2018 - Official Free Agency

[Ray_Dogg]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2018-nfl-free-agency-tracker?utm_content=bufferb8df8&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=nfl

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Gregg Rosenthal's top 25 free agents for 2018:

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco
2. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington
3. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
4. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh
5. Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas
6. Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville
7. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota
8. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Seattle
9. Ziggy Ansah, DE, Detroit
10. Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami
11. Sammy Watkins, WR, Los Angeles Rams
12. Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Los Angeles Rams
13. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Los Angeles Rams
14. Case Keenum, QB, Minnesota
15. Andrew Norwell, G, Carolina
16. Malcolm Butler, CB, New England
17. Dontari Poe, DT, Atlanta
18. Dion Lewis, RB, New England
19. Justin Pugh, G, New York Giants
20. Nate Solder, T, New England
21. Sam Bradford, QB, Minnesota
22. Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina
23. Bashaud Breeland, CB, Washington
24. Morgan Burnett, S, Green Bay
25. Carlos Hyde, RB, San Francisco

Other notable free agents include Seattle TE Jimmy Graham, Cincinnati TE Tyler Eifert, Jacksonville WR Marquise Lee, Minnesota RB Jerick McKinnon, Philadelphia LB Nigel Bradham and free agent CB Vontae Davis.

[NinerSickness]

20. Nate Solder, T, New England

If he doesn't get tagged, I'd love to sign him & trade Trent Brown to a team for a 3rd-round pick. It'd be extremely expensive, but it has 2 advantages.

1. Brown doesn't fit the ZBS all that well
2. Solder could take over at LT for Staley when he retires.

T. Brown's gonna want to get paid eventually, anyway.

[Dloading99]

Gotta sign Bryce Butler great receiver that can stretch the field for us with Goodwin and Garcon and Taylor.

And then I would sign a possession guy like Landry. I don't think Miami would bring him back and I think he would be perfect for us.

Leveon Bell if we can work out some kind of trade or just sign him and give him a lot of money I think he would be the perfect back running back for us. especially after drafting a guy like Nelson.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Jarvis Landry - WR - Dolphins

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports impending free agent Jarvis Landry is seeking a "contract in the range" of the one Davante Adams signed with the Packers at the end of the season.

Adams signed a four-year, $58 million pact with $18 million guaranteed, and his $14.5 million annual average made Adams the league's fourth-highest-paid wideout. Adams is a prolific touchdown scorer, whereas Landry is coming off a career-best nine scores this past season. He has 22 touchdowns in four seasons and plays strictly out of the slot. Doug Baldwin and Keenan Allen are making just north of $11 million per year as the highest-paid slot receivers. To this point, Landry has said he's felt a bit "disrespected" by Miami's handling of negotiations.
Source: Miami Herald

Jan 17 - 11:12 AM

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Probably the most underrated free agent in the market this year:

DeMarcus Lawrence - DL - Cowboys

ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer expects Dallas to use the franchise tag on impending free agent DE DeMarcus Lawrence if they're unable to sign him to a long-term deal.

It's a no-brainer move. The Cowboys have been starved for pass-rush help the past few years, and Lawrence finally gave it to them this past season, amassing 14.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles after combining for nine sacks and two forced fumbles in his first 32 career games. Injuries and suspensions played a part in Lawrence's slow start to his career. Lawrence was Pro Football Focus' No. 3-ranked 4-3 end in 2017. The franchise tag would cost about $17 million.
Source: ESPN.com

Jan 17 - 11:59 AM

[CrimsonCrew]

Lawrence would be the obvious top target if he hits the market, but that's highly unlikely. I'm not crazy about the pass rushers otherwise, but there are some corners and interior OL who we should take a good long look at.

[Ray_Dogg]

I think it was Sick that was high on EJ Gaines heading into his draft year. Could make good on that this time around.

[NinerSickness]

I think it was Sick that was high on EJ Gaines heading into his draft year. Could make good on that this time around.

Yeah. One of my favourite 6th-round prospects of the last 18 years. Haven't really followed his career, though. Has he been any good?

A 6th-round pick usually doesn't even make the team (unless you suck), so the fact that he's still in the league is a good sign.

[ChrisPozz]

I think it was Sick that was high on EJ Gaines heading into his draft year. Could make good on that this time around.

Yeah. One of my favourite 6th-round prospects of the last 18 years. Haven't really followed his career, though. Has he been any good?

A 6th-round pick usually doesn't even make the team (unless you suck), so the fact that he's still in the league is a good sign.

PFF graded him as a top 15 corner this year for the Bills but only played in 11 games. That's 2 straight years where's he only played in 11 games now. His last year in STL, where he also played in 11 games, he struggled but blamed it coming off the Lisfranc injury he had. He also dealt with a thigh injury once he came back, too.

I've read about some projections for him based on where many people have him and if the health stuff doesn't scare you, the combined consensus for him looks like he could get $10+ million per year in FA. If he does average $10M plus on his next deal, that puts him right outside the top 10 for CB average. Similar to guys like Dre Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, Aqib Talib, Robert Alford, and Sean Smith.

Hopefully that gives some kind of picture.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Tyler Eifert - TE - Bengals

The Cincinnati Enquirer puts the chances the Bengals re-sign impending free agent Tyler Eifert at "10 percent."

Eifert has said all options are on the table, admitting his lengthy injury history will likely cloud some things. He's recovering from a second back surgery in two years and also needed a recent knee scope. Eifert has missed 41-of-80 games in five seasons but was dominant in 2015 when healthy, proving to be a huge red-zone weapon. He's still just 27, but the body is breaking down. Eifert's free-agent case will be interesting to follow. He may have to take a one-year deal.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

Jan 19 - 11:22 AM

[Dloading99]

I like Eifert and Landry. I'm a football guy all about matchups and I think red zone with guys like Landry and Eifert with Kettle still in play it just gives garapolo more weapons and that's exactly what we need.

