NFL Free Agency 2012: San Francisco 49ers' 5 Remaining Options at Wide Receiver

Day one of the 2012 NFL free agency showcased a veritable feeding frenzy on available wide receivers.

The San Francisco 49ers, as expected, did not participate.

General manager Trent Baalke simply isn’t the man to overspend on marquee players the instant they become obtainable.

Instead, he allows the overzealous front-office personnel of other NFL franchises to make inordinate, and often-desperate financial commitments to said players.

While many opponents of Baalke’s conservative style criticize him as being overly tentative, he understands that the draft is the primary means for developing an NFL team. Free agency is merely a means of augmenting it.

Well, don’t mention that to other GMs.

I’ll now review all of Tuesday’s major WR signings then move on to the remaining receivers available for the 49ers.

NFL-Tainment

The Saints began the frenzy by unveiling their retaining of Marques Colston for five years and $40 million ($19 million in guarantees).

Dan Snyder’s Washington Redskins did not fail to disappoint as always with the enormous five-year, $42.5 million contract given to Pierre Garcon (and to a lesser extent, signed former Niner Josh Morgan to a five-year, $12 million deal with $7.5 guaranteed).

As a surprise to many who projected he’d follow Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne re-signed with the Colts for a three-year deal worth a max of $17.5 million. 

Continuing on, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the biggest splash by signing arguably the most coveted WR in Vincent Jackson (five years, $55 million with $13 million in each of first two years). 

Finally, the Chargers locked up Jackson’s replacement with former Saint Robert Meachem for a four-year, $25.9 million contract ($14 million guaranteed). 

And while not qualifying as a free-agent signing, the Bears acquired Brandon Marshall from the Dolphins in exchange for two third-round draft picks. 

For Baalke and the Niners, the wide receiver free-agent cupboard is rather bleak heading into Wednesday.

Mike Wallace: The Pricey Exception

Pittsburgh’s restricted free agent Mike Wallace is still, in my humble opinion, the preeminent available option at wide receiver.

He possesses the speed, versatility and yard-after-the-catch abilities like no other in this free-agent class.

Vincent Jackson was the big-name every franchise was clamoring for, but he is cancerous to a team’s chemistry and is solely a deep-threat, one-trick pony (if he decides on not holding out for a contract).

His career statistics are rather pedestrian considering he had the luxury of playing with a Pro Bowl quarterback in Philip Rivers running a dynamic offensive system.

I digress.

Wallace is the true prize and complete package—and four years younger to boot.

He runs fairly precise routes and is a dual-threat as an underneath and downfield receiver. He is much more compatible in Harbaugh’s West Coast offense.

However, he comes with a hefty price (albeit not as steep as Jackson’s)—that being a first-round draft pick and subsequent multi-year contract.

While not reflecting Baalke’s cautious tendencies, Wallace is absolutely worth the asking price.

The Niners will not find a receiver in the draft at pick No. 30 comparable to the prolific up-and-coming talent of Mike Wallace. Plus, they still have ample room under the cap.

Likelihood of Signing: Slim

Baalke won’t pull the trigger…and fans must trust that decision will turn out to be the most prudent

Laurent Robinson, Dallas Cowboys

Robinson is the third-highest rated receiver left on the board after Wallace according to ProFootballFocus. 

He possesses the superior size over all other currently sought-after receivers.

The problem with Robinson is his career track record. His first four years in the league were rather lackluster when he played for the Falcons and Rams.

His production then suddenly skyrocketed in 2011 while being the recipient of Tony Romo's passes in Dallas. He totaled 54 receptions for 858 yards (15.9-yard average) and 11 touchdowns.

These are legitimate NFL wide receiver numbers.

The question remains, could he duplicate this success in the 49ers offense with Alex Smith at QB?

Likelihood of Signing: Zero

He was interviewed in Jacksonville on Tuesday night and has a meeting in Miami on Wednesday. If those receiver-needy teams somehow do not strike a deal, he might end up back in Big D.

Mario Manningham, New York Giants

The 49ers experienced first-hand what Manningham is capable of on the football field.

In the NFC Championship Game last year, he caught a 17-yard strike over Tramaine Brock for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

While only hauling in that one pass in this particular game, the team surely noticed his clutch play throughout the Super Bowl (i.e. awesome sideline reception pictured in this slide).

He is not a game-breaking No.1 receiver at only 6’0’’ tall, but he is a valuable piece who’s fairly productive when healthy.

ESPN Insider gives him a grade of 70, which mean’s he’s a solid and consistent contributor with few weaknesses.

Likelihood of Signing: Moderate

Giants won’t offer an attractive deal with Cruz and Nicks already on the books. As long as he abandons the notion that he’s worth No.1 receiver money, there’s a decent probability he’ll sign.

Brandon Lloyd, St. Louis Rams/Denver Broncos

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea reported that Brandon Lloyd has a scheduled visit at the 49ers facility sometime this week. 

The former 49er played for the Tebow-led Broncos in 2011 before being traded to the Rams.

Despite the tumultuous play by the QBs, Lloyd posted impressive numbers: 70 REC, 966 YD, 5 TD, 13.8 Y/R.

He enjoyed a breakout year in 2010 for the Broncos when he led the league with 1,448 receiving yards (along with 18.8 yards per catch and 11 TDs).

Lloyd is regarded as a late-bloomer with great hands and sufficient speed to gain separation from opposing defensive backs to find holes in the defense.

ProFootballFocus ranks him as the second-highest receiver (24th overall) behind Mike Wallace.

It should be noted that the Niners passed on trading for Lloyd in 2011 when they obviously had a need for wide receivers.

Why would they want him now?

Well the need clearly still exists, but this doesn’t sit well with me, nor do I expect it to with other 49er fans and analysts.

Lloyd’s first go-around with the team was way too inconsistent. He’d show flashes of brilliance, then inexplicably pull stunts like this.

In the meantime, we’ll just have to wait to evaluate where things stand after he meets with the 49er brass.

Likelihood of Signing: Good/TBD

If the meeting and/or workout goes anything like Moss’s, then there’s reason to believe the team will make an offer)

Early Doucet, Arizona Cardinals

Doucet posted career highs in all statistical categories in 2011 (54 REC, 689 YD, 5 TD, 12.8 Y/R).

He accumulated these numbers despite inconsistent performances by quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and John Skelton.

On the other hand, the 6’0,’’ 212-pound wideout benefited from the presence of All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald.

Would Doucet thrive in a similar fashion lined up opposite Randy Moss in the 49ers offense?

With all due respect to Moss, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

He and Moss might form a solid tandem, but Fitzgerald elevates his fellow receivers like few others do in the NFL.

Doucet could be a solid addition, but I just don’t see it happening.

Likelihood of Signing: Low

It’s certainly possible since the 49ers have had ample exposure to his abilities, but there haven’t been any reports linking him to the team. Saints are currently a possible destination.

Quick Note

Former Raider Chaz Schilens also will meet with the 49ers this week. Signing the annual underachiever (despite his 6’4’’ frame) would be a huge desperation move. I'll provide updates as the situation develops.