Randy Moss and the 10 Most Explosive Free Agent Wide Receivers
Who says free agency is dead? Well, technically it is, but if free agency were alive and well, a list of explosive players would emerge.
When I say explosive, I mean guys who can break the game open on one play.
Light the fuse and run for cover; here are 10 players about to explode on to the free agent market, once and if it opens.
And as always, your comments and suggestions are welcome. One man's list is another man's shooting target.
10: Mike Williams: Seattle Seahawks
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Oh, I can hear it now, boo. Who? Mike Williams, former Detroit Lion? Yep, that’s right.
Despite sitting out nearly three years, the former USC Trojan is back and with his old ball coach. After a much ballyhooed start in Detroit, Williams saw fit to go through two other teams (Oakland, Tennessee in 2007) before settling in with Carroll in Seattle in 2010.
Maybe ole Williams just needed his security blanket back.
Williams is 6’5”, and his 230 lb. frame is akin to a tight end, and that size enables him to break tackles and stretch short passes into long gains.
Williams is still only 27 despite being out of the league—you see, that’s what happens when you draft a young, immature person Detroit—so Williams has many productive years ahead of him.
In all honesty, Williams will most likely want to stay in Seattle, and he should. His daddy is there, and to go elsewhere might once again toss him into the abyss, ending his career for good.
9: James Jones: Green Bay Packers
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Jones basically lives in the shadows of Jennings and Driver and is one of those free agents that might wind up being one of the better picks, or yet another nightmare signing.
Jones is 27 and just completed his fourth season in Green Bay. The knock on Jones is the same as some other free agents in here: drops. Jones can make the acrobatic circus catch and then be known to drop a standard third and five catch, followed by Rodgers abrupt unsnapping of his chin strap.
He is certainly an explosive style player and would be a great complement as a No.2 receiver. Although Jones lacks that explosive speed that others on this list has, he is a smooth runner with deceptive speed, and when not looking lazy, he is a pretty crisp route runner.
Jones will not get a lot of phone calls in free agency because there are several FA players out there that have similar attributes. The only real thing he has going for him is the fact that he is a Super Bowl winner, and sometimes teams just want that aura and spirit in the locker room.
8: Steve Breaston: Arizona Cardinals
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Breaston is an interesting guy. He is a great setup to Fitzgerald and has explosive abilities. He is young (27), heading into his fifth season and has gotten better each year.
The only issue with Breaston would be the fact that he is the No. 2 guy. Some No. 2 guys want to be the No. 1 guy, and if they go to a team that tries to alter the natural order, the player generally suffers. We have seen this with many receivers in the past.
The Cardinals would do well to keep Breaston and Fitzgerald together. The explosive tandem bring fear to many defenses, and to break that up would significantly affect the Cardinals big play ability.
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7: Steve Smith: New York Giants
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Smith is not necessarily known as an explosive player, but the list is being generous to the Giants very productive receiver.
Smith is a very effective slot receiver, and we know how important those guys can be in opening things up for the “explosive” guys. Despite his injury last season, which may affect his marketability, there is no denying he would instantly upgrade a team's receiving corps.
The really good news for Smith is that he is only 26, one of the youngest FA receivers on the market; however, it is a good bet the Giants will do what they can to re-sign the ex-USC Trojan.
6: Randy Moss: Tennessee Titans/Minnesota Vikings/New England Patriots
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Randy is like that old muscle car. Even though you shouldn't, you are tempted to buy it.
Randy Moss turned 34 in February, and for most, that would mean that it’s time to start thinking about that post-football career, and many think Randy is basically done, but I beg to differ.
Let’s just throw out last year. It was a hose job from day one. The Vikings ill-advised trade for Moss, and then the Chilly incident of releasing the guy without ownership knowing was another nail in the Childress coffin.
Then, poor Randy signs with a Titan team imploding as well. No wonder he wanted to go back to New England, and who wouldn’t?
Is he going to catch 80 balls for 1,200 yards anymore? Doubtful, but think about this. Randy had five TD's last season, two with Minnesota in less than four games and the other three with the Patriots in four games, so the man can still find the end zone and this league is all about scoring. I'm just saying.
There is no doubt Randy has two or three more productive years left in him, and some teams will surely look his way, because like I said, he’s that old muscle car. Someone wants it, even if they don’t need it.
5: Malcolm Floyd: San Diego Chargers
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It’s always tricky when you have these receiving tandems to know if a guy is that good or is simply the benefactor of good company.
There is no denying the airship that is the Chargers and what Philip Rivers is doing out there. One would have to consider whether Rivers makes his receivers look better than they are or vice versa. I would side with Rivers given what he did without Jackson for most of the year, and without Floyd and Gates part of the year.
