The 2026 Free Agency Thread

[CapsCommies]

Diggs probably wants to sit out at least half of training camp at this point, no?

 

[RedWolf]

I would be completely fine with signing Diggs for a 2-year contract that is heavily incentivized. Produce and earn, or not

We need new younger players in the stable. That is my concern

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Diggs probably wants to sit out at least half of training camp at this point, no?

I don't think so.

I heard the actual quote from Fowler on Galdi this morning, the exact quote is, "I'm hearing that he's goinna have a market closer to training camp. I heard that at least 5 teams who need a wide receiver have been checking in. [... stuff about bagage..] Here's why I'm told Stephon Diggs is confident. He had over 1000 yards last year, really playing on a snap count, around 55% of the snaps, Coming off an ACL. He feels he's going to be better this time around. I'm looking to the DMV, Laura, that's where he's from, Commanders certainly need a receiver, I think they're looking for more of a speed option at this point, we'll see, ..." Then he talked a little bit about the Ravens.

That could have been written by Diggs' agent, or Diggs himself. It's pretty clear where Fowler was getting his information from. Who could have told him that 5 teams have checked in? Basically only the agent or Diggs. Is it true? Who knows.

But what this feels like to me is that Diggs is tired of waiting around, he wants a team, wants to get paid, and wants to get back on the field. And his market has not materialized the way he wanted it too. He also said something in the last couple of weeks that he was the best WR2 in football or something like that.

I think he wants to sign. I think he'd really like to sign here because we actually have a pretty good setup for a WR2:
- Daniels
- What looks to be a really good OL
- A clear #1 WR
- what could be a really good TE.

That's not a bad situation to be stepping into if you're Diggs.

Though, I think he'd go anywhere at the moment. I honestly think it feels a little desperate.

 

[NoCalSkins]

AP making sure to address a question mark with a "we really like what we have" kind of answer is just being savvy and media trained. He for sure knows what the whispers have been in the offseason and is ready to give those kinds of answers.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I would be completely fine with signing Diggs for a 2-year contract that is heavily incentivized. Produce and earn, or not

We need new younger players in the stable. That is my concern

We drafted 3 new younger guys in Williams, Lane and McCaffery all in the 3rd or 4th round in the last 3 drafts.

We did not draft a WR in the first or second round, though. At some point we probably need to do that, however the first 3 1st round picks were Daniels (QB), Conerly (OT) and Styles.

I think they maybe could have gone WR in 2025 in the first if they wanted to. Higgins and Luther Burden went in the same general area as Conerly, but Conerly is starting to look like a stud.

We could have taken Tyson last year instead of Styles, but I think taking a WR with that kind of injury history, especially after our year with injuries was probably off the table. Tate was long gone by the time we picked.

In 2025, we picked Amos in the second round, and didn't have a 3rd round pick, and then picked Lane.

And they didn't have a second this yea because of the Tunsil trade, and then in the third they picked Williams.

So, they've committed a good bit of draft capital at WR. Now, a couple of these guys have to actually work out.

If you assume they're keeping 6 WRs, then half of them are the three draft picks. 1 is Terry. The other 2 are up for grabs between Burks, Van Jefferson and Diyami Brown at the moment. And not all of them will be active on gameday. Terry + the three draft picks will be, because McCaffery is the primary kick returner and Lane is the primary punt returner, Terry is starting outside, and I bet Williams starts in the slot.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

AP making sure to address a question mark with a "we really like what we have" kind of answer is just being savvy and media trained. He for sure knows what the whispers have been in the offseason and is ready to give those kinds of answers.

He couldn't say anything else. If he says, "yeah, we're not so happy and definitely need to add a player" then 2 bad messages are out there:
1. He loses negotiating leverage with potential free agents
2. He tells the guys in the room they aren't good enough.

And I guess there's a third, he's admitting he didn't find the right players in FA or the draft to this point.

I don't know that he really cares about that last thing, but he certainly cares about #1, and probably cares about #2 as well.

 

[Conn]

Entering his 4th year at only 24 years old, had college pedigree and began to break out as a pro, but outside WR additions had him maybe available…still think this would’ve been a good move. Amidst camp reports that the Maye/AJB chemistry hasn’t progressed quite yet, could see them slow-play this situation now either way

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Entering his 4th year at only 24 years old, had college pedigree and began to break out as a pro, but outside WR additions had him maybe available…still think this would’ve been a good move. Amidst camp reports that the Maye/AJB chemistry hasn’t progressed quite yet, could see them slow-play this situation now either way

Maybe they'll trade us Doubs and we get the guy we were trying to get to begin with...

