't know where - maybe try and get a better CB than Nelson, look at FA ILB options, although I don't think anyone obviously stands out as a fit?

Imo getting Bell could take our offense to a level the league has never seen before. So i really don't know why people would be "pissed" unless they have a personal issue with the player in question.

Sorensen, Bailey, Conley, Ware, Williams, Nelson, Morse, Parker, Scandrick, Devey, Dat, Sherman etc may all be off the books next year so we should have enough money and draft picks to get Bell AND improve the defense. Creating the greatest offense the league has seen should not be ignored imo. Bell would not only be a great running threat, but a great receiving threat too. How the hell would defenses cope with him, Hill, Sammy and Kelce? It would be impossible.

You must be too dumb to do math then. Wrapping that much cash in a RB is monumentally stupid. We’ve done it and it sucked. Other teams have done it and it doesn’t equate to wins. If you’ve been here long at all and haven’t picked up the reasoning behind that line of thinking you’re either trolling for dumb as ****.

You equating is not wanting to pay bell QB money is not the same as being racist or whatever intergallatically reeruned narrative you’re trying to push.

SMH at this clown crying over someone having a diferent opinion to him ROFL .No-one is gonna pay Bell "qb money" you idiot. And what has happened in the past IS THE PAST. We have a kid called Mahomes now, the landscape has changed.

This.

Thompson and Tillery would be a JIMP scenario.

But I'd use that Nelson/Bell cap space elsewhere. Would need to spend more time looking at available FAs but there is a 0% chance i'm spending that kind of money on a runningback.

I just love that first round.

Yeah if you could do that with ford, I’d think you do it

Why would you pay a rb big money that just sat out a year and has had off field and injury problems?

No thanks

Bell is an elite talent, that's why you pay the money. Off field problems are in the past and he'll be freasher than most rb's next season which shiuld mean even better performances from him.

He’s a year older and I can get s running back for pennies in the draft

No thanks

Bell is a TERRIBLE fit for this offense. This offense's entire design is built on confusion, misdirection, and players with varied skillsets.

Bell does not fit AT ALL.

This will not happen.

Whatever dude. You come in here whaling like a **** that “I don’t like Bell” because I don’t want to pay him 4/72/32 guaranteed.

I get he’s arguably the best back in the league but rather than refute my argument that you can’t pay RBs that you simply say money doesn’t matter because mahomes. So your answer is that I’m crying because you have a different opinions.

So rather than talk ball you assert that I hate Bell and cry when someone has a different opinion and contribute nothing but “Because Mahomes”.

Welcome to Ignore.

I only did Bell because Direkshun wanted to see a mock done with the Chiefs getting him. I'd go after different players. Also, I think you have to factor in long-term cap health and with Jones, Hill, and Bell you'd have some hefty salaries on the docket the next few seasons. I don't think you can do that, I think you have to get some cheaper options and spread the money out.

The Eagles cap situation could mean Jordan Hicks hits the market at ILB and he'd be a good get. I'd probably still look hard at Darby on a 1-year, incentive laden, "prove-it" deal coming off that ACL. I'd even sign him long-term if he works out well come March but that is pushing the timetable a bit. He'd actually be perfectly on par for training camp at 9 months in.

I'm doubting the Vikings will be able to keep Brett Jones in the fold and I think he's a great target to get relatively cheap to compete as the starting Center.

Markus Golden is a guy I like that I think you could get cheap as a rotational OLB and if he gets back to playing at the level he was before his injury in 2017 then you have a steal.

To be honest, though, this free agent class on the defensive side of the ball is kind of bad unless you want to way overpay for old guys. I'm not buying guys like Sheldon Richardson, Ndamkung Suh, Earl Thomas, and Lamarcus Joyner at their age and salary. The CB class is 2nd rate. Darby was the lone good one and he's got that injury. LB is a little weak because the top guys probably won't be there. You'd have to be dreaming to think Baltimore lets CJ Mosely walk, for example. Hicks may not be in there either, but at least there's a passing chance. The Eagles have to dump Foles to get to enough cap room to sign their draft picks. After that, they'll likely dump Chris Long and Michael Bennett. That would put them at +22m or so, which would be enough to sign Hicks. Not sure if they could also fit Brandon Graham back in. Even if Hicks comes available, can the Chiefs fit another salary there because he's probably going to be on par with Hitchens?

All that said, I'll prep another one similar to this without Bell to outline more of my thoughts.

We’ll see how the season unfolds here but the more I consider it, I’m not sure it makes any sense to keep Houston over Ford right now. If we’re going to get rid of one in any capacity, that is.

I’d prefer to probably keep both for 2019, but it’s clear that one is ascending and the other is not. I don’t expect either to be let go this offseason but if they do go that direction, jsut some food for thought.

