The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Witty66]

1) Garrett didn't transform the Cleveland defense - they were still bottom half. One player doesn't make a defense.

2) This type of fantasy football thinking more often than not backfires, and isn't the path to sustained success

3) Our roster is FULL OF HOLES - we literally canned half the team last year... that is absolutely NOT the right team to go ALL IN on one player

football 101 a better pass rush will help the secondary. alot of the coverage issues they had was because the pass rush couldnt get home.

 

[Discobob]

so your saying adding "an absolute stud' to the 13th ranked d wont improve it? this team needs a pass rusher. theres a less than 5% chance that any player we pick with those picks turn out better. We have 3 yrs with a cheap daniels take advantage

You're acting like it's a 1:1 comparison. I can basically guarantee that those draft picks won't be as good as Miles. The question is what you'd do with those assets instead. When considering $$ and draft picks, you are likely losing out on ~4+ players for the "cost" of Garrett. You don't need any of those players to be better than Garrett, but it's very conceivable that the impact of those 4+ players would be greater in the aggregate. On top of that, you'd be spreading your risk over multiple players... also good news for a team that is retooling.

 

[HTTR]

You're acting like it's a 1:1 comparison. I can basically guarantee that those draft picks won't be as good as Miles. The question is what you'd do with those assets instead. When considering $$ and draft picks, you are likely losing out on ~4+ players for the "cost" of Garrett. You don't need any of those players to be better than Garrett, but it's very conceivable that the impact of those 4+ players would be greater in the aggregate. On top of that, you'd be spreading your risk over multiple players... also good news for a team that is retooling.

This is the kind of thinking that had people saying we shouldn’t have drafted a QB at 2, because we had too many holes to fill so we needed to trade down and get more players instead of putting all of our eggs in the risky QB basket. And I realize that even though we hit the jackpot, we could’ve gotten a bust and been set back. But to be a championship team it takes blue chip top of the heap players, and there is a cost and a risk to that. But you have to take the chance, because the opportunity to get a player like that doesn’t come along very often.

 

[Discobob]

This is the kind of thinking that had people saying we shouldn’t have drafted a QB at 2, because we had too many holes to fill so we needed to trade down and get more players instead of putting all of our eggs in the risky QB basket. And I realize that even though we hit the jackpot, we could’ve gotten a bust and been set back. But to be a championship team it takes blue chip top of the heap players, and there is a cost and a risk to that. But you have to take the chance, because the opportunity to get a player like that doesn’t come along very often.

That's an exceedingly poor comparison.

1) The "what do we do with the #2 pick discussion" is a one vs one player comparison. The potential Garrett deal isn't.

2) Comparing positional players to QB is apples to oranges, the positional value of QB dwarfs every other position

3) The avoid QB at pick 2 crowd was like three retarded ex-cowboys fans - literally no one was advocating for anything other than QB

 

[HTTR]

That's an exceedingly poor comparison.

1) The "what do we do with the #2 pick discussion" is a one vs one player comparison. The potential Garrett deal isn't.

2) Comparing positional players to QB is apples to oranges, the positional value of QB dwarfs every other position

3) The avoid QB at pick 2 crowd was like three retarded ex-cowboys fans - literally no one was advocating for anything other than QB

Not one for one. Plenty of people wanted to trade down, which we likely could’ve done for multiple picks. Point is instead of having three or four decent to good players (and that’s if they all work out, which is unlikely). I’d rather have the one sure thing superstar stud and figure out the other spots. Yes QB is by far the most important position, but edge rusher is probably next on the list.

 

[HOF28]

Lets get creative: We include absorbing half Watson's contract.

I think this is a good idea to explore. Might allow us to keep picks even if it means less FAs this year essentially trade for Garrett using maybe a #1 this year and cap space. Would be interesting, love the player but feel we need to keep our picks since we need so much. On the other hand, I’d trade Young, Davis, Dotson, and Forbes right now for Garrett lol. Damn what a terrible drafting regime that was, obviously Peters won’t be that bad but he’s the type of player that I think you could send 2 first rounder’s for, especially if we are contenders drafting late.

 

[DogofWar1]

In 2028 FA news.

