3/9 MON
(5:51amET)
Today
-- New Scouting Report
-- Debut of the Dynasty rankings 1.0 today is the plan. I got about 97% done late last night. Now I gotta plug in the Christmas light strands and make sure they light up correctly.
--Starting a new series, a Mock DRD...5-Rounds from each draft slot 1-12 with commentary. Slot #2 today...slot #1 series debut yesterday.
This Week’s Agenda…
-- Prospect grades by position and rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly for the next 6 months.
-- Wrapping up and auditing Dynasty rankings 1.0. Adding the top rookies with the latest info. Probably March 8-9 range debut (projected). IDP work begins after that.
-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.
-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.
-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.
-- My Jacksonville daily diary at the very end for me recording this journey for future reading/memory and sharing how things are going with everyone.
-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in later March/early April.
== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==
-- This is gonna be quite the week as free agency kicks off. So much will change in FF this week. Here’s a schedule/timeline of events this week...today will be crazy with deals announced but not official. Every day this week will be newsworthy every hour.
Here is the full breakdown of how free agency will unfold:
1. The "Legal Tampering" Window
Monday, March 9 – Wednesday, March 11
Starting at 12:00 PM ET on Monday, teams are allowed to contact and enter contract negotiations with the agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs).
- The Catch: You’ll hear reports of "agreements in principle" almost immediately, but no contracts can be signed until the new league year officially begins.
2. The Official Start (New League Year)
Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00 PM ET
This is the moment the floodgates truly open.
- Signings: Deals reached during the tampering window can finally be signed and made official.
- Trades: Teams can officially execute trades (like the reported blockbuster sending Maxx Crosby to the Ravens).
- Salary Cap: All 32 teams must be under the $301.2 million salary cap by this deadline.
-- TRADE: Buffalo Bills receive: DJ Moore (WR), 2026 5th-round pick (No. 164 overall)
Chicago Bears receive: 2026 2nd-round pick (No. 60 overall)
The more I look at this deal, the more I realize just how ‘bamboozled’ the Bills got in this deal in the big picture. You see what things were exchanged, and you might think ‘it’s solid’ for both teams. Maybe a Bills slight overpay...but the Bills need WR help. And the Bears have their reasons.
But did you know that ALL the DJM payroll shifts to the Bills? Buffalo will pay Moore $24.5M this season (all guaranteed), as the deal sits right now -- the 12th highest paid WR for 2026 season. 25% higher paid this year than Justin Jefferson (still about $10M less than #1 highest-paid, Chris Godwin...yikes). DJM is a solid NFL WR...he is not the 12th-best WR in the game, not even close. At times last season, I’m not sure he was the 12th best receiver on the Bears. Moore has way since peaked, as a WR, in the NFL...and is now surpassed in talent, and for sure in effort, by top rookies instantly.
After this season, it’s two more $24.5M seasons (2027 and 2028) but ‘only’ $15.5M is guaranteed in each season. Buffalo took on $54.5M in guaranteed money still owed to DJ Moore, no matter what. He’s an OK receiver and all, but I would NEVER pay him the amount of money.
If I were an NFL GM, like for the Bills in this instance, I’d wonder...why is a great offensive mind like Ben Johnson willing to part with DJM? Buffalo/Joe Brady was like ‘I worked with him 5+ years ago, it’ll be fine today to see him as one of the highest paid WRs in all of football. Who cares if he was the Bears 3rd/4th best WR last year in their offensive revival...it’s probably because Ben Johnson isn’t as smart as we (BUF) are!’
Good luck with that.
The Bears move to #12 in open CAP space off the DJM dump...and when they cut/trade Kmet and Swift, they will move up to (current) #10 in CAP space...they are getting in position to land Tyler Linderbaum. The Bradbury deal isn’t changing that, I don’t think.
This doesn’t hurt Buffalo’s starting lineup/WR group...it helps...but I would rather have Curtis Samuel or Josh Palmer, at their cost, compared to DJ Moore at his extreme overpayment.
DJM is gonna be a decent enough addition, perhaps...but at what cost? Buffalo taking on this big salary just sunk themselves to #32 in CAP space available...one of 6 teams with negative CAP space right now...and there’s not much to rid themselves of to make up for it. I’m sure a Josh Allen restructuring is coming to try to help...Dawson Knox may be sacrificed for CAP space. But this trade looks like Buffalo’s ‘big move’ for 2026...they’re simply outta bullets otherwise.
