The contestants in the 2021 AGOP contest have submitted their entries. The entries have been reviewed. You all have voted. And in an extremely close vote, you have named our 2021 champion. That champion is krunchy313, squeaking out a victory over four other worthy contestants. Krunchy313 becomes our first repeat AGOP champion, having also won last year’s contest. Take a bow krunchy313, for a tight victory well earned. Contact me at macgregorwells@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Now, without further ado, we present the 2021 AGOP championship entry.

AGOP: Justin the nick of time

I’m looking for the AGOP two-peat and it’s time for JD to go big or go home. After a meh offseason last year that saw many bad but cheap signings, JD has to spend big. He’s got more resources than a GM could ever hope for and a lot of work to do.

Below are the blueprints of how JD will get us back to relevance and keep us relevant for years to come.

I used overthecap, PFF, Pro Football Reference, Athlon Sports, and the Draft Network.

Trades:

· New York Jets trade QB Sam Darnold

· Denver Broncos trade 2021 second round pick (40)

Explanation: This obviously makes sense for the Jets who have decided to move on from Darnold. The Broncos take this deal since they still have a question mark at QB but have the rest of the offense pretty much in place. They have a promising line, solid running backs, great young receivers, and a good young tight end. They take the chance on Darnold in the hopes that he can be that final piece for them.

Cap change: +$4.8 million

Notable Cuts:

· George Fant +7.85

o There seems to be a rumor spreading around that Fant was solid this season. He wasn’t. He never passed the eye test for me and received a very bad 61.6 PFF grade on the season, which is in line with the rest of his career. 29 years old and a bad player: not at all worth 8 mil.

· Alex Lewis +5.19

o Like Fant, some (although, it’s a very small minority) think that Lewis is also solid. And like Fant, he’s not. Easy 5 million

· Greg van Roten +3.40

o JD really struck out with the free agent OL last season. GVR was a liability and should go find a new team to play for.

· Ryan Griffin +1.85

o Head-scratcher of an extension

· Trevon Wesco + .67

o Remnant of Macc that hasn’t done anything at all

· Connor mcdermott +.95

o Bad depth

· Kyle Phillips .85

o Good rookie season but was a nothing this year

Roster trimming:

o Lamar Jackson (.78), Jaleel Scott (.78), Lawrence Cager (.78), Elijah Campbell (.78), Mike White (.85), Kyron Brown (.85), Corey Ballentine (.85), Jimmy Murray (.85), Leo Koloamatangi (.85), Chase McLaughlin (.85), JT Hassel (.85), Sharif Finch (.92), Josh Malone (.92), Tanzel Smart (.99)

TOTAL: +$32.67 million

QUICK CAP BREAKDOWN 1

Starting Cap: 67.34

Darnold Trade: +4.8

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Cap after trade: 72.14

Cuts: +32.67

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Cap after cuts and trade: $104.81 million

RE-SIGNS

Neville Hewitt 2x2

- Had a solid season for the Jets last year and earned himself some more time

Brian Poole 1x6

- Continues to be very good in the slot. He takes a contract like last year’s

Tarell Basham 1x3

- Was actually pretty solid and has the size to be a 4-3 DE

*Jets tagged Maye but that’s already baked into the cap number

Total: $11 million

FREE AGENCY

Big Ticket FAs

· G Joe Thuney 4x14 (PFF predicted contract: 4x14.25)

o Thuney is a great guard whom I wanted to sign last offseason before he was tagged. Good PFF scores every season and has never missed a single game his entire 5-year career. He’s only 28 and has a lot ahead of him.

· EDGE Carl Lawson 4 x $13 million (PFF: 4x13.75)

o 25 years old and a prototypical 4-3 DE, Lawson is a dominant force on the DL. He was 4th in pressures and 7th in sacks created in the NFL. Sacks created credits the first guy who shed his block on sacks in order to give credit to the guy who did the work. The leaders in this category aren’t just a bunch of scrubs: it’s all the best pass rushers in the league.

· C Corey Linsley 3x12 (PFF: 3x11)

o Linsley was the best center in football this year. He graded out at a very elite 89.9 on PFF and was a big reason for GB’s offensive success this year. He’s always been good before this year, though, which makes the signing less risky. His durability is solid as he’s played in 99 out of 112 games. He has a lot of playoff experience, he could help teach some of other IOL, and is just an excellent player.

Mid-tier FAs

· TE Jonnu Smith 2x8 (PFF: 4x9.5)

o Smith is an uber athletic tight end who never hit his celing in Tennessee. Still, in 2020 he recorded 8 touchdowns and a 75.2 grade on PFF. Perhaps LaFleur could turn him into the next Kittle. Even if he can’t, he’s a very solid tight end. I think PFF is overvaluing him here.

· WR Kendrick Bourne 2x6 (PFF: 2x6.25)

o Bourne is coming off the best year of his career and SF probably can’t pay him. He provides depth at receiver and could start potentially if the rookie is not able to. Recorded a good 72.0 grade on PFF and 667 yards in 15 gp in ‘20.

· QB Tyrod Taylor 1x6 (PFF: 2x5)

o Taylor was the starter right before Mayfield broke out during his rookie year. He was also the starter right before Herbert dominated as a rookie last year. I’m signing him based on the slight chance that those aren’t coincidences. Even still, he’s a solid player and good leader.

