The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[burgold]

It's more like a frog in the hand

All the players left have warts. That said, a few of them might be able to turn into a prince for a season.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Yeah, a bird in the hand and all!

It would be nice to just add Aiyuk later (after eventually released whenever) as icing on the cake

Playing off of this post. Just listening to Keim's podcast covering this topic.

A. He surveyed 4 NFL guys he trusts as to knowing offense, which one would you use? 3 choose Diggs. 1 choose Aiyuk.

B. Keim in his usual understated-polite style was clear he doesn't love this WR room status quo, not sure who the #3 is let alone the #2, but thinks Williams (who this regime is high on) can be the #3 and maybe eventually become a #2

C. Some think this is a big season for Quinn. Keim feels they need to make the playoffs. He didn't say that's what he's hearing but that's how he felt.

D. With point C in mind, what they do at WR likely important, Diggs and Aiyuk the best options left. He think there will some market for Diggs, so if they chase him its not a slam dunk

E. Aiyuk known as a good guy in the locker room. Diggs, too, Diggs also known to be a locker room leader and has some dog in him stylsitically so thinks that might be up Quinn's alley.

F. The issue with Aiyuk is 2 fold: A. He hasn't played in almost 2 years, someone he talked to said its not always easy to return to form after that at least not quickly. B. When is Aiyuk released? You want to see what his health is like, get him up to speed with the playbook, etc -- can you do all of this if the release happens late?

G. Knows they are interested in Aiyuk. Didn't seem as definitive about Diggs but believes they are minotoring his market

H. Upside of Aiyuk is if it works out then they got an option moving forward because of his age

I. Didn't know if they'd sign both. He didn't ask. But in his mind, he doesn't want to do anything that hurts Antonio Williams development. At the same time he goes they can sign Diggs have something in the bag and if Aiyuk gets released late they can ease him into the season with no pressure

J. He wondered about the overlap of Antonio and Diggs skills. Antonio he expressed he believes will be more slot then Z. Diggs does both too. But he asked someone he trusts on this and they told him, it would, and they just need to add a good WR and Diggs is that.

On an aside, digesting different narratives from different people who cover the team. Feels like they are really hyped about Antonio Williams. And I get it, I was before the draft and I am now, too. Conversely, not much about them being hyped about Lane and McCaffrey. I know some here think they can work, too. Forgetting all of that, if they were legit high on McCaffrey and Labe they wouldn't be drafting Antonio. Antonio can play some Z but he's by almost every account, a more natural slot. Personally I don't think Lane and McCaffrey are busts. Both killer special teams players. McCaffrey is a good blocker. Both IMO are decent #4 type WRs.

 

[skinsinparadise]

It's more like a frog in the hand

All the players left have warts. That said, a few of them might be able to turn into a prince for a season.

Agree. But of course you aren't getting elite WRs off the street late in FA. Either player would be a legit #2 IMO, something this team hasn't had in Jayden's career yet. Aiyuk might be more of a mystery on that front, depending on when he's released.

If they sign either one and preferably Diggs, I'd be satisfied with the off season.

My debate here with some on the topic centers on how has Peters done for Jayden weapons wise so far in his career. Some are feisty on the point that its been fine and or the dudes on this roster right now are better than we think and it could work.

While I am just as feisty as to disagreeing with them on that point. At the same time, I am not asking for much, its really easy for me to go from angst about this to feeling good. I just want a #2 WR. That's it. Most teams have one. I want one, too.

Having a #2 WR isn't a luxury. It's a necessity IMO if you want to compete for the big prize. And lol, even the standard bad team have a #2. So it shouldn't be treated like some moonshot dream, it should be normal business to have one.

 

[DWinzit]

On an side, digesting different narratives from different people who cover the team. Feels like they are really hyped about Antonio Williams. And I get it, I was before the draft and I am now, too. Conversely, not much about them being hyped about Lane and McCaffrey. I know some here think they can work, too. Forgetting all of that, if they were legit high on McCaffrey and Labe they wouldn't be drafting Antonio. Antonio can play some Z but he's by almost every account, a more natural slot. Personally I don't think Lane and McCaffrey are busts. Both killer special teams players. McCaffrey is a good blocker. Both IMO are decent #4 type WRs.

While they have placed emphasis on special teams, if Luke and Lanes value are realistically WR456 and returner, perhaps one doesn't make the team. I could have seen one of them involved in a package trade but I'd guess that would have occurred prior to the draft.

