The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[CapsCommies]

Tunsil, Linderbaum, Walker, Jennings, Shaheed, Okonkwo on O (and Aiyuk on a prove-it deal)

Jaelan Phillips, Jamel Dean, Javon Hargrave on D

D-focused draft

Can someone sanity check the math on that?

 

[skinsinparadise]

One of the factors though in running back attrition is carries and usage over time. The fact Merritt came out of college at 23 instead of 22 or 21 doesn't necessarily mean his NFL career will be shorter.

What we do see are running backs that get heavy carries early in their careers are usually the ones that drop off the map when they are in their late 20's.

There are exceptions like Riggins or a Derrick Henry at come along.

But I see Merritt being PART of a running backs room that can be very productive with the addition of a primary back for 2026 and going forward.

Still doesn't mean I rule out Merritt through injury or attrition being a guy that could be a 1,000 yard rusher for us in 2027 or 2028 if he gets on the field in that role.

I hear you. But for me my level of interest in seeing whether Croskey-Merritt is a lead back, in the short window left of Jayden's rookie contract is at a 0 out of 100. Coming from the dude again who on day 3 on on draft day who probably posted like 20 times hoping they'd take him, I dig him plenty. But he doesn't come off to me like a lead back.

Jonathan Taylor got a ton of work in college, going strong still.

If your point is Croskey-Merritt is a young 25 not the typical 25 -- similar argument to Terry being stubborn in his contract negotiations that his 30 isn't the typical 30 -- you won't see the injuries like other 30 years olds and drop off in production, etc.

I liked Croskey-Merritt's season, I wasn't blown away by him. And I think it will feel sooo 2025 off season, if a team that wants to major in running the ball and play action decided to ride ith somewhat of a flier and sees if it works out. That's kind of the ride at some other spots where they bet heavily on chancy variables.

Among other things in today's NFL, you want your lead back to be a threat in the pass game for multiple reasons including play action and third downs are more lethal when you have a RB that isn't one dimensional.

 

[Canuck]

Jordan Davis just signed a huge contract extension.

That means the Eagles are going to have to say goodbye to Jalean Phillips, whose only 26, and looks to be on a career ascent.

He's going to get paid but is the youngest of the edge defenders that is going to be available.

He and the Chargers's Oweh should be on our radar screen.

Oweh is my top FA target, productive, young with upside

 

[Canuck]

So Nicki is with Standig on the Allgeier stuff. I don't dislike Allegeir but hope they are wrong and Fowler is right. Keim hasn't weighed in much at RB with names. And at least one echoing the Linderbaum stuff. It makes me take it a little more serious but I haven't found her plugged in.

I can get with Allgeier, he is the tough, downhill RB that I like, my biggest issue is that I think we already have him w CRod

 

[skinsinparadise]

I can get with Allgeier, he is the tough, downhill RB that I like, my biggest issue is that I think we already have him w CRod

Exactly. Allegier seems to be a clone of Rodriguez. Better college player than Rodriguez so maybe more upside. But like Rodriguez isn't much of a pass catcher.

 

[Skinfanjon]

Exactly. Allegier seems to be a clone of Rodriguez. Better college player than Rodriguez so maybe more upside. But like Rodriguez isn't much of a pass catcher.

Personally, I don’t think Nicky or Standig have much idea what’s going on. Like you, I trust Keim easily over both of them. Nicky also has us on the Linderbaum train which I don’t buy for two seconds.

 

[SkinsFTW]

I can get with Allgeier, he is the tough, downhill RB that I like, my biggest issue is that I think we already have him w CRod

I don't know if what we really need is another pass catching non factor at RB.

 

[Kalu44]

Walker was seriously impressive to watch against a tough Pats defense on the biggest stage imaginable. He has my vote.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Edit:

I got had... i'll wear it.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I'm surprised there's been no word on CRod, McNichols or Jacob Martin.

I think CRod is a restricted FA. So thy could tender him.

I could be wrong about that.

And I just don’t think they want to lock anything in at RB in case they decide to go big.

 

[RWJ]

 

[clskinsfan]

 

[Canuck]

Seriously? A conditional 5th?



What am I missing?

Unless he is a drug addict or rapist, offer our 3rd and call it a day

 

[burgold]

Unless he is a drug addict or rapist, offer our 3rd and call it a day

If the best they are getting is a five why jump to a three? Offer them a four

 

[Canuck]

If the best they are getting is a five why jump to a three? Offer them a four

You're right, so long as the reports are correct

 

[JoeyG]

If the best they are getting is a five why jump to a three? Offer them a four

What is the problem with him? Maybe be some off the field/attitude stuff?

 

[skinsinparadise]

What is the problem with him? Maybe be some off the field/attitude stuff?

Heard that and also had his share of dropped balls last season

 

[aledb11]

I would do a 5th straight up without hesitation

 

[Conn]

Seriously? A conditional 5th?



What am I missing?

They tried to force him the ball as a schemed WR1 the first half of last year and he had one of the worst cases of alligator arms I’ve seen in recent years over the middle.

Their whole offense improved when they de-emphasized BTJ and worked in Parker Washington heavily. Which doesn’t speak well of BTJ as an alpha target for an acquiring team.

He did much better down the stretch in a reduced role with reduced expectations playing to his strengths. Meaning deep threat, downfield/sideline plucker, much less action over the middle, less targets, not schemed designed touches, secondary to tertiary target.

I don’t know what that’s worth but he no longer really carries the “future stud WR1” expectation with a lot of people

 

[Skinfanjon]

Seriously? A conditional 5th?



What am I missing?

This is not a real account. For example, Wes Steinberg reported the Giants were giving Henry Ruggs a tryout last year while he was sitting in a prison.