Let's talk players

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

Pierce= YES

Buck= If he wants to play, move him so he has a chance and maybe get something in return (we are going to need any young players we can get)

Can't we franchise DJ? If so, go that route.

Paye and Franklin, completely agree. Addition by subtraction with both.

DB's, if Ward plays, then it is worth keeping them all. We really need to be looking for Kenny's replacement. The other cadre of JAG's, agree, who cares.

Smith and Cross can go. Cross gets a lot of credit without his more than fair share of criticism.

Players not on the team:
We have a huge hole at linebacker. Pratt is our best backer and that's not a great thing to say. Trying to stay away from coaches- Lou to me is largely the same guy as Gus- and if he is still here, then we probably don't even try to upgrade the position because he doesn't seem to think LB's are even necessary. Regardless of what Lou thinks, we need better linebackers!

DL- man I don't even know what to say here. We have such a deficit on the edge it is sickening and with no draft picks to work with... no idea how we make any strides in this area.

Franchise tag for Jones is higher than I would pay him coming off injury.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

I would not be opposed to trading a valuable asset and two 2nd round picks for Maxx Crosby.

Well he is mighty pissed off at the Raiders that for sure

[Puck]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Franchise tag for Jones is higher than I would pay him coming off injury.

NO WAY we franchise tag him

From Grok

Key DetailsThis is the most commonly used non-exclusive franchise tag, which allows the player to negotiate with other teams but gives the tagging team the right to match any offer (or receive two first-round picks if they decline).
The projection reflects rising quarterback market values, with top contracts in 2025 featuring annual averages of $55–60 million (e.g., Dak Prescott at $60M AAV, several others at $55M).
For context, the 2025 quarterback franchise tag was $40.242 million (with the salary cap at $279.2 million). The increase to ~$46M aligns with ongoing cap growth and escalating QB salaries.

Note that exact 2026 tag numbers won't be official until the NFL announces the 2026 salary cap (typically in late winter/early spring 2026), but current projections consistently land around $46 million (sometimes cited as $46.1 million).Regarding Daniel Jones specifically: If his team (currently the Indianapolis Colts) were to consider tagging him in 2026, it would cost this projected amount, though his performance, injury history (e.g., recent Achilles tear), and contract negotiations could influence whether a tag or long-term deal is pursued.

[Oldcolt]

Nobody's going to offer Daniel Jones a contract that may cost them two first round draft picks. Especially when he is coming off Achilles surgery.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Looking ahead, we will see some roster turnover. I want to see where we all are on which players to retain and which to let walk. Please refrain from discussing coaches and front office people. We all know everyone's position on those.

I will start with some of the obvious ones:

1. We have to extend Pierce. He is our best WR.

2. I think Buckner retires.

3. Jones should be offered a reasonable 2-3 year contract.

4. Paye and Franklin need to go.

5. I like Ebukam and Gallimore. They should return

6.Our starting CBs should be kept. Ward, Sauce, Walley, and Moore should make a solid unit. I don't care if we keep Mitchell, Jones, et.al.

7. Braden Smith is replaceable.

8. Cross has to be re-signed.

9. The rest of the expiring contracts do not concern me.

10. Kicker should be interesting, with Grupe doing well and Schrader returning.

Thoughts on players?

Pierce needs to be resigned. Ideally trade Pittman to do it, since he's 29 and on the last year of his deal. I hope you're wrong about Buckner, I assume he will be back and his usual self. I think you can give DJ a similar contract to Baker/Darnold, I might even go with a 4 year deal. Cross is the only other player I would give starter money. Gallimore, Tyquan Lewis, and Germaine Pratt should be given decent offers. The rest can take something close to the minimum or leave.

In external free agency, Jaelan Phillips and Nakobe Dean would be my top targets. Phillips would provide a quality pass rusher across from Latu and Dean would be the best LB on this team since Leonard.

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish

I would not be opposed to trading a valuable asset and two 2nd round picks for Maxx Crosby.

I would consider trading Jonathan Taylor if it meant getting a bona fide pass rusher.

[Lov2fish]

Originally Posted by albany ed

I would consider trading Jonathan Taylor if it meant getting a bona fide pass rusher.

Raiders have a pretty good RB. I doubt they would want JT. I'm honestly not sure we have a player they would be interested in that we don't already have a need for ourselves.

Not sure why we always collapse at the end of the year. Team building? Scheme/Coaching? Combination of both? We either start off slow and catch on a little to late, or like this year, start well and fully implode. This team definitely has some deep rooted issues that need reset.

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

Nobody's going to offer Daniel Jones a contract that may cost them two first round draft picks. Especially when he is coming off Achilles surgery.

Are you talking about franchise tag on Jones? Before his injury, I was on record as saying I would franchise him instead of offering a long term contract. Since his injury, I would not franchise him. I'd offer him a 3 year contract with a very small signing bonus. Salary starts out not very large in year 1, much larger in year two and collossal in year 3. If he comes back strong, great. If he turns into the NY Giants version of DJ, he never gets the year 3 salary.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by albany ed

Are you talking about franchise tag on Jones? Before his injury, I was on record as saying I would franchise him instead of offering a long term contract. Since his injury, I would not franchise him. I'd offer him a 3 year contract with a very small signing bonus. Salary starts out not very large in year 1, much larger in year two and collossal in year 3. If he comes back strong, great. If he turns into the NY Giants version of DJ, he never gets the year 3 salary.

DJ hasn’t shown enough that I’d tie the team to him long term. He certainly played well most of the time, but we did see the Giants version as well with the turnovers and now injury. There is certainly not enough there to convince me he is the future. He’s also likely the best option at this point. They have to work out a deal that lets them out quickly. Something like the structure you suggest works.

[Puck]

Definitely not going to tag him. That would be around 46m.

I think they will let him test the waters and see what kind of offers and by which team he can sign. Colts could match or beat the offer or let him walk and get a comp pick from it. Which could be as high as a 3rd round pick depending on the amount of a contract