The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[KDawg]

AP mentioned not wanting to look at players with injury concerns or history. I know the all have some injury history hasn't been that good

I believe they absolutely bring in a FA RB. WR wise they will need to figure out Deebo and look to bring in another plus a draft pick.

AP spoke of explosive weapons, right now most FAs are not overly explosive

I’d move on from Deebo. But the new OC could change my mind.

Pierce, Hall, Pitts are probably the most explosive players available, on offense. We shall see if any of them actually hit free agency

Pitts is a red herring. I don’t want anything to do with him.

I know folks are fixated on edge rusher but if the best WR in the draft is sitting there at #7, that’s who I want is to take.

Problem is… I’m not sure there are any receivers worth pick 7. I am absolutely alone in this take, but I think Elijah Sarratt is the best receiver in this class, he reminds me of Garçon. But… I think you can trade back and get him. Jordyn Tyson is the most impressive as a whole, and this year he was an excellent pass catcher with a wide radius and great ball skills and route running, but prior to this year he had Rod Gardner hands. So he might be worth it, but it’s a risk. Carnell Tate is probably the safest bet. But I’m not high on him in the top 10.

But we have to figure something out.

 

[Bulldog]

Let's be honest, Deebo Samuel is a glorified tight end. If we are able to secure a starting caliber tight end who can stay on the field for all three downs there is no need to bring back a receiver that is not a significant threat down the field on the outside.

 

[mcdonaldrw]

While i'm with you on wanting the fire power, the first round capital invested on the defense was done by completely different evaluators. This front office hasn't spend a 1st round pick on Defense, they've spent it on a potential franchise QB, and a possible bookend RT.

If an elite level defender is there at 7, i equally wouldnt hate it, as long as we're talking about a true difference maker. No matter who they take at 7, either side of the ball, I want people to use adjectives like 'difference maker,' 'matchup problem,' 'nightmare'....

Oh I get you there, and I understand we can't look at the past with draft selections, but I want that nightmare I just hope it comes on offense haha.

 

[Bulldog]

I think the front office assumed that Luvu and Newton were going to add a lot to the consistent pass rush in 2025.

Now that the reality is there I think the objectives of AP and Co. will be a bit different this April.

 

[Riggo44]

Pitts is a red herring. I don’t want anything to do with him.

Had the 2nd most receiving yards at the TE position with Penix and Cousins throwing the ball. Depending on who the OC is, I'd love to pair him with McDaniel. Then again, I'd love to pair Don Warren, right now, with McDaniel.

 

[0rder 0f 0ut]

Pitts led the team he had more receiving yards than London.

I think Pitts is a little stiff and lacks some ball skills too. Hands are fine. Blocking is ok, not a liability. He isn't going to be the safety blanket, QB's best friend type like Ertz was. Setting aside the unreally expectations I think Pitts is a legit mismatch weapon. If you want to get younger (25) and talented he has to be among the top options.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Pitts led the team he had more receiving yards than London.

View attachment 13889

I think Pitts is a little stiff and lacks some ball skills too. Hands are fine. Blocking is ok, not a liability. He isn't going to be the safety blanket, QB's best friend type like Ertz was. Setting aside the unreally expectations I think Pitts is a legit mismatch weapon. If you want to get younger (25) and talented he has to be among the top options.

The concern is that last year is the exception, not the rule.

LOW Catch %, very inconsistent production across his career. His rookie year and 2025 he looked like a different guy, so which one do you get? The guy playing for a contract? If Pitts plays like he did in 2021 and 2025, he's in that conversation with the best in the league, regarding yardage, and that's likely going to inflate his cost. If you pay top 5 TE money and you get the production from 22 - 24, it's gonna bite you in the ass.

 

[DWinzit]

Let's be honest, Deebo Samuel is a glorified tight end. If we are able to secure a starting caliber tight end who can stay on the field for all three downs there is no need to bring back a receiver that is not a significant threat down the field on the outside.

Eh, he is too small to be called a TE in my eyes and cannot under any circumstance in line block. Heck too small and don't want him lead blocking out of the backfield like an H-Back either. He is only 6' 215. He is more of a WR/RB combo specializing in gadget plays

 

[method man]

I'd be more interested in Njoku on a 1 year contract than Pitts on a big multiyear deal. I would actually consider bringing in a couple of these types of guys on 1 year deals, a couple guys in the Njoku, Otton, Dulcich, Okonkwo, Waller etc mix.

 

[method man]

The overall free agency strategy is going to be interesting given this new focus on running the ball more. I fully expect them to sign a known RB in FA to add to this stable. The question is whether they swing big for Breece Hall ($10M+ AAVF) or go a tier below in the $3M-$7M range on a 1-2 year contract. I also would not be surprised if they went cheap at TE to replace Ertz and added someone like Njoku, Otton or Dulcich on a 1 year deal.

