As the offseason begins to take shape, the discussion on
roster improvement and player movement is front and center. Teams will be
looking to shed salary on top of the players already listed as free agents. As
of today these are the top listed FA’s looking for new contracts. The Fantasy
Football impact is definitely real as players entertain staying with their
clubs or moving on to a new system. Exciting times are upon us, as teams begin
to re-tool and build for next season. It’s time to speculate!
Top Free Agent Wide Receivers:
Jarvis
Landry (MIA)
Age: 25
| 2017 Salary: $868,728 | FA Rank #1
2018 has the
potential to be one of the better free agent markets for wide receivers that
we’ve seen in quite some time. Headlining this year’s crop is super star
talent, former LSU Tiger - Jarvis Landry. Anyone that doesn’t appreciate what
Landry has accomplished in his four years under mediocre Quarterback play
simply isn’t paying attention. Landry amassed an astonishing 400 receptions for
over 4000 yards and 22 touchdowns in South Florida while never missing a game
for the Dolphins! Landry has become one of the most productive wide receivers
in the game and yet continues to be under appreciated by most because majority
of his snaps come from the slot. Landry is a gifted player that took his game
to a new level achieving career highs in both receptions and touchdowns in
2017. Slot receivers never get the dues they deserve as most believe this
position can be filled quite easily mirroring similar production. In Landry’s
case, he is fully deserving of a new lucrative deal which will more than likely
push him out of South Beach into a new area code. Playing with Ryan Tannehill
for his entire career hasn’t hindered his production but surely might have left
opportunities on the field. Producing with the likes of Jay Cutler proves
Landry can lift any Quarterback to another level.
Looking
ahead to the 2018 offseason, Landry should have quite a few suitors calling his
agent as we’ve been witness to the messy divorce happening between him and the
Dolphins brain trust. It’s difficult to predict where Landry would like to
play, but ADF has a hunch he will sell out for the money and rightfully so.
Earning less than nine hundred thousand dollars in 2017, Landry is justified to
chase a pay-day closing out his rookie contract. It’s scary to think what
Landry could do with an elite level Quarterback throwing him the ball. The first
team that comes to mind is the San Francisco 49ers! They have big dollars under
the cap to play with, and a newly anointed franchise Quarterback oozing
potential. ADF could easily predict Landry wearing the 49er gold next season.
Other viable destinations that may push for Landry’s services are; Cleveland,
Buffalo, Oakland, Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans.
Sammy
Watkins (LAR)
Age: 24
| 2017 Salary: $4,982,901 | FA Rank #2
So much hype
and potential coming out of the 2014 NFL draft was the hot-shot star from
Clemson, Sammy Watkins. The Buffalo Bills took a enormous chance trading up to
the 4th overall selection mortgaging some of their future for the
dynamic talent. Watkins has been quite the disappointment since entering the
NFL as his tenure has been filled with injury and inconsistent play. Missing 12
games in his career, 11 of those with the Bills, made him expendable in Buffalo
under new brain trust Brandon Beane. He shipped Watkins to the Rams in exchange
for a player and picks. Playing with the upstart LA Rams and high potential of
second year Quarterback Jared Goff, Sammy was prime to finally prove he was
worth the price of admission. Sadly, Watkins didn’t show up and the criticism
from fans and experts are beginning to get louder. Producing eight touchdowns
was the lone bright spot for the season as his other statistics didn’t come
close to what ADF once believed he was capable of.
There’s no
question Sammy is a great talent that has all the ability to become a top
flight receiver in the NFL. The issue at hand is if he’s truly capable of
putting it all together while his team leans on him as their number one target.
Watkins has expressed his desire to return to the West Coast and resume his
career with the Rams. If indeed the feeling is mutual, Sammy would likely
receive a contract offer similar to the likes of his rookie deal. If money
drives Watkins decision this offseason, there would be teams willing to take a
shot at his potential in hopes it generates positive results. Teams other than
the Rams that may have interest in Watkins are; Miami, Baltimore, Oakland,
Dallas.
