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Which off-season moves would you like the Texans to make? (Roster/FA)

Cameron Fleming would be awesome but I don't know his market price. He'd probably be totally worth it since Watson is the Houston Texans. We need all the help we can get.
 
Player Cuts
Brian Cushing, ILB - Cap Savings of $7,640,625
Jeff Allen, OG - Cap Savings of $4,875,000

Extension
Jadeveon Clowney, DE/OLB
Benardrick McKinney, LB

Own Free Agent Players to Re-sign
Johnathan Joseph, CB
Marcus Gilchrist, SS
Marcus Williams, CB
Shane Lechler, P
Bruce Ellington, WR
Greg Mancz, C
Eddie Pleasant, SS
Andre Ellington, RB

I think we can get most of our own free agents on the cheap. These are guys I would like us to resign at the right price.

List of Potential Free Agents to Target (*my top players to go after)

Offensive Line
Andrew Norwell, G, Carolina Panthers*
- One of the top guards in the NFL. He has improved every single season in the league, and he's now dominant in every regard. Norwell should continue to get better, as he won't even turn 27 until October.(waterfootball.com)

Justin Pugh, G, New York Giants*
- One of the best guards in the NFL, but had to play out of his position at right tackle this year. He's a mediocre right tackle, but he needs to start in the interior to be most effective. (waterfootball.com)

Nate Solder, OT, New England Patriots
Cameron Fleming, OT, New England Patriots
Ja'Wuan James, OT, Miami Dolphins

Defensive Line
Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Atlanta Falcons

Secondary
Tre Boston, FS, Los Angeles Chargers

Lamarcus Joyner, FS, Los Angeles Rams*
- A second-round pick in 2014, has improved each season in the NFL. He has evolved into one of the elite safeties in the NFL, and at just 27, he has at least five more terrific years remaining in his career. (waterfootball.com)

Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams
E.J. Gaines, CB, Buffalo Bills*
- Terrific for the Bills as a Pro Bowl-caliber cover corner this past season. He'd be rated much higher than this if it weren't for his poor durability; he's missed 26 games in the past three seasons, including five in 2017. (waterfootball.com)

Malcolm Butler, CB, New England Patriots
Kenny Vaccaro, S/CB, New Orleans Saints
Patrick Robinson, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Eric Reid, S, 49ers*
-Missed 12 games in the past two seasons, but he's too talented not to grade highly. Reid misses tackles, but happens to be excellent in coverage. He's only 26, so there's still lots of room for improvement. (waterfootball.com)


Tight Ends
Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, New York Jets*
- A second-round pick in 2014, had been a disappointment prior to this season, but he finally came alive and was dominant in some games. He'll only be 26 in late September, so he has plenty of upside. However, he comes with some character and effort concerns. (waterfootball.com)
 
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We may be able to get 1 of those NE lineman, (Fleming) but not both. Slide Mancz over to play his natural position of guard....Get Pugh to play the other guard spot & let Suafilo go. See what Davenport has for us at the LT spot & draft another tackle for development with 1 of the 3rds just in case Davenport stinks it up.

I'd like to see us snag Jimmy Graham. The problem with him in Seattle is that they ask him to block too much & that's not his thing. We bring him here & use him like he was used in NO...flex him out more to create mismatches & take at least 1 guy out of the box for the run game.

As far as the secondary, I prefer we go after Reid (SF) but I don't think that's gonna happen due to his stance on the national anthem..So I'd consider Vaccaro. He's a texas kid & probably would be ok with coming a little closer to home..snag EJ Gaines to play CB & move Kareem to FS.
 
Joe Thomas is entering the final year on his massive contract. Any chance the Cleveland Browns would trade him to us? Perhaps toss them a mid-round pick this year (let's say a 4th - they already own our 1st and 2nd) and a 3rd and 4th next year in 2019?

At 33 years old with 11 years of wear and tear on the body, with injuries finally causing him to miss games last year, got to figure he wouldn't be worth a first-round pick, which the Browns tried to get from Denver a couple years ago. I'd be hesitant to toss the Browns a future 1st or 2nd, anyways, for him. If he were a few years younger then maybe.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
Joe Thomas is entering the final year on his massive contract. Any chance the Cleveland Browns would trade him to us? Perhaps toss them a mid-round pick this year (let's say a 4th - they already own our 1st and 2nd) and a 3rd and 4th next year in 2019?

At 33 years old with 11 years of wear and tear on the body, with injuries finally causing him to miss games last year, got to figure he wouldn't be worth a first-round pick, which the Browns tried to get from Denver a couple years ago. I'd be hesitant to toss the Browns a future 1st or 2nd, anyways, for him.
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Honestly, I actually thought of this same situation about trading for Joe Thomas.
 
