The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[Conn]

Serious question (no sarcasm intended)- does the Douglas signing really move us from ‘the secondary is a real problem’ to ‘great depth at the position’?

No, not imo. It helps the depth because there was none. But great is probably overstating it for the sake of something interesting finally happening lol

 

[Faithful Fan]

This is just a Snyder-era scar. For years, decades even, we saw us draft players and immediately sign mediocre free agents or hasbeens which because of their contracts forced the draftees to never get their chance off the bench. To some degree, I think we even saw this last year with them choosing to play Johnson over Hartman. That one's a bad example, but since the season was done there was no risk in letting the pups on the field to see if they could do anything at all. And I'd rather see a draftee get some burn than win a meaningless last season game. I really would have liked to unleash Kain Madrano and Magee and every other bench player and give them starter's reps at the end. Why not?

As I said, that's a bad example. I guess a better one would have been when we would have a running back injured and instead of playing their backup we signed an off the street free agent and made them start. I remember that happening three or four times over the Snyder years.

Back to the original point, I think this all hinges on where you think the team's ceiling is and what you are trying to develop. Signing a Deebo or Diggs makes us better this year. After that, they're gone and Daniels has to start from zero again. So, there's a part of me that wouldn't hate betting on upside and long term even if it's a riskier proposal. I'm just not convinced that a Diggs or Deebo moves the needle enough for it to make a huge difference in our season's chances which is weird because I would like us to sign Diggs and to be honest I would be comfortable with Deebo, but I'd rather see Williams as the move slot guy than Deebo. I'd rather see McCaffrey get reps to see if the lightbulb really went off then giving those reps to a one year rental... unless the year turns out to be a special one.

I think 2026 can be a good year. I have my doubts that it can be a Super Bowl year. Frankly, I don't think adding Aiyuk, Diggs, or Deebo leads us closer to the Super Bowl. They're safer players. They're probably productive players, but they're players to move you closer to average than great. I concede that it looks unlikely that playing McCaffrey, Lane, and Williams leads us to great, too, but that's just where my head's at.

I understand the mindset, but it's also a bit of a 'suckers choice' argument. It's not 'either/or'. It's unlikely we cut a guy like Jaylin Lane because we added a vet who has actually proven they can contribute consistently. You are of course right burgold that the team has to factor in player age and $$ when making roster decisions, but when you have a lack of talent at a position, and clear upgrades are sitting out there available, and you do nothing - that's questionable in my mind. The primary goal is ALWAYS to field the best team. It doesn't preclude building for the future but you want to give yourself the most competitive opportunity every season. Besides - if the goal is to prioritize building 'for the future' at all costs, why in God's name are you throwing away mid-round picks to rent an older player for a season in the first place?

I agree that in general we should be making more decisions with the long-term in mind. But adding a vet WR is really a no-brainer right now. We have the $$. There are upgrades available. Sign one of them dammit.

I’m on the fence about this.

Almost everybody thinks we need to add a WR, and we really don’t have any proven options beyond Terry. So a reliable veteran like Diggs or Deebo makes a lot of sense. I also liked Aiyuk before the latest fallout, and would love Keenan Allen if he wasn’t basically locked in on the Chargers. If we don’t add one of those vets, then we are looking at Van Jefferson as the only guy behind Terry with a lot of experience.

On the other hand, I could definitely see rolling with what we have. Williams, McCaffery, Dyami, Lane, and Burks are all young guys with upside. I especially like Luke and Dyami as breakout candidates based on what they showed the last time they took the field for us, Luke was making splash plays when he got hurt and Dyami was huge in the playoffs. I also like the Williams pick a lot. So I really want to see what these young guys can do, and I think they will surprise the skeptics if given the chance.

My bet is that we split the difference by adding one of the vets to the mix and making the young guys earn their playing time. You have to field the best possible team, but I would also favor going with the younger players if the competition is at all close.

 

[DWinzit]

I think unless/until they prove otherwise, every WR on the roster not named McLaurin is barely Just A Guy and all they've done is shuffle the deck chairs in that room.

I see the group not named Terry as a group full of potential but yes fairly unproven except for perhaps Jefferson who has not ever lit it up

I still think we need to sign two of Aiyuk/Diggs/Deebo.

I do think they need to bring in at least one proven talent.

I still think AP/Quinn have somehow managed to convince themselves yet AGAIN that they've MacGyvered the receiver situation, and we are most likely to sign not even one of that trio.

I have concern for the same as far as them convinces themselves they are in a much better place at receiver than the rest of the world seems to think.