Floyd is an intriguing guy because he has the ability to be a No. 1 guy. He is tall and has down the field capability.
The Chargers might be in a bind with both receivers on the market, and surely one will be back with them.
Floyd has spent his entire career with the Bolts, and the last three years, has 109 receptions for nearly 2,000 yards and 11 TD’s.
Floyd would need a solid No. 2 buddy in order to put up the numbers commensurate with a No. 1 receiver.
4: Sidney Rice: Minnesota Vikings
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If you look at Rice’s production from 2009, you can see why he is one of the hottest names out there this off-season at the receiver position. Once could argue that other than that year, Rice has done little in his four-year career, but the potential is certainly there, and several teams would show an immediate interest.
The bet is on Rice's potential more than anything else.
In 2009, Rice had 83 grabs for more than 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns. It was a pro-bowl season, but can Rice replicate that performance? His highest reception total prior to or since 2009 was his rookie year, where he had 31 receptions for 396 yards.
Rice has been injury plagued, but when healthy, he is as explosive as any at his position. By all accounts, Minnesota would like to keep the young Rice on their team, but if free agency does happen, there are some other options for them out there, and some of those are on our list.
3: Braylon Edwards: New York Jets
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Will some team flip for Edwards?
By all accounts, Edwards has had a solid career. The six-year veteran began his career with Cleveland and just completed his second season with the “knocking on the Super Bowl door” Jets.
Edwards is a field stretcher, but is known for his inconsistency. He is also known for his mouth, which so far, has been held at bay.
He has yet to match his 2007 season, when he had 80 receptions for nearly 1,300 yards and an astounding 16 touchdowns. Last season was Edwards’ most productive season (53-904-7) since, and perhaps with cause.
The Jets are in a quandary because three of their receivers are FA’s, Edwards, Holmes and Smith. Of the three, it is most likely that Edwards will be wearing another uniform next season.
2: Santonio Holmes: New York Jets
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In the armed forces, two jets flying together is always the norm, so let's back up the No. 3 guy with the No. 2 guy. The question is, who is who's wing man?
Santonio joins Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith as possible FA departures for the Jets. Man, if you really want to find out what kind of quarterback Sanchez is, lose two of these guys and find out very quickly.
Holmes is a character concern, but within the receiver position, that’s redundant. Aside from those “issues,” Holmes is one heckuva receiver and one who is explosive. He has shown that “he can be great.” That’s according to Holmes; not me.
My guess is the Jets will do more to keep Holmes than they will Edwards, but you never know. Money talks, and if someone shells out the big green backs, Holmes is on a flight to somewhere else.
1: Vincent Jackson: San Diego Chargers
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Well, did you predict this? It was a tough decision because so much is based on personnel needs, productivity and potential. I see Vincent Jackson offering all three criteria for many teams, and that is why he is my No. 1 player on the WR FA market.
In fairness to Jackson, being ranked ahead of Edwards and Holmes, he only played in eight games as a rookie, starting none, and last year, he only played in five games due to a contract dispute. The man just wanted to get paid, yo.
Jackson in six years has 212 receptions for 3,648 yards and 28 TD's. Those numbers are far inferior to Edwards, but Jackson is ranked higher here because he is more consistent and is capable of more of the route tree than is Edwards.
Jackson has all the intangibles, but by the same toke, has been fortunate in San Diego to be a complement to several targets, but he is explosive and can break open a game at any time. He will be a much sought after FA.
Hang on, there's one more slide to go. Maybe you like some of these that follow.
Some Notables Left off the List
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Santana Moss – career high last year in receptions (93) and more than 1,100 yards, so he is still very productive. He has been the Redskins most reliable weapon next to Chris Cooley.
Terrell Owens - At age 37, his marketability is diminishing quickly, but his mouth is not.
Donte’ Stallworth - Oh, how the mighty have fallen. This man’s career is falling faster than Anthony Weiner’s poll numbers, but he is a deep threat. No, I said deep threat, not deep throat.
TJ Houshamazily…hoosamazua…eh, forget it—and some people are beginning to forget this guy, too, especially Flacco. He started only two games for the Ravens last year and caught a career low 30 balls. Should have never left Seattle.
Mike Sims-Walker – tends to tail off at season’s end and seems injury prone, but can stretch a field.
Lance Moore – can be dangerous, but needs protection from other receivers getting defensive attention in order to be effective. He cannot manufacture his own greatness. Had his best year last year with 66 receptions and eight TD’s. He makes a very nice complementary receiver.
Well, there you have it, one man's take on the "hopeful" FA wide receiving market.
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