2015 NFL Free Agency: Predicting Where the Top WRs Will Land

The NFL's 2015 free-agent class is absolutely loaded at wide receiver, as a number of game-changing pass-catchers are set to hit the free-agent market on March 10. Where these playmakers end up signing could tilt the NFL's balance of power, making it the most fascinating position to handicap.

Star receivers like Dallas' Dez Bryant, Denver's Demaryius Thomas and Green Bay's Randall Cobb might be the brightest stars available, but the constellation is chock-full of other celestial options as well, such as Baltimore's Torrey Smith and Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin. When San Francisco's Michael Crabtree kicks off the latter tier, you know that it's an outstanding class.

In this column, we'll attempt to predict the landing spots for eight of the top receivers set to hit the market. We'll take into consideration the likelihood that they're retained by their original team (whether via a long-term deal or the franchise tag), and also connect the dots on other potential suitors. Salary-cap space will also be taken into account.

Here are the predictions for where the top wide receivers will land in 2015's NFL free agency.

Cowboys WR Dez Bryant

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

As it concerns the Dallas Cowboys, the No. 1 offseason directive is crystal clear: Retain star wide receiver Dez Bryant at all costs. 

Bryant, 26, is coming off a season in which he caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and a ridiculous 16 touchdown receptions. His size-speed combination is positively freakish, and he's proved to be fairly unstoppable in the air. If he hits the free-agent market on March 10, suitors around the league will line up to lavish him with greenbacks to secure his services.

But the problem is that there's a realistic chance Bryant won't make it to March 10, as the Cowboys could feasibly slap him with the franchise tag well before then. Speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora said, "I’d be pretty surprised at this point if they got something long-term done with Dez anytime soon," which would indicate that the franchise tag looms as the likeliest option.

And indeed, ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer recently wrote that "in all likelihood" the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Bryant before March 2. If (and when) that happens, Bryant would earn about $13 million in 2015.

The Cowboys would be insane to let Bryant hit the market. If team and player can't get a long-term deal in place, it makes sense for owner Jerry Jones to franchise Bryant to ensure that he's a Cowboy for 2015, and then try to work out an extended pact during the offseason.

Prediction: Stays with Cowboys

Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is undoubtedly among the elite at his position, coming off a season in which he hauled in 111 passes for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdown grabs.

Now the 27-year-old Thomas is scheduled to hit the free-agent market, and if that happens, he will be paid handsomely, with Bleacher Report's Matt Miller reporting that the New York Jets are slated to "roll out the red carpet" for Thomas if he does reach free agency.

While the Jets surely wouldn't be Thomas' sole suitor, the most likely scenario sees him returning to Denver. Why? Because the franchise tag looms as a viable option.

Even though the Broncos possess $24 million in cap space, the franchise tag makes more sense than a long-term deal. With quarterback Peyton Manning's situation currently up in the air and tight end Julius Thomas also set to hit the market, using the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas would seem to be the wisest course of action.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media (via Chris Wesseling of NFL.com), the Broncos will not hesitate to use the franchise tag in order to retain him. If that does happen, Thomas will make about $13 million next season.

The most likely scenario involves Manning returning to the Mile High City in 2015—and if (and when) that happens, Denver's Super Bowl window will be squarely open for another season. Do you legitimately think there's any chance that Broncos general manager John Elway would allow Thomas to sign elsewhere in what will probably be Manning's final year? 

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin, what do you think?

Prediction: Stays with Broncos

Packers WR Randall Cobb

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Ah, to be Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb.

Cobb—who is only 24 years old and is coming off a season in which he hauled in 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdown grabs—is set to hit the free-agent market, and he will soon be a very, very rich man. The only question is if he'll remain in Green Bay or leave for greener (pun intended) pastures?

Thankfully for Packers fans, the team does have the requisite cap space needed to bring him back, as the club possesses $21 million in room. And back in December, Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel reported that Cobb is Green Bay's No. 1 offseason priority, and that signing him to a long-term extension is the modus operandi. 

Another potential feather in the hats of Packers fans are these comments from team president Mark Murphy, who told Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel that Green Bay has enough financial flexibility to bring back both Cobb and tackle Bryan Bulaga, who is also set to hit the market.

Simply put: Cobb is way too important to Green Bay's high-octane offense, and clearly has an outstanding rapport with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cobb provides the perfect complement to fellow receiver Jordy Nelson, and with Green Bay's Super Bowl window remaining firmly open for as long as Rodgers is under center, it would behoove Murphy and general manager Ted Thompson to get a deal done.

Expect that to happen. It'd be a surprise if Cobb signed elsewhere.

Prediction: Stays with Packers

Ravens WR Torrey Smith

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith might have started 2014 slow (zero touchdown receptions through the first three games of the season), but he ended with a bang, finishing with 12 touchdown catches (including one in the postseason).

Given that—and Smith's dominant run in Baltimore's Super Bowl-winning season in 2012—it's fair to assume that Ravens fans want Smith back in town on a long-term deal.

But Baltimore's precarious salary-cap situation means the most likely scenario sees Smith signing elsewhere. The Ravens have only $413,000 in cap space, and there's zero chance that general manager Ozzie Newsome will be able to re-sign Smith without a bevy of corresponding moves.

CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently reported that the Ravens offered Smith a five-year, $35 million contract before the season began, and it's safe to assume that those numbers would represent the floor for a potential deal now. Smith showed out well, and could definitely command a larger contract in March—which would make it nearly impossible for the Ravens to keep him.

The Patriots have already been mentioned as a landing spot by Christopher Price of WEEI.com, while Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun told CBS radio in Baltimore that he "wouldn't break the bank" for Smith if he were the Ravens.

