NFL Free Agency: Where Could The New York Giants Steve Smith Land in 2011?

Steve Smith has been with not the Carolina Panthers but the New York Giants for the past four years. The Giants selected him out of USC in the second round.

Slowed by injuries in his rookie season, Smith only recorded eight catches in five games.

After improving greatly in 2008, his production sparked even higher in 2009.  He recorded 107 catches for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns, earning himself a trip to the Pro Bowl.

This season, his production dipped as he battled through injuries.

The Giants will have to decide if they want to spend a lot of money on a wide receiver with an injury-plagued past when they have two very capable receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.

Smith will have to choose between big money elsewhere and staying in New York.

Here are the top destinations Steve Smith could end up in 2011:

15. Miami Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Receiver Brandon Marshall #19 of the Miami Dolphins makes a catch against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Quick Take: The Dolphins have some solid receivers in Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess.  

Their passing game still had its struggles though in 2010, which had mainly to do with inconsistency from the quarterback position.  

Still, with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams headed to free agency, the Dolphins could afford to add another good receiver and use more of a three wide-receiver set.

Chance: 1%

14. Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Lee Evans #83 of the Buffalo Bills makes a finger tip catch against Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won 14-12. (Photo by Rick Stewar

Quick Take: Steve Johnson had a breakout year this season and looks like a true number-one receiver.

After Johnson, the Bills didn't have many other vertical playmakers.  Lee Evans, their next best receiving threat, is set to become a free agent.

If Evans leaves, all of a sudden wide receiver becomes a big need.

Chance: 1%

13. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Breaston #15 of the Arizona Cardinals is unable to catch a long pass against the St. Louis Rams during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams de

Quick Take: The Cardinals passing game struggled more than since pre-Kurt Warner days in Arizona this year.  The quarterback position was the main reason for that.

Larry Fitzgerald managed to put together a good season, but he's the only one.

Steve Breaston is set to become a free agent.  His coaches have supposedly lost confidence in him, so he may be headed out the door without an offer.

Chance: 1%

12. Houston Texans

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Jacoby Jones #12 of the Houston Texas advances the ball against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Quick Take: The Texans obviously have a keeper in Andre Johnson, but that's about it. 

Kevin Walter wasn't really expected to do much better.  He's still the same consistent, slightly above average Kevin Walter.

Jacoby Jones was expected to step up this year, but he failed to do so.  He almost doubled his reception total but his yards per catch and touchdown total dropped significantly.

Chance 3%

11. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons reaches for a pass in front of Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Quick Take: Roddy White was a monster in 2010.  

He was about 100 yards from tripling the next best Atlanta wide receiver's total.  That's not necessarily a good thing.

Michael Jenkins only caught two touchdowns this season, horrible for a starting wide receiver, regardless if he missed a few games.  Harry Douglass only had 22 receptions on the year and can't be relied on to step up.

Chance: 3%

10. Kansas City Chiefs

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Chris Chambers #84 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to get past Bradley Fletcher #32 of the St. Louis Rams after making a catch at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-

Quick Take: The Chiefs have nothing across from Dwayne Bowe. Literally, nothing.

No other Kansas City wide receiver caught more than 22 balls this season.

While Dwayne Bowe caught 15 touchdowns, the rest of the Chiefs wide receivers combined caught two. Can you say double coverage?

Chance: 3%

9. New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Brandon Tate #19 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins chases after him on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Quick Take: It's not like the Patriots really need any help on offense at all.

Wes Welker did have a down year after ACL surgery, as to be expected, and the injury-prone Deion Branch is getting up there in age.

Brandon Tate probably can't be leaned on with anything except the return game.

Chance: 3%

8. Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - DECEMBER 12: Devin Aromashodu #19 of the Chicago Bears satnds on the sidelines trying to stay warm during the final minutes of a game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defea

Quick Take: The Bears haven't had a wide receiver resembling a number one since Bernard Berrian.

Devin Hester obviously is most effective as a return man.  Devin Aroshamadu failed miserably to live up to expectations.

Johnny Knox just missed out on a 1,000 yard season, but he still only had 51 receptions.  

Chance: 5%

7. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 and Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals watch from the sideline during the final minutes of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Quick Take: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are both set to become free agents.  

Each is a veteran, competitive receiver with no ring.  Expect them both to move to greener pastures.

After those two, the Bengals have nothing at wide receiver besides Jordan Shipley, who is probably best suited in the slot.

Chance: 5%

6. Cleveland Browns

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Mohammed Massaquoi #11 of the Cleveland Browns and Keith Ellison #56 of the Buffalo Bills try to make a play at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Quick Take: The Browns number-one goal this off season must be to surround Colt McCoy with as many weapons as possible.

Mohamed Massaquoi is probably capable of being a solid number-two receiver, but nothing more.

Cleveland didn't have one wide receiver with over 40 catches or eclipse the 500-yard mark this year.

Chance: 5%

5. Carolina Panthers

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

Quick Take: Steve Smith looked like a shell of his former self in 2010.  Of course, the Panthers horrific quarterback play didn't help any.

Smith may be dealt this off season as he's grown impatient as a veteran without a ring.

David Gettis and Brandon LaFell both look like they can turn into capable two and three receivers, but definitely not a number-one target.

Chance: 5%

4. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks runs after a catch as Scott Shanle #58 of the New Orleans Saints attempts the tackle in the first half during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Sea

Quick Take: Mike Williams has taken advantage of his fourth chance to make it in the league and looks as though he can be a solid number-two receiver.

Ben Obomanu shouldn't be starting in the NFL, though.

Brandon Stokley put together a great performance against the Saints, but he's 34 years old and can't be seen as part of the future.  Golden Tate better show progress in his second season or the Seahawks will really need help.

Chance: 7%

3. St. Louis Rams

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Danny Amendola #16 of the St. Louis Rams is tackled by Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 31-13. (Photo by Chr

Quick Take: The Rams wide receivers are pretty much the reason they didn't make the playoffs.

They should find two new starters this off season.  

Danny Amendola had 85 catches, but he also had an abysmal 8.1 yards per reception.  Brandon Gibson, Laurent Robinson, Danario Alexander...Mardy Gilyard better develop fast.

Chance: 10%

2. Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Santana Moss #89 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball after a catch during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (P

Quick Take: The Redskins are always looking to add talent through free agency and wide receiver is a huge need.

Santana Moss had a great year with 93 receptions for 1,100 yards, but he's set to become a free agent. If he leaves, they'll be left with almost nothing.

Anthony Armstrong turned out to be a pleasant surprise, but he's not much more than a number-three receiver. Thirty-nine-year old Joey Galloway started four games for this team: Enough said.

Chance: 10%

1. New York Giants

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants races down the sidelines as cornerback Kareem Jackson #25 pursues at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Quick Take: Smith would be a top free agent target any other year, but with so many other big names hitting free agency, the market may die down a little bit.

If the Giants can successfully resign Ahmad Bradshaw, Smith would be the next player they would use their franchise tag on.

With Hakeem Nicks blowing up, Smith could leave to an offense where he would be the number-one guy, but the Giants still have to be considered the favorites to sign him.

Chance: 38%

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter or at One Yard Short.com.