And the real last laugh would be the Bears adding Curtis Samuel for peanuts in free agency. It would be like the Bills just gave Chicago their 2nd-round pick and took on $50M+ in guaranteed payroll without any real change in WR talent exchanged! I think the Bears see Jahdae Walker as a better fit and effort and locker room guy than DJM these days.
-- QUOTES & QUOTABLES...
Adam Schefter (ESPN) on A.J. Brown: "The hurdle for an A.J. Brown trade isn't just the draft picks; it's the structure. I'm told the Patriots and Steelers are currently weighing Philly's demand for a high first-rounder plus a starting-caliber player, but the Bills may have bowed out after their recent move for D.J. Moore."
Bucky Brooks (NFLN) on Mike Washington (RB): "4.33 is flying. Washington just forced every scout to go back to the Arkansas tape. In a league that is starving for home-run hitters, he just made himself a lot of money."
Adam Schefter (ESPN) on the Salary Cap: "The $301.2 million cap is the fuel for the fire we're about to see. Teams that thought they were out of the 'big name' market suddenly have $20M+ in breathing room."
Jason La Canfora (Insider) on Anthony Richardson: "The trade value is currently at an all-time low. GMs are concerned about the injury resume and the lack of passing progression. He’s viewed as a project, not a plug-and-play starter for 2026."
Ian Rapoport (NFLN) on Dak Prescott: "The Cowboys have officially cleared $47 million in cap space following the contract restructures of Dak Prescott and Tyler Smith. They are making a massive move to be aggressive in free agency."
Ian Rapoport (NFLN) on Wan'Dale Robinson: "Keep an eye on the Titans. Brian Daboll is desperate to reunite with Wan'Dale in Nashville to give that offense some much-needed suddenness in the slot."
Mike Garafolo (NFLN) on Alec Ingold: "The Chargers are making Alec Ingold the league’s highest-paid fullback with a two-year, $7.5M deal. Jim Harbaugh is officially bringing 'power football' back to LA."
Adam Schefter (ESPN) on Kyler Murray: "The Jets are the favorites if Arizona moves Kyler. A trade would likely involve a 2026 second-rounder and a conditional 2027 pick."
Tom Pelissero (NFLN) on Ryan Kelly: "A massive void opens in Indy. The four-time Pro Bowl center has announced his retirement after 10 seasons. The Colts' O-line just lost its brain."
Injury & Medical Updates
Dr. David Chao (@ProFootballDoc) on George Kittle (TE): "Kittle’s Achilles repair was successful, but a 'proximal' tear for a 32-year-old tight end is a long road. Expect a slow start to 2026; he likely won't have his 'YAC-king' burst until November."
Jeff Mueller (@jmthrivept) on Cam Skattebo (RB): "The fibula fracture/dislocated ankle combo is brutal. Because it happened in late October, he has enough time to be 85% by Week 1, but his lateral cutting will be the last thing to return."
Dr. Jesse Morse (@DrJesseMorse) on Quinshon Judkins (RB): "The ankle ligament reconstruction from late December is the most concerning medical in the AFC North. Judkins relies on that violent jump-cut; don't expect 100% effectiveness until mid-season."
Dr. David Chao (@ProFootballDoc) on Sam LaPorta (TE): "Surgery for a herniated disc in the lumbar spine usually has a high success rate, but the 'moderate performance impact' for the first year is real. His bend and leverage in blocking will be tested early." Back: His surgery happened in late November 2025 for a herniated disc suffered against the Commanders. LaPorta spoke on it during locker clean-outs (Jan 2026), stating he hopes to be running by OTAs. The "red flag" here is the long-term impact of lumbar surgery on a tight end's blocking leverage.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Falcons) – ACL: This is the big one from the Combine. Penix is currently rehabbing a November 2025 ACL tear. GM Ian Cunningham confirmed last week (March 3) that he is "on track," but because this is the third tear of that same knee, medical experts are flagging a 12-month window for full lateral stability.
