Matching Top Wide Receivers on the Market to Best Team Fits

You could make a good case that the 2015 NFL free-agent market will be highlighted by the wide receiver position.

Players like Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin could all hit the open market on March 10. The emphasis is on the word “could.”

Here, we have chosen who we feel (based on their 2014 performance as well as career play) are the 12 best wideouts who could become unrestricted free agents next month. March 2 remains the day that teams can give a player the franchise tag.

With these 12 receivers, we will suggest which team (be it their own or another) is the best fit and where they will eventually wind up in 2015. We will also offer a prediction for each of this talented dozen—with the obvious being the case on more than one occasion.

Simply put, where will these wide receivers catch on this upcoming season? Some of these choices may not be as outlandish as you think.

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

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Wide receiver Torrey Smith played high school football in the state of Virginia, went to college at the University of Maryland and was a second-round draft choice by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.

Talk about your local success story. Smith fits what quarterback Joe Flacco does best, and that is the ability to connect for big plays. In his four NFL seasons, he has not missed a game. The speedy wideout has totaled 213 catches for 3,591 yards and 30 touchdowns. Smith has averaged an impressive 16.9 yards per reception during his brief career.

He’s the kind of downfield threat that would make the late, great Al Davis giggle. A speedster who can open up the entire field, Smith caught only 49 passes in 2014, but 11 of those went for scores.

A year ago, the team added wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. This offseason, the other Smith will get his share of offers, but we’re guessing he likes his crab cakes.

Best Fit: Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: Re-signs with Ravens

Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant led his team with 88 catches and 1,320 receiving yards and led the league with 16 touchdown receptions in 2014.

Over the past three seasons, the former Oklahoma State product has played in all 48 games and scored 41 touchdowns. Simply put, he has emerged into one of the best players in the league at his position.

So will he be back with the Cowboys? There have been whispers about franchising Bryant to make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.

Meanwhile, Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com suggests that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones needs to pay his talented wideout what he’s truly worth.

Be it a new contract or the franchise tag, Bryant figures to be a Cowboy. He would be a fit with any team, but it’s hard to believe that Dallas would break up the connection he has with quarterback Tony Romo.

Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: Re-signs with Cowboys

Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos

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In each of the past three seasons with quarterback Peyton Manning at the controls of the offense, Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has totaled at least 90 catches, 1,400 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

The cumulative totals since 2012 read 297 receptions for 4,483 yards and 35 scores. Thomas has also started every game each of the past three years, and the team has won at least 12 games each of those seasons, reaching Super Bowl XLVIII in 2013.

So why would Thomas want to go anywhere else? While the world waits on Manning’s plans for 2015, the Broncos have no desire to let the league’s second-leading pass-catcher this past season (111 receptions) get away.

“Our goal is to get something done with Demaryius,” Broncos general manager John Elway told Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine.  “...that market is changing, that wide receiver market is changing, too, but the bottom line is we want Demaryius to be a Bronco.”

And if Manning remains a Bronco, Elway will have two less worries as his club looks to get back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.

Best Fit: Denver Broncos

Prediction: Re-signs with Broncos

Wes Welker, Denver Broncos

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As of late, it seems the biggest question with wide receiver Wes Welker is whether he should play, not who he should play for.

Concussions issues this past season along with a brief suspension to start 2014 limited the once-prolific wideout to 14 games, 49 catches and just two touchdowns.

A sure-handed pass-catcher like Welker would certainly aid the likes of a quarterback like Cam Newton, who continues to improve and has downfield threats in wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen—both had 1,008 receiving yards in 2014.

Having another underneath outlet in Welker would be a nice addition. But Welker, now 20th in NFL history with 890 receptions, isn’t likely going anywhere—especially if the Denver Broncos’ passing game has some different looks to it as well.

Best Fit: Carolina Panthers

Prediction: Re-signs with Denver Broncos

Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

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More often than not, 91 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns would have you as the team’s top wide receiver for any season.

But the Green Bay Packers aren’t any team, especially when it comes to the offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2014, throwing 38 touchdown passes compared to only five interceptions while leading the highest-scoring team in the league.

In Cobb and Jordy Nelson, Green Bay has one of the best young wideout duos in the league. And in the recent past the Packers have watched veteran receivers such as Greg Jennings (Minnesota Vikings) and James Jones (Oakland Raiders) take the free-agent road out of Titletown.

Could you imagine Cobb in a Seattle Seahawks’ uniform, aiding not only the team’s passing game but coming out of the backfield as well? And Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie was in Green Bay when the team drafted Cobb in the second round in 2011.

However, Cobb may be just scratching the surface when it comes to his talent, and it’s hard to believe the Packers would let him get away after only four seasons.

Best Fit: Seattle Seahawks

Prediction: Re-signs with Green Bay Packers

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

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Many people may no longer consider Reggie Wayne a top-flight wide receiver.

Injuries have now been a factor two years in a row for the productive performer. Nevertheless, only six players in NFL history have totaled more catches than Wayne’s 1,070 receptions. In 2014, he finished second on the team with 64 receptions but scored only two touchdowns.

