NFL News

[Mainevent]

He said he’s only playing for 1 more year. I don’t expect him to sign for like Zeitler money, but he’s not going to demand a big multi-year deal. You can manipulate a 1 year deal pretty easy if you want to.

[froot loops]

He said he only wanted to play for Philly or Detroit. Money does talk so who knows. He was still pretty good last year, maybe an option if they can't afford to retain CD.

[DanO]

Slay is getting a little long in the tooth but he's still good. I'd take him on a cap friendly deal.

[Coop]

I'll agree. He'll fill in the void if we can't get Davis back. Holmes likes to do alot of 1 year deals, so the fit is there I think if the money is right.

[Mainevent]

Good breakdown of the pluses and minuses of bringing Slay. Didn’t realize his % of man coverage had dropped down quite that much. But the overall assessment is good to have but as a complement to adding a frontline starter.

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/3/4/24377330/nfl-free-agency-should-detroit-lions-sign-darius-slay-eagles

[DanO]

I agree with the compliment role.

[Blue Lagoon58]

To be clear, I'm assuming we can't afford to bring CDIII back(he's my 1st choice), and Slay would be awesome as a mentor to Terrion & company.

[Mainevent]

Barnwell at ESPN did his breakdown of FAs and where he thinks guys fit in. For CB, he had CDIII in tier 3 (only Byron Murphy and Charvarious Ward in Tier 2) with a bunch of other guys. I tend to lump CD3 and DJ Reed both a bit higher than the rest of this list. But it's a deep vet CB market, and that could keep the prices down. I still think he probably gets the top end of this range, but maybe the Lions can get him back for a bit less.

Tier 3: Capable starters


Free agents: Paulson Adebo, Saints; Carlton Davis III, Lions; Rasul Douglas, Bills; Kristian Fulton, Chargers; Stephon Gilmore, Vikings; Donte Jackson, Steelers; D.J. Reed, Jets; Asante Samuel Jr., Chargers; Darius Slay, Eagles

Potential cap casualties: Jaire Alexander, Packers; Jamel Dean, Buccaneers; Marshon Lattimore, Commanders

The cornerback market has stayed relatively flat, if not slightly declined, over the past decade (after adjusting for the rise of the salary cap). Just three corners have signed multiyear contracts with average annual salaries worth more than 10% of the cap in that span, a figure that would amount to about $28 million per year now. Even Pat Surtain II's market-resetting deal came in at only $24 million per season, surprisingly low for a superstar corner with no obvious flaws.

One of those three corners was Jalen Ramsey, who is no longer on that deal he signed with the Rams. The other two are potential cap casualties in Alexander and Lattimore. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst's focus on youth and Alexander's inability to stay healthy have made the $36.6 million he's owed over the next two seasons look like a burden. And while the Commanders traded three picks to acquire Lattimore in November, the 28-year-old couldn't stay healthy and struggled down the stretch.

At a position in which salaries were steadily rising, Alexander getting $18.3 million per season and Lattimore being on the books for $16.2 million over the next two years wouldn't be onerous. But with the current stagnant corner market, those figures seem surprisingly high. Lattimore and Alexander are fourth and sixth, respectively, in cash owed to cornerbacks in 2025. Their teams might think they can better use that money elsewhere.

There should be meaningful markets for Adebo and Samuel, but injuries will impact their deals. Adebo was allowing a 71.9 passer rating in coverage before he broke his leg in October. And Samuel was off to a solid start in Los Angeles before the 2021 second-round pick suffered a stinger in practice, ending his season after four games. Teams will need to lean on medical reports to help inform their aggressiveness in targeting Adebo and Samuel, but their upside as starting-caliber cornerbacks still entering their primes should keep teams interested.

Average annual salary projection: $9 million to $14 million

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/44054925/2025-nfl-free-agency-best-players-available-defense-contract-tiers-market-barnwell

[Mainevent]

News starting to pick up:

- Jonah Jackson to the Bears for a 6th.

- Barkley gets 2 year/$41M extension

- Davante Adams cut by Jets

- Osa Odighizywa gets 4 yr/$80M deal from the Cowboys.

[froot loops]

I wouldn't rule out CD, if they were extend him, they can push out the existing dead money on the cap.

[Mainevent]

Jamal Williams released by the Saints.

[Tom]

Hopefully Jackson is ineffective with the Bears.