Salary Cap Numbers on Eve of Free Agency

Aaron Rodgers' new contract extension costs $86 against
the cap this year and gradually rises to $98 in 2018.

Team Name - Cap Space - Players under contract - Restricted Free Agents
Team Pollard - $80 - 15 - 8
Bortles in tha Club - $176 - 21 - 4
Team Salas - $117- 15 - 2
Team Shazier Beam - $97 - 16 - 3
Beastquake Tsunami - $135 - 19 -3
Team Juggz - $122 - 19 - 2
Feelin Scoopie - $8 - 21 (+1 on IR) - 3
The People's dEYEnasty - $149- 10 - 4
Future Practice Squad - $131 - 16 - 6
Team Bowers - $127 - 18 - 6
Team Paul - $113 - 12 - 3
Team-Building Exercises - $6 - 24 - 1

Dynasty League Banter's Ike Glorio talks Draft, Megatron Trade, and Offseason with Team-Building Exercises GM Jamie van Dyck

DLB: Jamie, it's our pleasure having you on.

JvD: Great to be here, Ike.

DLB: First, let's talk about the draft. The lottery was unkind to you, sticking you with the 5th pick when you were projected 3rd overall. Did this affect your strategy?

JvD: Not at all, Ike. If we were first overall, we were probably looking at Watkins. Had we been second with Watkins off the board, Mike Evans would have been high on our radar as well. But at pick #5, the guy we would have taken at #3 fell to us in Brandin Cooks. We love his speed and athleticism and think he's a tremendous fit for our football team.

DLB: And how about the multiple trades back into the first round?

JvD: Yeah, well Jordan Matthews was the guy we had 4th on our board so when he was still there at #7, we pounced. Joe and I have a great working relationship so he and I are very open when making deals that we feel will benefit our football teams. He needed a Tight End and we had more talent at that position that we could make use of. Jordan Reed was great for us in limited action, and he's certainly earned his opportunity to start in this league. With Julius and Ladarius as a great one-two punch at that position, we could afford to let go of Reed and Ertz to improve at other positions. Jordan Matthews will make some big plays for us.

DLB: And how about Jeremy Hill?

JvD: We felt that we wanted to give Gio and DeMarco more support, and Jeremy is that kind of bruiser that gives us a lot of versatility at that position. We love Marcus [Lattimore] dearly and love his attitude and work ethic and think he has everything it takes to be successful when healthy. But we're in win-now mode and flipping him to get Jeremy felt like the right move.

DLB: I've got to ask. The deal for Megatron -- you gave up a lot to make it happen. What was your line of thinking here?

JvD: We already had Demaryius locked up on a great long-term deal, and to pair those two together just felt like an opportunity we had to pounce on, Ike. Having bench depth is important for sure, but elite players are who win championships, and we felt that having one of the greatest players in all of football and arguably of all-time at his position gives us a great opportunity to contend for a championship this year and beyond. With him, Demaryius, Crabtree, and hopefully Josh Gordon, Wide Receiver is a position that has the potential to be a strength for us for a long time, not to mention some of the young guns who also have immense talent. We won't need to spend draft picks on the Wide Receiver position next year, which is why we felt like we could afford to give them up.

DLB: You mentioned Josh Gordon. What's the plan with him?

JvD: Ike, right now we're waiting just like everyone else. The decision on the appeal has no timetable, and we've accepted that. Our primary concern and objective is to make sure that Josh is getting the help that he needs and is able to live out his dream. He has such incredible gifts, but his mental health and well-being as a human needs to come first. When he's right mentally and emotionally, then we'll worry about football with him. As far as his contract, we'll await a decision on his appeal, and Commissioner Pollard has granted us an extension to resolve his contract situation so we can make sure we do what's right for Josh.

DLB: You have very limited cap space going into free agency. Do you view this as a potential handicap to your team being competitive with other teams having a lot of money to spend?

JvD: Ideally we'd have money left to spend, and we may still have to make some tough decisions and cut some talented guys to give us the financial flexibility to improve our football team. That said, I think we used last season, the last two drafts, and recent trades very effectively to build the core of this franchise to the extent where we don't have any real glaring needs going into free agency. And with Restricted Free Agents, there's the likelihood that the guys for whom we make competitive offers will return to their original teams anyway. We already have a starting lineup we can field on a weekly basis and feel great about prior to free agency so that we are not in a position of overpaying somebody out of desperation or allocating funds to players we might not be able to acquire anyway. But we'll be a player these next couple weeks for sure, albeit a small one. There are several guys out there whom we like and plan to target, and we'll make the necessary adjustments to our roster to make sure that we have the frontline talent and the depth behind them to win some games this year.

DLB: Jamie, always a pleasure talking with you. Thanks for coming on Dynasty League Banter. Best of luck this season!

