Only way I tag Adams if there is even a way to figure it out with the cap is to trade him before the draft in an agreement were he is allowed to seek out the contract he wants with another team once he finds deal he signs the tag and GB trades him to that team. But at $20 million cap hold that could be very well impossible to do.
Teams know what's up. They'll low ball GB and wait it out until GB gets desperate. Just let him walk and move on. GB has almost no leverage in this situation.
Depends if I can get a 2nd or even higher 3rd for Adams I take that over getting a late round 3rd comp pick you would get.
One of things that NE used to do well was get rid of guys just after they peaked. So they never overpaid for past production. I say let him walk find a huge contract and good luck to him.. he deserves a huge contract. But as you said there are risks.
Especially with WR. I'd take the risk for a DL or an OL or a CB or something but for a WR?
I have said before I don't think Love needs an Adams type to be successful. With the money you save find a decent veteran and a good TE. That will would benefit a young QB more. As would a better OL....
I'd rather use some of that Adams cash to keep Rasul Douglas and Campbell around. And since the org sees it as cash in/out either way, spend some cash out on the best ST coordinator you could possibly get - throw money at them, get them in and let them do their thing.
Thing is both Lazard and MVS are FA's too I believe so both of them might be gone also. Doubt Cobb is back so if you might have Amari Rodgers Malik Taylor Winfree and any draft picks at WR for Love to throw too. That is setting Love up to fail IMO.