I can see Raiders trading Mack as they will probably suck anyways for the next few years. That said they should of starting shopping him before the draft.
Why wait till now to trade Mack? If they traded him before the 2018 draft they I bet they could have gotten Clevelands 4th overall as part of the deal. As of now they have no idea how good or bad the bears two #1's will be.
Also muffed a pair in playoffs. In any event Cooper did do well as a return guy last year but I do not view him as a Devin Hester. Not super fast or quick twitch. Also he has not done a whole lot as a WR. I just don't think he is someone you spend a bunch of money on.
Ok. Lets go thru these
Cooper. Really a bit of a jag. Not a key player
Higbee. Another mediocre player
Sullivan. Too old. Will be gone. We may have his replacement on team (Allen or Blythe).
Whitworth. Very good but old player. Again we may have his replacement on team (Noteboom)...
As far as "cap hell" theories consider this.
In 2020 the Rams are listed as having 41 players signed and 103 mil available. That does not count Havenstein or Donald so lets assume 30 mil for those two. That leaves 43 signed and 73 mill available. Not bad. Pretty close to average for the...
I agree. If I'm the 49ers I make Armstead part of the deal (basically give up on him) to secure Mack. Not sure the 49ers think the same way. But like you say Mack is a proven sack machine. Something the 49ers do not have right now.
Niners have three young 1st round DLs in Thomas, Buckner and Armstead. If they got Mack they would have to package one of then back to Raiders and I doubt Buckner would be in the discussion.