If we’re lucky, maybe they can Berry AND Houston to restructure those contracts or take pay cuts for the sake of the rest of the roster. All Berry and Houston ever talk about is the goal, bringing the Lombardi to KC finally.

Well, I say put your money where your mouth is because neither has earned nearly enough of the money on their deals thus far.

It really is an excellent draft, and I look forward to seeing one without Bell.

Corner does seem like the biggest puzzle to me, the Chiefs seem reluctant to start rookies straight away and yet the the free agent market is dire, one of Nelson or Scandrick has to come back next year?

On the DL, I agree the FA market isn't great but with how good the draft looks, a veteran and a high pick seems like a very workable combo.

On the ILB front, how would you feel about Manti Te'o, particularly if the Chiefs were switching to a 4-3? Could be had for cheap I imagine.

I think Safety is the obvious spot to add in FA, with Collins, Clinton-Dix, Thomas, Mathieu, Boston and Reid all being available and immediate upgrades, surely someone can be had on a team friendly deal considering how the safety market was last year.

I'm out on bell. He's not a fit here at all

SMH at this emotional #### trying to backtrack. YOU said you "like everything except Bell", so I asked you why? If you don't want to be challenged then don't make such statements on a PUBLIC forum. Secondly, you made another stupid claim by saying "he wants QB money" when that's simply a flat out lie.

And please do press that "ignore" button, it would just be one less rude individual I have to deal with around here :harumph: .

I'd take out Bell (yes I realize he was the point of the mock) and replace him with Coleman. He'll cost way less and you can spend that money to get a better CB. Not really a fan of going into the season with Nelson and Gaines.

In playing around with altering this mock and trying to sign Dee Ford in lieu of Bell, it became mind-numbingly apparent to me that there is a fundamental flaw in the thought process in any one of these options where we extend Hill, extend Jones, and pay Ford or a big name free agent. The issue is not that we can't "squeeze" them under the cap for 2019, it's what happens in 2020. The cap gets unbelievably tight.

Here's an example of what I was thinking in a version 2.0 of this one without Bell from a signings perspective (note that I try to assume market values relative to current contracts and go from there)...
Extensions
Hill: 5 years/$95.0m contract extension with $65m in guarantees, $42m guaranteed at signing, and $20m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 6.097 2020: 18.75 2021: 19.25 2022: 19.75 2023: 18.25 2024: 15.00

Jones: 5 years, $81.0m contract extension with $40.0m guaranteed at signing including $20.0m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 5.98 2020: 13.00 2021: 15.00 2022: 16.00 2023: 17.00 2024: 16.00

Tags
FS Jordan Lucas: RFA Original Round Tender estimated $2.02m
OC Austin Reiter: RFA Original Round Tender estimated $2.02m (I'm just going to leave this in here until the details of his extension are released)
DL Justin Hamilton: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
PK Harrison Butker: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
WR Markus Kemp: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus
WR Gehrig Deiter: ERFA Tender estimated $570k + $30k bonus

Signings
OC Brett Jones (MIN): 2 years/$5.5m with $2.25m guaranteed and $1.0m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 2.50 2020: 3.00

ED Markus Golden (ARZ): 2 years/$7.0m with $1.50m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 2.40 2020: 4.60

TE Maxx Williams (BAL): 3 years/$9.0m with $1.5m signing bonus, and $1.0m roster bonuses in 2020 and 2021 if he's on the roster the 5th day of the new league year. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 2.00 2020: 3.25 2021: 3.75

Re-Signings
CB Steven Nelson: 4 years/$31.0m with $10.0m guaranteed at signing, and $6.0m signing bonus and another $6.0m guaranteed (salary) if on the roster the 5th day of the 2020 league year. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 5.50 2020: 7.75 2021: 8.50 2022: 9.25

ED Dee Ford: 5 years/$86.00m with 41.00m guaranteed at signing including a 20.00m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 13.00 2020: 16.00 2021: 17.00 2022: 20.00 2023 20.00

FB Anthony Sherman: 4 years/$8.4m with $5.0m guaranteed and $2.4m signing bonus. Estimated Cap Hits 2019: 1.90 2020: 2.00 2021: 2.20 2022: 2.30

RB Spencer Ware: 2 year/$3.0m with $500k roster bonuses in each year. Estimated Cap Hits: 2019: $1.40 2020: 1.60

Cuts
SS Eric Berry: June 1 Designation

Let Walk
DE Allen Bailey, CB Orlando Scandrick, TE Demetrius Harris, FS Josh Shaw, RB Damien Williams, OC Mitch Morse, FS Ron Parker, WR De'Anthony Thomas, OLB Frank Zombo, CB Steven Nelson, ILB Terrence Smith, WR Chris Conley

This put me at 5.72m in space for 2019 with the draft class signing... But only 1.93m in space for 2020. That's where I think a Houston extension with 2020 salary converted to a bonus similar to the deal Terrell Suggs got would be a win or the Chiefs would have to cut him. As well, they'd have to cut Sammy Watkins in all likelihood in order to give them cap to play with.