Clearly Boutte was ticked off they traded for AJ Brown and then signed Doubs to replace him. It seems like he used that as motivation. I wonder if they end up keeping him and the Doubs signing doesn't look so good....

 

[DWinzit]

Maybe they'll trade us Doubs and we get the guy we were trying to get to begin with...

Clearly Boutte was ticked off they traded for AJ Brown and then signed Doubs to replace him. It seems like he used that as motivation. I wonder if they end up keeping him and the Doubs signing doesn't look so good....

AP should have already made a move on Boutte. He has been the only real proven younger outside guy available for a while now. A 6th rounder probably would have bought him.

I agree with you regarding the 2025 draft. Higgins would have been my pick. Imagine the leverage we could have removed from Terry with his contract negotiations if we had drafted Higgins.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

AP should have already made a move on Boutte. He has been the only real proven younger outside guy available for a while now. A 6th rounder probably would have bought him.

I agree with you regarding the 2025 draft. Higgins would have been my pick. Imagine the leverage we could have removed from Terry with his contract negotiations if we had drafted Higgins.

I really can't complain about Conerly though. The thing about the draft, you take the guy who you think is going to be the best pro. Tackle is a premium position, as is WR. If Conerly ends up being a top 10 tackle, that's a good pick no matter what. And that's the direction he was trending, with a lot of work to do. Though hanging out this off-season with Tunsil can only speed up the development.

I don't think the Higgins draft would have done anything for the negotiations with Terry. He had 550 yards last year. He might develop into a great WR, but he was a late first/early second prospect. He's still got some room to develop before he would be considered a stud.

 

[DWinzit]

I really can't complain about Conerly though. The thing about the draft, you take the guy who you think is going to be the best pro. Tackle is a premium position, as is WR. If Conerly ends up being a top 10 tackle, that's a good pick no matter what. And that's the direction he was trending, with a lot of work to do. Though hanging out this off-season with Tunsil can only speed up the development.

I don't think the Higgins draft would have done anything for the negotiations with Terry. He had 550 yards last year. He might develop into a great WR, but he was a late first/early second prospect. He's still got some room to develop before he would be considered a stud.

Sure if Conerly proves to be a top tackle then it was a good pick. With the way Coleman played in his rookie season thought he deserved a starting role with Tunsil.

We had a dearth at WR's and Coleman will has all the qualities and will be a star. The Texans were/are loaded with weapons for him to compete with. He being drafted would have added pressure to Terry

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Sure if Conerly proves to be a top tackle then it was a good pick. With the way Coleman played in his rookie season thought he deserved a starting role with Tunsil.

We had a dearth at WR's and Coleman will has all the qualities and will be a star. The Texans were/are loaded with weapons for him to compete with. He being drafted would have added pressure to Terry

You can't pick for need. And I think they really thought Coleman would be really good to slide inside, and all of a sudden you have a top 5 LT, a pro-bowl RG, a really solid LG (Coleman), and a top prospect at RT. You have the makings of an elite OL.

Coleman's problem, both his rookie year and last year, he can't stay healthy. He was hurt in TC his rookie year, which is why he split time with Lucas to begin the season, and then he got hurt his second year, and then lost his job to Paul who kept it the entire year, even with his physical limiations.

It wouldn't have bothered me to pick Higgins. However, and maybe this is just being old and living through the 80's glory days, but I still think you build your team from the inside out. If you have a good QB and a solid OL, it makes everything else easier. I'm never against investing in the OL. I would personally pick an OL in the first 4 rounds some way, some how every year if possible. You can never have enough of them and a bad OL can derail a season right quick, and get your QB killed in the process.

 

[DWinzit]

You can't pick for need. And I think they really thought Coleman would be really good to slide inside, and all of a sudden you have a top 5 LT, a pro-bowl RG, a really solid LG (Coleman), and a top prospect at RT. You have the makings of an elite OL.

Coleman's problem, both his rookie year and last year, he can't stay healthy. He was hurt in TC his rookie year, which is why he split time with Lucas to begin the season, and then he got hurt his second year, and then lost his job to Paul who kept it the entire year, even with his physical limiations.