 

[skinsinparadise]

While they have placed emphasis on special teams, if Luke and Lanes value are realistically WR456 and returner, perhaps one doesn't make the team. I could have seen one of them involved in a package trade but I'd guess that would have occurred prior to the draft.

Luke a great kickoff returner and blocker. Lane a great PR. I think they both have roles. But the idea of give them time and maybe they become legit #2 or #3 types -- maybe so but I wouldn't bet on it. Clearly this team isn't betting on it either.

As multiple beat guys have said don't sleep on the idea that Dyami and or Van Jefferson don't make the team, both are getting peanuts and are easy cuts.

The thing about this Wr crew. Burks, Van Jeffferson, Dyami, Lane, McCaffrey are all sort of a collection right now of #4 type WRs.

And those debating that its fine, I don't think even Peters agrees. If he's jazzed about the in house slot young WRs, why would he then take another one? Mind you both Lane and McCaffrey are slots who can play a litlte Z, similar profile to Antonio.

And if they were happy with Burks or thought Dyami was the answer at Z. They signed Burks for peanuts. They let Dyami go last off season. they signed him this off season for peanuts after pursuing other WRs.

If Peters was posting on this thread, I'd put money that he'd go duh, we are stating the obvious, he knows they need another WR, etc. It's not hard to see that just judging by his own actions.

 

[DWinzit]

Luke a great kickoff returner and blocker. Lane a great PR. I think they both have roles. But the idea of give them time and maybe they become legit #2 or #3 types -- maybe so but I wouldn't bet on it. Clearly this team isn't betting on it either.

As multiple beat guys have said don't sleep on the idea that Dyami and or Van Jefferson don't make the team, both are getting peanuts and are easy cuts.

The thing about this Wr crew. Burks, Van Jeffferson, Dyami, Lane, McCaffrey are all sort of a collection right now of #4 type WRs.

And those debating that its fine, I don't think even Peters agrees. If he's jazzed about the in house slot young WRs, why would he then take another one? Mind you both Lane and McCaffrey are slots who can play a litlte Z, similar profile to Antonio.

And if they were happy with Burks or thought Dyami was the answer at Z. They signed Burks for peanuts. They let Dyami go last off season. they signed him this off season for peanuts after pursuing other WRs.

If Peters was posting on this thread, I'd put money that he'd go duh, we are stating the obvious, he knows they need another WR, etc. It's not hard to see that just judging by his own actions.

Yes none of those guys are legit WR3 at this stage, they're all 4's. I have not expected Jefferson to make the team but you never know he could turn into the best WR3/4. Any of them could...

I'd like to know if AP ever pursued or hinted at trades to acquire a WR2. I recall none in the media. Only the basic FA discussions and attempts when tamper time opened and Aiyuk of course.

 

[Chris]

Keim said that ‘Diggs has a lot of dawg in him and the team definitely likes that, that’s why they traded for Lattimore’. Problem was…

 

[Riggo44]

If he's jazzed about the in house slot young WRs, why would he then take another one?

Because he's stacking talent. Duh. 🤣

 

[Riggo44]

For what it's worth, PFF has us #17 in OL rankings. Conerly at 49 is LOW.

 

[KDawg]

For what it's worth, PFF has us #17 in OL rankings. Conerly at 49 is LOW.

I don’t think PFF does a great job with offensive line rankings. But I don’t necessarily fault them. There are obvious things and things that aren’t so obvious that are very scheme and technique specific that are hard to pick up(even for well trained OL coaches as they don’t always know/agree with the scheme)

That said, I think that is fair.

Allegretti and Paul are giant question marks. Cosmi needs to get back to form and Conerly, despite improving, had some major growing pains. Tunsil is worth a lot.

Biasdaz is rated as a 6.8 and dwarfs most of our line and would have bumped us up a healthy amount, I think.

 

[DWinzit]

I don’t think PFF does a great job with offensive line rankings. But I don’t necessarily fault them. There are obvious things and things that aren’t so obvious that are very scheme and technique specific that are hard to pick up(even for well trained OL coaches as they don’t always know/agree with the scheme)

That said, I think that is fair.

Allegretti and Paul are giant question marks. Cosmi needs to get back to form and Conerly, despite improving, had some major growing pains. Tunsil is worth a lot.

