2024 Free agency and draft thread

[Xeliou66]

Barkley beat the Rams not Hurts, he threw for 128 yards on 15 completions and 1 TD. Stafford threw for 300+ yards in the snow in a hostile environment. Rams even gave the Eagles 2 turnovers too.

Yeah the Rams couldn’t stop Saquon in both games they played against the Eagles. He was so good Hurts didn’t have to do a lot, but yeah Stafford had the better game than Hurts in the playoff meeting. Stafford is a very good QB as well though, I don’t think his strong performance takes anything away from Hurts, Stafford is definitely a top 10 QB and he led the Rams to a Super Bowl win with a mediocre rushing attack and has had a very good career.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

You actually agree with me but just cannot get yourself to own it. You (and others not afraid to answer) admitted the teams who went after Watson did so thinking he'd be the guy he was in Houston or maybe even better. If that was the case would they not have been more than happy to pay out that deal (and maybe even more)? Cannot make trades in NFL thinking a guy in his prime might forget how to play the sport and/or guy who had never missed games due to injury since rookie season would suffer 2 major injuries.

I can't believe you insist on continueing this discussion. I have never once argued this from a football perspective, I have been clear that they tried the hardest to acquire a POS and that is what I have been addressing.

 

[Clayton]

Yeah the Rams couldn’t stop Saquon in both games they played against the Eagles. He was so good Hurts didn’t have to do a lot, but yeah Stafford had the better game than Hurts in the playoff meeting. Stafford is a very good QB as well though, I don’t think his strong performance takes anything away from Hurts, Stafford is definitely a top 10 QB and he led the Rams to a Super Bowl win with a mediocre rushing attack and has had a very good career.

In general, I wonder how many teams actually had a defense that could stop Saquon, the Eagles WRs, and Hurts legs. Eagles maybe had the only defense that could do it.

 

[Xeliou66]

In general, I wonder how many teams actually had a defense that could stop Saquon, the Eagles WRs, and Hurts legs. Eagles maybe had the only defense that could do it.

The Eagles have such a really talented O they are very hard to stop, and yeah their D is top tier as well. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do this year and who can slow them down.
When it comes to the best D’s in the NFL, I think the Texans and Broncos D’s might look the best on paper coming into 2025 - I’m not sure if anyone could’ve slowed down the Eagles last year, doubtful, they were dominant. I do wish the Eagles and Lions had met last year, because a Lions team at full strength might’ve been able to outscore the Eagles in a shootout. I look forward to those two teams meeting this year, think it’s in November on SNF

 

[fastforward]

Stafford career completion percentage is 63.4% and Hurts is 64.4%

Do you want the Shedeur Sanders award for accuracy?

 

[Clayton]

The Eagles have such a really talented O they are very hard to stop, and yeah their D is top tier as well. I’m looking forward to seeing how they do this year and who can slow them down.
When it comes to the best D’s in the NFL, I think the Texans and Broncos D’s might look the best on paper coming into 2025 - I’m not sure if anyone could’ve slowed down the Eagles last year, doubtful, they were dominant. I do wish the Eagles and Lions had met last year, because a Lions team at full strength might’ve been able to outscore the Eagles in a shootout. I look forward to those two teams meeting this year, think it’s in November on SNF

Texans and Broncos sound right. I still think the Ravens are the only team in the AFC that would've stood up to them but the Ravens were inconsistent all year.

Going into next year I do think the Lions have the same upside as the Eagles did last year in terms of roster. I'd probably power rank the top 5 rosters as:

1. Eagles
2. Lions
3. Ravens
4. Chiefs
5. Bills

But since the Chiefs have Mahomes...they kinda just need to keep steady and they'll be fine.

 

[Xeliou66]

Texans and Broncos sound right. I still think the Ravens are the only team in the AFC that would've stood up to them but the Ravens were inconsistent all year.

Going into next year I do think the Lions have the same upside as the Eagles did last year in terms of roster. I'd probably power rank the top 5 rosters as:

1. Eagles
2. Lions
3. Ravens
4. Chiefs
5. Bills

But since the Chiefs have Mahomes...they kinda just need to keep steady and they'll be fine.

The Ravens were the AFCs best team last year IMO and they had the dynamic offense and strong D that would give them a possibility to beat the Eagles.

I think those are probably the 5 best rosters, although the Rams might have a case to be in the top 5. The Bills are very interesting in that they have no standout players other than Allen but no weaknesses either - a lot of good players but no major stars really - they don’t have a star/clear cut #1 receiver, Cook is a good RB but not a superstar, and their D has a lot of good players but again no real standouts. It’s another example of how a top tier QB can carry a team and Allen is one of the top 4 QBs in the NFL. The Bills have good players at each position, but their lack of star power makes me question whether they can make the Super Bowl. And they cannot get past the Chiefs in the playoffs - Allen is 0-4 against Mahomes in their playoff meetings.

