NFL Free Agency Positional Preview/Predictions: Wide Receiver
By Bo Martin
This year’s free agency period should be a good one. With top tier talent set to hit the market due to teams being so close to the salary cap, there will be quite a few individuals taking their talents other places. So I’m going to start a series that ranks players in their respective positions and predict what their future holds.
Today we’ll start the series by looking at one of the deepest positions in the Free Agent market, Wide Receiver.
Here we go.
#1- Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers-
Mike Wallace is most definitely an elite receiving talent in this league with his deep threat playmaking ability and sure hands. The issue here is that the Steelers aren’t exactly swimming in wealth and have a ton of holes to fill. Additionally, Antonio Brown has had a great season and might make this separation a little easier to deal with.
A team like Jacksonville would seem poised to make a bid for the restricted free agent, it would likely cost them their first round draft pick, but at 26 years old, Wallace could be a franchise receiver for 8 more years or so in Jacksonville.
Prediction: I think Wallace hits the road and Jacksonville has the money to take him away from Pittsburgh.
#2- Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs-
Bowe has been incredibly productive without a quarterback; imagine what he could do on a good team. The Chiefs are going to do everything that they can to maintain Bowe, who is clearly an elite balanced receiver. Bowe can be effective in just about every role and is very versatile in terms of types of receivers out there in the NFL and isn’t a talent you let go for nothing.
That being said, Bowe might just be ready for a change of scenery. Bowe could be easily attracted to someone like Tom Brady or Larry Fitzgerald. The deal is that teams have a legitimate need at WR with this pass happy league and teams will pay top dollar if the cap is right. The Patriots have to resign Wes Welker but you have to believe players would be willing to do some restructuring if it meant getting a legitimate #1 caliber WR for the next 10 years.
Prediction: Chalk up Bowe as a Patriot. Some have put Brandon Lloyd here but Bowe is superior talent and is significantly younger. The Patriots have some holes in the defense but this would allow the Patriots to look all defense in the draft.
#3- Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers
Jackson seems to make news every year about something or other. However, he is still an elite WR who can change games for Phillip Rivers and the Chargers. With all the question marks surrounding San Diego and it’s poor season, they need to retain Jackson. No question, no argument.
Prediction- Chargers… period.
#4- Stevie Johnson, WR, Bills
Stevie Johnson is a headache to me; on one hand you have a ridiculously talented game changer and on another you have a guy who has no respect for authority. Chan Gailey is a great coach in my opinion and to have a guy like Johnson who shows little regard to him is frustrating. That being said, Johnson is a great talent who can stretch the field and make catches in traffic. Coming out of practically no-where two years ago, it’s hard to imagine Stevie going elsewhere this offseason but there will be suitors.
The Bills and Johnson have been reported as exchanging offers and in some type of negotiating. I wouldn’t get too carried away with that though, they are probably still a bit apart and the Bills are going to make the smart deal here protecting the franchise from the over eccentric wide out.
Prediction: Johnson stays in Buffalo with a contract that allows the Bills an easy out.
#5- Marques Colston, WR, Saints
Here’s where it gets interesting; Colston is a receiver who many believe is a product of the Saints offense. A sure handed, good character guy, Colston will have a ton of calls and will be wise to consider them. Catching passes from Brees is asking to go into the Hall of Fame but the truth is that Colston is going to want fair money and the Saints have a lot to do this offseason. Carl Nicks and Drew Brees will likely take up all of the Saints money and that leaves Colston on the outside looking in.
I like Colston a lot and I think he would really fit in an offense with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers could use another option in the passing game and were really missing Braylon Edwards; Colston is young and a better option than most and will give the 49ers a potent offense to compliment their very dominant D.
Prediction: Colston will likely find himself a 49er. However, if Carl Nicks is overly tempted by Jerry Jones’ money than 100% Colston remains a Saint.
#6- Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
This guy seems to always be in the leagues tops in receptions and yards. I don’t have to do much explaining here. Welker is Brady’s favorite target and despite a tough Super Bowl, is very reliable.
Prediction: Wes wants to be a Patriot and will likely take less money to stay there.
#7- Brandon Lloyd, WR, Rams
Brandon Lloyd has been a tough case to crack. He’s productive but seems to be most productive under a Josh McDaniels offense. McDaniels is now in New England and a lot of people think Lloyd will go to New England. Count me as a person who thinks differently. The Rams need receivers and Lloyd probably won’t be overly expensive. I think that Fisher will convince Lloyd to stay in St. Louis unless they choose to look at more expensive options.
Prediction: St Louis.
#8- DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
I’m a Philly guy, coming from just north of the city, and I know what it means to be a Philly fan. Philly is a tough place to play if you’re going to be a distracting type player because we love to hate you, period. Now let me say this: if you do something to earn the respect of the city, we’ll always love you. (see Jim Thome) DeSean Jackson, once loved in Philly, has pissed off a lot of Eagles fans and you better believe that management recognizes that. He is a speedy receiver who has definitely turned himself into a superstar. However, all he has in his eyes is money signs and Andy Reid doesn’t like to spend tons of money on replaceable players and that’s exactly what Jackson is too the Eagles. Jeremiah Trotter tried leaving Philly once after demanding money and came back for a minimal contract the following year.
Jackson will garner plenty of interest in the offseason; unless the Eagles franchise him (which I doubt they will) Jackson is likely to find himself in a new location. I like him playing for a few teams, I think that San Diego could use a complimentary receiver like Jackson, St. Louis could use his game breaking ability, Tampa Bay could use some help at the position and Arizona needs a legitimate threat to stretch the field alongside Larry.
Prediction: Tough call, but I like to get crazy sometimes. Throw him into Arizona and see how that changes the Cards offense.
#9- Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts
Garcon has seen some success in Indy and has been really consistent. A slow start to the season but I think he’s still honing his craft. Alongside Collie I think that the Colts are in a good position to equip luck with some decent receivers around him.
Prediction: Stays in Indy
#10- Mario Manningham, WR, Giants
Manningham was everyone’s “sleeper” in 2011 but was upstaged by the emergence of Victor Cruz. Manningham is a good #2 receiver and will really upgrade any teams receiving corps with a great mix of speed and talent. I like Manningham in the future but the Giants just can’t afford to keep him at the salary he’ll want. If he can stay healthy he’ll be worth the money teams will offer him.
A team like San Diego could be interested here. They need a receiver to help take some of the pressure off of Vincent Jackson. You get a great receiver with loads of potential and help that offense a good bit; this is something that Norv should really look at.
Prediction: San Diego.
Next Positional Overview: Cornerback.