Everyone wants a 5 star at every position - not only is that not feasible $ wise, it's likely not a winning solution culture wise.
So if you created a bucket of NIL $ to spend - why not look at the NFL and 2 specifically successful teams with MVP type quarterbacks that lead them.
Using the Chiefs and Ravens as a model comparison - and a cap of 255M here is how each team has allocated their cap for this year (parathesis % includes injured, practice and dead $ counted against cap):
QB - KC - 15.41%
(15.54%), Bal 13.14%
(13.34%)
RB - KC - 1.87% (
2.54%), Bal 5.62%
(6.67%)
WR - KC - 4.69%
(10.97%), Bal 4.70%
(6.90%)
TE - KC - 8.89%
(9.75%), Bal 7.51%
(7.59%)
(Receiving - TE+WR) - KC 20.72%, Bal 14.49%
OL - KC - 23.8%
(24.27%) , Bal 13.43% (
15.48%) (5 star vs. 3 star?)
Offense totals - KC -
63.07%, Bal -
49.98%
DL - KC - 10.04%
(16.45%), Bal - 5.58%
(7.86%)
LB - KC - 4.24%
(4.78%), Bal - 9.94%
(12.00%)
S - KC - 6.56%
(6.95%), Bal 11.39%
(12.21%)
CB - KC 3.28%
(4.06%), Bal 11.36%
(13.22%)
Defense - KC
32.24%, Bal
45.29%
Special Teams - KC
0.90% (2.26%), Bal
2.62%
Baltimore is operating with dead cap of roughly 28% and free cap space of 2.11%
KC is operating with dead cap of roughly 17.89% and free cap space of 2.43%
With NFL teams being more efficient than college teams (experience and know how) how can we find comparative advantages to maximize our NIL budget.
QB is the singular most important position and if you have to compete for the 5 star QB by "overpaying" this is an area where you can get ROI. Early returns on Lagway have already proven this point.
Staying on Offense - KC's model is to protect the franchise and has allocated another 25% to protect him and 20% to provide weapons to throw to (although 35% of the receiving budget is injured or dead money). This has come with finding rookies (Freshman) at RB and not paying premium $ at the position.
Baltimore is more evenly distributed - where OL are more 3 star developed in the program vs. transfer portal 5* acquisitions and willingness to pay for a premium RB while having receiving corp by committee vs. one key player
Defense is interesting in that KC focused on the LOS (really on both sides) with half the D budget spent on the DL and less on pure LB's. Baltimore while having greater balance is definitely more concerned about defending the pass with over 25% allocated to the secondary. Playing in a division with Burrow and knowing the championship runs through Mahomes and Allen might have something to say about that.
Special teams can impact many a game is not allocated much budget wise - 2-3%.
I'm sure BDI, FV &
@SRGators know all this and are being very judicious in allocating resources. With the foundation set (like what Napier said yesterday about this is the first time he's had senior leadership that can show the players behind them how to lead and what's expected) - it allows for a surgical portal approach and an evaluation of the existing allocation to determine if players are meeting, overperforming or underperforming their "cap".
Best example for this year is ETN... for what he was asking - we were able to exceed his production at significant "cap" savings, while improving the culture and overall team by addressing other positions.
Recalibrating expectations along this cap management will allow for better understanding that our core H.S. recruits are getting better with our team's success this year - key 4 star players, while only getting commitments from 5 stars (or high profile high 4 stars) that are properly vetted and a culture fit to the team.
For those working tirelessly behind the scenes, THANK YOU for helping the Gators be the best they can be.
florida.rivals.com