I would sign Butler/James in FA. Is Cordy Glenna FA and how healthy is he? I would bring JoJo back but he would have to take a paycut to about 3 mil.

Another guy I like is Colt Anderson as a FA safety. He broke his arm last yr, but made it back for the playoffs. He's a solid safety and great on ST's. I would also sign Taiwan Jones who's one of the best ST's guys in the NFL.

Then trade up to get your LT and draft a CB in the 3rd (Holton Hill is a 1st rd talent, bring him home) and move KJax to safety.
 
steelbtexan said:
I would sign Butler/James in FA. Is Cordy Glenna FA and how healthy is he? I would bring JoJo back but he would have to take a paycut to about 3 mil.

Another guy I like is Colt Anderson as a FA safety. He broke his arm last yr, but made it back for the playoffs. He's a solid safety and great on ST's. I would also sign Taiwan Jones who's one of the best ST's guys in the NFL.

Then trade up to get your LT and draft a CB in the 3rd (Holton Hill is a 1st rd talent, bring him home) and move KJax to safety.
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Glenn is in the last year of his contract and may be a possible cap causality.
 
tomjn80 said:
Glenn is in the last year of his contract and may be a possible cap causality.
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I know he has had ankle issues, but if healthy I would sign Glen/James and Butler if there was enough cap space and call it a day. Unless I could add ST's guys like Anderson/Jones with left over cap space.

What would you do?
 
steelbtexan said:
I know he has had ankle issues, but if healthy I would sign Glen/James and Butler if there was enough cap space and call it a day. Unless I could add ST's guys like Anderson/Jones with left over cap space.

What would you do?
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I'm a big fan of Andrew Norwell. Dude is nasty. We need 3 solid offensive linemen in the offseason I think its really going to depend on how healthy they think Newton is. Also, Justin Pugh has played RT at times even though hes a better guard. He could spare time at RT if needed.

I think Greg Robinson might be worth taking a chance on at LT if the price is right. Nate Solder is another possibility at LT.
 
texanhead08 said:
Upgrading the Oline and Secondary is mandatory. They have too many holes to fix everything in one off season with no 1st and 2nd round picks.
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Yep,

If they can hit on 3 draft picks (they're going to have to change the ways they acquire players) and 2 major FA signings then that will be a successful offseason. Is this unrealistic? Probably, but it can be done.

Fixing things you know you can fix, (ST's) with late rd draft picks/cheap FA signings is where I would start improving the team.
 
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Compensatory picks will help.

Overthecap.com projects:
A.J. Bouye 3rd
John Simon 6th
Quintin Demps 6th
Don Jones 7th
Oday Aboushi 7th

I think you can trade compensatory picks now, but I'm not sure.

Also, we have a 2018 3rd pick from Seattle for the Duane Brown trade. We gave Seattle our 2018 5th round pick.

So if all this goes according to plan:

3rd
3rd (via Seattle)
3rd (Compensatory)
4th
6th
6th (Compensatory)
6th (Compensatory)
7th
7th (Compensatory)
7th (Compensatory)

We will have some ammo. to move into the 2nd round.
If using the trade chart:
3rd round pick #68 overall = 250 points
3rd round picl #80 overall (via Seattle) = 190 points
250 + 190 = 440 = 2nd round #46 overall (Cincinnati)
 
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Considering that most of the guys hitting FA will be resigned by their current teams, if we could get Solder and Graham along with a CB or safety in FA I would probably call that about as good as can reasonably be expected in one off season FA period. It would be great to get a few more decent players, but that just isn't very likely.
 
Bulls on Parade said:
Joe Thomas is entering the final year on his massive contract. Any chance the Cleveland Browns would trade him to us? Perhaps toss them a mid-round pick this year (let's say a 4th - they already own our 1st and 2nd) and a 3rd and 4th next year in 2019?

At 33 years old with 11 years of wear and tear on the body, with injuries finally causing him to miss games last year, got to figure he wouldn't be worth a first-round pick, which the Browns tried to get from Denver a couple years ago. I'd be hesitant to toss the Browns a future 1st or 2nd, anyways, for him. If he were a few years younger then maybe.
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Absolute crazy talk.
 
edo783 said:
Considering that most of the guys hitting FA will be resigned by their current teams, if we could get Solder and Graham along with a CB or safety in FA I would probably call that about as good as can reasonably be expected in one off season FA period. It would be great to get a few more decent players, but that just isn't very likely.
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Agreed,

This is why I listed guys that are supposedly going to be let go by their teams,

Glenn/James/Butler
 
tomjn80 said:
Compensatory picks will help.

