Top 30 Fantasy Football Players Relevant on the Move : Terrell Owens #22

TO will likely be taking his popcorn maker to his sixth different NFL city after the impending free agent butted heads and egos with the Bengals coaching staff as their 2010 season spiraled into the toilet.

The 4-12 Bungles have Jerome Simpson waiting in the wings, and might decide to go with a youth movement. Many mock drafts have Cincy rumored to be using the fourth overall pick on wide receiver AJ Green (although Julio Jones is gaining steam as the potential No. 1 WR in this draft class after an impressive combine performance this weekend).

The 37 year old Drew Rosenhaus client will likely go to the highest bidder, but his demand could be limited by the fact that recent reports have the much younger Sidney Rice hitting unrestricted free agency.

The free agent class of WRs is one of the strongest to date; Santonio Holmes and Steve Smith (NYG) to name a couple, and April’s draft boasts four potential first round talents (Jon Baldwin and Titus Young could join Green and Jones as day 1 selections).

Owens is entering his 13th NFL season, but remains one of the better conditioned WRs in the game.

In the first half of 2010 he was a legit asset for fantasy owners, as he amassed seven TDs and topped 100 yards in three games, including a monster performance in week four against Cleveland (10 catches for 222 yards). The second half of the season was a completely different story, as the entire Bengal passing game struggled on the shoulders of an erratic and declining Carson Palmer.

Owens failed to top 70 yards in any of the final eight contests (missed three games due to a knee injury), and totaled only two TDs down the stretch.

The 2010 season proved that Owens has plenty left in the tank and would be a welcomed addition to WR needy teams—provided that he can keep his ego in check (a big if for Mr “I love me some me”). 

Owens has enjoyed a hall of fame career while averaging 80 catches, 1,169 yards, and 11 TDs during his 12 seasons. Hopefully, the demands of filming the TO/OCHO show don’t detract from Owens' performance, if and when the 2011 season kicks off.

Depending on how free agency shakes out, as well as the outcome of April’s draft, TO could be bench pressing on a front lawn in any of these cities in 2011:

St Louis: 

With rookie QB Sam Bradford at the helm, the Rams posted an impressive turnaround 2010 season, finishing with a 7-9 record (just short of the playoffs). The NFC West is up for grabs after Seattle represented with a losing record.

The Rams' passing game ranked 21st (204 yards/game), and they scored only 18 points per game in Bradford’s first season. TO has expressed interest to St Louis—a team in desperate need of a No. 1 WR—as Danny Amendola led the team with 85 catches for 689 yards and three TDs.

If Julio Jones is selected before the Rams' pick at No. 14, finding a true No. 1 WR via free agency should be a high priority.

NY Jets:

The Jets have now made the AFC title game for two straight years, but have yet to make the Super Bowl.

Both leading WRs Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards are free agents, and one—if not both—are likely to walk.

After trading for Santonio Holmes last season, Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum proved that they are willing to roll the dice, making Owens a viable option if the Jets are unable to resign their own free agents.

The Jets' passing offense finished 22nd (203 yards/game), as the jury is still out on QB Mark Sanchez (especially for fantasy purposes). For what its worth, TO and OCHO both expressed interest in joining Rex Ryan for foot massages in 2011.

Baltimore: 

Head coach John Harbaugh recently signed a contract extension, and must know that an upgrade at WR is required for Joe Flacco’s development.

The Ravens could use another WR opposite Anquan Boldin—who fizzled down the stretch. Veteran Derrick Mason is on the decline, and is an impending free agent.  Owens is obviously familiar with the division, and Ray Lewis could probably keep the Diva in line.

Chicago:

At 37 years old, TO will likely appeal more to Super Bowl contenders. The Bears got about as close as they could get in 2010, but their odds of repeating in the NFC North is contingent on upgrading a below average WR corps.  

Johnny Knox (960 yards, 5 TDs) proved to be starter-worthy, but Jay Cutler would welcome an upgrade from Devin Hester.  TO (6'3", 224 pounds) is not a prototypical Martz WR, though, as the mad scientist prefers smaller, speedy WRs.

Click here to see the other teams we think Owens could play for in 2011.  Don't miss the rest of the players we have profiled at FFSpin.com