NFL's Top 10 Free Agent Wide Receivers: Just Give Them the Damn Ball
For teams in desperate need of a play-making wide receiver, the offseason will be spent evaluating NFL hopefuls in the draft as well those players who are NFL-tested and looking for a new contract.
Size, speed, and youth will likely be in demand, and this free agency crop definitely has the supply.
Assuming the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) gets resolved and free agency actually takes place, there are a number of available players that will garner a lot of interest.
Terrell Owens and Randy Moss will be on the market, but they didn't make my list. Who did? Let's take a look!
No. 10: Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
1 of 10
When Vincent Jackson was out of the lineup, which turned out to be for all but five games in 2010, Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers had to rely heavily on Malcolm Floyd.
Floyd filled in quite nicely, grabbing 37 balls for 717 yards and 6 touchdowns. He's got great size at 6'5'', 225 lbs, and he's only 29 years old.
Like most of the guys on this list, Floyd will likely be looking for a long-term, high-dollar contract.
If teams are patient, they may be able to snatch Floyd off the market if he doesn't get the big deal he's looking for.
No. 9: Mark Clayton, St. Louis Rams
2 of 10
After being dealt to the Rams by the Ravens, Mark Clayton instantly became a reliable, veteran target for Sam Bradford.
In four games, Clayton had 22 receptions, 300 yards, and 2 touchdowns. It appeared he was headed for a strong year.
Early in week 5, however, Clayton suffered a knee injury that ended his season.
Now, heading in 2011, Clayton is healthy and looking for a long term deal. He doesn't really have the size most teams are looking for (he's 5'10'', 190 lbs), but he's got good speed, solid hands, and runs routes well.
Clayton is only 28 years old and would be a reliable option for any offense, especially those with young, inexperienced quarterbacks at the helm.
No. 8: James Jones, Green Bay Packers
3 of 10
Perhaps no one in the NFL has a better passing attack than the Green Bay Packers. With guys like Greg Jennings and Donald Driver to throw to, Aaron Rodgers also found a way to spread the ball around to guys like Jordy Nelson and James Jones.
Jones, who is only 26 years old, had a very solid year with 50 catches, 679 yards, and 5 touchdowns. He's got great size (6'1'', 208 lbs) and speed. He showed in 2010 that he's capable of making big plays when his team really needs one.
Although, I have one concern about Jones. Rumor has it, he considers himself to be heading towards the elite class of receivers. He'll likely be looking for a long-term, very high-dollar contract.
It remains to be seen whether or not he can still shine without Jennings and Driver next to him.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 7: Steve Smith, New York Giants
4 of 10
Steve Smith, 25, has shown over the last couple of seasons that he is a legitimate top-level NFL wideout.
Even with players like Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham next to him, Smith still proved to be Eli Manning's favorite target when he was on the field.
Despite missing seven games 2010, Smith was able to record 48 catches, 529 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
In 2009, he had 107 catches, 1,220 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
When healthy, Smith is as good as any receiver in the league. I'm sure the Giants will do whatever they can to re-sign him, but if they fail, another team could position themselves to steal him away.
No. 6: Braylon Edwards, New York Jets
5 of 10
In 2007, all indications were that Braylon Edwards was on his way to one heck of a career. It was his third NFL season and he poured in 80 catches, 1,229 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
Unfortunately for Edwards, he hasn't been able to repeat that terrific performance.
2010 was his best season since, when he compiled 53 receptions, 903 yards, and 7 touchdowns.
There's no questioning Edwards' talent. He's got great size (6'3'', 214 lbs) and speed, but has shown a tendency to drop passes and disappear for long stretches during games.
He's also got a few character issues.
That said, if the price is right, it might be worth investing in Edwards for the future.
No. 5: Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals
6 of 10
For the past few years, Steve Breaston's name has been at the top of many lists of potential breakout receivers.
Playing his entire career behind players like Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, Breaston has shown flashes of his ability to make big plays.
He's finally a free agent and now we can see what kind of contract he'll warrant.
At 27 years old, standing at 6'0'', 189 lbs, Breaston has all the tools necessary to be a very successful receiver in the NFL.
Again, we'll just have to wait and see how much he and his agent will be looking for in a new contract.
No. 4: Santonio Holmes, New York Jets
7 of 10
I'll be the first to say that Santonio Holmes doesn't exactly have the best reputation throughout the NFL.
Like many of his fellow receivers, he talks a bit too much, laughs a bit too loud, and thinks a bit too highly of himself.
All that said, this guy has got a lot of talent. He's not going to out-muscle anyone, but he's got very good speed and is a great route runner.
Whether it was as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New York Jets, Holmes always found a way to make plays when they really matter.
No. 3: Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars
8 of 10
The reason I have Mike Sims-Walker ranked high on this list is because I think he has the best price tag to talent ratio of any receiver in the NFL.
He's a big guy (6'2'', 215lbs) who's got nice hands and very good speed. He has been a solid performer on a pretty weak passing team in Jacksonville for the last couple of years.
Although there are a few injury concerns, Sims-Walker is only 26 years old and has a much higher ceiling than most would think.
He might just be the best option for any team looking to add a wide receiver who can instantly step into the #1 spot without having to break the bank.
Unlike the next two guys....
No. 2: Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers
9 of 10
If NFL GMs and coaches could design a player to fill their need for a number one wide receiver, the synthetic beast of a player they created would probably look a lot like Vincent Jackson.
At 6'5'', 230 lbs, and 28 years of age, Jackson is exactly what teams need. He's a guy who can stretch the field, but one who can also dominate in the red zone.
He's young, athletic, and durable, but there's a catch.
He's a bit troubled.
Whoever does sign Jackson will be getting a tremendous talent, but they will also be taking on a lot of baggage. Whether it's character issues related to his multiple DUIs or the fact that he's willing to sit out 11 games because he doesn't like his contract, Jackson is sure to keep things interesting.
He will likely demand a top-of-the-market new contract. The production will definitely be there but is it worth the price, both financially and mentally?
No. 1: Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings
10 of 10
Perhaps the most intriguing option in the free agent wide receiver crop is Sidney Rice.
Drafted in 2007 in the second round, Rice showed steady improvement until he exploded in 2009 for 83 receptions, 1312 yards, and 8 touchdowns.
He missed most of 2010 with a hip injury but is believed to be healthy and ready to pick up where he left off in 2009.
He's huge (6'4'', 205 lbs.), fast, and young (24).
Most importantly, he brings little, if any, baggage. The only concern teams are going to have with him is his ability to stay healthy.
Rice will undoubtedly be the most sought-after free agent wide receiver heading into 2011. With teams like the Redskins and Bears in the hunt, we may see a bidding war like none we've ever seen before.
I would consider Rice the only wide receiver worthy of breaking the bank for. What do you guys think?
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")