2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
By: Matt Harmon
High-end starters
None
Good starters
1) DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 27 *signed with Redskins*
2) Eric Decker, Denver Broncos. Age: 27 *signed with Jets*
3) Julian Edelman, New England Patriots. Age: 28 *re-signed with Patriots*
Solid Contributors
1) Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 26 *re-signed with Eagles*
2) Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 26 *signed with Lions*
3) Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants. Age: 26 *signed with the Colts*
4) Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 25 (RFA) *tendered by Seahawks (2nd round)*
5) Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers. Age: 33 *re-signed with 49ers*
6) Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 26 *re-signed with Eagles*
7) Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers. Age: 27 *signed with Broncos*
8) James Jones, Green Bay Packers. Age: 30 *signed with Raiders*
9) Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals. Age: 26 *signed with Redskins*
10) Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 27
Role players
1) Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Age: 34 *signed with Ravens*
2) Santonio Holmes, New York Jets. Age: 30
3) Jerricho Cotchery, Pittsburgh Steelers. Age: 32 *signed with Panthers*
4) Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears. Age: 26
5) Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints. Age: 30 *signed with Steelers*
6) Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions. Age: 32 *signed with Browns*
7) Jason Avant, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 30 *signed with Panthers*
8) Andrew Hawkins, Cincinnati Bengals. Age: 28 *signed by Browns*
9) Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys. Age: 29
10) Tedd Ginn, Carolina Panthers. Age: 29 *signed with Cardinals*
11) Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs. Age: 26 *signed with Titans*
12) Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 28 *re-signed with Vikings*
13) Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 30 *re-signed with Ravens*
14) Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers. Age: 27 *signed with Patriots*
15) Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers. Age: 28 *signed with Giants*
16) Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints. Age: 29
17) Josh Morgan, Washington Redskins. Age: 29
18) Austin Collie, New England Patriots. Age: 28
19) Devin Hester, Chicago Bears. Age: 31 *signed with Falcons*
20) Trindon Holliday, Denver Broncos. Age: 28 *signed with the Giants*
Diamond in the Rough
1) Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans. Age: 25 *signed with Rams*
2) Damian Williams, Tennessee Titans. Age: 26
3) Andre Caldwell, Denver Broncos. Age: 29 *re-signed with Broncos*
4) Danario Alexander, San Diego Chargers. Age: 26
QB--RB--FB--WR--TE--OT--OG--C--Int. DL--Edge Plyr.--LB--CB--S--K/P
High-end starters
None
Good starters
1) DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 27 *signed with Redskins*
- The Eagles released one of the most explosive players in the NFL because of his bloated salary and off the field decisions. DeSean Jackson is still a very good player, and coming off his best professional season. He doesn't profile as a traditional number one wide receiver, and isn't worth paying $10 million or more per season. He is a unique and dynamic weapon who would improve any offense, provided he doesn't have to carry it.
2) Eric Decker, Denver Broncos. Age: 27 *signed with Jets*
- No, Eric Decker is not a high-end starter. He is a good player in his own right, but his monster numbers are a product of the offense he plays in. Unless he gives Denver a big hometown discount, he will not likely return. Some other team is going to foolishly give him number one receiver money.
3) Julian Edelman, New England Patriots. Age: 28 *re-signed with Patriots*
- Eldeman was excellent as Tom Brady’s top option in the passing game. He gave the Patriots similar output to what Wes Welker did, plus a few more big plays. Would he be as dynamic outside of New England? Maybe not. Nevertheless, he will at least be a productive slot receiver. His own price range is the biggest concern.
Solid Contributors
1) Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 26 *re-signed with Eagles*
- On talent alone, Jeremy Maclin should be a tier above this one, as he belongs in a higher tier. However, he tore an ACL very early on in training camp, and never played in 2013. The Eagles might be inclined to keep fellow free agent, Riley Cooper over him. Maclin would be a great addition on any other team. For the money, he will probably be the best free agent wide receiver signee.
2) Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 26 *signed with Lions*
- Tate had a nice year as the Seahawks number one receiver. Unfortunately, he is still a rather inefficient player and should not be a number one target elsewhere. He can be a fine complimentary piece to a passing game, but that’s it.
3) Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants. Age: 26 *signed with the Colts*
- Hakeem Nicks is in the same boat as Maclin. However, he struggled last season amidst injury issues. Nicks also may have been holding back because he was in his contract year. If he comes cheap because of a substandard 2013 season, he could be a steal.
4) Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 25 (RFA) *tendered by Seahawks (2nd round)*
- He might be a hidden gem in the free agent class. Baldwin did a lot of what the Seahawks expected Percy Harvin to do for them. Given he is a restricted free agent, he likely remains in Seattle on a very high tender. If the Seahawks make Baldwin available for trade, some teams should be very interested.
5) Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers. Age: 33 *re-signed with 49ers*
- Boldin showed he still has plenty left in the tank. The 49ers relied on the veteran receiver, and he rewarded them. Given his advanced age, he probably only goes to a contending team. Still, he would be a valuable addition. The argument could easily be made that he belongs much higher on this list.
6) Riley Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 26 *re-signed with Eagles*
- Riley Cooper had some monstrous games this season, but he also tailed off late. Cooper seems like a great fit in Chip Kelly’s offense, and returning to Philly is probably his best bet. People seem to forget how athletically gifted Cooper is. Someone could be willing to pay big for him.
7) Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers. Age: 27 *signed with Broncos*
- Sanders never established himself as a consistent starter for Pittsburgh. He is very likely playing somewhere else next season. His skill set only fits a few teams, but he could be a nice signing for very modest money.
8) James Jones, Green Bay Packers. Age: 30 *signed with Raiders*
- Might this finally be the end for James Jones in Green Bay? Many assumed him gone last time his contract expired, until Aaron Rodgers publicly lobbied for him. With so many other young players at his position, it feels like a certainty he is out. He could be a nice upgrade for some team.
9) Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals. Age: 26 *signed with Redskins*
- Andre Roberts fell off a bit this season. In the past he was a pretty productive slot receiver. Bruce Arians did not seem to find much use for him in his offense. Maybe another coach can better utilize his talents. Probably my favorite potential signing on the receiver free agent market.
10) Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks. Age: 27
- He's been around the block, but since Sidney Rice came into the league at such a young age, he should have tread left on his tires. Unfortunately, with all the injuries, he has the body of a much older man. Rice will be a good reclamation project on a one-year deal for some receiver needy team. Even if his speed and separation ability is compromised, his jump ball skills should help him retain some value.
Role players
1) Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Age: 34 *signed with Ravens*
- An end of an era in Charlotte, as the Carolina Panthers have released the best player in franchise history. In reality Steve Smith will be missed more as an icon than for what he brought to the field on Sundays. He can still be a piece of a passing game, but there is not much left here. Smith's speed really evaporated quickly last season.
2) Santonio Holmes, New York Jets. Age: 30
- It's hard to say exactly what Santonio Holmes is at this point. He has extreme talent, but also has injury issues. Holmes also has had his fair share of personal problems as well. It isn't out of the question that he goes to a team with a better quarterback and produces.
3) Jerricho Cotchery, Pittsburgh Steelers. Age: 32 *signed with Panthers*
- Cotchery made a surprisingly big impact for the Steelers this season. His ten touchdowns showed he is still proficient in the red zone. He is aging, but still has a place in the league.
4) Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears. Age: 26
- He had some productive years with the Bears, but Earl Bennett fell out of favor this year. He isn't anything special, but he can provide decent production from the slot receiver position.
5) Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints. Age: 30 *signed with Steelers*
- The Saints slot receiver had a rough go of it last season, but has been a solid player for a long time. Lance Moore could be in the midst of a decline, or it could have just been an off year due to injury. Its not out of the question Moore rebounds as a productive slot receiver on a new team next year.
6) Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions. Age: 32 *signed with Browns*
- He was an easy cut for the Lions to make due to his inflated salary, but Burleson can still contribute on Sundays. He missed a lot of time with a pizza related broken arm, but played solid football when available. Burleson can be a number three receiver somewhere next season.