-- (same intro daily) The new ‘daily list’ item has to do with free agency. Free Agent DISRUPTORS...the most compelling free agents (to me) that where they sign will affect an NFL team and Fantasy Football immensely.
Each day, I’m going to list a DISRUPTOR player in free agency and add a note and a prediction where they are going. We’ll get 10+ players listed/profiled before the FA period opens. And I’ll rank them top to bottom most interesting/DISRUPTIVE to me, as we go along…
OC Tyler Linderbaum = He’s basically gonna choose between BAL and LAC, I think. NYG is lacking money, but they’ll try and figure something out. When Linderbaum has all teams interested to go ahead and match/try to beat the best offer...he’ll then just be picking/choosing where he wants to go at that point. He’s ‘getting paid’ no matter where he goes. In that case, I think he definitely wants to leave Lamar/the Ravens sinking ship and goes to/picks the Chargers for the weather and the title opportunity. *LAC is out of the Center market. So, now we look at the Bears (even with Bradbury added) or the highest bidder. I’ll now predict the Giants…just because Harbaugh wants to see the Ravens collapse without him.
RB Kenneth Walker = He’s gonna go to the highest bidder...this will be his one and only shot. He should tithe 10% of his new deal to Zach Charbonnet for getting hurt to allow this to happen. Who is willing to pay the most is up for debate...because this should be purely about money for Walker, or any FA RB right now. A pure dart throw guess: It will be a dumb team that overpays...and my pure guess is Tennessee with ARI or DEN possible. Teams like KC and JAX would like to be in, but it costs too much and they aren’t in great money positions right now.
QB Malik Willis = I really don’t think the market is that hot for Willis as it’s being portrayed -- there’s more heat after Mac Jones and Tyson Bagent. It’s probably Miami or bust for Willis...bust being CLE or NYJ. I think he signs with Miami...because Miami is ‘Miami’ always.
TE Isaiah Likely = Definitely not going back to Baltimore. I don't know why he'd go to the Giants where John Harbaugh never featured him, so I don't believe he's going to NYG at all. He’s going to the highest bidder...the team/franchise talent levels don’t matter as long as he is assured he is highly paid and told he’ll be the featured starter...but the key part is ‘and paid like it’. Likely has to cash this FA period in because he’s likely irrelevant in another 1-3 years with the talent flood at TE is just expanding like a balloon about to pop. Teams in the running: PHI, CIN, DEN, TB. My guess is: Cincinnati Bengals.
RB Tyler Allgeier = Arguably the best FA RB out there. I’m not sure how the NFL is going to go about this...will they offer him co-starter RB-duo money/roles or is there a team out there ready to go ’all-in’ on him as a lead. This has the makings of a ‘smart team’ written all over it...so I’d say the Bears (who will be dumping/trading Swift) or Jacksonville would be the ones to watch. The sleeper place, where he’d blow up/soar in the Dynasty rankings -- is signing with Arizona. People are ready/assuming on the Ken Walker big arrival and payday somewhere, but the general football world (not us reading this) don’t really think Allgeier is going to be paid like a top guy/gets a great deal/landing spot.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson = I think the Giants really want him back, but they will very likely lose out due to lack of CAP space and more desire to invest in defense and Brandon Beane is the worst GM at negotiations/recruitment and John Harbaugh has no recruiting ability, especially on offensive things...and has no personal connection to Wan’Dale, so I think he’ll bolt to the Titans, who are flushed with cash and he can reunite with Brian Daboll and be closer to his Kentucky roots. He would be set to be the Titans #1 WR potentially.
RB Rachaad White = Where he goes will be interesting, because where he goes signals a split backfield with White as the PPR ace in the duo. I don’t think anyone sees him as a full lead, but some will covet that pass game ability if they’ve been paying attention. Rachaad White’s best year came with Dave Canales at O-C, so I think that’s where he is headed (CAR) when no major opportunities for him to be a lead present themselves. Also, watch out for Seattle as a sleeper for this...Rachaad can be their Charbonnet for a year.
WR Alec Pierce = A surprising shove into free agency. Smart of Indy...one decent year is not worth a top of the market type deal. So, this has a ‘sucker’s play’ written all over it -- a middle tier WR gonna get paid like a top 10 WR...that’s what dumb teams and teams who cannot attract free agents naturally do -- overpay to get someone to go there. So, who is a dumb team, with a WR need, that has CAP space to burn? TEN and LV are in a prime position. I think Las Vegas or I think this a swerve where the Patriots bypass AJ Brown to get a more mentally stable WR like Pierce. Baltimore is another guess.
