The draft is complete. Free agents have come, but mostly gone. Deals have been extended. It is time to update the Hawk Blogger 5-Year Roster Outlook

Doug Baldwin

James Carpenter

Malcolm Smith

K.J. Wright

Anthony McCoy

Cliff Avril

Byron Maxwell

Clint Gresham

Phillip Adams

DeShawn Shead

Heath Farwell

Jeron Johnson

Baldwin would seem to be headed toward an extension. The two recent receiver draft picks could impact that negotiation, but I’m expecting a deal to be done prior to camp. The trio of Malcolm Smith, K.J. Wright, and Bruce Irvin all come up in the next two seasons. The team needs to decide who their SAM is between Wright and Irvin, and then decide if Wright, Smith or newly-drafted Kevin Pierre-Louis is their starting WILL. I won’t be surprised if both Wright and Smith walk. If they re-sign Wright, Irvin’s future here becomes far cloudier. The situation at corner will turn desperate if some players do not step forward this year and prove they can take Maxwell’s place next season. Jeremy Lane in the early favorite to ascend, but we need to see what Tharold Simon, Erik Pinkins and the rest can do. Nickel corner is position to watch. Phillip Adams was signed as a reliable and quality veteran, but he is on a one-year deal. It would be ideal for a young player like Akeem Auguste to step up, as he would be less expensive. Both backup safeties also are up after this season. Look for some fierce competition there, and the potential for a guy like Dion Bailey to surprise.