Overthecap.com projects:
A.J. Bouye 3rd
John Simon 6th
Quintin Demps 6th
Don Jones 7th
Oday Aboushi 7th

I think you can trade compensatory picks now, but I'm not sure.

Also, we have a 2018 3rd pick from Seattle for the Duane Brown trade. We gave Seattle our 2018 5th round pick.

So if all this goes according to plan:

3rd
3rd (via Seattle)
3rd (Compensatory)
4th
6th
6th (Compensatory)
6th (Compensatory)
7th
7th (Compensatory)
7th (Compensatory)

We will have some ammo. to move into the 2nd round.
If using the trade chart:
3rd round pick #68 overall = 250 points
3rd round picl #80 overall (via Seattle) = 190 points
250 + 190 = 440 = 2nd round #46 overall (Cincinnati)
Click to expand...

I am not a GM but I would rather take my chances on three third round picks than one second.
 
I recommend we buy two decent olinemen - a left tackle for starters and a guard. Two decent experienced guys on the line will vastly improve the lines stability.
Then you draft a tackle and a guard with two of our 3rd round picks - maybe even burn one to move up and let them compete to start with the best of the rest.
Mancz was great at C the previous season but also plays Guard decent enough so Martin starts at C his natural position and hopefully Davenport can fill in at RT.
Your next pick can be DB, then another TE.
Personally, I would like to see another good RB in the stable as well.
 
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Bulls on Parade said:
Joe Thomas will be way better than the left tackle we trot out there in 2018. How is that crazy talk?
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ObsiWan isn't far away from where I'm at on that Tony Boselli thought. 11 year veteran who has been an iron man his entire career (meaning lots of miles on that body) and who last year tore his left triceps? Time always wins. Undefeated and all that. Time is about to catch up with Joe Thomas and you want to be there paying salary to see that up close? You think you want to make the wager that he's an OL version of Darrell Green?

Not me. Pass.
 
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Texansphan said:
I recommend we buy two decent olinemen - a left tackle for starters and a guard. Two decent experienced guys on the line will vastly improve the lines stability.
Then you draft a tackle and a guard with two of our 3rd round picks - maybe even burn one to move up and let them compete to start with the best of the rest.
Mancz was great at C the previous season but also plays Guard decent enough so Martin starts at C his natural position and hopefully Davenport can fill in at RT.
Your next pick can be DB, then another TE.
Personally, I would like to see another good RB in the stable as well.
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This more or less is the way to go. You can't fix everything in a single season. You're going to have to bring back some players you want to replace just because there are not enough available opportunities to upgrade them. I don't want Su'a Filo back starting but unless someone is dumb enough to offer him a big deal I bring him back cheap to be the slightly better depth than we have gotten used to lately. I don't want Allen and would like to save that $4 million or so we can save but the damage on that deal is done and I consider bringing him back to compete at LG (Where he should have been playing all along) as well. Maybe I only keep one of them but I can't flush the whole damn line down in one season.

I hope Martin can make it back and start a second season because we need him to work out. We've been missing so often on OL picks and free agents that we really need something to go our way. Mancz and Martin are what passes for our "core". Add to them Davenport and I tell that young man before he gets out of the building that I need him to be ready this year because he's my starting LT (and not in that Tom Savage kind of way). Future is now and all that business.

I go out and try to buy two really good linemen. I don't care if they're Guard's or Tackles but if I can get one of each I do that. I really like Andrew Norwell and I'd focus on him first (always assuming he's still available). Then I'd look at Solder from New England. If I could manage both of them I'd call free agency a success. Then I'd go out looking for a safety and some bargain pieces. Draft your RT and just take your lumps. If you could get that inside G/C/G totally solid I bet Watson could work with that.
 
Need to determine our CB and safety plan, do we finally move Kareem and upgrade CB, or upgrade safety and CB. Also want a TE. The OL is #1 and FA/Draft needed here. I think Mancz,Martin, Davenport are a start, maybe Newton can be counted on as a backup but no more. Backup QB is probably important too. basically means WR, LB and DL are areas you manage with what you have and UDFA and focus on OL, DB, TE, QB
 
Hervoyel said:
This more or less is the way to go. You can't fix everything in a single season. You're going to have to bring back some players you want to replace just because there are not enough available opportunities to upgrade them. I don't want Su'a Filo back starting but unless someone is dumb enough to offer him a big deal I bring him back cheap to be the slightly better depth than we have gotten used to lately. I don't want Allen and would like to save that $4 million or so we can save but the damage on that deal is done and I consider bringing him back to compete at LG (Where he should have been playing all along) as well. Maybe I only keep one of them but I can't flush the whole damn line down in one season.

