NFL free agency buzz: Latest on WRs, RBs on the move
The NFL’s free agency negotiation window begins Monday at midday ET, and groups have been laborious at work making trades and making ready for the coming frenzy.
League executives and coaches are buzzing about an enormous potential payday for Alec Pierce and the marketplace for Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. We even have intel on the Eagles’ bold plans and their worth for A.J. Brown, in addition to what the Cowboys supplied for Maxx Crosby earlier than the Ravens in the end pulled off a commerce for the star edge rusher.
Here’s the newest as of Sunday morning. Make certain you visit our free agency tracker throughout the week to test on the newest strikes all through the league.
Jump to:
Life after Crosby | Eagles aren’t done
WR market | RB market
Defensive focus | Commanders aggression
Maxx Crosby fallout
The Las Vegas Raiders leveraged the highest bidders to squeeze most draft capital out of the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes, leaving the Dallas Cowboys disenchanted however in the end justified of their determination to bow out.
Dallas saved a tough line all through. The franchise wasn’t keen to half with two first-round picks, hoping its twelfth choose in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, could be sufficient to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was additionally keen to package deal a veteran participant to sweeten the deal, however Vegas wasn’t excited by that. The Raiders prioritized picks.
After dealing first- and second-round picks for Quinnen Williams at the commerce deadline, Dallas set laborious limits for the way far it could go for Crosby, regardless of the ache related to dropping him. “We loved him,” stated a Dallas supply of the Crosby pursuit. This was a participant the Cowboys eyed for a very long time.
The Chicago Bears monitored the scenario, however the sense was they weren’t main gamers in the finish.
That Baltimore, one in every of the league’s most draft-oriented groups, was keen to surrender two firsts is a bit surprising. But Green Bay, which has the same self-discipline and philosophy, gave up two first-round picks for Micah Parsons in August, serving as a reminder of simply how essential elite go rushers are to rivalry for groups in win-now home windows.
Dallas should now pivot to free agency to land its go rusher. It has monitored Trey Hendrickson relationship again to the commerce deadline. He’s now a free agent. Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh and Boye Mafe can be firmly on Dallas’ radar in the coming days.
One particular person concerned in the commerce made an fascinating level about the Patriots‘ probabilities at Crosby: ‘No manner Tom [Brady] was sending Maxx to [Mike] Vrabel.”
Eagles busy in new league 12 months
The Philadelphia Eagles are value awaiting causes past A.J. Brown. Philly is asking for a steep price for Brown — one executive said it wants a first- and second-round pick for him. Perhaps that changes. New England is in the mix.
While I never sensed Philly heavily pursued Crosby, the Eagles are active in the pass-rush market. People inside the league believe Philly is attempting to re-sign Phillips to a deal that would pay him well above $20 million per year. But Phillips will have a strong market if he chooses to enter free agency.
2:24
Is there any way the Eagles don’t trade A.J. Brown?
Mike Tannenbaum, Dan Orlovsky and Peter Schrager debate whether the Eagles should trade A.J. Brown.
As a contingency, the Eagles are believed to have inquired about Minnesota‘s Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings have received many inquiries on Greenard, who will be far cheaper to acquire than Crosby. A Day 2 pick probably gets a deal done. But complicating matters is Greenard’s contract. Teams say he wants a new deal. His current contract is set to pay him $38 million over the next two years. Mafe is also considered a viable edge option if the Phillips deal doesn’t materialize.
With defensive tackle Jordan Davis now extended, Philly additionally should weigh whether or not to increase Jalen Carter, who is eligible for a new deal. I’m told Philly has received trade calls on Carter.
Also, Brown isn’t the only receiver potentially available. Baltimore’s Rashod Bateman, Los Angeles’ Quentin Johnston and Green Bay’s Dontayvion Wicks have come up in my talks. Teams have curiosity in Green Bay’s Jayden Reed, however I do not sense the Packers would commerce him at this level.
What’s subsequent for prime WRs?
Expect negotiations between Alec Pierce and the Colts to go down to the wire as the team tries to keep him off Monday’s open market.
That’s going to be a challenge. Pierce appears poised to make at least $27 million per year on a new deal. The Patriots, Commanders, Raiders and Titans are among teams in the mix.
What helps Indy’s case is that Pierce is close with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and, if everything is equal, would like to stay in Indianapolis. There’s still hope for Indy, but Pierce’s market will dictate his direction. His upside and penchant for chunk yardage are attractive to teams.
Packers huge receiver Romeo Doubs plans to hit the market. Talks with Green Bay didn’t end in a brand new deal. He’ll have a number of suitors. The Patriots, Commanders and Titans are intently watching his market, together with the 49ers. Doubs is taken into account by some evaluators to be the greatest all-around receiver in the group.
I’m anticipating the Raiders to make a run at Rashid Shaheed relying on how the dominoes in the receiver market fall and the worth level. New coach Klint Kubiak loves him. But Vegas’ larger want is the offensive line.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stay aggressive in trying to re-sign Mike Evans. Buffalo would have been an excellent match for Evans earlier than the D.J. Moore commerce occupied a few of its obtainable money. The Commanders might emerge as a sleeper for Evans. Remember, he needs a quarterback and targets. Tampa stays in a great spot with Evans however will not be a lock to signal him.
