NFL Free Agency: Wide Receivers Preview

As you should know, free agency starts late tonight (midnight EST). Come tomorrow, many questions will be answered regarding this good, but not great wide receiver class.

Here, I'll list my top three receivers available, and tell you who I think they will be playing for in 2008.

Randy Moss

Clearly the number one wide receiver in this class, Moss is given a grade of 93 on ESPN.com. Along with being the best free agent wide receiver comes being the most sought after.

Moss is also the most talked about free agent, and, unless New England finds a way to re-sign him quickly, will receive many offers.

I just can't see the Patriot's organization ignoring Tom Brady's repeated requests to keep Moss. I can't picture Moss in any other uniform besides a Patriot's in 2008.

Projected 2008 team: New England Patriots

Bernard Berrian 

Berrian has the skill to be a number one wide receiver on most teams in the NFL.

He led the Bear's in receptions last year, and has great deep speed.

His only weakness is that he isn't very physical at times. He has been improving his route running every year.

The Carolina Panthers are in need of a receiver to compliment Steve Smith. Some people expect them to fulfill this need through the draft, but I am sticking to Vikings-Minnesota_Vikings_Five_Simple_Steps_to_Success-240208">my previous words saying this draft is no place to pick up a receiver in the middle of the first round.

The Panthers will pick up their receiver through free agency, and pursue their other needs through the draft.

Projected 2008 team: Carolina Panthers

Jerry Porter 

A big, strong receiver drafted out of West Virginia, Porter is a nine year veteran of the Oakland Raiders.

Although he is given a grade of 67 by ESPN, Porter has the outstanding ability to catch passes with four defenders hanging on him.

With these good qualities come the bad. Here is what Scouts Inc. has on Porter's weaknesses:

"He has lapses of concentration and he tends to get sloppy when running routes and will drop some easy catches. He has also had issues with staying healthy for a whole season."

I expect Oakland to find a way to re-sign him for a cheaper price than last year. However, if Oakland doesn't want Porter, I expect other teams to give him weak offers. I think Porter can play, just not the way he used to.

Projected 2008 team: Oakland Raiders 

Honorable Mentions

D.J. Hackett

Bryant Johnson

Donte Stallworth

Marty Booker