Biasdaz is rated as a 6.8 and dwarfs most of our line and would have bumped us up a healthy amount, I think.

It sure appears to be suspect if their numbers are somewhere close to decent.

We all knew Paul (3.9) and Allegretti (4.5) were not that great. I doubt most of us expected either of them to be starters or Paul even being on the team.

Instead we move 4.5 to take over to start for 6.8 as an improvement and bring back 3.9 to start again.

At a glance I'm questioning what they are smoking.

I'd also like to know Coleman's grade because I would't be shocked if it is more than Conerly's 4.9

 

[Riggo44]

I don’t think PFF does a great job with offensive line rankings. But I don’t necessarily fault them. There are obvious things and things that aren’t so obvious that are very scheme and technique specific that are hard to pick up(even for well trained OL coaches as they don’t always know/agree with the scheme)

That said, I think that is fair.

Allegretti and Paul are giant question marks. Cosmi needs to get back to form and Conerly, despite improving, had some major growing pains. Tunsil is worth a lot.

Biasdaz is rated as a 6.8 and dwarfs most of our line and would have bumped us up a healthy amount, I think.

Since we no longer piss on players as they walk out the door, we'll never know what was behind the Biadasz release. I am fine with Paul as a backup--we need Coleman to take a stranglehold of that LG position. Conerly improved as the year went on--and had a baptism by fire the first half of the season.

He was really good against Denver, who has a very good pass rush, if I recall correctly. He also had very good win rates, pressure rates surrendered metrics 2nd half last year too.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Because he's stacking talent. Duh. 🤣

Stacking #4 type receivers, they do lead the league on that front.

Interesting that Antonio already slated to start, I do think he breaks the logjam and turns into ala Keim's point a #3 or maybe even a #2

 

[DWinzit]

Stacking #4 type receivers, they do lead the league on that front.

Interesting that Antonio already slated to start, I do think he breaks the logjam and turns into ala Keim's point a #3 or maybe even a #2

I think he has all but been anointed WR3 unless they make a big move Iike signing Diggs and later bring in a healthy Aiyuk

 

[Riggo44]

Stacking #4 type receivers, they do lead the league on that front.

I wonder what NE was saying about Boutee after his rookie year, or Troy Franklin in DEN.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

For what it's worth, PFF has us #17 in OL rankings. Conerly at 49 is LOW.

We've got 3 spots on the OL that could change materially for the better, or they could be as bad as suspected there. I don't really see a huge issue with the OL ranked as average there. It makes sense. Especially with so much unknown about our OL. How does Allegretti look at Center? Does Conerly make a leap? Who wins at LG? And does the new wide zone run scheme make our athletes look better or not?

I really hope Wylie is given a real shot to win the LG spot. We'll need our run game working better than last season with how bad our WR's are, and Chris Paul was awful for the run game.

Conerly was trending up as a rookie, but he needs to make a leap in Year 2. I was against the pick because Brandon Coleman's rookie year profiled as someone who could become above average (had all the hallmarks of 1st round picks that panned out). But if Conerly's movement skills let him flourish in the run game, then it could still be worth it. The new run scheme might accentuate his movement abilities.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I think he has all but been anointed WR3 unless they make a big move Iike signing Diggs and later bring in a healthy Aiyuk

If all he can produce is WR3 numbers (which is still pretty good for a rookie 3rd rounder), then we're in a pickle. Cause nobody on the roster looks capable of elevating to #2 levels of production.

 

[Riggo44]

Chris Paul was awful for the run game.

I remember screaming at the TV as he was getting dominated by Philly's 2nd and 3rd stringers.

 

[Riggo44]

Conerly was trending up as a rookie, but he needs to make a leap in Year 2. I was against the pick because Brandon Coleman's rookie year profiled as someone who could become above average (had all the hallmarks of 1st round picks that panned out). But if Conerly's movement skills let him flourish in the run game, then it could still be worth it. The new run scheme might accentuate his movement abilities.

He was a much better run blocker last year than initially thought too. I think he makes the biggest leap this year of all our 24/25 draft picks.

 

[DWinzit]

If all he can produce is WR3 numbers (which is still pretty good for a rookie 3rd rounder), then we're in a pickle. Cause nobody on the roster looks capable of elevating to #2 levels of production.

I don't disagree but there's no way he can e labeled WR2 today and I doubt you can until September or later