NFL Free Agency 2020: Predicting Where the Top WRs Will Land

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, but that's only one half of a viable passing offense. Wide receivers deserve some recognition, too.

The 2020 free-agent pool doesn't feature a plethora of high-end wideouts, but teams can add depth and search for bargain-bin options who could blossom into steady contributors with new opportunities.

Amari Cooper and A.J. Green will headline this year's group. There's a strong possibility both remain in the same uniforms for the 2020 season, but their futures can take a different turn. Aggressive suitors could entice them with an appropriate offer.

Don't forget the dominoes set to fall behind Cooper and Green, too. Several players could jump out in front and sign high-reward contracts before the multitime Pro Bowlers.

Here, we'll project the landing spots for eight notable wide receivers based on what they would provide at their new destinations and how each player's skill set matches the corresponding team's needs.

Amari Cooper

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Although the Dallas Cowboys finished their 2019 season on a disappointing note, quarterback Dak Prescott and wideout Amari Cooper picked up where they left off from the second half of the 2018 campaign. Both posted career numbers within an offense that racked up the most yards leaguewide.

Cooper went through some adversity, playing through quad, ankle and knee injuries. He won't publicly use those ailments as an excuse for some lackluster performances, particularly against the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, but those issues are worth noting given his disappearing acts in a few contests. 

Cooper didn't record a catch on two targets against the Patriots and hauled in four out of 12 targets for 24 yards in a Week 16 loss to the Eagles.

Speaking after a Pro Bowl practice, Cooper talked about the importance of choosing a team with a compatible quarterback (h/t NFL.com's Nick Shook).

"His success is part of how good I'm doing and my success is part of how good he's doing," he said. "So I definitely, if I had to test the market I'd definitely be evaluating quarterbacks and stuff like that to see if I want to play with them or not."

Assuming the Cowboys retain Prescott, Cooper should be the next impending free agent in line for some sort of extension via the franchise tag or a long-term deal. The two have worked well together since Dallas acquired him from the then-Oakland Raiders for a first-round pick before the 2018 trade deadline.

Expect the Cowboys to keep their featured quarterback-wide receiver pair intact, re-signing Prescott and then Cooper. 

Prediction: Cowboys sign Cooper to a five-year extension

A.J. Green

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Two years ago, A.J. Green would've been a near lock for a lucrative long-term contract wherever he landed during free agency. But after the ninth-year wideout missed 23 games over the last two seasons because of toe and ankle injuries, his outlook is far less clear.

Green missed the entire 2019 season while recovering from ankle surgery. He attempted a comeback in November, but he needed more time after suffering a setback during a workout.

The Cincinnati Bengals have to weigh Green's age and injury history when deciding whether to re-sign him. Team director of player personnel Duke Tobin seems to be in favor of retaining the seven-time Pro Bowler, per ESPN's Ben Baby.

"I understand the school of thought," Tobin said. "If you have a proven guy, it's better to stay with the proven guy so he can continue to produce."

If the Bengals are concerned about Green's health, the franchise tag seems like the best option, but the team may lose some goodwill with its star wide receiver using that approach.

"When you put that on me, that's what you're showing me," Green told WLWT-TV in Cincinnati (via Baby). "You only want me for one year."

Green potentially could land a multiyear deal on the open market because of his past production. He has six 1,000-plus-yard seasons and has 63 career touchdowns.

The Bengals figure to select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. If healthy, Green and Tyler Boyd would be a good receiving tandem for the young signal-caller. 

With a projected $47.6 million in cap space, per Spotrac, the Bengals can ink Green to a three-year deal and give themselves an early out if his ankle injury flares up again.

Prediction: Bengals sign Green to a three-year extension

Randall Cobb

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If the Cowboys re-sign Cooper to a long-term deal, Randall Cobb will likely have to look elsewhere for a new contract.

