NFL Free Agency 2011: 15 Unrestricted Wide Receiver Options for Chicago Bears

With the lockout locked in again, everything is up in the air, including potential free agency. Not only do we not know when teams will be able to sign players, we don't know who will be restricted vs. unrestricted free agents.

Meanwhile, the Bears had a pretty successful draft overall, yet they did not draft a wideout. While they say they like their current crop of receivers, many Bears fans are clamoring for some fresh blood.

The Bears three main wide receivers last season—Earl Bennett, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox—are not, and may never be, true No. 1 wideouts.

Admittedly, improving the offensive line is a bigger need, and GM Jerry Angelo started that process by landing Gabe Carimi in the first round. But landing a No. 1 wide receiver—like potential free agents Vincent Jackson and Sidney Rice—ought to be pretty high on Angelo's wish list.

But as of now, those players will be restricted free agents, and I just don't see the Bears going that route. That said, let's focus on unrestricted free agents that won't cost the team anything in return.

Now, the new CBA, once agreed to and signed in blood, may alter the current rules governing free agency.

But for the purposes of this article, let's assume they are the same as they were in 2010, requiring six seasons of playing tenure to qualify as unrestricted. 

That puts the following 15 WRs in the mix as unrestricted free agents. Let's take a look at each one in alphabetical order.

Bear in mind that prior to 2010, players needed only four years of service to qualify as unrestricted. So, this list could grow if the new agreement restores that rule.

(Follow me on Twitter @bobwarja)

Mark Clayton, St. Louis Rams

Elsa/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 03: Mark Clayton #89 of the St. Louis Rams makes the catch as Kelly Jennings #21 of the Seattle Seahawks defends on October 3, 2010 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 20-3. (Photo by Elsa/Gett

The St. Louis Post Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas is saying that it is a virtual lock that Clayton re-signs with the Rams. Apparently, they were close to a new deal with Clayton before the lockout.

The ex-Raven totaled 23 catches for 306 yards in five games last season.

He doesn't have the height the Bears desire to offset the mainly short receivers the Bears currently have, and he's coming off of October surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.

This is one guy who likely won't be wearing the blue and orange of the Chicago Bears.

Michael Clayton, New York Giants

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Michael Clayton #83 of the New York Giants fires up the crowd prior to the opening kick off against the Washington Redskins on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by J

The Giants signed the former Tampa Bay Buc out of the CFL last season with both Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith sidelined.

Clayton caught only two passes, but he is intriguing due to his 6'4" frame. He hasn't been a starter since his 2004 rookie season when he caught 80 balls for 1,193 yards.

Clayton has never totalled even half that yardage since his rookie year, having been mainly a blocking specialist in Tampa.

This could be a low cost option for the Bears.

Terrance Copper, Kansas City Chiefs

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Terrance Copper #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball while stiff-arming Alterraun Verner #20 of the Tennessee Titans during the game on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by J

This 6-foot, 29-year-old receiver hasn't had much playing time, although he's been solid on special teams.

He's caught just 22 balls over the past three seasons, so it's difficult to know what, if anything, he could do to help the Bears.

Kevin Curtis, Kansas City Chiefs

Curtis turns 33 this summer, and the lockout is not a good thing for him. He needs a long look in training camp with another team to see if he can contribute anything at this point, and teams may not have that luxury.

Curtis has had a couple of nice seasons, the last being in 2007 with the Eagles, when he caught 77 balls for 1,110 yards.

But even if he proves he is healthy, I doubt the Bears would take a serious look at him.  

photo: www.arrowheadpride.com

Braylon Edwards, New York Jets

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets runs for yards after the catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24

According to the New York Daily News, Edwards wants to return to the Jets next season, and he may even be willing to take a little less money in order to do so. 

"It depends on what the discount is," the 28-year-old Edwards said, according to the paper. "I'm not aiming for the moon. I'm in a certain ballpark. If it's close, then let's do it...This is where I want to be. I don't want to go anywhere else and start over."

But the Jets have other free agents to deal with, especially Santonio Holmes, and the Bears did show interest in Edwards back in 2009.

Edwards has been the big play threat on an offense that is most explosive when the running game opens up the play action to him down the field.

