Mike Kaye’s take: 2026 NFL free agency predictions

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

Leo Chenal would be my top target for us this offseason.

Think he fits the defense really well, he’s tight with Turk, and would be the much needed proven boost at LB that we need.

Very underrated player IMO.

https://arrowheadaddict.com/these-comps-show-why-leo-chenal-sneaky-free-agent-value-01kdxtjgpeca

[MHS831]

 

This exchange was my first thought.  And then you could add that Simmons was put on the PS in November to give us depth at LB--called up, and played STs.  What did they see to start calling him a S?  Did Evero learn from the Chinn music (see what I did there?).  The plot thickens.

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

I had the same thought, and then wondered if he would be a project or situationally, a good fit in the system.  Regardless, there have been CBs convert to S later in their careers, but they were successful CBs for the most part.  Are there sets (or a set) that is right for his skill set?  I suppose the point is--he would be cheap and worth his salary on special teams, so if he can play a role on the defense in the capacity of a S in some alignments or situations, maybe.  Would he be more feared in the deep third that Scott?  (example). I dunno--why I brought it up.  Wanted to hear what folks think.  I agree, but at 6-4 and running a 4.4, man, there has to be more for him.  Maybe the game has slowed down and he sees the field better.  At least he would be depth, but if and when the light ever comes on...

Simmons has never been successful at anything in the NFL. He is true blue bust.

Keep in mind as both a LB and S in his career he is allowing a 100.9 QB rating in his career. He gets picked on in pass coverage when he is on the field. This is fairly similar to the much maligned Nick Scott's career QB rating 

He can be a deep reserve for us and a potential special teams ace. Hey, everyone needs backups and having them that are also great special teamers is a huge boost.

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

 

This exchange was my first thought.  And then you could add that Simmons was put on the PS in November to give us depth at LB--called up, and played STs.  What did they see to start calling him a S?  Did Evero learn from the Chinn music (see what I did there?).  The plot thickens.

I have seen little indication of Evero learning much. He seems to be a guy that believes in his system thoroughly, for better or worse.

[MHS831]

15 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Simmons has never been successful at anything in the NFL. He is true blue bust.

Keep in mind as both a LB and S in his career he is allowing a 100.9 QB rating in his career. He gets picked on in pass coverage when he is on the field. This is fairly similar to the much maligned Nick Scott's career QB rating 

He can be a deep reserve for us and a potential special teams ace. Hey, everyone needs backups and having them that are also great special teamers is a huge boost.

I knew to suggest that the 8th overall pick in a draft would have some hidden talent or ability is far fetched--

[kungfoodude]

Just now, MHS831 said:

I knew to suggest that the 8th overall pick in a draft would have some hidden talent or ability is far fetched--

It's been 6 seasons and an eventual waiving mid-season. Some of these guys just don't pan out.

You should be very familiar with this phenomenon as a Panthers fan and especially one in the Tepper era.

[electro's horse]

Serious question: does anyone like Mike Kaye?

Doesn’t really seem like he brings much to the table. 

[theinstrumental]

25 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

This is valid. Evero doesn't seem very creative in terms of utilizing talent. He does a lot more of square pegs in round holes than he does creating ways to get the most out of his talent.

Idk, Moehrig plays close to the line and blitzes well pretty often. He had 14 TFL’s and 3 sacks. China is on his third team in three years, and I don’t know if he lit up the world for the Raiders. Don’t know if we can say he’s going to hold back every interesting player.  

[PanthersNCSU]

12 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

Serious question: does anyone like Mike Kaye?

Doesn’t really seem like he brings much to the table. 

I'm fine with Kaye, the young beat writer is the one I can't stand. If you ever want to stab yourself in the ears, listen to the Processing Blue podcast, where neither have charisma, but the young guy works in a lot of "Yo's" and says cool kid things like "mad crazy" and "that's tight". 

[LinvilleGorge]

46 minutes ago, theinstrumental said:

Idk, Moehrig plays close to the line and blitzes well pretty often. He had 14 TFL’s and 3 sacks. China is on his third team in three years, and I don’t know if he lit up the world for the Raiders. Don’t know if we can say he’s going to hold back every interesting player.  