JvD: Appreciate it, Ike. Thanks for having me on.

Julio Jones relocates in 6-player trade

Going into the first off-season, it was known a lot of high-priced players would probably be moving to new teams. One of those, however, was not Julio Jones. Jones enters this contract year with a $51 deal, the highest of any player who wasn't a restricted free agent. Because of the magnitude of his contract, the idea of him moving wasn't even considered. As it turns out, however, he would be among the first change teams.

Jones secures a touchdown over then-Niners CB Tarell Brown.

According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, discussions between Team Pollard and the newly re-branded Bortles in tha Club were originally centered around the 15th pick, of which Tha Club acquired from Team Bowers in a prior trade that saw first round RBs Bishop Sankey and Devanta Freeman change sides.

However, Nixon, determined to make a splash in his inaugural season as general manager, pushed his chips in and got a very nice haul for Jones. He received young breakout candidates Andre Ellington and Keenan Allen, as well as a 1st rounder in 2015 and a 2016 2nd.

In addition to Jones, Team Pollard also acquired the rights to Ben Tate, thus uniting him with handcuff Terrence West, who was taken with the 12th pick in the draft. The team also acquired Pierre Thomas and finally were able to acquire the elusive 15th pick, where they took Giants RB Andre Williams.

Watkins, Evans highlight WR-studded first round

During May's NFL Draft, there wasn't a position group as highly touted as that of wide receiver. The first round of the TL Dynasty Draft, which completed Monday night, proved no different.

Watkins poses with Commissioner Goodell after being taken 4th overall by the Bills in May. 

Predictably, Buffalo's Sammy Watkins was once again the prize. Like the Bills before them, Team Paul thrust their hopes onto the young Clemson Tiger, taking him number 1 overall. With the number 2 pick, the newly re-branded People's dEYEnasty began their new era by taking young-Buc Mike Evans.

Bishop Sankey became the first RB off the board at the 3rd pick. The presumed-Tennessee starter was taken by Team Zombie, which is being helmed by new GM Nixon. However, it appears Sankey's stay may be short-lived, as it's rumored he may be packaged to Team Bowers in a deal involving 10th pick Devonta Freeman (Atlanta RB). 

The 83 Dollar Men handcuffed their RB1 Frank Gore to his rookie counterpart with the 4th pick, taking Carlos Hyde out of Ohio State. The team then traded their 9th pick to Team-Building Exercises (the original owner of the pick) in exchange for another Niner rookie RB, Marcus Lattimore. Exercises eventually took Jeremy Hill (Cincinnati RB) with the 9th pick.

The WR run resumed with the 5th pick, as Exercises used the first of their 3 picks on the day on Saints rookie and reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Brandin Cooks. Team Pollard then kept with their Panther theme, taking national championship hero Kelvin Benjamin at 6. Exercises found themselves back on the clock again - after trading Jordan Reed to Team Juggz for the 7th pick - and took Chip Kelly's new toy, Jordan Matthews.

Another Biletnikoff Award winner went 8th, as the Future Practice Squad added Marqise Lee to their ranks. After the aforementioned Hill and Freeman picks, Team G took the final wide receiver, securing the electric Odell Beckham, Jr. out of LSU. The night closed with Team Pollard taking Cleveland RB Terrence West with a pick acquired from defending champion Team Salas.

News & Notes

• 8/17/14: Jamaal Charles and Team Juggz have agreed to a five-year extension.
• 8/17/14: A.J. Green and Team Juggz have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/17/14: Antonio Brown and Team Juggz have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/17/14: Marshawn Lynch and Team Ninja have agreed to a four-year extension. "Just about that action, boss."
• 8/17/14: Wes Welker and Team Ninja have agreed to a three-year extension. 
• 8/17/14: Team Ninja and Tom Brady could not come to an agreement, leaving Brady to become a restricted free agent.
• 8/17/14: Colin Kaepernick and Team G have agreed to a three-year extension. 
• 8/17/14: Matt Forte and Team G have agreed to a three-year extension.
• 8/17/14: Rob Gronkowski and Team G have agreed to a three-year extension, pending a physical. 
• 8/17/14: Veteran wide receiver Nate Burleson will test the free agent market this summer after he and Team G could not reach an agreement.
• 8/18/14: Drew Brees and Future Practice Squad have agreed to a three-year extension. 
• 8/18/14: Jordy Nelson and Future Practice Squad have agreed to a five-year extension. Says Nelson, "I look forward to being an integral part of this franchise for the next five years."
• 8/18/14: Adrian Peterson and Team Salas have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/18/14: C.J. Spiller and Team Salas have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/18/14: Brandon Marshall and Team Salas have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/18/14: After being traded from Team Salas to The People's dEYEnasty on Sunday, Reggie Bush plots revenge against his former team, stating that "they gonna regret it."
• 8/18/14: Julian Edelman and Team Salas have agreed to a four-year extension. 
• 8/19/14: Russell Wilson and The People's dEYEnasty have agreed to a five-year extension. When asked how he felt about the contract, Wilson replied, "Separation is in the preparation." Stay tuned for more details.
• 8/19/14: Joique Bell and The People's dEYEnasty have agreed to a three-year extension. 
• 8/19/14: Pierre Garcon and The People's dEYEnasty have agree to a three-year extension.
• 8/19/14: Jimmy Graham and The People's dEYEnasty have agreed to a five-year extension. 
• 8/19/14: Troubled youngster WR Justin Blackmon becomes renounced by The People's dEYEnasty, putting his season and career in jeopardy.
• 8/19/14: Aaron Rodgers and Team Andrew agree to a record-setting five-year agreement. Unfortunately, Team Andrew did not leave enough money to sign another player. 
• 8/19/14: Beloved TE and sure-bet Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez announces his retirement, paying homage to his former team, Team Andrew, by saying "Memories were made."

