NFL FREE AGENCY PREVIEW – PART II – SKILL POSITIONS

Wide Receiver

There are some very talented wide receivers available on this year’s free agent market. The group is led by 5-time pro bowler Wes Welker (118 Receptions, 1354 Yards, 6 TD’s), Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe (59 Receptions, 801 Yards, 3 TD’s),  Green Bay’s Greg Jennings (36 Receptions, 366 Yards, 4 TD’s), and Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace (64 Receptions, 836 Yards, 8 TD’s).

While the market is strong at the top, it is also relatively deep as well, with several productive players that could be available at a bargain price. That list includes Giants’ Domenik Hixon, the Rams Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson,, the Dolphins Brian Hartline, the Browns’ Mohammad Massaquoi, the Colts’ Donnie Avery, and the Saints Devery Henderson.

The other wild card in this class is Victor Cruz, a restricted Free Agent, who might make sense for a team drafting in the lower half of the first round who may want to add a game-breaking receiver to put them over the top.

Unfortunately for these receivers, the number of teams in need of starting wide receivers are relatively slim, and that doesn’t even take into account the fact that many teams prefer to fill this position through the draft. Nevertheless, teams such as the Jets, the Rams, the Chiefs, the Dolphins, the Vikings,  and Patriots all have needs at the position, and both Houston and Denver have money to spend and potential depth needs, and could also make a splash on the market.

Teams in Need of a Wide Receiver

New York Jets

St. Louis Rams

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Wide Receivers available

Wes Welker

Victor Cruz (RFA)

Dwayne Bowe

Greg Jennings

Mike Wallace

Donnie Avery

Mohammad Massaqoui

Domenik Hixon

Danny Amendola

Brian Hartline

Brandon Gibson

Devery Henderson

Prediction

New England Patriots – Victor Cruz

Houston Texans – Wes Welker

Minnesota Vikings – Mike Wallace

Kansas City Chiefs – Dwayne Bowe (Franchised)

Miami Dolphis – Brian Hartline (Re-Sign), Greg Jennings

New York Jets – Devery Henderson

St. Louis Rams – Danny Amendola (Re-Sign)