[NinerSickness]

I think it was Sick that was high on EJ Gaines heading into his draft year. Could make good on that this time around.

Yeah. One of my favourite 6th-round prospects of the last 18 years. Haven't really followed his career, though. Has he been any good?

A 6th-round pick usually doesn't even make the team (unless you suck), so the fact that he's still in the league is a good sign.

PFF graded him as a top 15 corner this year for the Bills but only played in 11 games. That's 2 straight years where's he only played in 11 games now. His last year in STL, where he also played in 11 games, he struggled but blamed it coming off the Lisfranc injury he had. He also dealt with a thigh injury once he came back, too.

I've read about some projections for him based on where many people have him and if the health stuff doesn't scare you, the combined consensus for him looks like he could get $10+ million per year in FA. If he does average $10M plus on his next deal, that puts him right outside the top 10 for CB average. Similar to guys like Dre Kirkpatrick, Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, Aqib Talib, Robert Alford, and Sean Smith.

Hopefully that gives some kind of picture.

Thanks CP.

Too bad the Niners didn't nab him when they had the chance.

[NinerSickness]

Gregg Rosenthal's top 25 free agents for 2018:

1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco
2. Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington

[NinerSickness]

Tyler Eifert - TE - Bengals

The Cincinnati Enquirer puts the chances the Bengals re-sign impending free agent Tyler Eifert at "10 percent."

Eifert has said all options are on the table, admitting his lengthy injury history will likely cloud some things. He's recovering from a second back surgery in two years and also needed a recent knee scope. Eifert has missed 41-of-80 games in five seasons but was dominant in 2015 when healthy, proving to be a huge red-zone weapon. He's still just 27, but the body is breaking down. Eifert's free-agent case will be interesting to follow. He may have to take a one-year deal.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer

Jan 19 - 11:22 AM

Nice! Sign him nao. Gotta hit on some gambles.

[Bingo_AlphaMan]

Le'Veon Bell - RB - Steelers

MMQB's Peter King expects impending free agent Le'Veon Bell to "go to the highest bidder" and names the Raiders as a team to "watch" for Bell.

King doesn't do much reporting in terms of breaking news anymore, but he still has many connections throughout the league. The new staff in Oakland has been mum when it comes to Marshawn Lynch's future with the team, so Beast Mode could very well be one-and-done for his hometown Raiders. Oakland could use that money to go after a younger stallion like Bell, but he'll have no shortage of suitors should he reach the open market. It's going to be tough for the Steelers to use the franchise tag on Bell again this year since they have very little cap room at the moment. However, creating cap space is a relatively simple task.
Source: Peter King on Twitter

Jan 22 - 10:59 PM

[Dodub]

I may be in the minority here but I don’t know that the 49ers will break the bank for a WR in free agency. I could see them drafting one but I don’t think that they’ve given up on Garçon as their #1 WR and I also don’t think they’ll give up on Goodwin after his monster season. They’re also pretty set at slot WR, Taylor has some good chemistry with Garappolo.

I feel similarly for TE, I think they really like Kittle as he came on strong at the end of the year. They could possibly get someone to take the Celek role, however Celek has some good chemistry with Jimmy G.

[Ray_Dogg]

I may be in the minority here but I don’t know that the 49ers will break the bank for a WR in free agency. I could see them drafting one but I don’t think that they’ve given up on Garçon as their #1 WR and I also don’t think they’ll give up on Goodwin after his monster season. They’re also pretty set at slot WR, Taylor has some good chemistry with Garappolo.

I feel similarly for TE, I think they really like Kittle as he came on strong at the end of the year. They could possibly get someone to take the Celek role, however Celek has some good chemistry with Jimmy G.

I see them going after Ansah and Trumaine Johnson. Maybe Sherman if he becomes available.

[Dodub]

I may be in the minority here but I don’t know that the 49ers will break the bank for a WR in free agency. I could see them drafting one but I don’t think that they’ve given up on Garçon as their #1 WR and I also don’t think they’ll give up on Goodwin after his monster season. They’re also pretty set at slot WR, Taylor has some good chemistry with Garappolo.

I feel similarly for TE, I think they really like Kittle as he came on strong at the end of the year. They could possibly get someone to take the Celek role, however Celek has some good chemistry with Jimmy G.

I see them going after Ansah and Trumaine Johnson. Maybe Sherman if he becomes available.

I’d love to see us get Kyle Fuller. Also I’m in love with the idea of us drafting Dorance Armstrong for Leo.

[CrimsonCrew]

I may be in the minority here but I don’t know that the 49ers will break the bank for a WR in free agency. I could see them drafting one but I don’t think that they’ve given up on Garçon as their #1 WR and I also don’t think they’ll give up on Goodwin after his monster season. They’re also pretty set at slot WR, Taylor has some good chemistry with Garappolo.

I feel similarly for TE, I think they really like Kittle as he came on strong at the end of the year. They could possibly get someone to take the Celek role, however Celek has some good chemistry with Jimmy G.

I definitely don't see them going hard after WR, though if Allen Robinson is available, for instance, I'm sure they'd take a long look. I agree that we're actually in surprisingly decent shape at WR, with three solid, complementary players. If we can add a draft pick or two with upside (at least one with size), I think we're good there. Same thoughts on TE, where I'm intrigued to see Kittle continue to develop.

In terms of FA, I think the obvious spot to focus is CB. There are a number of good CBs who should hit the market, and I would be very surprised if we don't come away with one of them. I'm lukewarm on Ansah. I think he's a stopgap, but will command a pretty hefty figure. I don't see us coming out of this offseason with our longterm fix at pass rusher.