I expect them to spend big more on the defensive side of the ball, forcing them to go for value with their offensive needs. I fully expect a big swing at WR2 in FA or the draft but value elsewhere. The one surprise position on offense they may make a change, in my opinion, is center. Given the center is an extension in some ways of the OL coach, do they blame Biadasz for whatever OL issues they perceive? If Linderbaum does hit free agency, do these guys let Biadasz go ($3M cap savings) and go big ($20M AAV) for a perennial Pro Bowl center who happens to also be an elite run blocker?

I will say that we need blue chip players everywhere and Linderbaum would give us our second blue chip player beyond Tunsil not just on this offense but on this team.

 

[burgold]

Honestly, I think if they take a big swing they draft Love. Otherwise, they got damn fine results out of Bill and Rodriguez. So, I don't see us being big swingers in the RB market. I can see a little play at a third down receiving back though, but those guys usually aren't big ticket.

I've been known to be wrong before though.

 

[DWinzit]

Honestly, I think if they take a big swing they draft Love. Otherwise, they got damn fine results out of Bill and Rodriguez. So, I don't see us being big swingers in the RB market. I can see a little play at a third down receiving back though, but those guys usually aren't big ticket.

I've been known to be wrong before though.

That would mean they miss out on the top tier FA RB's that sign prior to the draft then pray Love reaches 7. After Moore's play last night I don't think he is entering the draft so another non QB to be selected before 7

 

[DWinzit]

The overall free agency strategy is going to be interesting given this new focus on running the ball more. I fully expect them to sign a known RB in FA to add to this stable. The question is whether they swing big for Breece Hall ($10M+ AAVF) or go a tier below in the $3M-$7M range on a 1-2 year contract. I also would not be surprised if they went cheap at TE to replace Ertz and added someone like Njoku, Otton or Dulcich on a 1 year deal.

I expect them to spend big more on the defensive side of the ball, forcing them to go for value with their offensive needs. I fully expect a big swing at WR2 in FA or the draft but value elsewhere. The one surprise position on offense they may make a change, in my opinion, is center. Given the center is an extension in some ways of the OL coach, do they blame Biadasz for whatever OL issues they perceive? If Linderbaum does hit free agency, do these guys let Biadasz go ($3M cap savings) and go big ($20M AAV) for a perennial Pro Bowl center who happens to also be an elite run blocker?

I will say that we need blue chip players everywhere and Linderbaum would give us our second blue chip player beyond Tunsil not just on this offense but on this team.

Linderbaum would be one of the top FA's but I sure find it hard to see him reaching the market.

It has appeared that they really like Biadasz but C surely could be a upgraded position, it's such an underrated position

 

[KDawg]

Honestly, I think if they take a big swing they draft Love. Otherwise, they got damn fine results out of Bill and Rodriguez. So, I don't see us being big swingers in the RB market. I can see a little play at a third down receiving back though, but those guys usually aren't big ticket.

I've been known to be wrong before though.

Did we get "damn fine" results out of those two?

I think they played relatively well. I'm not upset at either of them (or McNichols, who is somehow being left out of this conversation and might be the best all around back we have from a skill perspective). But they aren't every down backs that can change a game. They are exactly as you said, "fine".

JCM is a homerun threat, which is incredibly valuable and he needs to be in the plans. He may even grow into much more.

But I don't understand why we are against adding a blue chip game changing talent at RB.

Do you think Jahmyr Gibbs makes this team immediately better? I do.

JCM - 805 yards, 8 TD, 4.6 ypc (solid, especially for a rookie back) + 9 rec, 68 yards (total 184 touches, 873 yards, 4.74/touch)

CRod - 500 yards, 6 TD, 4.5 ypc + 3 rec, 30 yards (total 115 touches, 530 yards, 4.6/touch )

McNichols - 221 yards, 1 TD, 5.0 ypc (best on the team) + 25 rec, 196 yards (total 69 touches, 417 yards, 6.04/touch)

Jahmyr Gibbs - 1,223 yards, 13 TD, 5 ypc + 77 rec, 616 yards, 5 TD (total 320 touches, 1839 yards, 5.74/touch)

To put that in perspective: Our backs in total had 1,820 yards for those three guys combined.

Gibbs had: More TDs, more yards, less touches.

I'm not saying Love is Gibbs, but if our personnel dept. thinks he is, why wouldn't you go for the guy who very obviously makes you better?

And why is McNichols not a guy we used more?

 

[DWinzit]

Peters needs to avoid giving free agent mid-tier to higher contracts to guys that have not PROVEN to be difference makers.

Javon Kinlaw is case in point.

Javon Kinlaw has the measurables of a guy that SHOULD be a major contributor. But his performance on the field in the NFL falls way below what a #1 pick is expected to deliver.

Here's a guy that wasn't offered a second contract by SF and went to the Jets where they made no effort to resign him.

He was largely healthy in 2025 but made little visible impact on the field.

I don't know what it is about this team and the DT position.

For whatever reason we can't sign, draft or trade for DTs that just come in and do a solid job.

