NFL News and Rumors: 10 Landing Spots for Mike Sims-Walker
Mike Sims-Walker announced today that he will not return to Jacksonville for the 2011 season. He joins a deep list of free agent wide receivers that are looking to sign with new teams.
The wide receiver is one of the most important positions in the game today. With such a focus on passing in the league, many teams are looking for talented wide receivers who can make big plays for them.
Sims-Walker is a 6’2”, 215 pound speedster who is one of the best number two receivers in the NFL. Plenty of teams would love to have such a talented wide out on their squad for 2011.
The following are 10 possible landing spots for Mike-Sims Walker.
10. San Francisco 49ers
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The 49ers top receiver last season was tight end Vernon Davis, who had 56 catches for 914 yards and seven touchdowns. He is complimented at the wide out position by Michael Crabtree and Ted Ginn Jr.
Sims-Walker would be a great addition to this unit. Alex Smith has had a lot of trouble at quarterback and needs all the help he can get. With weapons like Frank Gore, Ginn, Crabtree and Davis, San Francisco might become a more attractive destination for free agent quarterbacks to replace Smith.
9. Carolina Panthers
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Steve Smith has been one of the best receivers of the 2000s, but he is starting to get old. The Panthers need to add depth at receiver as bad as any team in the NFL.
This destination should be attractive to Mike Sims-Walker because it would allow him to be the number one receiver. Right now, he is better than Steve Smith, and he would see more passes thrown his way.
Carolina needs to find some weapons to put around quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Sims-Walker would be a good start.
8. Chicago Bears
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Offensive coordinator Mike Martz is one of the greatest passing minds of all-time. He has his quarterback in Jay Cutler, but he doesn’t have many receivers to work with. Johnny Knox is a solid target, but after that, it looks bleak.
Earl Bennett and Devin Hester are decent third receivers, but the Bears desperately need a second receiver.
Sims-Walker can be this guy for the Bears. He can be the player that pushes the NFC North champions over the edge. With Sims-Walker, the Bears are contenders to make the Super Bowl.
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7. Seattle Seahawks
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Mike Williams is a solid NFL receiver. But if he is your top receiver, you’re in trouble.
Pete Carroll loves to throw the ball and will need a better receiver if his offense is going to work. He will most likely go after Sidney Rice, but Mike Sims-Walker would be a great candidate as well.
The NFC West is very weak. If the Seahawks can snag Sims-Walker, then they might be the favorites to win the division.
6. Tennessee Titans
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Kenny Britt and Nate Washington are good receivers, but they’re not go-to-guys.
Sims-Walker would be the go-to receiver on this team and the best offensive weapon not named Chris Johnson.
The Titans are expected to go after a quarterback in the draft or free agency. If they want their new quarterback to have any success, they will need receivers to throw the ball to. Sims-Walker could very well be that guy.
5. Oakland Raiders
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The leading receiver for the Raiders last season was tight end Zach Miller. The Raiders have previously stated that they do not plan to tag Miller, meaning Miller might walk.
If Miller leaves, the Raiders passing game will be gone. Sims-Walker could go to the Raiders and be their only threat at wide receiver.
Last season, Oakland had the second best rushing attack in the NFL, but only had the 23rd best passing attack.
They obviously need to improve at wide receiver. Al Davis has been know to overspend on wide receivers, could Sims-Walker be the next to cash in?
4. New York Jets
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The Jets already have a strong group of receivers in Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. However, they are still a weak passing team.
With Sims-Walker, the Jets will supply quarterback Mark Sanchez three great options to throw to.
Rex Ryan said that the Jets will win the Super Bowl in 2012, and this might be the deal that gets them there. With a strong passing offense, the Jets would appear to be unbeatable.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
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It appears that Terrell Owens will not be back with the Bengals next season. Chad Johnson might be on the move soon as well.
With both of those players gone, Cincinnati would have lost their top two receivers.
This leaves an opening for Mike Sims-Walker to sign and instantly become the team's top receiver.
This depends greatly on what happens with the Carson Palmer saga. A receiver like Sims-Walker might be weary to sign with a team that does not have a proven quarterback.
2. Washington Redskins
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The Redskins are likely to draft a quarterback with the 10th overall pick in the draft. It could be Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert or Jake Locker, but the issue remains the same—who will the Redskins supply as compliments to these young quarterbacks?
Running back Ryan Torain has shown promise when healthy, and wide receiver Santana Moss has proven that he has still got it. However, those are the only two real offensive weapons the Redskins have at the moment.
Like the Raiders, the Redskins have been to know to throw some serious money around during free agency. Don’t be surprised if they offer Sims-Walker a huge deal.
1. St. Louis Rams
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The Rams might have the best young quarterback in the NFL in Sam Bradford. He has proven he has what it takes to be an elite quarterback in this league, but he has no weapons at wide receiver.
Now imagine the Rams with Sims-Walker. Sam Bradford, Stephen Jackson and Mike Sims-Walker make for a very talented offense.
If they can sign him, the Rams may begin to separate themselves from the rest of the NFC West. Dare I say they may even become major players for the NFC crown?
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