Trade Buzz

• 8/18/14 - Confirmed: Kyle agrees to send RB Montee Ball to Omar in exchange for RB Reggie Bush.
• 8/18/14 - Confirmed: Joe agrees to send Jamie the #7 pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft in exchange for TE Jordan Reed.
• 8/18/14 - Confirmed: Andrew agrees to send Jamie the #9 pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft in exchange for RB Marcus Lattimore. 
• 8/18/14 - Confirmed: Phobes agrees to trade Andre Ellington, Keenan Allen, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick to Nixon in exchange for Ben Tate, Pierre Thomas, the #15 pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft and Julio f***ing Jones. 
• 8/19/14 - Confirmed: Jamie agrees to send WR Markus Wheaton to Jason for the 14th pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft. Jamie then agrees to send the aforementioned 14th pick to Joe for the 18th pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft and RB Danny Woodhead. 
• 8/19/14 - Confirmed: Jamie trades the 18th overall pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft for RB Ryan Mathews. 
• 8/19/14 - Confirmed: Jamie trades QB Sam Bradford to Harty for RB Donald Brown and a 2015 2nd round draft pick.
• 8/19/14 - Confirmed: Will trades WR Calvin Johnson to Jamie for WR DeAndre Hopkins, TE Zach Ertz, Chiefs D/ST, the 21st overall pick in the 2014 Rookie Draft and two 2015 second round draft picks.

Quick Guide for Contract Extensions

Our good friend Jamie has provided us with a spreadsheet that simply displays how a players' contract will change over the course of a three, four or five year contract. Below is the spreadsheet and snapshots of each long-term contract agreement that is potentially available for up to four of your players. Take a look and see how your players salary would be affected in the coming years, should you choose to extend them.

• Spreadsheet
• Contracts, Page 1 (3-year Extension)
• Contracts, Page 2 (4-year Extension)
• Contracts, Page 3 (5-year Extension)

Thank you, Jamie!

Rookie Draft

1. Paul: Sammy Watkins, BUF - WR
2. Kyle: Mike Evans, TB - WR
3. Nixon: Bishop Sankey, TEN - RB
4. Andrew: Carlos Hyde, SF - RB
5. Jamie (from Nick): Brandin Cooks, NO - WR
6. Phobes: Kelvin Benjamin, CAR - WR
7. Jamie (from Joe): Jordan Matthews, PHI - WR
8. Harty: Marqise Lee, JAC - WR
9. Jamie (from Andrew): Jeremy Hill, CIN - RB
10. Will: Devonta Freeman, ATL - RB
11. Jason: Odell Beckham, NYG - WR
12. Phobes (from Omar): Terrance West, CLE - RB
13. Kyle (from Omar): Johnny Manziel, CLE - QB
14. Joe (from Jamie, from Jason): Eric Ebron, DET - TE
15. Phobes (from Nixon, from Will): Andre Williams, NYG - RB
16. Andrew (from Jamie): Davante Adams, GB - WR
17. Harty: Donte Moncrief, IND - WR
18. Joe: Teddy Bridgewater, MIN - QB
19. Omar (from Phobes): James White, NE - RB
20. Nick: Tre Mason, STL - RB
21. Will (from Jamie, from Andrew): Cody Latimer, DEN - WR
22. Nixon: Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB - TE
23. Kyle: Jerick McKinnon, MIN - RB
24. Paul: Ka'Deem Carey, CHI - RB

Teams

• Team Pollard
• Team Zombie
• Team Salas
• Team G
• Team Ninja
• Team Juggz
• The 83 Dollar Men
• Kyle's Collection
• Future Practice Squad
• Team Bowers
• Team Paul
• Team-Building Exercises