It wouldn't have bothered me to pick Higgins. However, and maybe this is just being old and living through the 80's glory days, but I still think you build your team from the inside out. If you have a good QB and a solid OL, it makes everything else easier. I'm never against investing in the OL. I would personally pick an OL in the first 4 rounds some way, some how every year if possible. You can never have enough of them and a bad OL can derail a season right quick, and get your QB killed in the process.

Coleman was drafted to be a T who could possibly be moved inside. He proved to be a good tackle in his rookie year. Teams normally take the ball and run with that, allowing him to better develop in year 2. His health concerns have been a bit of an issue in both seasons but only year one mattered at that point.

We desperately needed offensive weapons and a G. Defensively we needed help all around, especially Edge LB and DB's. With all of those holes selecting a T was more a luxury selection and we really were not in a luxury situation. Just one of the many items I saw as a miscue on AP and DQ in their 2nd season. That draft was loaded. There was a wave of talent when we selected and could have selected from a group of weapons, LB's, Edge's and DB's.

We all hope Conerly can prove to be a solid T and Coleman become a solid starting LG. He is up against it though as Tunsil has thrown some love behind Paul at LG. It will be one of the big battles over the summer.

 

[burgold]

Yeah, the Connerly pick surprised me big time. I think they outsmarted themselves. So much of the predraft talk about Coleman was how he was better suited to guard and they talked themselves into believing it. Sort of like they thought Sainristil had to be a nickel because of his size.

I really wanted an Edge with that number 1 pick. I was also okay with WR and was hoping that Ohio State player Egbuku (I think) was going to fall to us. He almost did. I think he got picked three or four slots a head of us. Still, Connerly could work out. I've been wrong plenty of times.

 

[RedWolf]

Here we go!!!!!

 

[Discobob]

Yeah, the Connerly pick surprised me big time. I think they outsmarted themselves. So much of the predraft talk about Coleman was how he was better suited to guard and they talked themselves into believing it. Sort of like they thought Sainristil had to be a nickel because of his size.

I really wanted an Edge with that number 1 pick. I was also okay with WR and was hoping that Ohio State player Egbuku (I think) was going to fall to us. He almost did. I think he got picked three or four slots a head of us. Still, Connerly could work out. I've been wrong plenty of times.

It's fine if folks don't like a pick, but for years we've said they neglected the Oline, and we finally change that habit and folks complain about it 🤷

Once you have a QB, stacking talent at Oline makes a ton of sense. That doesn't mean Conerly was the "right" pick, but I can't quibble with the thought process...

 

[DWinzit]

It's fine if folks don't like a pick, but for years we've said they neglected the Oline, and we finally change that habit and folks complain about it 🤷

Once you have a QB, stacking talent at Oline makes a ton of sense. That doesn't mean Conerly was the "right" pick, but I can't quibble with the thought process...

I believe most of us would not argue that. I actually really liked a player recognized as a top G in the draft that went a round later who I thought could solidify our OL. We also knew they still liked and had hope for Paul at that point

 

[Chris]

It's fine if folks don't like a pick, but for years we've said they neglected the Oline, and we finally change that habit and folks complain about it 🤷

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

 

[DWinzit]

It's a real shame Brown is struggling

Of course this looks like it may lead to Boutte now not being available or his price will elevate if this continues. We may be sttuck hoping for Dyami's relationship with Jayden to grow like Boutte and Maye's relationship. It did seem decent at the end of his 2024 stint in Washington.

The Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan said A.J. Brown’s downfield “struggles” have been “noteworthy” during Patriots training camp.​

It has not been an easy transition into the New England offense for Brown, per Callahan, who said Drake Maye — the league’s most efficient deep ball passer in 2025 — continues to connect with Kayshon Boutte for highlight plays in training camp. Boutte, Maye’s primary deep ball option in 2025, “has unquestionably been the most dangerous receiver in camp,” according to Callahan, while Drake and Brown have connected in just three or ten targets during camp. Miscommunication, Callahan said, may be a factor in Brown’s early struggles. It’s not a reason to panic for fantasy drafters, though Boutte’s chemistry with Maye could make Boutte an interesting late-round pick, especially if the Patriots are slightly more pass heavy in 2026.
-

 

[skinsinparadise]

Been waiting as I mentioned Keim implied in a podcast a week ago he was going to poke around this week whether the team is interested in Diggs. Well, he talked about it in today's podcast, he said he believes this team is interested in Diggs however there is some competition for him.