Free agency and draft thread

[HaroldSeattle]

Yeah I saw this, will be interesting to see where he goes.

Packers, Bears, I would add in the Bills, they could use a boost on the D-Line, their run D was an issue last year for them, and I’m sure a few other teams too depending on what they are willing to offer and how much they can spend. If he’s traded it will be intriguing to see how much the G-Men get for him, the Jets got a couple of fairly high picks for Quinnen Williams from the Cowboys in that trade.

Be interesting to see if a DT making good money coming off a season where his play was way down can force a trade and a new contract. He's going to have to play much better to justify what he is making right now IMO. If I was a GM it would be a hard pass.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

NYG DT Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade.

 

[shopson67]

Sounds like Harbaugh made it clear he wasn't going to get the payday he wanted.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Lawrence saw Leo Williams get a ring and wants to chase one as well. He has probably come to the realization that NY is a shitty organization so he wants out and also wants to be paid. I don't know if he would be worth the asking price but with the right situation, he is a very good football player. Obviously, his impact in NY has diminished but it isn't a stretch to argue that playing in Met Life Stadium simply breeds shitty football. Hiring Harbaugh maybe helps that franchise but I have serious doubts. At any rate, not a need for the Seahawks and I doubt Schneider entertains giving up multiple picks or a a young player and picks for him. Good luck to him.

 

[ducky]

Be interesting to see if a DT making good money coming off a season where his play was way down can force a trade and a new contract. He's going to have to play much better to justify what he is making right now IMO. If I was a GM it would be a hard pass.

I would love for my Vikes to trade for him for 3rd rounder or so and give him a raise and guarentee a couple of those years so he can come here and have more "down" years here.

Even in his down year, he was still a one of the top NT's in the league.

 

[dtgold88]

yeah what made Watsons bad was the length.
Cousins sticking to 3 years isnt much of a risk, since most QB contracts has guaranteed money through three years any ways of say a 5 year contract. he has been really smart on the way he conducts his business. So teams are willing to listen to doing this. & he is able to go get a new contract sooner. Getting contracts is how players really get their money. So while other QBs focus on avg per year. he is just knocking down new contracts for less per year.

I'd say was overall money and length. Watson's also nearly $20 mil more per season.

Well, really the issue was Watson forgot how to stay healthy and how to play football.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Even in his down year, he was still a one of the top NT's in the league.

Was he? His total tackles have declined for three straight years from a high of 68 in 2022, 53 in 2023, 44 in 2024. to 31 in 2025. His cap hit this year is a tad below 27 million. You want to give him a raise on that? He'll be 30 in December and he's been trending down down down. Are you going by name recognition or his actual play on the field? 2027 his cap hit is a tad below 29 million. He should be expecting a pay cut not a raise.

 

[ducky]

Was he? His total tackles have declined for three straight years from a high of 68 in 2022, 53 in 2023, 44 in 2024. to 31 in 2025. His cap hit this year is a tad below 27 million. You want to give him a raise on that? He'll be 30 in December and he's been trending down down down. Are you going by name recognition or his actual play on the field? 2027 his cap hit is a tad below 29 million. He should be expecting a pay cut not a raise.

You are looking at his cap hit not how much he earns.

To a trading team, he would be on roughly a 2 year $40 mill ($20M AAV) with no guaranteed money.

And I would be more than good with giving him a bump of $5M or so in each of those two years and guaranteeing the full amount for two years (and add a 3rd fluff year).

He is a really good player. He was hurt most of the year but played through it. And when he was out it really showed his full impact. Just to give you an idea of his impact (and also just how bad that Giants defense was last year, the Giants gave up 5.2 yard per play with Lawrence on the field. Without him on the field last year, they gave up a ridiculous 6.7 yards per play.

But I am just talking. The Vikes and Flores dont value a nose run stuffer like I personally do.

Also on age: Big NT's usually age better than most positions and play some of their best ball into their 30's. A great example is Pat Williams from years and years ago where he came to my Vikes at around the same age as Lawrence is now and instantly turned our team into the best run defense in the league for like the next 5 years that he was here. A great NT can do that....turn a decent run stuffing team into the best in the league.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

You are looking at his cap hit not how much he earns.

