The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[clskinsfan]

I respect that opinion.

I personally would like an upgrade.

I think its been so long since we've had anything at running back above average we've forgotten what its like to have a game changer.

JCM was a game changer at times last year. Especially with JD on the field. He showed elite speed to the outside. And he should only get better with more experience. Not to say I am not in on drafting Love. Because I am. But I am glad we didnt go high dollar RB in FA.

 

[Skinfanjon]

Shaheed and his 1-2 catches a game, probably isn't worth all that....but maybe it's just me.

You might be thinking about somebody else. Last time I played with stats was Pierce, at 3-4 plays a game with his 35-45 catches a year. 4 would be a stretch for him since 17 games x 4 equals well over anything he has ever done.

New phone, who dis?

 

[Conn]

Had to go check your math since you described a guy with 60 catches as a “1-2 catch per game guy” earlier 😂 Seems you’ve found your calculator since, good job

You might be thinking about somebody else. Last time I played with stats was Pierce, at 3-4 plays a game with his 35-45 catches a year. 4 would be a stretch for him since 17 games x 4 equals well over anything he has ever done.

Are you alright?

Dude, McCaffrey was just as good in the return game. SHaheed, and his 1 catch a game and inability to make a difference otherwise, just got paid almost 20M a year. Good thing Peters isn't that dumb.

 

[Dlts20]

I respect that opinion.

I personally would like an upgrade.

I think its been so long since we've had anything at running back above average we've forgotten what its like to have a game changer.

I will definitely be ecstatic if we get Love. I just wasn't as high on the free agents being as much of an upgrade as people think. I'm also ok with not getting Love because I feel like this is the worst version of Bill we will see and had won 4 rookie of the week awards, 900 total yards, 8 TD, 4.6ypc, 7.6yards per reception.

He was extremely solid while I thought that Kliff didn't do him great justice with his play calling and I didn't think that the line was always great at run blocking. We also played against stacked boxes a lot with an injured Jayden and no receivers.

 

[SkinsFTW]

So we got Oweh, and a bunch of resignings like Tunsil, Alargeti, Way, and brought back the kicker who was surprisingly totally accurate last year.

We still need: a TE1, a WR2 or at least 3 and 4, a couple LB's and a DE or 2, along with some CB and Safety help.

 

[KDawg]

I will definitely be ecstatic if we get Love. I just wasn't as high on the free agents being as much of an upgrade as people think. I'm also ok with not getting Love because I feel like this is the worst version of Bill we will see and had won 4 rookie of the week awards, 900 total yards, 8 TD, 4.6ypc, 7.6yards per reception.

He was extremely solid while I thought that Kliff didn't do him great justice with his play calling and I didn't think that the line was always great at run blocking. We also played against stacked boxes a lot with an injured Jayden and no receivers.

Curious - what role do you think Bill had in not finding all the success? You blamed the OL and playcalling and stacked boxes.

 

[Conn]

 

[SkinsFTW]

Are you alright?

Well what a mistake I made.

15 catches in 9 games for Seattle.

Sorry, I should have stated that he had 1.777 catches per game.

My bad.

 

[Dlts20]

Curious - what role do you think Bill had in not finding all the success? You played the OL and playcalling and stacked boxes.

He wasn't perfect but people are acting like he wasn't a rookie, who only played one game the year before, and was backup alot this past season. You guys want to talk about players ascending and getting better everywhere else but act like Bill can't

 

[Gooseneck]

So we got Oweh, and a bunch of resignings like Tunsil, Alargeti, Way, and brought back the kicker who was surprisingly totally accurate last year.

We still need: a TE1, a WR2 or at least 3 and 4, a couple LB's and a DE or 2, along with some CB and Safety help.

definitely need an outside corner- They are still high on Harris, we will see. See safety, Guard or center at pick 71. TE 1 is a definite need- hit or miss in the draft; RB, some out there; Love is going to be a gamble to wait on. We need a guard/center. If there is a value trade down from 7 is fair with the extra draft capital is fair we we can get a good corner and wide receiver.

 

[Bulldog]

So we got Oweh, and a bunch of resignings like Tunsil, Alargeti, Way, and brought back the kicker who was surprisingly totally accurate last year.

We still need: a TE1, a WR2 or at least 3 and 4, a couple LB's and a DE or 2, along with some CB and Safety help.

Don't underestimate the WR2 and the depth on the OL at center and at LG.

We really need to do our best for Jayden Daniels and while we ended up picking up some pieces for Daronte Jones on defense that hopefully he can use productively we didn't do much for Blough or Co. yet.

