NFL Free Agency 2011: Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker Could Help These 7 Teams
When a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached, and the NFL Lockout is over, Mike Sims-Walker will hit free agency with a bang.
With Mike Sims-Walker officially leaving Jacksonville, according to his tweet posted earlier this month, many teams will be on the prowl for this talented receiver.
Sims-Walker emerged as a huge weapon for David Garrard in the 2009 season, however, his numbers dropped off significantly in 2010.
The Florida Times-Union ran a story early in March, where Sims-Walker advised that he was limited due to an ankle sprain that bothered him for much of the 2010 season, which could have limited his production.
Injury or not, Sims-Walker will be looking to burst back onto the scene in 2011 with a big year, in a new uniform.
Matt Faulconer is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist for the NFL and the Washington Redskins. He has served as an intern for the site as well. He also contributes his writings on the North Carolina Tar Heels to the fan site, TarHeelCoalition.com. He has had articles featured on partner sites such as Philly.com (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
You can reach Matt Faulconer by e-mail at matt.faulconer.br@gmail.com with any questions and concerns.
7. New England Patriots
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The Patriots don't need a receiver as badly as some of the other teams on this list, but they could certainly use a receiver who is a true No. 1.
Deion Branch and Wes Welker were both effective receivers for the Patriots last season, and adding Sims-Walker to the mix would increase their productivity.
While it is a luxury to be able to play a receiver as talented as Welker in the slot, he is certainly most comfortable there.
Currently, the Patriots do not have a receiver who is capable of lining up opposite of Branch when Welker is in the slot.
If the Patriots found a way to add Sims-Walker to the mix, they would have that luxury of putting Welker back to his natural position.
The Patriots are not generally big spenders in free agency, so this dream scenario may be a bit far-fetched.
If the Patriots opt not to spend big money at the receiver position, they could look at adding a veteran player in Chad Ochocinco (who is spending his offseason on the soccer field).
6. Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins don't really need Sims-Walker as much as they think they do, but they have to make the list simply due to his tweet stating his interest in pulling a LeBron James and heading to South Beach.
The Dolphins currently have Brandon Marshall as the main target of their passing game, and are not desperate to add a receiver opposite of him.
Davone Bess, currently the second receiver on the team, has improved in all three of his seasons in the NFL. He had over 800 receiving yards this past season, and added five touchdowns.
Bess is certainly an adequate second receiver, and the Dolphins could look to add a third receiver in what is a somewhat deep draft at the receiver position.
The Dolphins have bigger needs on the offensive side of the ball, as both their running backs and quarterbacks struggled mightily last season.
5. Atlanta Falcons
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The Falcons have one of the best receivers in the game in Roddy White. However, they don't have much around him at the receiver position.
Michael Jenkins is one of those receivers that has been on the verge of breaking out for the Falcons, but has never found a way to get over the top.
Jenkins has had over 500 yards receiving each of the last four seasons.
His biggest problem is his inability to stay on the football field, as he has struggled with injuries in each of those seasons. He has failed to start more than nine games for the Falcons in three of those four seasons.
Sims-Walker has also struggled with injuries during a couple of points in his career. However, when healthy, he is a serious threat, especially if he were lined up across from White.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals will definitely be one of the teams in the market for a wide receiver when the lockout ends.
Marvin Lewis appears to be running Chad Ochocinco out of town, and Carson Palmer would rather retire than play another game in Cincinnati.
The Bengals will need an impact receiver next season with their Batman (Terrell Owens) and Robin (Chad Ochocinco) duo on the move, especially if they end up with a rookie quarterback as their starter.
The Bengals should pursue Sims-Walker, but the problem will be convincing him to come to Cincinnati.
With the way players seem to be begging to get out of Cincinnati, it will likely be difficult to convince free agents that this team is heading in the right direction.
If Cincinnati can somehow convince Sims-Walker that things are on the up and up, with a heavyweight contract, Sims-Walker could be wearing orange and black next season.
3. Baltimore Ravens
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The Baltimore Ravens have a group of old, aging receivers outside of Anquan Boldin.
It seems that the Ravens have been looking to revamp their receiving corps for years and have consistently been unsuccessful.
Trading for Boldin was the start, and acquiring Mike Sims-Walker may be exactly what the doctor ordered.
With Derrick Mason and T.J. Houshmandzadeh way past their prime, and Donte Stallworth failing to make an impact last season, the Ravens will certainly need to acquire someone this offseason.
The Ravens could look to acquire a slot receiver in the second or third round of the NFL Draft, and then swoop up Sims-Walker after the lockout is resolved.
If winning a Super Bowl is Sims-Walker's biggest factor in deciding a team, the Ravens will certainly be at the top of his wish list.
2. Washington Redskins
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The Redskins don't have many players signed at the receiver position at this point in time, as their only impact player currently on the roster is Anthony Armstrong.
Santana Moss will be testing the free agent market, and could take his talents elsewhere. Translation: Santana Moss may be tired of playing on a bad football team.
If Moss does decide to go elsewhere, the Redskins will have a huge hole to fill at the receiver position.
Sims-Walker may find it difficult to join the Redskins, for the same reasons that he may find it hard to join the Bengals. However, with Dan Snyder at the helm, Sims-Walker might be seeing dollar signs in Washington.
It seems that the overspending slowed down last year under Shanahan and Bruce Allen, however, it remains to be seen if that trend will continue in the future.
If the Redskins are looking to sure up the receiver position sooner rather than later, they may look to draft Julio Jones or A.J. Green when they come up with the tenth pick in April's draft.
1. St. Louis Rams
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It is no secret that the Rams are going to be in the market for any and every receiver available once the lockout ends.
The Rams may also be looking for a receiver in the draft, however, if they want to secure Julio Jones or A.J. Green, they will likely have to trade up five to six picks.
If the Rams decide they do not want to trade up for one of those two receivers, they will look to fill that need with an elite receiver in free agency.
Sims-Walker would certainly be one of the receivers that they would pursue, and he would likely come at a lower price than a guy like Sidney Rice.
Sam Bradford is an emerging star in this league, and the Rams defense has shown steady improvement under Steve Spagnuolo.
The chance to join a team that is on the rise may be very tempting for Sims-Walker.
Another perk for Sims-Walker would be the ability to learn under one of the best young offensive minds in the NFL in Josh McDaniels.
While McDaniels may be one of the worst personnel guys in the NFL, he was able to turn Brandon Lloyd and Kyle Orton into legitimate threats in Denver.
In the end, the money and the situation will be right for Sims-Walker to join forces with Sam Bradford.
In his first season in St. Louis, Sims-Walker will have the chance to win a division crown for the first time in his NFL career.
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