The Free Agency Thread

[Bulldog]

Yep, running back, linebacker and safety are positions where there are more readily available replacements in the draft and free agency.

This is one reason you don't want to commit BIG, BIG money to players at these positions who are looking for second contracts UNLESS they are really star performers.

If you have a Troy Polamalu or Ray Lewis or Adrian Peterson in their primes then you pay them.

But if you have 'solid' or 'above average' performers at these spots who are looking for a max contract it's often better to allow them to move on.

In the NFL that's especially the case as the attrition rate due to injuries is high relative to other sports and if you get caught paying a guy a big salary when he's on IR and he's only a solid performer when healthy, then you are doubly behind the eight ball.

Pittsburgh, New England, Green Bay and the 49ers are teams that over the past 25 years have been the best at avoiding the big salary mistakes in free agency and allowing guys to move on and replace them in the draft.

 

[Miles Monroe]

How about a vet center ? Just saw a story about Mitch Morse being released by the Bills. At 31, I'd do a 1 year deal. Really don't know what we have in Stromberg, but think we'd keep him over Larson.

 

[Chris]

I really had my eye on Ethan Pocic of Cleveland last year. He resigned at 3/18m (6 per) but they wanted Gates. He was 27 at the time.

 

[Bulldog]

I mentioned Morse in a previous post on another thread.

I am wondering if he is looking for a multi-year deal from another contender at this point?

I am not sure a one year deal like Zach Ertz signed is something that gets Morse in the door.

If Dallas loses it's current center in free agency that is one spot that is open on a playoff team.

The Rams may be another playoff team looking to bolster their OL.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

I saw where Jonnu Smith signed in Miami for 2 years, 10 million. He is 28 and was somewhat productive in a bad Atlanta offense last year. Maybe they reached out and he wanted to be on a winner, but he’s 5 years younger and more productive recently and he signed for the same amount with another team. I sure hope m they inquired with Smith to see if he was interested. But I would have rather had Smith over Ertz. Maybe this is saying they like the guys on the roster or someone in the draft and just need a stop gap. But 2 years isn’t tying you to Smith long term.

 

[Bulldog]

Smith had a so-so stay in New England before Atlanta. I don't know that he is the kind of consistent presence the team is looking for.

My guess is they draft a tight end with good measurables and sure hands that can come in and learn the offense from Ertz and move forward on a cheap 4 year rookie contract.

I don't have an objection to grabbing a veteran tight end but I want a leader and someone with greater consistency.

 

[DieselPwr44]

With the legal tampering period starting tomorrow at 4 pm (wink wink,nudge nudge), ran across this and found it interesting...



Buyer beware as always.

 

[Bulldog]

Yep, the Raiders never did understand the philosophy of buy low and sell high

The history of free agents signings shows its almost as much a crapshoot as drafting a quarterback.

The worst position to be in is being a sub .500 team going into free agency and trying to reach for the top tier players.

You are going to have to overpay and the player, unless there is a second gear he didn't reach with Team #1, is likely to disappoint those expectations.

And as Doc Walker said there are a good number of 'thieves and con artists' out there, players that are only still playing because they want a big payday on the way out and are looking for a 'sucker' team to provide them with that.

 

[DieselPwr44]

 

[Chris]

Legal tampering period begins tomorrow at noon.

Agents start posting new deals at 12:01.

 

[Boone]

 

[Solitary Man]

It’s an exciting time for us fans. So many holes to fill. If we fill a few, this will give us more options for the draft. I’m assuming we will lose Brissett so what veteran qb do we get? Maybe a Sam Darnold if Peters liked him in San Fran.

Oline, Edge and Linebacker. Most mid tier league players would start for us there so fit, character, age, health are crucial.

Let’s go!

 

[burgold]

I'd imagine if the plan is to draft a QB high then the plan is also to pencil in Howell as the interim starter and backup, but who knows? Would Darnold be a good backup/third QB? At this point, I think we know he isn't a starter.

 

[Boone]

I will be very shocked if they bring in a vet QB. I think they ride with Howell and a rookie.

 

[Bulldog]

Bobby Wagner reminds me of London Fletcher. a long time top player who won a Super Bowl and who teams consistently think were done over a period of years only to prove they still had more left in the tank

I bet at 35 he still has a very good year left in him for 2024.

 

[Boone]

Yeah, he would be a good get especially in that kind of mentor lead by example role.

 

[Bulldog]

Evidently, he wants to stay on the West coast.

49ers?

I doubt he goes to the mess that is the Raiders.

 

[Boone]

Lotta smoke around LG Jonah Jackson and Washington. I would really like that.

 

[Bulldog]

Jackson ranked #59 at tackle per PFF. Wylie was #58.

Is this guy really that good or is he just good size and 26 years old?

 

[Boone]

93.2% pass block rate in 2023. Sounds like a pretty significant upgrade to me, but I'm not an expert on the guy.