If the assumption is that Smith will not be a Raven next year—and that certainly should be the expectation—which team provides a fabulous fit for the 26-year-old pass-catcher?

How about one of Baltimore's AFC North rivals—the Cleveland Browns? Cleveland is in desperate need of a playmaking receiver, especially with Josh Gordon set to be suspended for the entire 2015 season. In one fell swoop, the Browns would improve their own standing and hurt Baltimore's. Cleveland has the cap space to get it done as well, with more than $43 million available.

Prediction: Signs with Browns

49ers WR Michael Crabtree

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Saying that 2014 was not a vintage season for San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree would be an understatement.

In 2013, Crabtree was so impressive down the stretch and in the postseason that it seemed logical to believe he was going to author a monster campaign in 2014. But he only caught 68 passes for 698 yards and four touchdown receptions, and finished the year ranked as Pro Football Focus' 95th-best receiver. And for those out there that didn't major in math: No, that's not a good ranking.

As Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com opines, the 49ers will most assuredly not offer Crabtree a deal in excess of $6 million per year, and the franchise tag is out of the question. The team does have $21 million in cap space, but has a number of other notable free agents, keyed by guard Mike Iupati and running back Frank Gore. The expectation should be that both Iupati and Gore are higher on general manager Trent Baalke's to-do list than Crabtree.

With all of that said, the smart money is on Crabtree signing elsewhere, and if we were representing him, we'd advise the 27-year-old to sign a short-term "prove it" deal that would enable him to potentially cash in in a major way on his next deal. Crabtree is still young and talented enough to reach his full potential, and there are a number of teams that would surely offer him that opportunity.

The Kansas City Chiefs loom as a potential fit. Crabtree's old quarterback, Alex Smith, is there, and the Chiefs don't have the funds to sign a receiver to a big-money deal, so a short-term pact with Crabtree could make a ton of sense.

Prediction: Signs with Chiefs

Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Last offseason—coming off a torn ACL—Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin bet on himself, signing a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the team. And it was the smartest wager of his life.

Maclin put forth a sensational season, catching 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdown receptions, flashing the speed and physical tools that made him a first-round pick back in 2009. He finished the campaign ranked as Pro Football Focus' 14th-best receiver.

Now he's scheduled to hit the free-agent market, and at age 26, he should be able to cash in. Maclin recently told Todd Palmer of the Kansas City Star that he'd like to remain an Eagle but would consider the Chiefs as well. Maclin played on the collegiate level at the University of Missouri, and there's no doubt the Chiefs need a game-changing pass-catcher.

But the bottom line is that the Chiefs are in financial duress, as they're currently $5 million over the cap. Is it possible that Kansas City could finagle some things to get under the cap in order to make a competitive offer to Maclin? Sure. But it's not the most likely scenario.

The most likely scenario sees Maclin returning to the City of Brotherly Love, a topic recently broached by Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. The Eagles possess $15 million in cap space, and the franchise tag also looms as the nuclear option.

While Maclin would surely draw a number of suitors on the open market, expect him to remain in Philadelphia.

Prediction: Stays with Eagles

Rams WR Kenny Britt

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

When the Tennessee Titans made receiver Kenny Britt the 30th overall selection in the 2009 draft, it seemed like the sky was the limit for the 6'3", 215-pound pass-catcher.

But off-field issues and on-field struggles contributed to his ouster from the Music City, and he eventually landed in St. Louis with the hopes of resuscitating his once-promising career. And while his season didn't invoke any memories of a young Randy Moss, Britt did play decently, hauling in 48 receptions for 748 yards and three touchdown grabs. 

It's worth noting that Britt put those numbers up with an iffy quarterback situation, as Shaun Hill and Austin Davis aren't exactly Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson. So it stands to reason that Britt could make an impact with an above-average passer at the helm.

Back in January, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweeted that the Rams and Britt had begun discussions on a deal that would keep Britt in St. Louis, so we know the team has interest. But their cap situation is poor ($3.5 million over), which makes them less likely to pay Britt the money he surely wants. While it's possible that the team could make a series of moves to add financial flexibility, would it be enough for Britt to stick around?

A team that looms as an intriguing fit is the Carolina Panthers. Quarterback Cam Newton could use another big receiver opposite Kelvin Benjamin, and they possess $9 million in cap space. Britt would provide another legitimate weapon for Newton as the Panthers seek to improve the talent at the skill positions.

Prediction: Signs with Panthers

Colts WR Hakeem Nicks

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Just four seasons ago, Indianapolis Colts receiver Hakeem Nicks was completing a dominant postseason run for the New York Giants that culminated with a world championship in Super Bowl XLII. 

But nagging injuries and inconsistent play meant that Nicks played 2014 on a one-year deal in Indianapolis, and he never truly flashed the form that had many believing he would be a megastar on Broadway. Nicks caught only 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdown receptions in Indianapolis' high-octane passing offense led by quarterback Andrew Luck.

With rookie pass-catcher Donte Moncrief clearly ascending—and stud receiver T.Y. Hilton already in place—would it behoove the Colts to bring back Nicks? Probably not.

So which team profiles as a good fit for the 27-year-old Nicks? The Oakland Raiders, for one. 

The Raiders are in desperate need of talent at the receiver position, as the club absolutely must surround quarterback Derek Carr with legitimate NFL talent. Nicks isn't a game-changing player anymore, but he's competent and would instantly improve Oakland's receiving corps.

The Raiders hold the fourth overall pick in the draft, and should be able to choose between receivers like West Virginia's Kevin White, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Louisville's DaVante Parker with that selection. Drafting one of those studs and signing Nicks would go a long way toward improving their passing offense.

Prediction: Signs with Raiders

All salary-cap information courtesy of Spotrac.com.