I hope Martin can make it back and start a second season because we need him to work out. We've been missing so often on OL picks and free agents that we really need something to go our way. Mancz and Martin are what passes for our "core". Add to them Davenport and I tell that young man before he gets out of the building that I need him to be ready this year because he's my starting LT (and not in that Tom Savage kind of way). Future is now and all that business.

I go out and try to buy two really good linemen. I don't care if they're Guard's or Tackles but if I can get one of each I do that. I really like Andrew Norwell and I'd focus on him first (always assuming he's still available). Then I'd look at Solder from New England. If I could manage both of them I'd call free agency a success. Then I'd go out looking for a safety and some bargain pieces. Draft your RT and just take your lumps. If you could get that inside G/C/G totally solid I bet Watson could work with that.
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Any improvement would be a bonus and offer some more options on attack and what we have discussed makes plenty of sense.
Left tackle has to be addressed.
And Sua Filo having to compete for his spot might make him rethink where he wants to go. I believe this will be the last year of his contract so if he wants to impress Texans or future prospective employers he will need to show marked improvement.
 
JB said:
Are you willing to wait for them to be released?
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Yes,

But I also draft a couple of OL and a CB since this is a strength of the draft as a contingency plan.

Depending on their contracts I might offer some of those 6-7 rd picks for them. I'm pretty sure Butler is a FA.
 
- Spend a good chunk of FA money on defensive backfield and depth on that side. Get healthy!

- Sign dynamic FA TE to fully utilize offensive scheme. This team hasn't had a competent TE since Snake Dick. I'm thinking Jimmy Graham.

- Package a third and future considerations to move into second round and draft best OL available.

- Draft another OL with 3rd Rd pick.

- Focus on adding special teams players.

Team isn't that far away if properly managed. I'd avoid offensive line free agents due to lack of value among realistic talent pool at those positions. Sucks, year when we can pay a franchise LT and none to be had.

I would let Cush, Allen, and JJo walk.
 
I hope Brian Gaine knows what a good running back looks like, cause we need one, maybe two...BAD! As for O-line I’m not holding my breath.
 
TexansBull said:
I am not a GM but I would rather take my chances on three third round picks than one second.
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Depends on if you have a guy rated as a 1st rder and he falls to the 2nd. Say a guy like Orlando Brown falls to the 2nd I would do what it takes to trade up and get him. Even if it meant trading a player or 2019 pick to get him.
 
Uncle Rico said:
- Spend a good chunk of FA money on defensive backfield and depth on that side. Get healthy!

- Sign dynamic FA TE to fully utilize offensive scheme. This team hasn't had a competent TE since Snake Dick. I'm thinking Jimmy Graham.

- Package a third and future considerations to move into second round and draft best OL available.

- Draft another OL with 3rd Rd pick.

- Focus on adding special teams players.

Team isn't that far away if properly managed. I'd avoid offensive line free agents due to lack of value among realistic talent pool at those positions. Sucks, year when we can pay a franchise LT and none to be had.

I would let Cush, Allen, and JJo walk.
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We pretty much have the same plan. There are RT's available in FA and I would sign one. Then trade up if I could get a guy I thought could play LT.

I would keep JoJo and sign a FA CB #1.
 
steelbtexan said:
Sony Michel is a RB I would love to see on the Texans.

He could be the Texans version of Kamara.

Too bad there's too many holes and not enough draft picks to get him.
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There’s what, 15 top running backs coming out this draft class? I pray we can pick up a couple of them instead of picking a couple of small (Kevin Johnson-ish) corners.
 
steelbtexan said:
Sony Michel is a RB I would love to see on the Texans.

He could be the Texans version of Kamara.

Too bad there's too many holes and not enough draft picks to get him.
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That's the problem. When one of these great RBs slip into the 2nd and 3rd will the discipline be there to stay the course on an OL. Temptation will be hard. I'd love to add a lightning rod RB to go along with Deshaun. Hell of a 1-2 punch. Miller is not that guy and will Foreman ever be the same after the Achilles. Going to be a chess match in April.
 
Mangler said:
There’s what, 15 top running backs coming out this draft class? I pray we can pick up a couple of them instead of picking a couple of small (Kevin Johnson-ish) corners.
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Hopefully it will be a new world with Gaine in charge of the draft.