I would put the Ravens roster at #2 overall behind the Eagles because they are slightly more complete than the Lions IMO, particularly on the defensive front - the Lions need another edge rusher to emerge besides Hutchinson.

 

[Clayton]

The Ravens were the AFCs best team last year IMO and they had the dynamic offense and strong D that would give them a possibility to beat the Eagles.

I think those are probably the 5 best rosters, although the Rams might have a case to be in the top 5. The Bills are very interesting in that they have no standout players other than Allen but no weaknesses either - a lot of good players but no major stars really - they don’t have a star/clear cut #1 receiver, Cook is a good RB but not a superstar, and their D has a lot of good players but again no real standouts. It’s another example of how a top tier QB can carry a team and Allen is one of the top 4 QBs in the NFL. The Bills have good players at each position, but their lack of star power makes me question whether they can make the Super Bowl. And they cannot get past the Chiefs in the playoffs - Allen is 0-4 against Mahomes in their playoff meetings.

I would put the Ravens roster at #2 overall behind the Eagles because they are slightly more complete than the Lions IMO, particularly on the defensive front - the Lions need another edge rusher to emerge besides Hutchinson.

Cook is probably 5th or 6th best RB in the game? Maybe a hair lower. Bills can run on anyone. They ran on the Ravens and IIRC Ravens are generally known for their run D. Ran fairly well against the Chiefs and the Chiefs run D is better than their pass D. Bills have 2 good TE but WR is their weak spot for sure. Joey Bosa and a rookie CB probably the difference between the Bills being a real contender and just a good team.

Ravens major variable is Derrick Henry. I'm fine banking on Henry at 31 after an MVP level season but time defeats everyone.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Do you want the Shedeur Sanders award for accuracy?

I’m open to other ways to compare accuracy. What do you propose?

 

[Xeliou66]

Cook is probably 5th or 6th best RB in the game? Maybe a hair lower. Bills can run on anyone. They ran on the Ravens and IIRC Ravens are generally known for their run D. Ran fairly well against the Chiefs and the Chiefs run D is better than their pass D. Bills have 2 good TE but WR is their weak spot for sure. Joey Bosa and a rookie CB probably the difference between the Bills being a real contender and just a good team.

Ravens major variable is Derrick Henry. I'm fine banking on Henry at 31 after an MVP level season but time defeats everyone.

Cook is a good RB, not sure I would put him that high though, I don’t think he’s top 5, I would say Saquon, Henry, Taylor, Bijan, Jacobs and Gibbs are the top 6 RBs in the NFL right now. Cook is probably top 10 although he just barely cracked the 1000 yard mark last season, this could be because of the Bills giving some touches to Davis and Johnson and Cook didn’t play in 1 game, he was 16th in the NFL in rushing yards last year but he did have 16 TDs rushing. He’s very good but I wouldn’t put him in the top 5.
Receiver is very shaky for the Bills and I was very surprised they didn’t address it in the draft, I guess they hope Coleman makes more of an impact in year 2 and him and Shakir plus new additions Moore and Palmer make for a solid receiving unit, the two strong TEs do help them.
The Bills D is good and I think Hairston will give their secondary a boost, I’m not sure how much Bosa has left in the tank or whether he can stay healthy.
I think the Bills are probably Super Bowl contenders, having an elite QB in Allen plus no major weaknesses is enough to make them a top tier team but their lack of star power is interesting.

The Ravens were stellar even before Henry got there, Henry just made them even more dangerous. I think if Flowers hadn’t gotten hurt they might’ve made the Super Bowl last year, and hell if Andrews hadn’t dropped the 2 pt pass against the Bills they might’ve made it as well. I think the Ravens are the best roster in the AFC right now.

 

[dtgold88]

I can't believe you insist on continueing this discussion. I have never once argued this from a football perspective, I have been clear that they tried the hardest to acquire a POS and that is what I have been addressing.

Ok, but from a football perspective the fully guaranteed deal made sense if needed to get the deal done with so many teams after his services.

and let's be honest players have done worse and been forgiven. Very good possibility the guy is a pervert with a fetish and not much more.....well, that and used bad judgement by seeing so many different therapists.

 

[Clayton]

The Ravens were stellar even before Henry got there, Henry just made them even more dangerous. I think if Flowers hadn’t gotten hurt they might’ve made the Super Bowl last year, and hell if Andrews hadn’t dropped the 2 pt pass against the Bills they might’ve made it as well. I think the Ravens are the best roster in the AFC right now.

