NFL Free Agent Rumors: 10 Potential Destinations for the Giants' Steve Smith

New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith could have a new home.

Smith remains unsigned, but the Giants placed a second-round tender on him recently, meaning teams would have to give up a second-round draft pick as compensation.

Smith, who is recovering from microfracture surgery in his left knee, told the New York Post he expects to get a new contract from the Giants. Before going down with a knee injury, Smith missed four games with a torn pectoral muscle.

As a result of the injuries, Smith had 48 catches last year for 529 yards, with three touchdowns. It's well below his 2009 performance, which saw him finish with 1,220 yards receiving. Smith hasn't scored more than seven touchdowns in a season, but right now he's averaging 10.8 yards per reception for his career.

I can't see Smith leaving New York, but if he did, these 10 teams could be in the mix.  

10. Dallas Cowboys

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Wide receiver Roy Williams #11 of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Titans won 34-27. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

It will probably go down as one of the worst decisions in Jerry Jones' tenure when he gave Williams a six-year, $54 million deal before he even played a down for the team.

The new CBA may be able to give Jones the ability to get out of the contract, which has Williams being paid over $5 million this year, nearly $7 million in 2012 and almost $8.5 million in 2013.

Smith would be immediately better than Williams, but this is an incredible long shot. The Cowboys have so many holes to fill and other spots to upgrade. I also have a hard time seeing Jerry part ways with a second-round pick, especially with a division rival.

9. 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

Like Dallas, it's tough to see another division rival just giving a second-round pick away so easily.

Santana Moss' contract was voided just five days after Super Bowl XLV, however, so the team will need to address this position. Moss, now an unrestricted free agent, had a team-high 93 catches for 1,115 yards last season.

After Moss, the team's next top receivers are Anthony Armstrong (871 yards, three touchdowns) and tight end Chris Cooley (849 yards, three touchdowns).

8. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 05: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Paul Brown Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 34-30. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Im

If Carson Palmer plans to retire, it's hard to see Smith really wanting to go here.

At the same time, there's no certainty that Chad Johnson will remain here, along with Terrell Owens, so there could be an opening to come and contribute. Smith would also give the team another threat to go with Jordan Shipley and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

Again—long odds, but if the money's right, you never count anything out.

7. Carolina Panthers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Think about the pure comedy of hearing the PA announcer say "Steve Smith" during a game and fans have to differentiate them by their numbers.

If Carolina's Steve Smith winds up leaving, that will leave a hole to fill. After him, the team's next best receivers are David Gettis (508 yards receiving) and Brandon LaFell (468). The two combined for four touchdown catches last year.

Is it a possibility for New York's Steve Smith to land here? Sure. But players like him don't want to endure massive rebuilding projects. Carolina also can't be throwing away second round picks when it has so many needs to address.

6. 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

A risky move because St. Louis still has lots of needs to address.

The Rams need a burner, a big-time playmaker, but most expect them to address this via the draft. Most mock drafts have had St. Louis choosing Alabama's Julio Jones.

If Jones is off the board, though, they could go after Smith, who would be a great addition with Danny Amendola, Danario Alexander and Brandon Gibson.

St. Louis sniffed the playoffs last year and are just a few parts away from knocking down the door. 

5. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 14: Owner Woody Johnson of the New York Jets talks with general manager Mike Holmgren of the Cleveland Browns prior to the start of their game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sulli

If I'm Mike Holmgren, I go grab A.J. Green with my first pick in the draft, then follow that by getting one of the many talented defensive linemen available. That's the first part.

Get Green, then add Smith and suddenly Colt McCoy would all sorts of options to throw to, including tight end Benjamin Watson (763 yards receiving last season), Mohamed Massaquoi (483) and running back Peyton Hillis (477).

Would this put them on the same level with Pittsburgh and Baltimore? No, but it certainly should make them much more competitive.

4. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty I

The team does need another playmaker to take defenders off Roddy White. Getting to catch passes from Matt Ryan could also be appealing for Smith as well.

The Falcons are still a very young team and their upside is huge. Smith would be foolish to not consider this.

3. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Mike Williams #17 of the Seattle Seahawks completes a reception over Jabari Greer #33 of the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jona

I've watched Steve Smith plenty, and I've also seen Seattle's receivers in action.

Smith would be an immediate improvement over Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu, Deon Butler and Brandon Stokley.

Having a solid quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck certainly wouldn't hurt things either in the decision-making process.

2. San Francisco 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Wide receiver Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a 38 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 201

This could be a serious option.

Smith just had his first child, a son named Carter, on Feb.18, and he lives with his mother in San Francisco. Smith told the New York Post he would like to have Carter with him during the season.

"It's one of the greatest feelings I ever had, right up there with winning the Super Bowl," Smith told the paper. "It does change your life, makes you look at people differently and you have, I feel like, more love in your heart." 

San Francisco definitely can't afford to part ways with a second-round pick, but I also know they're not as far off from the playoffs as Carolina or Denver.

If Frank Gore's healthy, then you get in the right quarterback, and add Smith with a group that includes Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis, and your offense has the chance to be pretty explosive.

1. San Diego Chargers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

You could still be much closer to your kid compared to cross-country in New York, play with one of the game's top quarterbacks in Philip Rivers and live in an incredible city.

There's lots of upside to this move. You've also got to like the race for the AFC West title that could unfold between the Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders.

Adding Smith to the mix would also improve San Diego's receiving corps, which returns Vincent Jackson along with tight end Antonio Gates (782 yards, 10 touchdowns), Malcolm Floyd (717) and Patrick Crayton (514).