I am hopeful they are still keeping a pulse on the other 31 teams. Who knows, maybe they have had conversations with Diggs, Deebo or another FA. Honestly most of the others are very meh like we fielded last year. I think they are in a spot that they would need to pull off a trade with a younger player with proven Z experience who is hopefully not in the final year of their contract.

DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen are either only two other names I've heard, they are the elder statesmen of of league lol

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I'd say it puts the defense in a much more comfortable position. There are still questions regarding how the new scheme, coaching and players will gel. The questions with Quan and Mikey along with Amos's health still exist

Not Quan as much, he's now the 2nd string Nickel. Team apparently didn't play him at Safety once during off-season work.

 

[KDawg]

I’m a little surprised so many people are worried about corner but there is very little talk about safety. Safety, to me, has been the weakest position on the field not called wide receiver, and it might be worse than wide receiver now that I’m thinking about it.

 

[Always Commander Never Captain]

I do think Nick Cross at SS will be ok. But Will Harris at FS is probably the weakest link on the whole defense.

There's going to be an amazing Training Camp battle about which position is the worst on the roster. Free Safety or Z Receiver?

 

[Faithful Fan]

I’m a little surprised so many people are worried about corner but there is very little talk about safety. Safety, to me, has been the weakest position on the field not called wide receiver, and it might be worse than wide receiver now that I’m thinking about it.

When was the last time we had good safeties? I’m struggling to think of anybody since Sean Taylor and Ryan Clark. I guess Kam Curl and Jeremy Chinn were pretty good, but it’s been a position of weakness for most of the last decade or more.

That said, I think Cross is an upgrade, and the rest (Martin, Harris, Reaves, etc.) should be serviceable. It’s not saying much, but that group is probably the best we’ve had at the position in a while.

 

[skinsinparadise]

 

[Anselmheifer]

CTE. CTE. CTE.

Sign Diggs and move on

 

[SkinsLife]

O.m.g. in heaven no.

I can't even find the words to describe how much I disagree with this.

I meant it tongue and cheek, but its not as far off you would think. did a little ai research.. and ranked players as:
star, starter, contributor, bust.. some of these might be debatable but most are close..
i removed most of the busts to save space..
Results are a lot closer than you'd think... Aside from JD (who we are still not sure can stay healthy) there are very few exciting players drafted. Peters also gave away picks for Latimore (bust) and Tunsil... who's a very good player, but i would argue those pics could have been better used to potentially draft young exciting players to refresh this weak ass roster. He also just got paid as the top LT in the game and our Oline still was average last year

Ron Rivera drafts

2020 Draft Class - 8 picks ( 50% at least contributed)

• Round 1, No. 2: Chase Young, DE (Ohio State) – starter
• Round 3, No. 66: Antonio Gibson, RB (Memphis) – starter/ contributor

• Round 4, No. 108: Saahdiq Charles, OT (LSU) - contributor
• Round 7, No. 216: Kamren Curl, S (Arkansas) – starter

2021 Draft Class - 10 picks (50% at least contributed)

• Round 1, No. 19: Jamin Davis, LB (Kentucky) - Bust

• Round 2, No. 51: Sam Cosmi, OT (Texas) – starter
• Round 3, No. 74: Benjamin St-Juste, CB – starter
• Round 3, No. 82: Dyami Brown, WR – contributor
• Round 4, No. 124: John Bates, TE – starter
• Round 5, No. 163: Darrick Forrest, S – contributor

2022 Draft Class 6 picks (75% at least contributed)

• Round 1, No. 16: Jahan Dotson, WR (Penn State) – Contributor
• Round 3, No. 98: Brian Robinson Jr., RB (Alabama) – starter/ contributor
• Round 4, No. 113: Percy Butler, S (Louisiana) - contributor
• Round 7, No. 230: Chris Paul, G (Tulsa) – starter/ contributor

2023 Draft Class - 7 selections - worst by far (28% at least contributed)

• Round 1, No. 16: Emmanuel Forbes, CB (Mississippi State) - Bust
• Round 2, No. 47: Jartavius "Quan" Martin, DB (Illinois) - contributor
• Round 6, No. 193: Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB (Kentucky) – starter/ contributor

Peters drafts

2025 Draft Class (5 Picks) (80% at least contributed)

• Round 1, Pick 29: Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon) – Starter/ Contributor
• Round 2, Pick 61: Trey Amos (CB, Alabama) – starter
• Round 4, Pick 128: Jaylin Lane (WR, Arizona) – contributor/ Bust
• Round 7, Pick 245: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona) - contributor

