NFL Free Agents 2012: Destinations for Top Free-Agent Receivers

This NFL offseason could see a large number of excellent wide receivers hit the open market, making for one of the more interesting free-agency periods in recent memory.

So which players will stay, which will go and what team will end up signing them?

Let's take a look in the crystal ball and find out.

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

Destination: Indianapolis Colts

Reason: I think Peyton Manning will be sticking around and will lobby for the team to keep Wayne. And his agent would be wise to advise him to re-up in Indianapolis and avoid hitting an open market that could potentially be flooded with talented—and younger—receivers than Wayne. 

Even if Wayne hits the market, I don't think he'll like what he sees. Expect him to return.

Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Destination: New England

Reason: Why would the Patriots let Tom Brady's most reliable target walk, and why wouldn't Welker want to return?

They really are perfect together, even if the Patriots simply slap the franchise tag on him.

Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers

Destination: Washington Redskins

Reason: Word on the street is that the Chargers are unlikely to use the franchise tag on Jackson, and will try to sign him to a long-term deal. But if that's the case, it's hard to fathom that Jackson—who held out looking for a new contract before the 2010 season—won't test the free-agent waters.

I fully believe the Skins will do what it takes to draft Robert Griffin III this year, and will want a reliable target for the young quarterback.

Jackson will come at a high cost, but paired with Griffin will turn one of the NFL's most boring offenses into one to watch in 2012.

DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles

Destination: Philadelphia

Reason: Despite Jackson being benched for a game this year and admittedly allowing his contract situation to become a distraction, Jackson apologized at the end of the season for his behavior, said he would be willing accept the franchise tag and seems genuinely interested in returning to the Eagles.

Wouldn't you love it if you could accept a one-year, $9.4 million salary for receiving the franchise tag at your job?

The Eagles would be wise to bring the speedy receiver back—his big-play capability forces teams to account for him over-the-top in coverage and opens up the middle of the field for players like Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant and Brent Celek.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Destination: St. Louis

Reason: Two quotes from Kansas City's general manager, Scott Pioli, should worry Chiefs fans (via Patrick Allen of Arrowhead Addict):

"

The first quote comes from an interview with Mitch Hothes on KCChiefs.com. While talking with Mitch about Crennel’s hire, the subject of re-signing the team’s own free agents came up.

“The players that are going to be free agents, again it takes two to be married,” said Pioli. “It takes the player wanting to be here and us wanting to retain the player and a lot of these contract decisions are at different stages depending on the player and the situation.”

"

And:

"

It is hard to speculate when the GM didn’t mention any players by name. Yet, yesterday morning while doing an interview on 810 WHB’s Border Patrol.

“These are guys that are key components of the past and hopefully the future,” said Pioli. “They’re players we have a great deal of respect for. We’re going to try to continue to talk to those guys and, again, it’s a matter of what those players want to do with us as well.”

"

Bowe isn't Kansas City's only free-agent-to-be, as talented cornerback Brandon Carr is also set to hit the open market.

But my guess is that the Chiefs will be more interested in returning the cornerback than Bowe, and a team that desperately needs help for Sam Bradford in St. Louis will sign the talented wide receiver to a big deal.

If the Rams stay put at No. 2, I expect them to select offensive tackle Matt Kalil from USC to protect Bradford's blind side and address wide receiver concerns through free agency.

Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

Destination: Jacksonville Jaguars

Reason: Colston has already said that he won't be giving the Saints a hometown discount this offseason, and the franchise tag will likely be used on Drew Brees.

If that's the case and Colston hits the open market, it's hard to imagine the Saints getting in a bidding war and paying a huge sum for the receiver with so many other weapons already in hand.

And the Jaguars, fearful that they could miss out on the two top prospects at wide receiver—Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery—by the time they pick with the seventh selection in the first round, will swoop in and pay Colston to help Blaine Gabbert and the abysmal Jaguar receiving corps.

Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills

Destination: Buffalo Bills

Reason: Bills' general manager Buddy Nix has already stated that re-signing the young receiver is one of the team's top priorities this offseason. 

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