NFL Free-Agent Signings: Randy Moss and Other Recent WR Acquisitions

It's been one really busy free-agent period thus far, and we can only anticipate the madness to continue until the 2012 NFL draft.

Here, we look at the most notable free agent wide receiver acquisitions. And being that pro football is a pass-oriented league, the franchises making moves have good reasons for improving their passing game.

That said, here are some receivers we'll see in new uniforms next fall.

Brandon Marshall, Bears

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Chicago Bears acquired Brandon Marshall earlier on Tuesday.

For the Bears, this was a great move as it reunites Marshall with quarterback Jay Cutler. From 2006 through 2008, Marshall and Cutler were together in Denver.

There, both earned Pro Bowl selections in 2008, when Marshall caught a career-high 104 passes and Cutler set the Broncos' single-season passing record with 4,526 yards.

Chicago also needed to make this move as it was desperate for a stud No. 1 receiver. Whether it was Marshall or whoever, the Bears passing offense had no threatening receiver who could stretch the field.

Chicago ranked 26th in passing offense last season, averaging just 188.2 pass yards per game. This move also takes a lot of pressure off running back Matt Forte.

The Bears are now a two-dimensional offense that can stretch and widen a defense, while using the ground game to setup play-action. Look out for the Bears next fall, provided that they can remain healthy throughout the season.

Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Vincent Jackson is now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer.

This is a big move for Tampa Bay, because the Bucs were really in need of a No. 1 receiver, even moreso than the Chicago Bears or San Francisco 49ers. Tampa had the NFL's 16th ranked pass offense in 2011, but no standout target.

Both Mike Williams and tight end Kellen Winslow each had over 760 receiving yards, but they combined for just five touchdowns. Quarterback Josh Freeman was interception prone in getting picked off 22 times, while hitting just 16 touchdowns and finishing with a 74.6 rating.

Still, Freeman increased his yardage and set a career-high with just under 3,600. As for Jackson, he gained over 1,100 yards, scored nine touchdowns and caught 60 passes (the second-most in his career). Jackson also was selected to his second Pro Bowl in the past three seasons.

Now with Tampa, Jackson will be responsible for stretching the field and will have even more time to get open. Freeman is a rather mobile quarterback for his size, and has better accuracy than he is given credit for.

Jackson's addition will allow running back LeGarrette Blount to bowl or jump over fewer defenders in the box and become more consistent. With Williams as the No. 2 guy, Preston Parker in the slot (if he gets re-signed) and Winslow at tight end, watch out for Tampa next fall.

Lest we forget about the Bucs No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 draft as well.

Randy Moss, 49ers

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Randy Moss is a 49er:

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Moss' deal with San Francisco is worth $2.5 million, and he has incentives that could bring its value to more than $4 million, league sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

"

Although he's 35 years old, Moss is just what the 49ers needed—a deep threat.

Before Moss, San Francisco had provided Alex Smith with an abundance of No. 2 receivers such as Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn, Jr. and Braylon Edwards.

Now, heading into 2012, San Francisco has their two receiver set with Moss and Crabtree. Ginn can act as the No. 2 receiver on occasion, to move Crabtree to the slot, thus stretching out a defense even more.

And don't forget about tight end Vernon Davis, which provides a four-wide set and running back Frank Gore doing work on the ground. Smith has a complete set of legit targets to read when dropping back, so if there's a year where we should get frustrated by a lack of production, 2012 will be it.

It's also a great deal for Moss as San Francisco remains an NFC title contender.

Pierre Garcon, Redskins

The man made the announcement himself, which got the news snowball rolling. According to his twitter account, Pierre Garcon said that he was going to sign with the Washington Redskins.

Shortly thereafter, a deal was in place. And according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, Garcon is receiving $42.5 million over five years.

Considering that Garcon has never made a Pro Bowl and his best season came in 2011 with 947 yards on 70 receptions and six touchdowns—is he really worth over $40 million?

Without a doubt, Garcon will help improve the Redskins offense, and provided that Washington drafts Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III at No. 2 overall, our nation's capital will have one explosive offense.

However, Garcon is a reliable No. 2 or slot receiver, but not a No. 1 guy. It would be a different story if Garcon had four or five straight seasons with 1,000 or so yards and 70-plus receptions, but that's not the case.

Now, Garcon is under much more pressure to live up to those expectations and must do so with a rookie quarterback—that is, if Washington does draft RG3.

John Rozum on Twitter.