· LB Kwon Alexander 1x6 (PFF: NA)

o Kwon was a solid off-ball linebacker for Tampa but lost his touch over the past few seasons due to injury. On a one-year prove it deal, the Jets can see if he can get his act back together on the field. He was very good in Tampa and could hopefully return to that form in NY and provide good LB play.

Low-tier FAs

· RB Jamaal Williams 3x4 (PFF: 2x3)

o Williams is one of the best backup running backs in the league. This offense doesn’t need a guy like Aaron Jones or Chris Carson to work. Williams will get the job done and has a good blend of power, speed, and receiving abilities.

· S Jaquiski Tartt 2x3.5 (PFF: 2x4.5)

o Former 49er safety who is very versatile and athletic. Jets need safety depth and he could begin the season as the starter

· LB Nicholas Morrow 1x2.5 (PFF: 2x2.5)

o A very cheap option for LB who had a breakout year in terms of coverage, according to PFF. He’s only 25 years old and racked up 9 PDs, 3 sacks, and 8 TFLs this season in 14 gp.

· CB Ahkello Witherspoon 1x $3 million (PFF: 1x1.75)

o Coming off the best season of his career but is quite inconsistent and often deals with injuries. Still, his 2020 80.2 PFF grade is very good and makes him worth a small contract.

Total: $78 million

QUICK CAP BREAKDOWN 2

Cap after cuts: 104.81

Re-signs: (11)

FA Signings: (78)

Rookie Pool: (13.13)

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Final Cap: *2.68

*while I spent close to the cap, there is still a lot of dead money that will be freed up next year. Crowder’s contract will be up, freeing up $11 million, and Mosley’s contract is also almost done. Plus, there’s absolutely nobody on the roster who gets a payday next year anyway.

THE DRAFT

ROUND 1

2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

· Don’t overthink it, JD. Fields is an excellent QB who would arguably go #1 overall in any draft that doesn’t have T Law. He has excellent traits, put up excellent numbers at OSU, and is a future Pro-Bowler

23. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

· He’s the best pass rusher in the draft to me. He was a beast last year in Miami but sat out this year, because why not? He’d be an excellent pairing with Lawson. I’m not really sure how or why but for some reason Rousseau has fallen out of favor in many mock drafts and makes it to the mid/late first round. I would gladly take him here.

ROUND 2

34. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

· Elite combination of size, speed, and hands. He killed it at Minnesota (1691 yards and 13 TDs over past 18 games). He reportedly ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. At 6’2” 210, I love his build and traits. Many first round receivers went in the 2nd round last year so I could see him dropping to 34.

40. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

· Best guard in football Quenton Nelson and star SF tackle Mike McGlinchey went to Notre Dame; the school churns out good linemen and Eichenberg is no different. He and Becton would be an elite OT duo. I’ve seen him go all over the place in various mocks but 40 seems like a good spot for him.

ROUND 3

66. Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State

· A very aggressive CB with good length that disrupts receivers and keeps them from making the catch. He played a lot of off-coverage as his man-press ability isn’t great, but Saleh’s D doesn’t focus on man-to-man much anyway. He’s also got good durability.

86. Hunter Long, TE, Boston College

· Good route runner with great hands. He has blocking ability and is no stranger to heavy utilization: he was the most targeted TE in football this year. He has good size at about 6’5” 250 lbs and would be a good addition with Jonnu Smith.

ROUND 4

107. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis

· He sat out this year but exploded last year, posting 2069 rushing/receiving yards and 16 rushing/receiving touchdowns in 14 gp at Memphis. He’s a versatile player who would bring some excitement to this offense.

ROUND 5

146. Garret Wallow, LB, TCU

· A converted safety with good tackling and coverage abilities. He’s shown good ability to blitz as well. Great motor and physicality that Saleh will love

154. Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky

· 4-year starter at Kentucky who was very durable and decently athletic. Good intangibles and character to boot.

ROUND 6

185. Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern

· Productive tackler with a high football IQ. Good size at 6’3” 240 lbs and was the captain of the breakout defense this year at Northwestern, something JD would be all over.

FINAL 53-MAN ROSTER

QB: Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, James Morgan

RB: Jamaal Williams, Kenneth Gainwell, Lamical Perine, Ty Johnson

WR: Denzel Mims, Rashod Bateman, Kendrick Bourne, Josh Doctson

SLWR: Jamison Crowder, Braxton Berrios

TE: Jonnu Smith, Hunter Long, Chris Herndon

LT: Mekhi Becton

LG: Joe Thuney, Cam Clark

C: Corey Linsley, Drake Jackson

RG: Conor McGovern

RT: Liam Eichenberg, Chuma Edoga

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DE: Carl Lawson, Tarell Basham, Bryce Huff

DT: Quinnen Williams, Foley Fatukasi

DT: John Frankin-Myers, Nathan Shepherd

DE: Gregory Rousseau, Jabari Zuniga

OLB: Kwon Alexander, Garrett Wallow, Blake Cashman

ILB: CJ Mosley, Paddy Fisher, Noah Dawkins

OLB: Nicholas Morrow, Neville Hewitt

CB: Ahkello Witherspoon, Rodarius Williams, Bryce Hall

SLCB: Brian Poole, Javelin Guidry

FS: Marcus Maye, Ashtyn Davis

SS: Jaquiski Tartt, Blessuan Austin

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K: Sam Ficken

P: Braden Mann

LS: Thomas Hennessy