NFL Free Agency Preview: Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It comes to me as a surprise that you don't hear anything about Antonio Bryant this year in free agency. Coming off of a stellar 2008 season in which he reeled in 83 passes for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns, Bryant is easily the best, yet most underrated free agent in the 2008 class. 

Bryant was a cast-off with previous teams due to a few character flaws. The former second round pick of the Dallas Cowboys seemingly has overcome those problems and performed to the level the experts expected out of college. 

Bryant is very comparable to the Cowboys' Terrell Owens. He is big, strong, and fast. Tampa would be foolish to let a player of Bryant's caliber get away. But who knows? Maybe he was a one-year wonder. Could it be that he was in a system that fit his needs with Jon Gruden? 

I don't see Bryant returning to the Bucs. They just hired a new coach, one who is a defensive specialist by the way. The entire team is in disarray. You have people trashing the recently fired Jon Gruden, and you have the few players defending him. Nothing but drama right now.

Another thing Bryant has going for him is his age. Though he has played six seasons, he is relatively young at 27 years old—the perfect combo of youth and experience.

That is why I think Bryant will leave. Here are the teams I could see him going to in free agency. 

Philadelphia

T.J. Houshmandzadeh has expressed interest in the Eagles, but I think he is too old, and his yards per reception have decreased for the past few years. Eagles fans have this infatuation with the oft-injured Anquan Boldin. I think he is too injury prone for the Eagles.

That leaves us with Bryant. He has all of the qualities the Eagles need right now: size, speed, very good ball skills. It would be a very, very smart move for the Eagles to sign him.

St. Louis

The Torry Holt era may be coming to its end in the Gateway to the West. The Rams have a solid rookie in Donnie Avery but could use another threat on the outside for Marc Bulger. Holt struggled in 2008 and has declined to comment on whether he will be back in 2008. A report also surfaced that the Titans offered a first round pick for Holt before the trading deadline. This may be a necessity for the floundering Rams.

Dallas

This would only be sensible if the Boys were to cut all ties with Terrell Owens. If Owens departs, it would leave a big hole at the receiver position. 

Seattle

Matt Hasselbeck really needs another option on the outside. Bryant could fit into that system. I'd expect the Seahawks to make a play for Bryant in the coming weeks.

Baltimore

Derrick Mason is 35 now, which would make this move very smart. Bring in another young receiver for the developing Joe Flacco to work with.

Cincinnati

The Bengals....excuse me, the Bungles, will most likely lost one of their two top receivers this offseason. TJ Houshmandzadeh has expressed interest in a new city, and Chad Johnson is probably going to demand yet another trade. That makes this move a necessity. Carson Palmer could really use another weapon on the outside.

Oakland

Jamarcus Russel really has no weapons at receiver. Chaz Schilens is a young player I really like, and Johnny Lee Higgins has some solid skills, but is better off as a returner. They really need a receiver that can muscle his way out of tackles and break one deep. Javon Walker doesn't seem to be the player he once was and could not be back in the fold in 2009. Expect Al Davis to be on the phone with Bryant's agent as soon as he hits the market.