Brian Finneran, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Brian Finneran #86 of the Atlanta Falcons against Richard Marshall #31 of the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Finneran is 35 with multiple knee injuries, and it's questionable what he has left in the tank.

Finneran certainly has the size the Bears crave, but he caught just 19 balls for 166 yards in 2010, and his career may be coming to an end.

Mike Furrey, Washington Redskins

Win McNamee/Getty Images

ASHBURN, VA - JULY 30: Wide receiver Mike Furrey #85 of the Washington Redskins catches a pass during drills on the second day of training camp July 30, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Furrey's career is over due to repeated concussions. He was named head football coach at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Ky.

Furrey spent a season with Mike Martz in Detroit in 2006, catching 98 balls as a slot receiver.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Baltimore Ravens

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch that did not count for a touchdown when he was pushed out of bounds by Leigh Torrence #24 of the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Ba

After expressing disappointment all year with his role, free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh now says he wants to re-sign with the Ravens.

He turns 34 in September and has lost his big play ability. He had only 30 receptions, with five drops in 2010.

But the Ravens are expected to move on, and he could be a possible candidate for the Bears to consider, if the price is right.

"Housh" caught 79 balls for almost 1,000 yards as recently as 2009, so he could still be of some help to the Bears.

Greg Lewis, Minnesota Vikings

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Greg Lewis #17 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Lewis is a 31-year-old career special teamer with poor speed and physicality.

Randy Moss, Tennessee Titans

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Randy Moss #84 of the Tennessee Titans has a touchdown pass called back for offensive pass interference against the Washington Redskins at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Redskins won 19-16 in overt

The Bears had a chance to make a play for Moss before and declined, so with his production taking a sharp downturn last season, I wouldn't expect the Bears to show any interest this summer.

The Titans placed the only waiver claim on Moss who was released after a catering incident in Minnesota. Like TO, he has burned many bridges. Some team could get a spark if they can relight his pilot, but it's just not worth the headache.

Santana Moss, Washington Redskins

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Wide receiver Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins makes a touchdown pass reception against Alan Ball #20 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Ge

If his contract demands are unreasonable, Washington will move on and Moss could become an option for the Bears.

Though he is only 5'10", which is the average height of the current crop of Bears receivers, Moss is one of the few unrestricted free agents with true playmaking ability.

Moss is said to have ties to Oakland and the Raiders are interested in him. But if the Bears come calling, Moss may listen.

Moss had 93 receptions for 1,115 yards in 2010, the fourth time in his career that he has surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in a season.

A two-year contract would make sense for Chicago.

Terrell Owens, Cincinnati Bengals

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Terell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass in front of Ryan Clark #25 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Im

As soon as Owens starts playing well, he unfortunately opens his mouth again.

Production for the 37-year-old TO surprised many this season, but by late season, he began blaming the coaching staff for its offensive struggles which many have reported will keep the Bengals from bringing him back.

The Bears should take a pass on TO. His next team will be the sixth different team in nine seasons.

Donte' Stallworth, Baltimore Ravens

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth #18 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball on a reverse against the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City,

The Ravens are placing a high priority on getting younger, faster and far more explosive at receiver, so Stallworth is not a high priority for Baltimore.

Would he make sense for the Bears? He's a situational deep threat at this point in his career, and the Bears already have that with Knox and Hester.

Stallworth had just two receptions in 2010 and has baggage, so the Bears will likely pass on him.

Brandon Stokley, Seattle Seahawks

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Brandon Stokley #15 of the Seattle Seahawks attempts to run after a catch as Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears attempts to tackle him in the first half in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16,

Bears fans know this guy—Stokley led the Seahawks with eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against the Bears in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

But he'll turn 35 in June, and the slot receiver will be lucky to find a roster spot in 2011.

Kelley Washington, San Diego Chargers

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Kelley Washington #87 of the San Diego Chargers is tackled after a reception by cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson #22 of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Den

A possible option for the Bears since he's 6'3" and at 31, a bit younger than some of the other unrestricted free agents.

He is a good special teamer, though he is likely nothing more than a fourth or fifth wideout at this point.