I really wish the WR2 was a 'get' before the first day closed because every day we don't sign someone who is recognizable talent than it makes it more likely we are almost forced to sign Aiyuk when he is released, although SF is being very cagey about exactly when that is going to be.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[KDawg]

He wasn't perfect but people are acting like he wasn't a rookie, who only played one game the year before, and was backup alot this past season. You guys want to talk about players ascending and getting better everywhere else but act like Bill can't

You said you guys, so I assume that includes me. And I think I’ve been very vocal about him needing time to develop because he has potential.

But watch his long runs against the Giants, the blocking is on point.

People are making it seem like the line stunk and Bill overcame it, but he didn’t. He has poor vision. When the hole is there he accelerates like he’s shot out of a cannon. That’s his super power. But he had some damned good blocking at times, too, and timely play calls.

He struggled in pass protection and is below par as a receiver.

I think the fastest area of growth for him is receiving and consistency with vision. And I think he IS going to be improved in those departments this year. But I’d like him to get some real time to develop without being counted on to carry the load. Especially in pass protection.

I’d really like White in conjunction with Love. That is a great three headed monster. White is a better receiver, better blocker and has better vision than Bill right now, but Bill has much more home run ability. Having White and Love in the film room with Bill is going to make him that much more dangerous.

I think Bill needs veteran leaders and young guys to push him.

 

[heisenberg]

I will definitely be ecstatic if we get Love. I just wasn't as high on the free agents being as much of an upgrade as people think. I'm also ok with not getting Love because I feel like this is the worst version of Bill we will see and had won 4 rookie of the week awards, 900 total yards, 8 TD, 4.6ypc, 7.6yards per reception.

He was extremely solid while I thought that Kliff didn't do him great justice with his play calling and I didn't think that the line was always great at run blocking. We also played against stacked boxes a lot with an injured Jayden and no receivers.

Fair enough, I think the reason the running back position has been so devalued is that its fairly easy to get running backs in the middle to late rounds who can put up numbers like bill did for us last year.

The difference though, between a guy like Bill Merritt and a guy like Jeremiah love is equivalent to the difference between a guy like alec pierce and a guy like Jamarr chase, one is a good reciever the other is a game changer.
Unfortunately for running backs and fortunately for recievers, its not as easy to get alec pierce type production in later rounds.

I do understand the thought process that if you can get good production out of a 7th round back then why use the 7th pick on a non premium position, but I want more, I want the jamarr chase or Justin jefferson of running backs because we have a shot at one and its pretty rare.

 

[Conn]

I think this is how most of us feel. Oweh was a good start

 

[KDawg]

I think this is how most of us feel. Oweh was a good start

Of all the people to pick why did he go with Thanos? Thanos kinda had an entire army and the Infinity Gauntlet.

Jayden has… Bill and Terry’s Excellent Adventure.

 

[Dlts20]

Fair enough, I think the reason the running back position has been so devalued is that its fairly easy to get running backs in the middle to late rounds who can put up numbers like bill did for us last year.

The difference though, between a guy like Bill Merritt and a guy like Jeremiah love is equivalent to the difference between a guy like alec pierce and a guy like Jamarr chase, one is a good reciever the other is a game changer.
Unfortunately for running backs and fortunately for recievers, its not as easy to get alec pierce type production in later rounds.

I do understand the thought process that if you can get good production out of a 7th round back then why use the 7th pick on a non premium position, but I want more, I want the jamarr chase or Justin jefferson of running backs because we have a shot at one and its pretty rare.

All true but the other argument is that if you think that you may have a Pierce at RB, then maybe instead of going for the Chase of a non premium position, you should go for another Pierce type player at the actual premium position and draft Tate. It's a big decision and I think that Tate has more potential than Pierce

 

[SkinsFTW]

I do understand the thought process that if you can get good production out of a 7th round back then why use the 7th pick on a non premium position, but I want more, I want the jamarr chase or Justin jefferson of running backs because we have a shot at one and its pretty rare.

I'd rather them draft a player at a position that we actually need. Like Tate, Styles, or especially Downs. Hell, I'd even prefer Ioane over a RB in the first round. Imagine that OL.

 

[Canuck]

Bill IMO is JAG

CRod is the better back, he has limitations, but he is a very good power runner, issue is he hasn't shown hands.

Bill on the other hand is decent at all aspects, but nothing stands out.

CRod w a good third down back is an intriguing backfield.

 

[Boone]

People are overreacting because Peters said the best way to protect Jayden was to surround him with better weapons. We have not added a single weapon so far.

Hopefully that changes. But so far - nada.