The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[KDawg]

I'm not sold on Croskey-Merritt by a longshot. People throw out the 'he's a homerun threat' stuff constantly. Is he? He had that one 72 yarder but any RB can break one. 8 TDs in 2025, okay. I just don't get the hype. The other thing people seize on is 'we found him in the 7th round'. Okay - anybody who can play at all who we find in the 7th round is a bargain, I get that. But that doesn't elevate his abilities as a RB in any way. We aren't grading talent 'on a curve'

He's not bad. But a #1 RB? There's not any evidence that he is a special RB - yet.

He’s a home run threat because he CAN do that.

He’s not a game breaker because he doesn’t have the vision to do that often.

 

[Boone]

I'm good with that description - because there is a huge distinction between the two.

 

[Bulldog]

Again, we were looking at a rookie #7 pick who played one game in a year and a half when he was drafted.

We really don't know what we have in Merritt. He obviously has enough talent to make an NFL roster, whether he is more than depth player is something we likely will find out in 2026.

It is only responsible for the team to bring in a primary back to anchor the run game for Daniels.

Then we can see how Merritt fits in and how his game rounds out as the #2.

 

[KDawg]

Again, we were looking at a rookie #7 pick who played one game in a year and a half when he was drafted.

We really don't know what we have in Merritt. He obviously has enough talent to make an NFL roster, whether he is more than depth player is something we likely will find out in 2026.

It is only responsible for the team to bring in a primary back to anchor the run game for Daniels.

Then we can see how Merritt fits in and how his game rounds out as the #2.

I think that is the consensus…

 

[Boone]

The one advantage of using free agency more heavily - these are known quantities. The draft is full of a handful of sure-fire hits and lots of dreams and wishes. Even the *experts* are wrong as often as they are right on guys.

 

[Bulldog]

I think that is the consensus…

Yes, among fans. But now that the team seems to be letting McNichols and Ekeler go in free agency we will be able to reconstitute the running back room and develop better competition among players that have better upside.

Running backs don't improve at 30.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

It's catching up to them....

My reactions to this kind of stuff are kind of complex:
1) They will somehow manage it because these days it sometimes feels like other teams can "manage" it and we don't, somehow
2) We used to manage it, maybe 20 years ago, but with Sny at that time, he would find ways to spend money in the worst ways. Then he realized, hey I can be terrible and NOT spend too, so he did that instead.

I do hope it catches up to them, of course. My bet would be on AJ. Unlike - it seems - many on this board, I think they will put a premium on Mitchell and Carter in particular. Defense matters, a lot, to some teams (depends on structure, more than one way to win) - and defense did indeed win that super bowl for them.

 

[KDawg]

Yes, among fans. But now that the team seems to be letting McNichols and Ekeler go in free agency we will be able to reconstitute the running back room and develop better competition among players that have better upside.

Running backs don't improve at 30.

I think that is also consensus and I am in agreement. I think McNichols was our best all around back - but he’s got too much length in the tooth.

 

[Bulldog]

McNichols is fine as the #3 back on a contending team that can come in and not **** his pants in crunch time.

He just isn't a regular ballcarrier, a guy that can be a primary in the offense. That has never really been his role.

 

[method man]

It's catching up to them....

Nah. Howie is the best asset manager in football. While some of these guys may walk, Howie will get big draft comp for others. I can see him getting another team to give up a 1st for DeJean after this year for example

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[method man]

View attachment 14298

I’ve always liked him and, in the grand scheme of things, an extra $2M-$3M a year doesn’t make a big difference

 

[Bulldog]

Exactly.

But also exactly why Washington was not going to give McLaurin $35M a year in an extension, because there wasn't a consensus he is a top 5 player.

In fact I had him rated down around 11 or 12.

 

[Canuck]

I prefer CRod over Bill, CRod and a 3rd down back, with Bill sprinkled in can be effective.

 

[Bulldog]

I have no problem with competition. Grab Walker, have him come in as the starter and let Rodriguez and Merritt compete for the #2 role.

What we have not had across the board on this team in a LONG time is legit competition for many spots.

Guys like Payne are allowed to come back after so-so years and know they have a starting job no sweat.

That crap has to end.

 

[Skinfanjon]

It's catching up to them....

Problem is whoever they deal is still really valuable and will bring back some nice draft equity. Fuck the Eagles.

 

[Bulldog]

Jordan Davis just signed a huge contract extension.

That means the Eagles are going to have to say goodbye to Jalean Phillips, whose only 26, and looks to be on a career ascent.

He's going to get paid but is the youngest of the edge defenders that is going to be available.

He and the Chargers's Oweh should be on our radar screen.

 

[skinsinparadise]

So Nicki is with Standig on the Allgeier stuff. I don't dislike Allegeir but hope they are wrong and Fowler is right. Keim hasn't weighed in much at RB with names. And at least one echoing the Linderbaum stuff. It makes me take it a little more serious but I haven't found her plugged in.

 

[RexTomb]