Allen
Robinson (JAX)
Age: 24
| 2017 Salary: $877,718 | FA Rank #3
Coming off a
lost season to a torn ACL, Robinson more than likely has played his last down
in a Jaguar uniform. Jacksonville has discovered a plethora of talent at the
wide receiver position with Dede Westbrook and Keelan Cole to man the position
next season. 2015 was Robinson’s best season in the NFL as he posted top
receiving numbers rivaling the best in the league. His stat line read; 80
receptions, 1400 yards, 14 touchdowns, followed up with a let-down season in
2016 where his stat line read; 73 receptions, 883 yards, 6 touchdowns. Allen
definitely has the ability to produce in this league at a high level as he has
proven during his rookie contract. With the Jaguars looking to continue
improving their roster, there is a possibility he returns on a light deal with
shorter term to prove his worth it post knee injury.
Teams will
be looking hard at Robinson as he would generate good value at the position
where no team would over pay for a WR coming off a major knee injury. So long
as the price is right, it’s very possible the 49ers could get into the mix on
Allen’s services. The New York Giants strike ADF as a great landing spot for
the talented receiver also. Playing with the likes of Odell Beckham Jr, would
open things up for both talented play makers. Washington could also make a run
at another wide receiver free agent as the Terrelle Pryor experiment went
horribly wrong.
Jordan
Matthews (BUF)
Age: 25
| 2017 Salary: $1,237,317 | FA Rank #4
Jordan
Matthews found himself in a situation last offseason where the Eagles weren’t
interested in paying for his production as his contract was coming for renewal
(in 2018). Instead, they shipped Matthews and a third round pick to the Buffalo
Bills in exchange for Ronald Darby. Playing in Buffalo with a very limited
passing game, Matthews saw the worst numbers of his career, horrible timing for
a contract year. Giving up what they did to gain the rights for Matthews, it’s
difficult to picture the Bills allowing Jordan to walk out the door and not
keeping him at a cap friendly deal. Matthews is a talented receiver coming out
of the slot that is a great mismatch for most defenders. The biggest question
mark for Jordan and his potential return to Buffalo, is, who would reside under
center moving forward?
Matthews will
have plenty of teams interested in his services if the Bills choose to move in
a different direction. Baltimore would be a perfect landing spot for Matthews
as they indeed plan to move on from Mike Wallace and his inflated contract.
Indianapolis would make a lot of sense teamed up with Andrew Luck and TY Hilton
as potential new hire Head Coach Josh McDaniels would employ a short pass game
similar to the plan in New England.
Paul
Richardson (SEA)
Age: 25
| 2017 Salary: $1,178,209 | FA Rank #5
Paul
Richardson is one of the most intriguing free agent wide receivers in the class
this year. Coming off his best season as a pro, Richardson didn’t put up
monster numbers but made some spectacular plays. Richardson is a tricky player
at this point in his career as he hasn’t been used in a way that would suggest
he deserves a big pay day, but definitely should get a raise and a different
address for next season. Richardson did prove he has great ability when given
the opportunity. There is a chance the Seahawks offer Paul a new deal keeping
him in Seattle for the foreseeable future.
Paul could
house the most value in the free agent class for what he’s able to do on the
field, and what he’s willing to sign for with whatever club he chooses.
Secondary wide receivers like Richardson are an attractive commodity and he
should have most team’s general manager’s calling his agent.
Marqise
Lee (JAX)
Age: 26
| 2017 Salary: $1,293,506 | FA Rank #6
Another
receiver that places himself in the secondary type category is former USC star
Marqise Lee. Never topping more than 850 yards in any season, Lee had major
hype coming out of college which never fully panned out. Lee has average route
running ability, decent hands, and will not blow past most defensive backs in
the league. Lee could very well turn into a viable productive slot receiver
provided he is in the correct situation. Lee will never become a receiver that
will change games alone, but teamed with a true number one target, and being
with a great quarterback situation, Marqise could be a valuable piece to a
puzzle.
More than
likely Lee’s agents will try and sell his talents on a high note, but that
won’t take them far. Lee should look for a squad with a good quarterback and no
real threat of competition at the slot position. Indianapolis, Tennessee,
Kansas City, Dallas, Green Bay (if the release Cobb), Carolina, all come to
mind for potential landing spots for Lee.