Obviously I could not sign any street free agents and gain $10.8m for 2020. It's unlikely KC signs nobody. If I choose not to cut Berry, that space gets eaten up and then some. Basically, to keep Berry you're looking at no FAs and not re-signing Nelson if you want to keep Ford.

So the question here is do you keep Ford or Berry or neither, assuming you want to keep Jones and Hill? You could choose not to extend Hill or Jones and then re-sign them in 2020 but you may not save money versus the extend now contract. I don't think you can go this offseason choosing to extend neither because you can't franchise them both.

Cut in 2019:

Eric Berry (June 1st cut)
Daniel Sorensen
Reggie Ragland

That gives you an extra $13.5 (roughly) million in cap space before any new deals. So around $53 million to work with.

Cut in 2020:

Sammy Watkins
Justin Houston

That gives you an extra $31.5 million in cap space to work with in 2020.

If you intend to cut Houston, I'd think your intent would be to reach a long term deal with Ford in 2019?

Personally, I'm not a fan of getting rid of Houston, but I think he needs to be extended for less money. Obviously we'd have to see how 2019 went for him first.

Yeah. I'd hope to structure it like the Watkins contract. 3 or 4 years with a chance to get out after two if we need to.

Is it possible to keep Ford, Jones, Hill AND Houston if you cut Berry in 2019?

Clark was a ****ing idiot and intervened to get Berry that contract in the first place.

Would he let Veach cut him like that?

Absolutely not. He's not getting cut and thinking about it is some weird CP fantasy.

I'm wondering if Clark can look at that situation and not agree that Berry has missed far too much time for the contract he's getting. IF Berry could have offseason surgery to fix the issue then I wouldn't be so hell-bent on sending him packing but the very fact that he didn't have the surgery done right away so that he could be available and playing right now downright pisses me off. Clark can't be on board with constantly throwing money down the drain, quite literally Berry's tub drain.

UChieffyBugger is a butt****ing moron

Amen

I like Bell to kc...I think those opposed are overthinking things a bit. Although I love these guys, I'd prefer to pay Ford, Jones, & Bell > Houston, Berry, & Watson at this point. The latter three should all be approached regarding restructuring.

You’re a crazy person. The value for salary dollars just aren’t there. Bell is better than the Williams’ but that money needs spent in a billion other places.

You're not paying Bell Spencer Ware money.

You're not paying him Jamaal Charles money.

Hell, you're not even paying him Justin Houston money.

You'd be on the hook for a ****ing stupid amount of money. For a RB, the most oft-injured position and shortest career lifespan in all of ****ing football.

****. That. ****ing. Nonsense.

Bell has already had off field issues, been suspended IIRC, and has had injury issues.

Just, no.

This. A thousand times this.

I just think in today's game, paying a RB a shit ton of money, in a passing era, is just stupid. It's the position that traditionally gets hit the hardest, the most often, and the return on the investment/longevity is the worst of all positions in the sport. RB's grow on trees. I'd draft 1 or 2 every few years and just keep cycle going, and would never spend a 1st on one.

If you have a good OL, your RB can be average and you can get by with really good results. Pay/keep your fatties, they last longer (unless youre Mitch Morse) ;)

Bell has WR skills as well though...that's where his value would be in this offense, a guy who is a threat as RB but creates mismatches in the pass game.

With how the NFL is now I think the smartest thing to do may be to go all offense and then draft defense and keep replacing them with cheap guys other than maybe a real star you find.

Seems our current starting RB is fine and suits the team. Use bell money elsewhere.

Some interesting stuff here, but that front 7 would be an unmitigated disaster which our offense and maybe even improved secondary play wouldn't overcome.

It's fun to speculate on Bell, but that amount of $ simply has to go on defense. Doesn't matter if it's Earl Thomas, Grady Jarrett, Landon Collins or whoever else escapes the franchise tag. We saw the impact of having a good/great player replacing a trash can in just one half vs the Chargers. And then again by not having that in the 2nd half.

I understand I'd be paying Bell Sammy Watkins'esque money. I was alright with paying Sammy because with him on the field no single receiver can be doubled without leaving Mahomes with a mismatch elsewhere. However, I'd argue that signing the leagues top RB with WR skill sets would be of greater benefit than paying Watkins.