Free NFL Analytics Platform — A Directory of Our Hubs
StickToTheModel is a free NFL analytics platform organized around a few core hubs. Each hub is the home for a specific category of NFL coverage — pick the one that matches what you're looking for. No signup required.
Our Hubs
Mock Draft Simulator — The simulator hub. 7-round NFL mock drafts with trades, AI opponents, and instant grades.
NFL GM Simulator — The GM mode hub. Manage salary cap, cuts, trades, franchise tags, and the draft for any team.
2026 Draft Prospect Hub — Big board, scouting reports, combine measurables, and team visit tracker.
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Our platform offers data-driven NFL analysis with tools for draft preparation, fantasy football, and player research. All core features are free with daily updates during the NFL season.
The platform serves fantasy football players, NFL Draft enthusiasts, dynasty league managers, sports bettors, content creators, and casual fans exploring NFL statistics.
Sign-and-Trade: NFL Definition
A transaction where a team signs one of its own free agents to a new contract and then immediately trades them to another team, allowing the original team to receive compensation rather than losing the player for nothing.
Full Explanation
A sign-and-trade occurs when a player's current team re-signs them to a new contract with the explicit intention of immediately trading them to another team. This arrangement benefits all parties: the player gets a new deal (potentially structured more favorably than what the acquiring team could offer directly), the original team receives trade compensation instead of losing the player in free agency for nothing (or waiting for a compensatory pick), and the acquiring team gets the player they want.
Sign-and-trades are less common in the NFL than in the NBA because NFL free agency operates differently. However, they do occur, particularly when a team knows a player wants to leave and prefers to extract value rather than let them walk. The original team handles the contract signing, then trades the player with the new deal already in place.
The cap implications of a sign-and-trade are similar to any other trade. The acquiring team takes on the new contract's cap hit, while the original team avoids any long-term cap commitment. If a signing bonus is included, it typically stays with the acquiring team since the trade is executed essentially simultaneously with the signing.
Category: Trades & Transactions. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.