I don't think he's holding back every interesting player but I also can't say that he's doing anything particularly innovative to unlock potential talent. Moehrig arrived as an accomplished proven pro that we PAID. He wasn't some diamond in the rough.

I think most NFL coaches can field good units if given the right pieces to fit their systems. What separates the truly good coaches is that they can tweak their systems to best fit their talent. I just don't see that flexibility from Evero. He very much seems like a "muh system" type of coach and he's going to try to shoehorn his talent into predetermined roles.

[electro's horse]

38 minutes ago, PanthersNCSU said:

I'm fine with Kaye, the young beat writer is the one I can't stand. If you ever want to stab yourself in the ears, listen to the Processing Blue podcast, where neither have charisma, but the young guy works in a lot of "Yo's" and says cool kid things like "mad crazy" and "that's tight". 

I don’t “listen” to “podcasts”

[strato]

39 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't think he's holding back every interesting player but I also can't say that he's doing anything particularly innovative to unlock potential talent. Moehrig arrived as an accomplished proven pro that we PAID. He wasn't some diamond in the rough.

I think he is doing pretty good with using Moehrig in multiple roles. 
I am fairly patient until my mind is totally made up then I am just stubborn. I do like to cut slack where I think it is warranted.  
The offensive and defensive cap numbers belie the disparity in assets allocated to Evero compared to the offense. 

As bad as they were last season, I couldn’t fault anyone. Raising this defense out of poverty was more that a one year job. This was just the first year, so… leeway from me. It hurts not having a tight D but the reality is what it is. 
 He has not been given a first rounder yet. Until this year, no second rounder. They took Burns (which I agreed with basically) but gave him little in return and diverted the booty in picks and cap to the OL basically. They just flat pillaged his pantry and cut off his SNAP. 
 

I would feel that way about any DC it just happens to be him. 
 

I believe Dan is committed to raising the floor over on that side and expect a few things will be addressed. Losing Icky puts a bit of a damper on how much he can do, but the will is there. IMO. 

Edited 11 minutes ago by strato

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, strato said:

I think he is doing pretty good with using Moehrig in multiple roles. 
I am fairly patient until my mind is totally made up then I am just stubborn. I do like to cut slack where I think it is warranted.  
The offensive and defensive cap numbers belie the disparity in assets allocated to Evero compared to the offense. 

As bad as they were last season, I couldn’t fault anyone. Raising this defense out of poverty was more that a one year job. This was just the first year, so… leeway from me. It hurts not having a tight D but the reality is what it is. 
 He has not been give a first rounder yet. Until this year, no second rounder. They took Burns (which I agreed with basically) but gave him little in return and diverted the booty in picks and cap to the OL basically. They just flat pillaged his pantry and cut off his SNAP. 
 

I would feel that way about any DC it just happens to be him. 
 

I believe Dan is committed to raising the floor over on that side and expect a few things will be addressed, losing Icky puts a bit of a damper on how much he can do, but the will is there. IMO. 

My biggest issue with Evero is how consistent he is with playing soft in key situations. We suck on 3rd and long and in key late game scenarios because everyone knows he's going to call off the dogs and sit back in soft zone coverage. You can't be that predictable in this league. If the other team knows what you're going to do in certain situations you're cooked.

[strato]

9 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

My biggest issue with Evero is how consistent he is with playing soft in key situations. We suck on 3rd and long and in key late game scenarios because everyone knows he's going to call off the dogs and sit back in soft zone coverage. You can't be that predictable in this league. If the other team knows what you're going to do in certain situations you're cooked.

I don’t disagree but like with my opinion of Bryce what limitations he puts on the offense, and my strong suspicion that the playbook is thinner because of him, and the ripple effect that has overall, I don’t think Evero has been given the tools to make things work much better. Princely’s opinions notwithstanding. 

Now, this 3rd down poo? Very disappointing. A good bit does fall on the players.  
 

The poor tackling is a concern as well, I hate watching that stuff. Position coaches have some responsibility there too. And granted that is his cross to bear in that he put them in place and allowed the lack of attention to those details to exist. But how hard is it it to fuging wrap up?  I would fine players for the shoulder tackles. I hate that. 
 

Before I send to the trash heap, I want to give it one more draft and FA. 

Edited just now by strato