After a lackluster 2018 season in Green Bay, Cobb bounced back during his first year in Dallas, registering 55 receptions for 828 yards and three touchdowns. However, Michael Gallup made significant strides during his sophomore campaign, recording 66 receptions for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns—second on the team in each category—which may make Cobb expendable.

Cobb's familiarity with new head coach Mike McCarthy may not increase his chances of staying in Dallas, either. Unless the 29-year-old is willing to sign for a significant discount, the Cowboys would likely move forward with Cooper and Gallup in a financially practical approach. 

The New Orleans Saints don't have a clear picture of their quarterback position. Drew Brees will take some time to contemplate his future. Upon return, he's open to yielding a good amount of snaps to Taysom Hill under center, per NBC Sports' Chris Simms. 

Like Brees and Hill, Teddy Bridgewater will also become a free agent in March. The Saints have quality quarterback options, but the aerial attack doesn't feature a solid wide receiver option other than Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas.

Ted Ginn Jr. ranked second in receptions (30) and yards (421) among Saints wide receivers in 2019. He'll become a free agent this offseason and turns 35 years old in April. 

New Orleans has running back Alvin Kamara, who's a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield, and tight end Jared Cook, but someone needs to take some pressure off Thomas on the perimeter. The Saints could acquire Cobb to handle slot duties and fill the void behind their star receiver.

Prediction: Cobb signs three-year deal with the Saints

Emmanuel Sanders

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After Peyton Manning's 2015 campaign in Denver, Emmanuel Sanders dealt with a revolving door of quarterbacks. Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Case Keenum and Joe Flacco all took snaps under center, but none of them could lock down the starting job long term. 

The Broncos traded Sanders to the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2019 season. He made an immediate impact, scoring touchdowns in consecutive outings and logging two 100-plus-yard receiving games en route to a Super Bowl appearance.

The 49ers have a young wide receiver corps with Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd, Dante Pettis and Richie James all finishing their rookie or sophomore seasons. Sanders, who's turning 33 in mid-March, may be expendable as the team develops its young talent at the position.

Sanders can help another playoff contender in 2020 and beyond. The Green Bay Packers need an experienced veteran to complement Davante Adams, as their young wide receiver corps hasn't developed as expected. 

In 2019, Adams was the only Packers wideout to record at least 40 catches and 500 yards. Geronimo Allison is now set to become a free agent, while Marquez Valdes-Scantling's numbers slightly dipped between his rookie and sophomore campaigns. Allen Lazard had some bright moments, but he has a lot more to prove going into his third year.

As veteran insurance, Sanders could earn quarterback Aaron Rodgers' trust early and elevate the Packers' 17th-ranked passing offense.

Prediction: Sanders signs two-year deal with the Packers

Robby Anderson

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If Cooper and Green re-sign with their current teams, Robby Anderson could sign the biggest contract among free-agent wideouts going to new teams in 2020. He's "expected to seek a contract that will pay him at least $14 million a year, which would put him in the top 15 among wide receivers," per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Considering Anderson has yet to post a 1,000-yard season or catch at least 56 percent of the targets thrown his way, a $14 million annual deal seems like a gross overpayment. Nevertheless, a good negotiator initially aims for top-dollar compensation.

Anderson is a prototypical field-stretcher who will burn defenders deep if given a small cushion. In 2019, the New York Jets made an effort to use him on a variety of routes to utilize his speed and ability to rack up yardage after receptions.

Anderson didn't have a standout 2019 campaign, but he maintained an average of 15 yards per catch and made plays on underneath patterns as a more complete receiver. 

In December, the Denver Broncos turned the reins over to rookie quarterback Drew Lock. He showed a lot of promise, throwing for 1,020 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 64.1 percent of his attempts.

After trading Sanders to the 49ers, the Broncos need someone to step into the No. 2 spot behind Courtland Sutton. DaeSean Hamilton hasn't done enough to slide into that role. With his quickness off the line of scrimmage, Anderson would be an ideal addition alongside big-bodied pass-catchers like tight end Noah Fant (6'4", 249 lbs) and Sutton (6'4", 216 lbs). 

