NFL Free Agents 2012: Projecting the 5 Most Likely Destinations for Reggie Wayne

Veteran Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne is a free agent this offseason, and that leaves the option open for Wayne to bolt from the only franchise he's ever known after 11 highly productive seasons. 

The following five teams are among the most likely destinations for Wayne this offseason:

New England Patriots

Even before Pro Football Talk reported that Wayne would be open to playing for the Patriots, I thought this could be a logical fit. New England needs a savvy receiver that can stretch the field vertically. Wayne fits that profile.

And while the Patriots offense has been tough to grasp for some lately, Wayne is well-versed in playing in complicated schemes from his time with Peyton Manning in Indy. At a fair market price, the Patriots could get real value here in Wayne.    

Indianapolis Colts

Despite the Colts' rebuilding project, Wayne wants to stay in Indianapolis. How bad is yet to be seen. But if the Colts do choose to pick Andrew Luck No. 1 overall and start over on offense, Wayne could be a valuable piece in helping Luck learn the ropes.

And no matter how good Luck is during his rookie year, he needs talented people to throw the football to. Wayne could get back to putting up big numbers with a talented Luck or healthy Manning in Indianapolis. 

Chicago Bears

Few teams need a No. 1 receiver as badly as the Bears. They swung and missed on a veteran free agent last offseason, but Wayne is a significant improvement over Roy Williams. 

If the Bears did sign Wayne, it would accomplish a couple of things. First, it would give Jay Cutler his first real receiving threat since joining the Bears. But it would also allow the Bears to use a first-round pick on the offensive line without losing the chance to get a No. 1 receiver.

Houston Texans

The Texans might be a dark-horse team this offseason in acquiring a receiver.

Andre Johnson is one of the best in the business, but the depth chart lacks production behind him. Adding Wayne would give the Texans a legitimate No. 2 option without throwing all the pressure on Wayne to hold down the receiving corps of a team.

I can't imagine Matt Schaub, who is returning from a season-ending injury in 2011, would mind having Wayne in red and blue next season.  

San Francisco 49ers

I love this fit for both parties. Not only do the 49ers need a veteran presence at receiver—the Braylon Edwards experiment crashed and burned—but Wayne would be joining an elite team with Super Bowl aspirations.

It's a fit that almost too much sense.