RB Travis Etienne = The FA RBs from 2025 got a rude awakening with how little appetite there was, payroll-wise, for their services...and no real starting roles for them to step into. I think many of the 2026 FA RBs are gonna get same rude awakening...and I think Etienne is one of them, but maybe someone dumb pays him big. I’d rather have K. Walker, Allgeier, Dowdle, Pacheco, Brian Robinson, Rachaad, Gainwell ahead of Etienne, personally. I think there’s a chance he puts his tail between his legs and begs back to Jacksonville on a 1–2-year deal to split with Tuten. If not back to JAX on a lesser deal, then a dumb team falls for this with a big offer...like Arizona.
OG Alijah Vera-Tucker = Injured/missed all of 2025 season (torn tricep). The Jets don’t appear to be interested in franchise tagging him. He was pretty good his past two seasons (2023-2024)...out hurt all 2025. He is good, but also injury prone -- ended up with season ending injuries the past 3 years...both biceps torn and an achilles. He’ll probably do a one year ‘prove it’ deal and many will try to sign him. LAC is for sure a team that will look at it, but TEN is probably the lead contender with Robert Saleh knowing him like he does. The Steelers are in play if Aaron Rodgers likes him. My early bet is he signs with TEN.
CB Jamel Dean = One of the best corners in the 2025 season. Injury issues are the issue. The team that goes in on him is going boom/bust. He could instantly change a defense positively...or be a L’Jarius Sneed injury bust (what happened to TEN). I wonder if the ex-Bucs guys will go after him...Liam Coen/JAC, Dave Canales/CAR. Not sure either needs to over invest in a CB though. I’m gonna go with the ex-Bucs guys in Las Vegas...Brady/Spytek.
-- RC Daily JAX Diary...
(same intro every day)
At the very end of RC’s NOTES, for the next 50-60 days...I will share my little diary of my time in Jacksonville (for those who don’t know) getting radiation treatment for my battle with prostate cancer that I am winning -- I am figuratively off to a big 1st-quarter lead and looking strong into the 2nd-quarter of this football game analogy/cancer battle...but just like the Packers-Bears playoff game...it’s not over ‘til it’s over/we got a ways to go.
I am keeping these daily notes so that I might look back over time at this odd, unplanned event in my life. 40 straight weekdays of radiation scheduled, weekends off, unknown side effects ahead...some short-term, with a somewhat scary risk of long-term effects. It’s gonna be a wild ride.
I’m trying to treat this like a vacation, of sorts. Some people save up for a special trip to Hawaii or a European excursion...I could care less about those things. I saved for a rainy day for my protection...and, well... https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxLdSXQWUapDe0CcQznO8Kuqzht631AnEz?si=MqnycTkzVD5mzPnF
(end of intro)
3/08/26, Day 43 in JAX
29 of 39 radiation treatments done so far. No radiation on weekends.
6 weeks down, 2 more to go.
This will be known as the day where...
I have no real news! What a relief.
Just a normal day crunching Dynasty projections. My wife left at 3am+ to drive home. My son left after we had breakfast. Then I barricaded myself in my room to work, sleep, did my laundry, and worked some more. A normal, quiet day is now a rare, journal-worthy event!
I’m just getting ready for today’s kickoff of my last 2 weeks/final 10 radiation treatments.
My daily food diary...
Day 43 food spend = $27
BREAKFAST = First Watch for $15 with my son.
LUNCH = skipped
DINNER = Chipotle Barbacoa burrito $12
Month #2 (through 15 days) = $345 total spend...now at $23.00 per day average.
43-day total food spend = $950...$22.09 per day average...we’re moving further away from the $20 per day budget!!
Month #1 closed. I have 56 days here total, so I am breaking it into two 28 day months/halves. Trying to keep it to $20 a day which I got all kinds of gift cards for it from family and friends during the holidays, etc., to cover approx. $20 a day.
*28-day month #1 of 2 here, final tally = Overbudget/goal by $44 total. Not bad.
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