2012 NFL Free Agents: Role-Playing Receivers That Need to Remain with 2011 Teams

It's one thing to have that stud No. 1 receiver who is, to some extent, irreplaceable.

However, that player and the quarterback need role-playing No. 2 or slot receivers who are reliable on a consistent basis.

In other words, team chemistry is at risk when losing a player of such capability and it forces an offense to rework itself. Therefore, here's some of those targets that need not sign elsewhere this offseason.

Jerome Simpson, Bengals

With standout receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham, the Cincinnati Bengals have two of the better receiving targets at those positions for quarterback Andy Dalton.

Having Jerome Simpson, however, completes the puzzle and, if anything, only puts more emphasis on the prototypical NFL offense. Think dominant offenses such as the 49ers with Joe Montana or the Broncos with John Elway.

Each had two outstanding receivers and a reliable tight end. The same goes for the New York Giants of right now (technically had three stud receivers), who just happened to win the Super Bowl.

Cincinnati is well on its way in regards to becoming a complete offense, and retaining Simpson as the No. 2 receiver is vitally important. Last season he had 725 yards on 50 receptions and scored four touchdowns.

All of which were career-highs and his yards were second on the team to Green. With the proven ability to beat single coverage and occasionally draw double coverage, Simpson can continue his development out wide and help the Bengals win the AFC North.

Josh Morgan, 49ers

Although his 2011 season was cut short after just five games, there's a reason why the San Francisco 49ers didn't release Josh Morgan like they did Braylon Edwards.

Mainly because Morgan had played decently in the previous two seasons with 96 receptions for 1,225 yards and scoring five touchdowns. Not to mention the man will only be 27 years old before 2012 kicks off, and quarterback Alex Smith proved to develop quite well under Jim Harbaugh.

And with other promising receiving targets around him in Michael Crabtree, the vertical threat of Ted Ginn Jr. and the emergence of tight end Vernon Davis, Morgan will only develop to another level in 2012.

There's no doubt that the 49ers are still looking and needing that beastly No. 1 receiver; however, with a dominant defense and rushing offense, San Francisco can get the job done with Morgan and Crabtree leading the way.

After all, if Morgan's season is not shortened, who's to say that San Francisco doesn't win the NFC? Obviously we'll never know, but he definitely would have made the offense a lot more dangerous and tougher to slow down.

As for next fall, expect the 49ers to either draft or sign a stud No. 1 receiver, but don't discount the contributions needed from Morgan so they can be consistently effective.

Eddie Royal, Broncos

He's not going to be a vertical threat but he has the quickness, acceleration and top speed to beat single coverage and draw up safeties into the intermediate passing zones.

Denver's Eddie Royal has one of the most important roles in the Broncos' offense, because until Tim Tebow develops as a pocket passer (on a more consistent basis), Royal's ability to separate from defenders complements backyard football quite well.

Which, as we saw in 2011, was basically the Broncos' offense when Tebow was given the nod to start.

Elsewhere on Denver's offense there is a developing No. 1 receiver in Demaryius Thomas and a potentially reliable No. 2 guy in Eric Decker. Therefore, the slot belongs to Royal, and although his numbers aren't overly impressive, his presence alone benefits the Broncos.

In his rookie season of 2008, Royal caught 91 passes for 980 yards and scored five touchdowns.

Now, that was when Jay Cutler was under center and Mike Shanahan at head coach. Since, Royal's production has died down, but the beginning of 2011 had promise as did his postseason numbers (five catches for 75 yards, one touchdown).

Looking ahead to 2012, Royal must remain in the slot for Denver to keep improving offensively. Tebow needs quick receivers who can dart in multiple directions while doing work on broken plays.

Deion Branch, Patriots

Yes, Deion Branch is going to be 33 years old before the 2012 NFL season kicks off; however, the New England Patriots need him as much as he needs them.

For one, Branch can still beat single coverage on a reliable basis and be a great complement to Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Let's put it this way: Branch will never see double coverage and yet the man is a former Super Bowl MVP.

To that end, after Branch left for Seattle, the Patriots kept winning but didn't have nearly as much success when he first arrived. After Branch's first four seasons (2002 to 2005), New England tacked on two more Lombardi Trophies.

Now, Tom Brady and Co. did make it to the big show in 2007 and Branch didn't return until 2010. But, his production of 51 catches for 702 yards and five touchdowns in 2011, if anything, was proof that the Pats need him on any down and distance.

Heading into 2012, New England has an opportunity to be just as good, if not better, as two first-round picks lie ahead in April. With veteran leadership across the board and an improving defense, retaining Branch only makes the Patriots that much stronger and well-prepared.

John Rozum on Twitter.