 

[SkinsFTW]

At least we know that AP is very very unlikely to do something stupid with the draft picks.

If he can somehow work out a deal for Garrett, or someone of that caliber I won't worry too much about the price. Doofus Dan is gone fellas.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I do think the trade back analogy instead of taking Jayden is a good one. It petered out (pun unintended) but I definitely heard "too many needs, trade back and take a LT and use other picks to fill more needs. Build up the roster and then find your QB " a lot at the beginning of the process.

Myles Garrett is the type of player championship teams have. They don't have Jon Allen as their featured DL, they had Reggie White, Aaron Donald, Chris Jones type of players. The very type of player this team does not have on defense.

 

[Iraolaball]

Okay, the pedant in me would like to point out that his name is MYLES, not Miles.

 

[burgold]

I can see for Myles and Myles. I can see for Myles and Myles. I can see for Myles and Myles and Myles and Myles and Myles...

I can even see Myles on this team (if the price is right.)

 

[burgold]

I do think the trade back analogy instead of taking Jayden is a good one. It petered out (pun unintended) but I definitely heard "too many needs, trade back and take a LT and use other picks to fill more needs. Build up the roster and then find your QB " a lot at the beginning of the process.

MIles Garrett is the type of player championship teams have. They don't have Jon Allen as their featured DL, they had Reggie White, Aaron Donald, Chris Jones type of players. The very type of player this team does not have on defense.

What I recall happening on BGO was that when it looked like we were going to choose tenth or sixth, there were a number of people who liked Sam Howell's early season promise and thought the team and coaches failed him. However, when we lost our way to the number two pick, the desire to use it on a QB was universal. Now, some preferred Maye because they had visions of RGIII-like injuries with another slight QB, but everyone thought at QB you had to take your shot at greatness.

I still think Bienemy screwed any chance Howell had to succeed. He looked good at the beginning of the season, but lack of talent around him, horrible line play, and a team that just outright didn't give a damn ended his chances here. If it had played out differently I think Howell could have been developed into a good QB. Let's say Andy Dalton good. One of solid, B-level QBs. That said, Daniels' trajectory is A++ and Howell was unlikely to ever come near that.

 

[DogofWar1]

I have no idea what the Myles trade might look like, aside from "freakin' big."

I do wonder what a trade for either Metcalf or G. Wilson might look like. I am not in love with this WR class; while there's likely a year 1 impact guy floating out there after round 1 as there is most years, good luck guessing which of the 20 WRs picked after the first will be that guy (unlike the RB class where there could be 2...3...maybe even FOUR Bucky Irvings floating around in the post-Jeanty bunch). I could see an impact guy coming from the 1st like Egbuka or Golden but there's guarantee they are there, and by 61 the next tier should be gone too.

Meanwhile, I am often surprised at what it costs to get players in trades, usually to the side of how cheap things were, but sometimes to the opposite, how expensive someone one (*cough* Dotson *cough*). A lot of times some guy who's been a decent starter will get moved for like, a 6th, or a conditional 5th. A good backup/almost starting level guy gets moved for a 7th.

It almost feels like players are used cars, they lose half their value the moment they're drafted.

Which leads me to wondering what a Metcalf or Wilson trade would look like. Both are solid players, arguably at pro-bowl level or perhaps slightly below it.

Jerry Jeudy (SIDE NOTE I would absolutely be asking the Browns about him too, he is someone I'd put at or near the same tier as Metcalf or Wilson, he just needs a good QB) was traded for a 5th and a 6th. His production was lower than Metcalf and Wilson (no 1000 yards seasons prior to 2024, but this year he got 1200 yards, hence why I like the guy), and I don't know how much to factor in Denver's crappy cap situation into this, since Jeudy wanted a new deal.

Brian Burns who is a pro-bowl DE and relatively young, was had for a 2nd in '24, a 5th in '25, with the team receiving Burns getting back an earlier 5th in a pick swap. I feel like he may be close to the best comp to someone like Wilson, even tho Wilson doesn't have any Pro Bowl and Burns has 2.

Carlton Davis, a decent CB starter was Carlton and '24 and '25 6ths for a 3rd rounder.