It’s hard to imagine Wayne in another team’s uniform, but the reality is that the Indianapolis Colts have a tough decision to make. They have a slew of defensive needs and also have to find a reliable running back. Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener ably handle the pass-catching chores these days.

The Cleveland Browns, who need all kinds of help on offense, could benefit from Wayne’s experience. They won’t have wide receiver Josh Gordon in 2015, and tight end Jordan Cameron is a potential unrestricted free agent.

We’ll go back to one of our original points. We can’t see Wayne playing elsewhere, and while his veteran savvy could help numerous clubs, home is where the heart is.

Best Fit: Cleveland Browns

Prediction: Re-signs with Indianapolis Colts

Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have plenty of money to spend during the free-agency period. But will that include bringing back one of their own?

After totaling only two catches in 10 games as a rookie, wide receiver Cecil Shorts has been a steady but unspectacular performer for the club. A fourth-round pick from Mount Union in 2011, he’s totaled a combined 174 receptions for 2,313 yards and 11 scores in 40 games since. Shorts has led the team in catches each of the past two seasons.

But he could go elsewhere and be a member of a team that has more realistic playoff aspirations. The Jaguars are still trying to get back to a place that they haven’t been since reaching the 2007 postseason, and they have a lot more new faces on both sides of the ball.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Seattle Seahawks make a pitch for Shorts; he's the kind of receiver who can make things happen after the catch.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

Prediction: Signs with Seattle Seahawks

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

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We sense a bit of a reunion here.

First things first and that’s the idea that the Philadelphia Eagles would part ways with their best wide receiver for a second consecutive year.

Last offseason, head coach Chip Kelly and the Birds parted ways with speedy DeSean Jackson. This year, could wideout Jeremy Maclin be heading out of the City of Brotherly Love?

After missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL, the former first-round pick warranted comeback player of the year consideration. Maclin led Philadelphia in grabs (85), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdown receptions (10).

Honestly, it would be surprising to see Maclin actually hit the free-agent market. But we get a sense that a team with a familiar head coach and a club that went an entire season without having a wide receiver catch a touchdown pass may indeed come calling.

Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Prediction: Signs with Kansas City Chiefs

Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams

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One of the primary reasons wide receiver Kenny Britt wound up with the St. Louis Rams in 2014 was because of head coach Jeff Fisher’s familiarity with the talented player.

The former Tennessee Titans wideout finished second on the team this past season with 48 catches but led the club with 748 receiving yards—a healthy 15.6 yards per reception. Britt finished tied for second on the Rams with just three touchdown receptions.

Fisher’s team has a lot of promise at wide receiver with the likes of Tavon Austin, Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey and Chris Givens. The Rams also have a big-play tight end in Jared Cook. They just lack a reliable quarterback.

So do the Cleveland Browns these days, but that’s a topic for another time. The Browns also need help at wide receiver with Josh Gordon suspended for 2015 and Miles Austin a potential free agent.

Best Fit: St. Louis Rams

Prediction: Signs with Cleveland Browns

Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers

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We have seen our share of changes in the AFC West that seem to involve coaches and players simply switching teams within the division.

So while wide receiver Eddie Royal has been a solid addition for the San Diego Chargers in recent seasons, especially when it comes to scoring touchdowns, we have other plans for him in 2015.

The Oakland Raiders sported the worst offense in terms of yards gained this past season, and their offensive unit scored just 26 touchdowns.

In 2014, Royal totaled 62 catches for 778 yards and seven touchdowns. Only veteran tight end Antonio Gates (12) reached the end zone more often for the team.

With promise at quarterback in the form of Derek Carr, the Raiders should go after someone who knows something about touchdowns. Royal’s seven scores would have led the Raiders this past season.

Best Fit: San Diego Chargers

Prediction: Signs with Oakland Raiders

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

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This past season proved to be a huge disappointment for the San Francisco 49ers, who now have former defensive line coach Jim Tomsula as their sideline leader.

There’s also been a change at offensive coordinator, as the team promoted quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst. Greg Roman shuffled off to Buffalo to lead the Bills’ attack.

So who’s to say he won’t ask for one his wideouts from San Francisco? It was also a down year for 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree. The former first-round pick totaled just 68 receptions for 698 yards and four scores in 2014 and failed to total at least 100 yards receiving in any game this year. That rapport we saw with quarterback Colin Kaepernick back in 2012 wasn’t as evident this past season.

So how about a new start in Buffalo, where he would join young wide receivers such as Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods?

Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: Signs with Buffalo Bills

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans

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Time flies when you’re catching passes.

Once an undrafted free agent, Nate Washington has now played 10 seasons in the NFL, the last six with the Tennessee Titans. His career resume includes being part of a pair of Super Bowl title teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The former Tiffin University product has amassed 411 catches (40 for scores) during his career in the regular season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a number of young wide receivers in Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Ace Sanders. They also stand to lose Cecil Shorts to free agency. What better way to help quarterback Blake Bortles in his second season and also offer some guidance to the wideouts than to sign a veteran like Washington, who also remains within the division?

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

Prediction: Signs with Jaguars

All free-agent information is courtesy of Spotrac.