We are overpaying Daron Payne, we over-drafted Johnny Newton for what appears now is a rotation piece, and then made Kinlaw our BIG move in free agency in 2025.

We have to do better here. Better clubs are able to stop the run with DTs they draft in the middle rounds.

I can't see anyone arguing Kinlaw was not overpaid. Or that this team has sucked with DT's but they have with most positions over the past 25 years. I however saw Kinlaw as playing fairly well in quite a number of games. Every position on the team was affected poorly by all of the injuries, DT's are no exception. No real pressure being place on QB's, half-assed coverage, poor defensive scheming all played parts in a shit defensive showing along with a general lack of good talent. Another DT FA that showed up some and probably would have better was Goldman. No neither blew anyone away but they did okay under the cruddy circumstances

 

[KDawg]

I can't see anyone arguing Kinlaw was not overpaid. Or that this team has sucked with DT's but they have with most positions over the past 25 years. I however saw Kinlaw as playing fairly well in quite a number of games. Every position on the team was affected poorly by all of the injuries, DT's are no exception. No real pressure being place on QB's, half-assed coverage, poor defensive scheming all played parts in a shit defensive showing along with a general lack of good talent. Another DT FA that showed up some and probably would have better was Goldman. No neither blew anyone away but they did okay under the cruddy circumstances

Kinlaw may have been overpaid... but I think he and Payne were the two players most offenses were most worried about when playing our defense. No one else really gave cause for concern. Maybe Luvu, but he was out of position so often that it would likely just be a "this guy can be a nuisance but don't worry".

I think Kinlaw was one of our better signings.

And I'm not sure he was overpaid, either. If the rest of the defense was up to standard, I think people aren't looking at Kinlaw in the same way.

 

[philibusters]

I actually don't think Javon Kinlaw was overpaid given what free agency is. In free agency you are bidding against everybody else so you always have to pay sticker price. Kinlaw had moments and even in the games where he wasn't great he gave a lot of effort and tried to execute his assignment. If I could only have one of Kinlaw or Payne I would take Kinlaw. I don't see Kinlaw as a plus starter, but he was more than rotation guy you are just hoping can be serviceable enough to not make you lose. 3 years 45 million is not cheap, but that is probably sticker price for DT starter in free agency.

 

[DWinzit]

I’d move on from Deebo. But the new OC could change my mind.

Deebo built up a big friendship with Jayden. They have been catering some to Jaydens alliances plus AP is a Deebo fan for what he brings on and off the field. As a result I will not be shocked if he returns but he cannot be viewed as a WR2 and not at the same cap hit.

Pitts is a red herring. I don’t want anything to do with him.

Trautman has been the TE I have mentioned a few times in this thread. I was happy to see you list him. He is a good all around TE at still young. I do believe this would be a better move than drafting a TE and hoping he can get up to speed with the NFL and with a new OC's scheme.

Edit addition - Likely would be my #1 TE target then Trautman, then some of the next tier of which there are few

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Did we get "damn fine" results out of those two?

I think they played relatively well. I'm not upset at either of them (or McNichols, who is somehow being left out of this conversation and might be the best all around back we have from a skill perspective). But they aren't every down backs that can change a game. They are exactly as you said, "fine".

JCM is a homerun threat, which is incredibly valuable and he needs to be in the plans. He may even grow into much more.

But I don't understand why we are against adding a blue chip game changing talent at RB.

Do you think Jahmyr Gibbs makes this team immediately better? I do.

JCM - 805 yards, 8 TD, 4.6 ypc (solid, especially for a rookie back) + 9 rec, 68 yards (total 184 touches, 873 yards, 4.74/touch)

CRod - 500 yards, 6 TD, 4.5 ypc + 3 rec, 30 yards (total 115 touches, 530 yards, 4.6/touch )

McNichols - 221 yards, 1 TD, 5.0 ypc (best on the team) + 25 rec, 196 yards (total 69 touches, 417 yards, 6.04/touch)

Jahmyr Gibbs - 1,223 yards, 13 TD, 5 ypc + 77 rec, 616 yards, 5 TD (total 320 touches, 1839 yards, 5.74/touch)

To put that in perspective: Our backs in total had 1,820 yards for those three guys combined.

Gibbs had: More TDs, more yards, less touches.

I'm not saying Love is Gibbs, but if our personnel dept. thinks he is, why wouldn't you go for the guy who very obviously makes you better?

And why is McNichols not a guy we used more?

I don't think anyone is arguing the impact Love would have. But to me the gap between Love and our RBs is smaller than the gap between a top edge or Downs and what they have currently.

 

[KDawg]

I don't think anyone is arguing the impact Love would have. But to me the gap between Love and our RBs is smaller than the gap between a top edge or Downs and what they have currently.

Yes, I agree. Kind of. It’s hard to really judge that gap because minor differences in physical talent, skill and football acumen can be a major difference.

But a gene changing back is vital if we are going to go more under center and ball control offense. It’s non negotiable.

I’m not saying we don’t need an edge. We need to take care of both.