La'jarius Sneed for a 3rd with a pick swap in the 7th. Hassan Reddick for a conditional 3rd (but he had contract issues so I dunno how to weigh that).


Maybe Metcalf straight up for 79? If it was for 61 I'd expect something back I think, maybe like 61 for Metcalf plus a 5th back this year. Wilson, I suspect he doesn't come loose for less than 61 and probably a little more. He's probably worth it tho. Metcalf has 3 years in his 20's left, Wilson has 5. Wilson is enticing to me because he's basically the same age as some of these super-senior college dudes entering the NFL at age 24, except he's been in the league with 3 1000 yard seasons already.

The more I think about it, the more I'm like, if Wilson can be had for 61, or even 61 and a little extra (like a 5th in 2026) I feel like you pull that trigger. Odds of getting a better receiver than Wilson at any of our picks is slim, and that goes double/triple if we're talking about guys we probably would actually be picking at 61 and 79. Given his age, it's almost like using that pick on a rookie anyway.

I'd be bugging the Browns about Jeudy too. He isn't a huge potential cap casualty but they could use help with their cap anyway, and it's not like Jeudy is likely to be catching passes from anyone worthwhile for a while. 4 years left in his 20's and clearly there's a high ceiling there if only some good QB could throw him the ball. If he could be had for 79, I pull that trigger.

I'd be very happy with any of those 3 dudes.

 

[Chris 44]

I can see for Myles and Myles. I can see for Myles and Myles. I can see for Myles and Myles and Myles and Myles and Myles...

I can even see Myles on this team (if the price is right.)

Cause there's magic in my eyes

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Okay, the pedant in me would like to point out that his name is MYLES, not Miles.

Duly noted and corrected. Can't get lazy with the spelling of our new star.

 

[Iraolaball]

Duly noted and corrected. Can't get lazy with the spelling of our new star.

You were not alone!

 

[Professor_Nutter_Butter]

Please, for the love of God, make this Myles Garrett to Washington happen.

 

[burgold]

A few minutes ago, I was thinking about the Chiefs wide receiving corp and the Patriots wide rreceiver corps through the Brady years because of all the talk about trading for Metcalf or Garett. Frankly, I'm not sure that the Chiefs WRs the past few years have been better than ours. The Pats wide receivers, by and large, were all Jags. So, I don't mind drafting more speed as the Chiefs have been trying to do, but I'd be wary of trading for a vet (unless its one of Peters pick swaps)

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

What I recall happening on BGO was that when it looked like we were going to choose tenth or sixth, there were a number of people who liked Sam Howell's early season promise and thought the team and coaches failed him. However, when we lost our way to the number two pick, the desire to use it on a QB was universal. Now, some preferred Maye because they had visions of RGIII-like injuries with another slight QB, but everyone thought at QB you had to take your shot at greatness.

I still think Bienemy screwed any chance Howell had to succeed. He looked good at the beginning of the season, but lack of talent around him, horrible line play, and a team that just outright didn't give a damn ended his chances here. If it had played out differently I think Howell could have been developed into a good QB. Let's say Andy Dalton good. One of solid, B-level QBs. That said, Daniels' trajectory is A++ and Howell was unlikely to ever come near that.

As I recall it was the same on ES. I'm not claiming posters were suggesting we trade out of the 2nd spot once we had it. But for years I did hear that argument, build the team first, a top pick QB on a bad team will be ruined. While totally ignoring of course that virtually every top pick QB is going to a bad situation in most every instance. Some made it and some did not but a lot of top tier QBs went to bad teams originally.

I always thought it was a failed strategy to build the roster before finding your answer at QB., It's certainly hard to find a QB like Jayden, it's even harder to improve 20 or so positons to the point where you can get by with a QB you took with the 21st pick in the draft. I never bought that for second., To be consistent contender for years you need a franchise QB and they are rarely found late in the first round. If you have the chance to grab one you take your shot when you have the chance, just as we did and look at us now.

 

[burgold]

Honestly if we had pick eight, I probably would have been in the camp of "Let's develop Howell and see what he has" camp and with the first pick get a generational left tackle. At pick 2, I only wanted a QB.