There will be no more Kevin Johnson-ish CB's, particularly in the 1st rd.
 
I don't see getting rid of XSF and Allen

Sure they suck, but Clark, Giacomini, and Lamm shouldn't even be in the league, and how are you gonna replace 5 linemen in one off-season?

I also don't see the point in RB. Don't need to invest when in this offense they just run up the middle. Blue can do that
 
Uncle Rico said:
That's the problem. When one of these great RBs slip into the 2nd and 3rd will the discipline be there to stay the course on an OL. Temptation will be hard. I'd love to add a lightning rod RB to go along with Deshaun. Hell of a 1-2 punch. Miller is not that guy and will Foreman ever be the same after the Achilles. Going to be a chess match in April.
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I dont have any faith in Foreman being able to make it back. No RB has made it back from that injury besides Andre Brown and he was a shell of himself. Plus after seeing a pic of Foreman with 2 crutches at the UT game and talking with Doc, Foreman is behind in his rehab.

You're right though, this is a very deep RB draft. You might be able to find a RB like Balage or Richard from Arizona St. Or a guy I really like is Martez Carter from Grambling. He's this yrs version of Tarik Cohen and you could probably get him in the 6th rd. He's very dynamic and would help improve the ST's, which is what I want to do with those late rd picks.
 
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ESPN grades our 2017 offseason

Houston Texans
Re-grade: B | Offseason grade: D

The Texans got a low grade during the offseason because they were largely idle, and it was tough to know what impact Deshaun Watson could realistically make as a rookie. Now we know: Watson was dynamic until a freak ACL injury suffered on a non-contract practice play ended his season. He looks like he can transform the franchise.

The Texans did not do much else over the offseason, losing A.J. Bouye to division-rival Jacksonville in free agency and parting with a second-round choice as the price for unloading Brock Osweiler’s contract. But if Watson picks up where he left off before the injury, Houston will consider 2017 an A-plus offseason.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/22113660/nfl-re-grading-every-team-2017-offseason#HOU
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Copying from clutchfans:

OL market doesn’t appear very good/deep. I would attack the secondary(CB/S).

______________

RB: Blue is a FA; Foreman coming off achilles injury; despite drafting 4 in the last 4 drafts(Foreman, Ervin, Hilliard, Blue), need another RB.; Can grab one in the draft; Some FA names: Dion Lewis, Carlos Hyde, Jerick McKinnon, Rex Burkhead, Isaiah Crowell, Jeremy Hill, Charles Sims, Orleans Darkwa

WR: Fine with the Hopkins-Fuller-Ellington trio (although Ellington is a FA)

TE: Current Texans TEs stay injured; Jimmy Graham is the "dream free agent" for many. Others: Tyler Eifert, Trey Burton, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Luke Willson, Antonio Gates, Ben Watson, Ed Dickson, Virgil Green, Anthony Fasano

OL: Nate Solder, Justin Pugh, Cameron Fleming, Andrew Norwell, Weston Richburg, Jack Mewhort, Josh Kline, Brandon Fusco

DL: Sheldon Richardson, Dontari Poe, Bennie Logan, Star Lotulelei, DaQuan Jones, Jay Bromley, Shamar Stephen, Beau Allen

Edge: DeMarcus Lawrence, Ziggy Ansah, Adrian Clayborn, Trent Murphy, Alex Okafor

ILB: Avery Williamson, Navorro Bowman, Todd Davis, Preston Brown, Zach Brown, Demario Davis, Jon Bostic, Anthony Hitchens, Mason Foster

CB: Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, E.J. Gaines, Kyle Fuller, Aaron Colvin, Prince Amukamara, Vontae Davis, Bashaud Breeland, Morris Claiborne, Rashaan Melvin, Patrick Robinson

S: Lamarcus Joyner, Morgan Burnett, Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid, Tre Boston, Tavon Wilson
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http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php?threads/now-that-we-have-a-new-gm-my-top-five-requests.287681/
 
The Texans need to upgrade almost every position on the OL. So we need to swing for at-least 2 of the top OL in FA, either Guard or Tackle. Get the best players you can that fit what you do.

When you look at Andrew Norwell (Panthers) and Justin Pugh (Giants) their teams don't have a ton of cap space to work with (relative to the Texans).

Giants - $23,319,235
Panthers - $21,360,591

We might be paying one of them Brandon Brooks type money.

Obviously we can't fix everything in one off season, but we need to try and fix most of the OL and Secondary issues in FA. I think our best shot it signing 2 OL and 1 CB/S. We could shoot for bringing J-Jo back, then signing a safety.
 
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