The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Gooseneck]

effective 42,000,000

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

$49,350,067

$42,605,912

72

$257,608,623

$20,692,736

 

[Primus Porcus]

Hell no as in you wouldn’t trade a guy who won’t be here next year for a 3rd round pick?

Interesting, I think most observers would say that’s an unrealistic scenario because he’s not worth that to anyone.

Yeah, and I don't think losing Payne is creating some gaping hole. He's flashed, but he's not exactly a premium interior DT to this point, but he is getting paid like one.



AT BEST you get a 3rd round 2028 compensatory pick for letting Payne walk. If you believe the year before rule, a 2028 3rd round pick is equivalent to a 2027 4th, and a 2026 5th. Next years draft picks is worth 1 round less than it would be in this years draft. To give up a POTENTIAL 2026 5th round pick, and a 2026 6th for a 3rd is a hit already, the 2027 7th rounder would just be a bonus at that point.

 

[ES1974]

This is silly because it’s just a Raven’s fan page floating it, but just as an example of a trade offer for Payne that I’d break my hand in my haste to pick up the phone and accept:

Think they’ve been reading my earlier post 😂

 

[ES1974]

Where did you hear that it was Quinn being in love with Sainristil? Not saying its not so but that's the first I've heard of it so am curious.

I recall on the draft day filmed by the team, Peters was beaming about the player and calling Joe Whitt over to explain the player, you like picks this is the guy. Similar scenario with Kliff where Peters came over to explain Sinnott. It could be just editing but it gave that vibe that those picks where Peters' picks and the coordinators weren't that clued in.

Cooper Dejean, bigger, faster, longer, better RAS more versatile with the same number of picks in college as Sainristil -- be surprised if Dejean wasn't their cup of tea, he seems to fit the mold more than Sainristil does if past is prologue judging by their type in Dallas.

It was on the official draft war room footage that was aired.

 

[ES1974]

It's a shade under a 3rd rounder which is likely the comp pick he would net. Not sure why we would need to send them a pick.

Seems to make deals work these days. GM egos probably.

 

[Primus Porcus]

It's a shade under a 3rd rounder which is likely the comp pick he would net. Not sure why we would need to send them a pick.

But the Comp pick wouldn't be til 2028, so a 3rd rounder in 2026 is worth A LOT more than a 3rd rounder in 2028 when it comes to trade value.

 

[Skinfanjon]

It's a shade under a 3rd rounder which is likely the comp pick he would net. Not sure why we would need to send them a pick.

*cups hands and shouts into the void* he’s not going to net a comp pick!!!!

 

[Primus Porcus]

*cups hands and shouts into the void* he’s not going to net a comp pick!!!!

It's a very valid part of the convo, which is why in my earlier post, i said 'AT BEST'

 

[Riggo44]

But the Comp pick wouldn't be til 2028, so a 3rd rounder in 2026 is worth A LOT more than a 3rd rounder in 2028 when it comes to trade value.

That would also be dependent on us not signing anyone in the third-round comp range. I'd rather sign someone.

 

[Primus Porcus]

That would also be dependent on us not signing anyone in the third-round comp range. I'd rather sign someone.

I'm aware, that 3rd round compensatory pick is a big time 'if'. I'm not in the camp of holding on to a mid grade DT, who's only season worth what he's getting paid was in a contract year, in the hopes that i can get a 2028 compensatory 3rd round pick, when i could (according to that scenario) get a 3rd round pick in next months draft.

 

[Chris]

It was on the official draft war from footage that was aired.

26:45

 

[Discobob]

But the Comp pick wouldn't be til 2028, so a 3rd rounder in 2026 is worth A LOT more than a 3rd rounder in 2028 when it comes to trade value.

Given our roster state right now, we will be back in the position of having a lot of cap space and probably should be signing at least one, if not more players that will have contracts equivalent to Payne.

From where I stand the likelihood of getting a comp pick for him is very low.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Given our roster state right now, we will be back in the position of having a lot of cap space and probably should be signing at least one, if not more players that will have contracts equivalent to Payne.

From where I stand the likelihood of getting a comp pick for him is very low.

Maybe nobody is understanding my point, so i'm sorry if i mislead.

I never said the comp pick was a given, my response was that even if we somehow were guaranteed (which clearly we're not) a 3rd round comp pick, it STILL wouldn't be worth a 3rd round pick THIS year, so the trade seems like a no brainer.

 

[Dlts20]

DQ wasn't the only one who loved him and he did look good as a rookie. I expect him to bounce back this year.

 

[ES1974]

DQ wasn't the only one who loved him and he did look good as a rookie. I expect him to bounce back this year.

Him being the pick isn’t really in question, it’s the trade back debate. We traded back to acquire picks…and take him..

 

[ES1974]

26:45

Thanks….thats the one….

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

You are making valid points. But it goes back to 'it's not about 2026'. Of course, when you trade a player - you lose his services. And most of the time, it creates a 'gap' you can't immediately fill. But the whole point of considering a trade is that you can get younger assets that have the potential to be important pieces in the future when you are no longer rebuilding but competing.

I just feel Payne has little value. What do you think is a reasonable return? I'd say a 4th, maybe a 5th. I don't consider a Day 3 pick to be a very valuable asset. And I don't want to leave such a big hole before the season even starts.

 

[method man]

I just feel Payne has little value. What do you think is a reasonable return? I'd say a 4th, maybe a 5th. I don't consider a Day 3 pick to be a very valuable asset. And I don't want to leave such a big hole before the season even starts.

I think this draft is shaping up where there’s a good chance a 4th round pick at safety, tight end and center has a meaningful chance of being a Day 1 contributor

 

[RedWolf]

Conn
We still have holes that we can't fill with the draft and at least we know the guy is dependable. The third round pick is tempting but who are we going to get to fill his shoes? I think he knows his time is limited here and he is going to go balls out to get another contract

 

[ES1974]

Was reading that the Broncos might looks to move on a depth receiver after the trade with Miami. Both Franklin and Mims Jr mentioned as potential trade candidates.