Plaxico Burress Watch: Five Potential Suitors

With Plaxico Burress's trial postponed, it's looking more and more like he may have a shot at playing this year.

While a possible NFL suspension could still be in the works, it's time to start looking at all possible venues outside of the New York Giants.

Burress is still a fantastic red-zone threat and deep threat, so many teams will at least ponder how much the risk of bringing him on is worth.

Here's a look at the likely suitors for Burress if he is indeed able to play in 2009.

5. Baltimore Ravens

This is the type of move the Ravens may need to make (even though they won't) to get past Pittsburgh and have a shot against New England.

Burress would give them a consistent elite threat, while taking attention off of Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton.

An average receiving corps would suddenly be solid with the addition of Burress.

Verdict: They could entertain the idea, but ultimately, no.

4. Cleveland Browns

Whether or not Braylon Edwards is sticking around in Cleveland, whoever winds up playing quarterback can use all the weapons they can get.

Eric Mangini knows risk when he sees it. After all, he brought in Brett Favre last season.

Still, passing up Burress when they only have one proven (albeit unreliable) receiver would be foolish.

Verdict: The door remains open.

3. Chicago Bears

It's extremely unlikely Jay Cutler gets his wish and sees his buddy Brandon Marshall lining out wide, but stranger things have happened.

Still, until Plax signs elsewhere or the Bears swing a big trade, the possibility is there.

The Bears still like Devin Hester and their young crop of receiving prospects, but after going for it all with the Cutler trade, why stop there?

Verdict: Cutler was just the start. Getting Burress could be the final piece of the puzzle.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay is an interesting situation. It's clear, through recent reports, that both Burress and the Buccaneers front office have mutual interest, and outside of the Jets, Tampa Bay remains the most likely landing spot for the former Giants star.

The Buccaneers, strangely enough, already have an impact receiver in Antonio Bryant, who actually plays a lot like Burress. However, having two explosive deep threats never hurt anyone.

Adding Burress to a team with Bryant, Kellen Winslow, and Derrick Ward may help put any quarterback worries to rest. That is, unless Brian Griese is the starting quarterback.

Verdict: Tampa Bay is still only choice numero dos.

1. New York Jets

The Jets have been in and out as reportedly being interested in Plax, as they should be.

Outside of Jerricho Cotchery, they have very little that resembles an offensive threat at receiver, and Cotchery is stretching it a bit as a legit No. 1.

Burress would see a drop-off from Eli Manning to either Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez, but at least he'd still be in the Big Apple.

Any way the Jets spin it, I'm not convinced they feel totally comfortable going into 2009 with Mark Sanchez throwing to sub-par targets like Chansi Stuckey and Brad Smith.

Verdict: Despite conflicting reports, this still remains a likely destination.

Others with interest

6. Dallas Cowboys—Just how confident are they are in Roy Williams?

7. Miami Dolphins—Are they really set with Ted Ginn and a mess of mediocre wideouts?

8. San Francisco 49ers—With a rookie almost guaranteed one starting spot, will they turn to Plax for some certainty?

9. Minnesota Vikings—Favre could use a weapon if (when) he returns.

10. Denver Broncos—If Brandon Marshall is out, who better to replace him?