Tennessee has been linked to Wan’Dale Robinson. There is mutual curiosity, however Robinson could have different suitors.
Running backs on the move
Running again is a warmer market than typical, with the stage set by the New York Jets slapping a franchise tag value $14.3 million on Breece Hall.
Kenneth Walker appears to be the market-setter because it stands, however Travis Etienne Jr. can be proper there in the combine. Some groups I’ve talked to are setting the market’s ceiling at round $12 million. That might go up if sufficient groups become involved.
I’m listening to Walker will contemplate the Giants and Commanders amongst his choices, with the Titans as a chance, too. Etienne has AFC West love through Denver and Kansas City. Both of these groups might test on Walker and others, too, relying on worth ranges.
1:07
Seahawks resolve to not tag Kenneth Walker III
Brady Henderson stories on the Seahawks not tagging Kenneth Walker III, permitting him to turn into a free agent.
Most round the league suspect Kansas City will come away with a working again, whether or not one in every of the prime gamers or a participant in the center tier.
Power again Rico Dowdle has been linked to the Commanders by some individuals round the league.
Defensive {dollars}
The Chicago Bears freed up round $17 million in cap area with the D.J. Moore commerce, which they are going to want in free agency to help the protection. Yes, they may use pass-rush assist. But I do not sense Chicago is determined for a splashy go rusher. Much will rely on worth. Interior rush assist might be the method to go. To exchange Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a reputation to look at. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans and he is good in protection. At security, my sense is the Bears will try to re-sign Kevin Byard III over the weekend however will let Jaquan Brisker stroll.
The staff that would show most aggressive on the defensive free agent market is Cincinnati, which is exploring nearly each place group. Edge rusher Rashan Gary is a reputation to look at right here ought to the Packers move on. New Bengals line of defense coach Jerry Montgomery was with Gary in Green Bay. Cincinnati has been linked to security Nick Cross and several other defensive linemen, too.
Carolina is lurking in a number of markets, seemingly in search of pass-rush and linebacker assist. Players similar to edge rusher Odafe Oweh and linebacker Devin Lloyd are thought-about good suits for the Panthers’ defensive scheme. General supervisor Dan Morgan additionally was with Buffalo when the franchise drafted free agent linebacker Edmunds.
In command of free agency
The Commanders have been listed steadily in our working again and receiver breakdowns above. The pulse inside the league is that this 12 months might be Washington’s most energetic offseason of the Adam Peters period that started in 2024. The Commanders have an curiosity in different positions similar to cornerback, edge rusher and presumably tight finish. Washington has a roster with holes, practically $90 million in cap area and star quarterback Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal. So, whereas the Commanders may not spend huge on each place, they are going to be a presence.
Quick hits
Last 12 months, the Ravens pulled off an extension with left deal with Ronnie Stanley two days earlier than the tampering interval. Can they pull off the identical with heart Tyler Linderbaum? He could have the heart market cornered, so if he will get to Monday, he’ll be robust to maintain. The Raiders, Giants and Titans might be concerned to some extent. The quantity ought to simply surpass $20 million per 12 months.
Soon-to-be free agent quarterback Kyler Murray might select to be methodical in selecting his subsequent vacation spot. Once launched round the begin of the new league 12 months, he’ll need to communicate to potential suitors and presumably make a couple of visits. Minnesota can be an possibility. The Colts and Falcons have expertise and quarterbacks who may not be prepared to begin the season. That might turn into an element for veteran quarterbacks weighing choices, too.
The Seahawks will try to re-sign security Coby Bryant, one in every of the hotter names on the defensive aspect of the market. He has curiosity in returning to Seattle however could have different suitors.
The Jets and Bengals come up usually in conversations about safeties at or towards the prime of the market. Kansas City’s Bryan Cook stays a key determine on this market. The Chiefs might look to backfill at the place in the event that they lose Cook, too.
I proceed to listen to that John Franklin-Myers will hit it huge in free agency. He’s the prime inside rusher on the market and the draft is not overly robust at his spot. He has a number of groups in the combine.
The clock is ticking on 49ers left deal with Trent Williams, whose $38 million cap hit is a problem. San Francisco should decide, and groups are questioning whether or not he’ll be obtainable because of this. Common sense says San Francisco will attempt to work one thing out with the 12-time Pro Bowler.
The Jaguars wish to re-sign nook Montaric Brown earlier than free agency. If they can not, San Francisco is amongst the groups anticipated to indicate curiosity.
Linebacker Kaden Elliss has followers round the league amongst the earlier staffs he has performed for: San Francisco (defensive coordinator Raheem Morris) and Cleveland (defensive coordinator Mike Rutenburg), amongst others, although Cleveland has curiosity in re-signing Devin Bush at linebacker.
In backup QB information, Mitchell Trubisky has garnered curiosity as a high quality No. 2. The Titans, Bills and Jets are amongst groups on the radar right here. One title to doubtlessly watch as a backup in Carolina: Kenny Pickett.