Danny
Amendola (NE)
Age: 32
| 2017 Salary: $1,700,000 | FA Rank #7
At age 32,
it’s difficult to see Danny Amendola receiving a contract the likes of the one
the Patriots gave him years ago. Amendola seems to have found a home in New
England as he was amenable to restructure his contract for the 2017 season to
remain a Patriot as winning seems to be the most important thing to Danny. With
Edelman going down for the season, Danny has taken on a bigger role in this
offense matching some of his best numbers in his career. Amendola may have
provided his best sales pitch of the year as his performance in the AFC
Championship game might have gotten him a renewal deal with Bill Belichick this
offseason! Danny is a decent talent and is used perfectly within the Patriots
system. ADF won’t be surprised if Amendola is re-signed in New England on
another team friendly deal to continue their winning ways.
Mike
Wallace (BAL)
Age:
31 | 2017 Salary: $5,750,000 | FA Rank #8
The former
speedster playmaker now at the age of 31 may be running out of options on big
money deals for the remainder of his career. Wallace still has ability to
produce in the NFL but in a secondary role at a much reduced cost. Wallace
still will be pushing to generate top dollar on the open market and will have
to find a club in desperate need of a wide receiver. With the talent pool
extremely large in this free agent class and the potential for big names to be
released from their current clubs, Wallace might have to eat crow this year
signing another short term deal. Mike still possesses the ability to stretch
the field and might be more valuable with a primary target across the field
from him. A lot of youth fills this free agent receiver class so Wallace may
have to take what he can get. Its clear Mike is still looking for the big pay
day so his situation will be interesting.
Teams that
should show interest at the right price would include; NY Jets, Kansas City,
Oakland, Washington, Chicago (might over pay), Seattle, Arizona.
Donte
Moncrief (IND)
Age: 24
| 2017 Salary: $702,130 | FA Rank #9
The issue
with Moncrief isn’t his potential and proven ability, but rather his inability
to stay on the field these last two seasons. Missing 11 games over the last two
years should have teams raising red flags on his durability. Donte has never
produced anything above and beyond to suggest he is a top flight receiver in
the NFL, but ADF believes a change of scenery might do him some good. Still at
age 24, Moncrief has a lot of upside as a productive number 2 WR, provided he
can stay healthy. Donte won’t generate a deal that will blow peoples socks off,
but should improve the totals given from his rookie deal. It’s very difficult
to envision a return to the Colts in 2018. A lot of teams will be looking for
this type of player as he does have value at the right price. He will have
options as any team could be calling.
Terrelle
Pryor (WAS)
Age: 28
| 2017 Salary: $6,000,000 | FA Rank #10
Pegged the
biggest free agent sign bust of the 2017 season, is former quarterback turned
receiver, Terrelle Pryor! Everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong for
Pryor this season - as he wasn’t able to understand the playbook, run the full
complement of routes from the tree, and finished off with a season ending
injury placing him on injured reserve. The rumor mill has it that a potential
reunion with believer Hue Jackson could bring Pryor back to Cleveland. With the
recent hire of former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, recreating an
offense similar to what Pittsburgh ran would fit the bill. Already having Josh
Gordon on the roster (looking to have beaten his addictions), adding a true
deep threat on simple routes in Pryor could be a match made in heaven. With Corey
Coleman manning the slot, and the Browns holding the 1st and 4th
overall picks in the upcoming draft, the potential to add a top flight
quarterback and running back (Saquon Barkley), the Browns could turn things
around quick. It’s tough to envision Terrelle gaining much traction with any
other team as the best situation could be back in Cleveland.
Potential Value Wide Receivers:
Taylor
Gabriel (ATL)
Ryan Grant
(WAS)
Albert
Wilson (KC)
Kendall
Wright (CHI)
Brice Butler
(DAL)
De’Anthony
Thomas (KC)
Deonte
Thompson (BUF)
Jordy Nelson (GB)*
Randall Cobb (GB)*
Michael Crabtree (OAK)*
Kelvin Benjamin (BUF)*
*High probability
these players could be released by their current teams this offseason to support
their salary cap.
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