The 2026 Free Agency Thread

The problem is, he's a whole lot better return man than he is a WR.

Poor man's Alex Pierce, but not a very poor man's version. He seems good for 60 catches, 700 yards as a #2-#3 type in his career.

Jayden one of the best deep throwers in the NFL. Saheed is speed.










 
Poor man's Alex Pierce, but not a very poor man's version. He seems good for 60 catches, 700 yards as a #2-#3 type in his career.

I’m not saying he’s not a good player, just that he’s a pretty good WR and a great returner. His catch % could be better. I’d rather have Pierce or Wandale but he would be a definite immediate upgrade over our current 2-6.
 
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It's something we have to consider about what kind of moves we're actually going to be making this offseason. There are going to be A LOT of moves, but the ability to go big very well may be limited to a point. I do think we're gonna be more aggresive than the last two years, but I do feel there will be a level of disappointment with some fans, and it may not be warranted.

I strongly believe that if they don’t sign at least 2-3 of the top second tier available FA’s (so even building in that I don’t expect them to be successful in wooing the very top of market few guys) as well as a bunch of better-than-Kinlaw signings (meaning a bunch of Luvu types)…then this coaching staff is going to end up fired after this season.

Now whether that warrants disappointment or not, well. That’ll vary from person to person.
 
Shaheed, Okonkwo, Etienne (just assuming we won’t be in the Walker sweepstakes)

That could help completely transform the weapons Jayden has at his disposal. Not to mention overall team speed and playmaking ability.

Getting greedy but add a possession/blocker like Juaun Jennings.

An all-around okay but not expensive TE like Parkinson or Trautman to allow Bates to remain an extra OL type blocking specialist in heavy formations. And meaning we don’t rely on Sinnott for anything if he doesn’t actually develop. Maybe some FB snaps

Obviously also need functional LG/C signings

But with signings like these (and a splash or three on defense) I may start to believe that these coaches can succeed and keep their jobs, and not delay Jayden’s development and ascent further.
 
I’m not saying he’s not a good player, just that he’s a pretty good WR and a great returner. His catch % could be better. I’d rather have Pierce or Wandale but he would be a definite immediate upgrade over our current 2-6.

Depends on the money. I'd rather have Pierce for sure in a vacuum. But at 27-30 million, I am not as sure. I'd rather have for example Shaheed and Okonkwo versus just Pierce.

As far as Wandale. One of my favorite college WRs, felt like on the ES thread lol I was the only one who knew he existed. It didn't look hot for me initially, got hurt rookie year but improved every season. His last season is who I thought he'd be from the jump but he's developed nicely.

Different idea as to Wandale and Saheed of course. Wandale at his size is a natural slot. 5 '8, with short arms and small hands but he can motor. But he's not been a big play guy for the most part. Sort of a rich man's Jamison Crowder.

Rasheed is mostly a Z and a big play guy -- go routes, ends around, his speed is his weapon. Same idea as Pierce but just not as good.

Feels like following the beat guys they seem to think they are looking more for a Z than a slot. But who knows? Personally I think they can use both. But if I had to pick one or the other, I'd want an outside WR.
 
Shaheed, Okonkwo, Etienne (just assuming we won’t be in the Walker sweepstakes)

That could help completely transform the weapons Jayden has at his disposal. Not to mention overall team speed and playmaking ability.

Getting greedy but add a possession/blocker like Juaun Jennings.

An all-around okay but not expensive TE like Parkinson or Trautman to allow Bates to remain an extra OL type blocking specialist in heavy formations. And meaning we don’t rely on Sinnott for anything if he doesn’t actually develop. Maybe some FB snaps

Obviously also need functional LG/C signings

But with signings like these (and a splash or three on defense) I may start to believe that these coaches can succeed and keep their jobs, and not delay Jayden’s development and ascent further.

Yeah that trio, would be fire. Feels like Aiyuk is inevitable, too but especially if they sign another WR where Aiyuk is gravy, I'd be more than cool with that.

 
I'm all in for paying that kicker top dollar from the Cowboys. I'm fucking tired of that position being a constant weakness
 
Depends on the money. I'd rather have Pierce for sure in a vacuum. But at 27-30 million, I am not as sure. I'd rather have for example Shaheed and Okonkwo versus just Pierce.

As far as Wandale. One of my favorite college WRs, felt like on the ES thread lol I was the only one who knew he existed. It didn't look hot for me initially, got hurt rookie year but improved every season. His last season is who I thought he'd be from the jump but he's developed nicely.

Different idea as to Wandale and Saheed of course. Wandale at his size is a natural slot. 5 '8, with short arms and small hands but he can motor. But he's not been a big play guy for the most part. Sort of a rich man's Jamison Crowder.

Rasheed is mostly a Z and a big play guy -- go routes, ends around, his speed is his weapon. Same idea as Pierce but just not as good.

Feels like following the beat guys they seem to think they are looking more for a Z than a slot. But who knows? Personally I think they can use both. But if I had to pick one or the other, I'd want an outside WR.

Based on WR's with Pierce's production that have hit FA in the past, then take their new contract and scale that up to how large the current Cap is, and you get roughly 26-28m for his range. But add in that Pierce is an outside WR, a deep threat, and only 26 years old. He will get a premium on top.

Copying and pasting what I wrote like a month ago.
The most expensive recent free agent to switch teams with a new contract was Calvin Ridley in 2024. His was $23m a year when cap space was $255.4m, or 9% of total cap. Ridley was 30 years old at the time. The next most expensive was Christian Kirk who signed for $18m a year when the cap was $208.2m, or 8.6% of the cap, he was 26 years old.

NFL 2026 cap is projected to average 303.5m.

  • 8.6% of the above projection = 26.1m
  • 9% = 27.32m
He's going to seem expensive, but not really be that expensive given these guys often don't hit FA and the cap has been rising so fast.

I think he gets to 29-30m because of the previously mentioned premium. Outside WR, Deep Threat, and Age are the Real Estate's location location location of WR's. Ridley got 8.6% of the cap, but he was 4 years older than Pierce and less of a deep threat. Kirk got 9%, but Kirk was a slot guy and not a deep threat. I can see Pierce getting 9.5-10% of the 2026 cap.
 
Just from the eye ball test. Pierce looks to me like he isn't a great hands catcher, doesn't pluck the ball, tends to cradle it a bit. A lot like Terry I think.

He looks a little stiff too, I wonder about the ball skills. All the evidence points to a deep threat for a super power and all my instincts are like "how". I guess my instincts are way off.
Even if he only catches 3 passes per game. It will open up the field for everyone else. Right?

I like Pierce. Seems like a fit for what we will be wanting to do. And I don't mind an overpay for a young cornerstone type. But if I had to choose I would go Linderbaum over Pierce.
 
Oh he's Jordan Reed size + athleticism, but not the ridiculous route running. I like him.
Yea. Only 26, went to Maryland, ran a 4.52, been more productive than Likely despite playing with far less talent. Put some talent around him and he will thrive even more. We could never throw screens to Ertz
 
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I'm all in for paying that kicker top dollar from the Cowboys. I'm fucking tired of that position being a constant weakness
Reports are that the cowboys are going to put the 2nd round tender on him and we'd have to acquire a second round pick to even make him an offer.

Highly unlikely so I wouldn't get your hopes up.
 

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