Prediction: Broncos sign Anderson to a four-year deal

Nelson Agholor

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Coming off a down 2019 season, Nelson Agholor may have to settle for a bargain deal. On the other hand, his 2015 first-round draft pedigree and consecutive 60-plus-catch campaigns in 2017 and 2018 could inflate his market value.

Agholor didn't perform up to expectations during his five years with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he could resurface as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 option. The 26-year-old has enough agility to beat cornerbacks on the perimeter. Although he's prone to drops at times, he caught 65.3 percent of his targets in 2017 and and 66 percent in 2018.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has the magic touch with his wide receivers. Tyler Lockett has logged 2,022 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns since taking over a full-time starting position in 2018. Rookie second-rounder DK Metcalf instantly translated his potential into production, logging 58 catches for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Perhaps Wilson could optimize Agholor's skill set and talent, tossing to him on bootlegs and scrambles in the open field. The 26-year-old could make chunk plays within an improvisational passing attack.

In 2019, the Seahawks briefly brought Josh Gordon into the fold, but the league suspended him indefinitely for violations of the performance-enhancing substances and substance-abuse policies. In a continued attempt to bolster the receiving unit, general manager John Schneider could add Agholor to form a solid trio at the position.

Prediction: Seahawks sign Agholor to a three-year deal

Breshad Perriman

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As a 2015 first-round pick out of Central Florida, Breshad Perriman wore the bust label for years. He missed his entire rookie year because of a PCL injury and logged 43 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns before the Baltimore Ravens waived him ahead of the 2018 season.

After a one-year stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2018, Perriman signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past March. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined in December because of hamstring injuries, the fifth-year veteran showcased his first-round potential, amassing 25 catches for 506 yards and five touchdowns.

That late-season surge put Perriman back on the free-agent radar as a possible late-bloomer. But the 26-year-old needs to sign with a team that will give him opportunities.

This past season, the Las Vegas Raiders didn't have a wide receiver who caught 50 passes or reached 700 receiving yards. Rookie fifth-rounder Hunter Renfrow led the team in receptions (49), while Tyrell Williams led all receivers with 651 yards. 

Quarterback Derek Carr relied on tight end Darren Waller as the go-to option. The former wide receiver, who converted to tight end during the 2016 campaign with the Ravens, registered a career-high 90 catches for 1,145 yards and three touchdowns.

The Raiders should focus on a talent-rich class of incoming wide receivers to surround Carr with quality pass-catching options, but taking a flier on Perriman could bring great value. If he continues to show more of what we saw between Weeks 13 and 17, the Silver and Black would have a bargain-bin gem.

Prediction: Raiders sign Perriman to a two-year deal

Devin Funchess

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Devin Funchess won't go into free agency with a lot of buzz. After signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts this past offseason, he missed all but one game because of a broken collarbone. 

Funchess may have to settle for another prove-it contract to remind the league of his potential.

During his four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, he posted average numbers and never had a 1,000-yard campaign. However, he became a strong red-zone threat during the 2017 season, snagging a team-high eight touchdown receptions.

In the NFL, no coach can teach size. The 6'4", 225-pound Funchess is a scoring threat inside the 20-yard line.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen needs a big-bodied target in confined space near the end zone. Wideouts John Brown (5'11", 178 lbs) and Cole Beasley (5'8", 174 lbs) could struggle against long, athletic cornerbacks. The former logged only one touchdown reception inside the 20-yard line this past season. 

With Beasley operating out of the slot, Funchess can line up opposite Brown and become a safety valve for Allen.

Tight end Dawson Knox (6'4", 254 lbs) and wideout Duke Williams (6'3", 225 lbs) flashed in the second half of the 2019 season as big-bodied receivers. But on a one-year deal, Funchess would be a good option to fill that role in case Knox and Williams fail to build on their late-season performances.

Prediction: Bills sign Funchess to a one-year deal