2024 Draft Class (9 Picks) (55% at least contributed) other than JD.. pretty weak

• Round 1, Pick 2: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU) – star/ starter
• Round 2, Pick 36: Johnny Newton (DT, Illinois) – contributor
• Round 2, Pick 40: Ben Sinnott (TE, Kansas State) - Bust
• Round 3, Pick 67: Mike Sainristil (CB, Michigan) – contributor
• Round 3, Pick 100: Brandon Coleman (OT, TCU) – contributor
• Round 4, Pick 139: Luke McCaffrey (WR, Rice) – contributor/ bust

 

[skinsinparadise]

I do think Nick Cross at SS will be ok. But Will Harris at FS is probably the weakest link on the whole defense.

There's going to be an amazing Training Camp battle about which position is the worst on the roster. Free Safety or Z Receiver?

Harris is Logan’s guy and big time so. He keeps going on about how Harris is the best communicator in the backfield — how he knows the play, understands what the offense is trying to do, and gets everyone lined up. Logan says you can see it in practice, too, and the coaches have echoed the same thing.

I don’t know. But lol, considering all the miscommunication issues — which some have said were noticeably worse when Harris was out — I gather they lean on his brains and communication more than we probably realize.

 

[skinsinparadise]

CTE. CTE. CTE.

Sign Diggs and move on

I wanted Diggs from the jump. But I resigned myself that they are signing Aiyuk. But not only has Aiyuk clowned himself out of coming here I assume -- lol, i don't even think he has the wherewithal to know how to get released. When some SF reporters said months ago it could be the end of Aiyuk's career for that reason they knew what they were talking about.

 

[Conn]

Unbelievable that he still either doesn’t know, or is pretending not to know, that he has to clear his warrant, apply for and receive reinstatement, AND show up to 49ers camp…in that order, all three things, to ever have a chance at getting released. He’s either stupid or just a bum who would rather make noise and play “what if” the rest of his life rather than actually play again.

Jayden Daniels’ mother for sure knows each of these three steps Aiyuk needs to navigate to ever play again. They could get him this information through trusted back channels if they really wanted to, without tampering, if they really thought he didn’t know.

I’m starting to think Daniels DID want to play with him under normal circumstances, but Aiyuk has turned out to be one of those burdensome friends you don’t cut ties with out of pity and nostalgia, but don’t really move forward with in life either. Like an old drinking buddy that you don’t invite to the backyard BBQ’s with all your normal real-life folk.

 

[DWinzit]

I’m a little surprised so many people are worried about corner but there is very little talk about safety. Safety, to me, has been the weakest position on the field not called wide receiver, and it might be worse than wide receiver now that I’m thinking about it.

I single high would be sweet but not sure where they'd find one at this point. Besides WR2 there's still concern with at least C and not having a good all around TE even if TE2 or TE3.

 

[Riggo’sRangers]

I think it’s a bit early to label Jaylin Lane a bust. Also, he played for Virginia Tech, not Arizona. We shall see.

 

[DWinzit]

I think it’s a bit early to label Jaylin Lane a bust. Also, he played for Virginia Tech, not Arizona. We shall see.

Agreed. Not sure anyone is looking at him as a bust. He is a very good PR and has potential in certain areas as a receiver and gadget player. We didn't see him much in gadget plays so far, perhaps that is worked in and work with his strengths. So far he has not earned a valuable receiving role while some may have had high expectations for him

 

[Conn]

I think it’s a bit early to label Jaylin Lane a bust. Also, he played for Virginia Tech, not Arizona. We shall see.

I’m not sure bust is the right word, he’s already a good punt returner which is good return on a 4th rounder if he sticks around awhile. The odds he’s much more than that are just generally low, the default assumption has to be that on offense he’s depth, maybe a future role player if he busts his ass, and anything beyond that is gravy

 

[HTTR]

I’m not sure bust is the right word, he’s already a good punt returner which is good return on a 4th rounder if he sticks around awhile. The odds he’s much more than that are just generally low, the default assumption has to be that on offense he’s depth, maybe a future role player if he busts his ass, and anything beyond that is gravy

Guess it depends on one’s definition of bust. I’d say he’s at least somewhat of a bust. Doesn’t matter to me that he’s a good punt returner because he fumbles too much. I’d keep him over Van Jefferson, but otherwise he’s at the bottom of the pecking order

 

[DieselPwr44]

Fourth rounder with ONE yr under his belt and is labeled a bust?

Never change Redskins fans. Never change.......

 

[skinsinparadise]