The Ravens in the regular season were the 3rd healthiest team since 2011 according to AGL. Lions had the 6th most injured defense since 2011. A lot of potential variability next year with those two teams. Lots of variability with the Chiefs and Bills, too, in other ways. Lots of different ways this could go down next year

 

[Xeliou66]

The Ravens in the regular season were the 3rd healthiest team since 2011 according to AGL. Lions had the 6th most injured defense since 2011. A lot of potential variability next year with those two teams. Lots of variability with the Chiefs and Bills, too, in other ways. Lots of different ways this could go down next year

You never know what will happen, that’s what makes the NFL, and sports in general, so much fun.
Right now the NFC looks deeper than the AFC, the AFC seems more top heavy with the Chiefs/Ravens/Bills looking like clearly the best, although you never know what could happen or what teams could emerge.

 

[Clayton]

You never know what will happen, that’s what makes the NFL, and sports in general, so much fun.
Right now the NFC looks deeper than the AFC, the AFC seems more top heavy with the Chiefs/Ravens/Bills looking like clearly the best, although you never know what could happen or what teams could emerge.

It wouldn't be hard for me to come up with scenarios where neither the Chiefs, Ravens or Bills are in the Super Bowl. The hard part would be figuring out which team rises up.

 

[fightinfunbags]

You never know what will happen, that’s what makes the NFL, and sports in general, so much fun.
Right now the NFC looks deeper than the AFC, the AFC seems more top heavy with the Chiefs/Ravens/Bills looking like clearly the best, although you never know what could happen or what teams could emerge.

I think the big disparity between the two leagues is at QB. The majority of the elite QBs are in the AFC.

 

[Xeliou66]

It wouldn't be hard for me to come up with scenarios where neither the Chiefs, Ravens or Bills are in the Super Bowl. The hard part would be figuring out which team rises up.

Yeah you never know who will emerge. I think the Texans are a real threat if Stroud stays healthy - the O-Line is a concern but they are strong everywhere else and that D is scary good IMO. Chargers look pretty good although they can’t get over the hump in the playoffs, the Broncos have a stellar D and could be a threat, and the Bengals have Burrow which makes them dangerous.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Ok, but from a football perspective the fully guaranteed deal made sense if needed to get the deal done with so many teams after his services.

and let's be honest players have done worse and been forgiven. Very good possibility the guy is a pervert with a fetish and not much more.....well, that and used bad judgement by seeing so many different therapists.

Nobody answered your question because it was a dumb ass question that had nothing to do with the discusson. This was never about the player's ability, it was all about a team trying the hardest to sign a man like Deshaun Watson. A man you continue to make excuses for for exactly one reason, because he plays for your team.

And no the fully guaranteed deal did not make any sense. It was more than twice the guaranteed money Cousins got which is why no team was willing to match it. No team had given out that much in guaranteed money since, even to players like Lamar Jackson, until Allen signed his recent contract.

It was a terrible decison that again you are making excuses for because of your bias.

 

[dtgold88]

Nobody answered your question because it was a dumb ass question that had nothing to do with the discusson. This was never about the player's ability, it was all about a team trying the hardest to sign a man like Deshaun Watson. A man you continue to make excuses for for exactly one reason, because he plays for your team.

And no the fully guaranteed deal did not make any sense. It was more than twice the guaranteed money Cousins got which is why no team was willing to match it. No team had given out that much in guaranteed money since, even to players like Lamar Jackson, until Allen signed his recent contract.

It was a terrible decison that again you are making excuses for because of your bias.

My question had been answered by some not sure why you'd say otherwise. strike 1

I thought the same about watson before my team was the team who signed him as I do now. strike 2

who cares if it was 2X what Cousins got? Wasn't that much more than some other guarantees players had received then or since.Strike 3.....you're out.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Texans and Broncos sound right. I still think the Ravens are the only team in the AFC that would've stood up to them but the Ravens were inconsistent all year.

Going into next year I do think the Lions have the same upside as the Eagles did last year in terms of roster. I'd probably power rank the top 5 rosters as:

1. Eagles
2. Lions
3. Ravens
4. Chiefs
5. Bills

But since the Chiefs have Mahomes...they kinda just need to keep steady and they'll be fine.

I just don't trust Goff. I think they got all they can out of him and he will soon revert to, well, Jared Goff. Without an established franchise QB, and a few years in Detroit is not enough of a track record, I question the Lions ability to stay at their level. Hope I'm wrong, rooting for them.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

My question had been answered by some not sure why you'd say otherwise. strike 1

I thought the same about watson before my team was the team who signed him as I do now. strike 2

who cares if it was 2X what Cousins got? Wasn't that much more than some other guarantees players had received then or since.Strike 3.....you're out.

Does this mean you will fucking stop already? Cool. I'll close by saying few if any (not bothering to look) have agreed with you.