To a trading team, he would be on roughly a 2 year $40 mill ($20M AAV) with no guaranteed money.

And I would be more than good with giving him a bump of $5M or so in each of those two years and guaranteeing the full amount for two years (and add a 3rd fluff year).

He is a really good player. He was hurt most of the year but played through it. And when he was out it really showed his full impact. Just to give you an idea of his impact (and also just how bad that Giants defense was last year, the Giants gave up 5.2 yard per play with Lawrence on the field. Without him on the field last year, they gave up a ridiculous 6.7 yards per play.

But I am just talking. The Vikes and Flores dont value a nose run stuffer like I personally do.

Also on age: Big NT's usually age better than most positions and play some of their best ball into their 30's. A great example is Pat Williams from years and years ago where he came to my Vikes at around the same age as Lawrence is now and instantly turned our team into the best run defense in the league for like the next 5 years that he was here. A great NT can do that....turn a decent run stuffing team into the best in the league.

According to Over the Cap:

Dexter Lawrence signed a 4 year extension with the New York Giants on May 6, 2024 worth $90.0 million in new money with $46.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Then in 2025 he wanted to redo that extension, Giants added 3 million to his contract. Now he's demanding either a new contract or a trade. His stats show a downward trend going back years. He's now at a age were injuries start happening.

You were right about me looking at cap hit and not his base salary. I would bet he will be asking for guaranteed money on top of a raise. Could work out but the risk is to high for my taste.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Sounds like Harbaugh made it clear he wasn't going to get the payday he wanted.

 

[ducky]

According to Over the Cap:

Dexter Lawrence signed a 4 year extension with the New York Giants on May 6, 2024 worth $90.0 million in new money with $46.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Then in 2025 he wanted to redo that extension, Giants added 3 million to his contract. Now he's demanding either a new contract or a trade. His stats show a downward trend going back years. He's now at a age were injuries start happening.

You were right about me looking at cap hit and not his base salary. I would bet he will be asking for guaranteed money on top of a raise. Could work out but the risk is to high for my taste.

It is kind of the new norm in the NFL.

We all see a contract and are like "That is way too much" or "That is a good deal". The problem is that the "good deals" often dont have guaranteed money or at least a lot of it in years 3 and 4 of a deal and in reality the deal because functionally a 2 year deal with a new contract demand halfway through the contract.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Mendoza not attending the draft.

 

[dtgold88]

Mendoza not attending the draft.

Fishing with Joe Thomas?

 

[Schmoopy1000]

According to Over the Cap:

Dexter Lawrence signed a 4 year extension with the New York Giants on May 6, 2024 worth $90.0 million in new money with $46.5 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Then in 2025 he wanted to redo that extension, Giants added 3 million to his contract. Now he's demanding either a new contract or a trade. His stats show a downward trend going back years. He's now at a age were injuries start happening.

You were right about me looking at cap hit and not his base salary. I would bet he will be asking for guaranteed money on top of a raise. Could work out but the risk is to high for my taste.

unless a team is willing to give the giants a killer trade. In their favor. I hope the giants stand strong & tell him to pound sand.

 

[shopson67]

Fishing with Joe Thomas?

As long as he isn't fishing with Cousins. Here, try on these new concrete Nikes....

 

[thedddd]

Whoever drafts him, deserves all the garbage they will get.

 

[Battlelyon]

Whoever drafts him, deserves all the garbage they will get.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Whoever drafts him, deserves all the garbage they will get.

Not very bright and must not be able to read. NFL agents make approximately 3% on a contract.

 

[Battlelyon]

Not very bright and must not be able to read. NFL agents make approximately 3% on a contract.

They do more than negotiate contract. It would be different if you were an established star.

 

[DJ Fieri]

They do more than negotiate contract. It would be different if you were an established star.

I understand....just replying to Pavia's 5-10% comment.