7) Jason Avant, Philadelphia Eagles. Age: 30 *signed with Panthers*
- Far from a prolific offensive weapon, Jason Avant was a nice slot receiver for the Eagles for many years. Avant has actually become a bit overrated by fans, due to the enormous media attention his team receives. His performance has begun to drop off in recent years. Maybe he can be a third receiver for for a team next season, but even that might be a stretch.
8) Andrew Hawkins, Cincinnati Bengals. Age: 28 *signed by Browns*
- Hawkins was injured to begin this season, and never recovered his footing. When healthy, the diminutive receiver can provide a nice option from the slot. Given the wealth of talent on Cincinnati’s offense, he might be best moving on. Imagine what he could do with a creative offensive mind.
9) Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys. Age: 29
- The former undrafted free agent had some very good years, but Miles Austin might be broken down. His health situation is very tenuous and he might very well be done.
10) Tedd Ginn, Carolina Panthers. Age: 29 *signed with Cardinals*
- The former first round bust had a few pretty impressive outings with the Panthers. Of course, that was mixed in with his usual bouts of drops and disappearances. Bringing him back on another cheap one-year deal would be a wise move for Carolina.
11) Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs. Age: 26 *signed with Titans*
- McCluster was a Pro Bowl returner, but has never turned into a dynamic offensive weapon. He can give you a few productive moments, but that’s about it.
12) Jerome Simpson, Minnesota Vikings. Age: 28 *re-signed with Vikings*
- Simpson actually spent the first part of this season stuffing the stat sheet. Not surprisingly, he began to fade as the year wore on.
13) Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens. Age: 30 *re-signed with Ravens*
- Jacoby Jones proved unable to be a consistent number two receiver for the Ravens. Still, he is fine piece on offense and a good returner.
14) Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers. Age: 27 *signed with Patriots*
- LaFell is young, and it is probably the only reason he makes this list. He has never developed, and does not do anything particularly well. There is not much to see here.
15) Mario Manningham, San Francisco 49ers. Age: 28 *signed with Giants*
- Manningham has had tough luck with injuries, but he is still a decent player. A number three receiver that is just fine when he remains in that role.
16) Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints. Age: 29
- Meachem shouldn’t even think about leaving New Orleans. It did not work last time at all. He is an inconsistent deep threat, but nothing more.
17) Josh Morgan, Washington Redskins. Age: 29
- Morgan was a total bust in Washington. His best attribute is as a blocker; that should tell you all you need to know.
18) Austin Collie, New England Patriots. Age: 28
- Collie bounced off and on the Patriots roster all season. He used to be a very good slot receiver, before a myriad of concussion issues. Perhaps there is still something to be mined here.
19) Devin Hester, Chicago Bears. Age: 31 *signed with Falcons*
- Hester is a legendary return man, but is not the same game breaker he once was. He is also no longer a factor on offense at all.
20) Trindon Holliday, Denver Broncos. Age: 28 *signed with the Giants*
- Another non-factor on offense. It also does not help the Broncos do not even seem to trust him on returns. His future has to be in question.
Diamond in the Rough
1) Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans. Age: 25 *signed with Rams*
- The ultimate reclamation project. Britt is extremely talented, but hasn’t been able to stay out of trouble, or the trainer’s room. If he goes to the right situation, Britt could easily become an All-Pro type of receiver. However, he could just as easily be cut in this year’s training camp. He is worth a look for a contending team with depth.
2) Damian Williams, Tennessee Titans. Age: 26
- Williams never really caught fire in Tennessee, but there is some talent here. He is a bit inconsistent and injury prone. Williams also is not flashy in any particular regard. Perhaps he can shine in a new home with a better quarterback.
3) Andre Caldwell, Denver Broncos. Age: 29 *re-signed with Broncos*
- Caldwell shined when given the chance in the Peyton Manning offense. He still has all the talent to be a very good slot receiver. If Eric Decker moves on, he would be wise to return to Denver. If not, he could make an impact for another team.
4) Danario Alexander, San Diego Chargers. Age: 26
- He has probably used up his nine lives, but there might still be something here. He has big time talent, but is incredibly fragile. Bring him on your tem, but do not count on him in any way.
QB--RB--FB--WR--TE--OT--OG--C--Int. DL--Edge Plyr.--LB--CB--S--K/P
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