NFL Free Agency Speculation: 10 Teams in the Mix for Santonio Holmes
As I detailed here yesterday, Santonio Holmes is going to be one of the most valuable free agents on the open market—assuming there is an NFL free agency period this offseason.
The truth is most of the league's teams are looking for a speedy receiver who can stretch a defense and make big-time, clutch plays. In fact, you could probably count the number of teams on one hand who wouldn't want to add Holmes to their team, based simply on talent.
Of course, some teams will be scared by the character issues; others because they simply don't have the cap space to make it happen.
But here are a few teams that absolutely are in position to acquire Holmes or should strongly consider him even if they are not.
Buffalo Bills
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The Bills actually showed a good deal of improvement in the final two months of last season. Much of this improvement was due to the quarterback play of Ryan Fitzpatrick. There has been great speculation of the Bills drafting a QB in the first round of this year's draft.
While I believe that would be a huge mistake, we cannot dismiss this notion. Holmes would be a great addition to calm the young QB and give the Bills a true playmaker to pair alongside Lee Evans.
The Bills will likely try to fix holes on defense and on the offensive line in the draft, making their best opportunity to add a young stud receiver in free agency. Still the odds seem low that Holmes would move north of The Big Apple.
New York Jets
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The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Holmes did put up some pretty amazing numbers in 12 games, only 10 of which he started.
With a full year in the system, Holmes' presence on the Jets' offense would only seem to help them.
The Jets and Holmes did not agree to a contract tender before the lockout, but the Jets will likely work things out in order to offer Holmes a long-term deal, or at least in my humble opinion, they should.
Cleveland Browns
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Yes, the Browns will be running a West Coast Offense next season. And it's true that scheme isn't the absolute best fit for Holmes' skill set.
Still the Browns lack overall team speed, especially at the wide receiver position. Even if Holmes just ran "go routes" all day, defenses would instantly fear the Browns offense 10 times more than they currently do.
Cleveland should be in position to make this move financially if they so choose, but the odds seem slim he would return to the AFC North for a team likely to finish last in the division...again.
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Kansas City Chiefs
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The Chiefs really had one receiver this past season. I mean that almost literally.
Dwayne Bowe is the big, physical receiver on the other side who would complement Holmes' deep speed perfectly. The two would become potentially the most dangerous duo in the AFC.
It's hard to see a problem with this move, as the Chiefs offense is set up to throw the ball vertically. They just need a guy to get deep in order to do so successfully.
Finally, you know Scott Pioli has the cap space for such a move. A frugal spender, Pioli could pounce on one of the prize possessions in the free-agent class.
Oakland Raiders
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The Oakland Raiders are famous for throwing the ball vertically. In recent seasons, they've designed their offense to continue this tradition.
But there's one little problem—with the exception of glimpses from Jacoby Ford this season and Chaz Schillens two years ago—they haven't had the players to run the system effectively.
Add in Holmes and the Raiders have a legitimate deep threat to go along with their power running game, anchored by Darren McFadden. If they can keep tight end Zack Miller, they would have three legitimate playmakers. Tell me Jason Campbell can't succeed with that group of skill players.
That's what I thought...you can't.
The Raiders are generally willing to pay any price and likely won't be scared away by the character stuff, making this a very real possibility.
Washington Redskins
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Another West Coast Offense team; Mike Shanahan's version has always been more of a vertical version. He likes to get the ball down the field. Similar to a lot of the teams on this list, he has a problem—he doesn't have a guy who can do so effectively.
Holmes can run the vertical routes and make big plays down the field. The Redskins just need to find a quarterback.
We all know Dan Snyder will shell out the money. The only thing standing in the way of this deal getting done is both sides determining they want to enter into this marriage.
Chicago Bears
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The Bears have talent at the receiver spot, no doubt about it. But much of it is unrefined. They need a guy to be the guy.
Holmes is ideally a great No. 2 receiver, but with the Bears' system and the talent around him, he could suffice as the No. 1. Jay Cutler's arm would ensure that.
The Bears could pay the fee if they wanted to, though it's hard to determine whether the Bears would take on a guy with Holmes' baggage.
Minnesota Vikings
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Much of the Vikings' offensive plans are currently in flux. But one thing is almost certain—Percy Harvin will be the team's slot receiver next season. After that, it's all up in the air.
Will Sidney Rice return? If he does, he provides the primary vertical threat for the offense, but if he doesn't, the Vikings will be missing that integral piece. And even if he does return, why wouldn't the Vikings at least consider adding another multi-dimensional target to their offense?
One reason might be money. Another might be a perceived lack of size among the majority of the receiving corps. Or they may determine that it just isn't worth investing in so much talent at the position when there's nobody of note to throw them the ball.
St. Louis Rams
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It is absolutely possible the Rams could decide to take Julio Jones in the first round of the draft, making this signing nearly impossible. But that assumes that Jones is still available at No. 14.
It is assumed the Rams are looking for a horizontal receiving threat—a la Terrell Owens. By this, I mean that they want a guy who will run the crossing routes, slants and hitches and run after the catch. That is why Jones is such a popular name to become a Ram.
But Josh McDaniels' offenses have always been diverse enough that it will make room for the vertical game if there is a receiver capable of stretching the defense. So if Jones is unavailable, Holmes becomes a crucial commodity for an offense who really only has one playmaker—and he is getting up there in years for a running back.
Seattle Seahawks
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Save the playoff win versus the Saints, the Seahawks really struggled to create explosive plays whether through the air or on the ground. Mike Williams was the only consistent weapon the 'Hawks had in the passing game, but he was more of that horizontal receiver I discussed earlier.
Yes, Seattle has Golden Tate, who figures to help in this department in his sophomore season, but relying on that is like relying on a three-year old to follow instructions perfectly—it could happen, but there are no guarantees.
Seattle has done a pretty good job with the cap, and they seem to be a team not too scared by the notion of adding a player with a bit of a poor reputation. But will Holmes get the deep looks with the 'Hawks, who were a very horizontal offense a season ago?
If they could assure him of that, he might just be seen in whatever color those awful jerseys are.
Conclusion
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My money, that I don't actually have to dish out, says Holmes returns to the Jets on a long-term deal. I say this in part because I feel the Jets need him. And for that matter, he needs the Jets.
My second choice would definitely be the Redskins. After that, it's all a guess to me. But these are 10 locations where I see Holmes as a good to great fit.
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