Allen Hurns: Possible Landing Spots for Free Agent Receiver

Allen Hurns was reportedly on the track block in 2017 upon the arrival of Tom Coughlin, but the Jacksonville Jaguar chose to keep him.

However, after retaining Marqise Lee and signing Donte Moncrief it was felt they no longer had to retain his somewhat overpriced contract after two-straight years plagued by injury. Now the 26-year old is a free agent and likely to have a competitive market. Given the uncertainties surrounding this latest crop of NFL draft receivers, a veteran like Hurns becoming available so late in the process is big.

It’s never easy to predict where players like this end up signing but there are a certain number of teams that might make sense for him. Here is a short list of destinations to watch as Hurns begins his tour around the league.

Baltimore Ravens

Ozzie Newsome has a long track record of scooping up wide receivers cast out by other teams and turning them into productive pieces with the Ravens. He’s already hoping that will be the case for Michael Crabtree, but that move isn’t enough. They need more to ease the pressure on Joe Flacco. Adding the big 6’3″ Hurns to the mix might give them one of the more fascinating groups in the NFL. One that could easily flourish or crash and burn.

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck isn’t back yet but his return is imminent. The Colts are doing everything in their power to make sure he has weapons when that happens. They still have T.Y. Hilton but outside of him, the cupboard looks bare. There is hope that free agent Ryan Grant can help, but he has a reported ankle issue that’s worth monitoring. If Hurns would prefer to stay inside the NFC South division, a chance to play with Luck might reignite his career.

Arizona Cardinals

John Brown and Jaron Brown are both gone. Larry Fitzgerald remains and he’s the only viable option the Cardinals have. Not a good sign when 2018 looks like his final season. This team desperately needs new weapons at receiver for Sam Bradford, Mike Glennon or whoever ends up starting. Hurns grew up in warm climates, so this might be a favorable new home. He certainly wouldn’t have a hard time getting lots of targets.

Next: 2018 NFL Free Agency: The 10 Best Signings by Teams

Chicago Bears

This might not be a team people would consider given the Bears already spent heavily to get Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel in free agency. Except it’s for that reason they should be considered. Hurns and Robinson have been good friends since their early days in Jacksonville and have wanted to get back on the field together. Robinson even tweeted a hint to his friend about possibly reuniting in Chicago. That would be a shocking scoop, to say the least.