NFL FREE AGENCY: TOP 10 AVAILABLE WIDE RECEIVERS

BY ADAM GREENE

There’s been plenty of wide receiver movement in the early offseason, but the top free agents and guys on the trading block remain in the wind. A week into 2023 free agency, we still have big names, looking for big contracts and men available for dimes on the dollar trades.

Just as I was finishing this article up, Brandin Cooks (who would have been No. 3 on this list) was dealt from the Houston Texans to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for fifth and sixth round picks. A few days before that, Robert Woods (who would have been No. 4), was signed by that very same Texans squad.

Darius Slayton (who would have slidden in behind DJ Chark on this list), re-signed with the New York Giants before free agency opened.

So, needless to say, this list could be decimated by the time you see it, but the rankings remain the same, whether the guy is employed when you read this or not.

1. DEANDRE HOPKINS

Age: 30

2022: 6-1, 212 pounds, 64 receptions, 717 yards, three touchdowns

For a guy that should have never been on the trading block even once in his career, DeAndre Hopkins once again finds himself looking to consciously couple with a new employer. It’s never lack of productivity with Hopkins, but always about his current team’s desire to pay him nowhere near the ballpark of what he’s worth. In spite of the Arizona Cardinals offense barely working without him and Kyler Murray’s passer rating dropping 20 points anytime he’s not on the field, the team has decided to move on from their best and most productive offensive player. Hopkins hasn’t broken 1,000 receiving yards in two seasons, but missed part of last year on a suspension. He was injured at the end of the 2021 season. The year before, playing a full 16 game set, he caught 115 passes for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns.

Where he should end up: Indianapolis Colts

It’s been a fire sale with teams dumping higher priced talent and there’s no reason for Indianapolis, likely fielding a rookie quarterback this season, to not give that guy the best passing weapon they can for what will probably cost them a third round pick (and the contract Hopkins will need to re-up). Owner Jim Irsay is not afraid to open up that check book and adding Hopkins to an offense with Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman, Jr. and Jonathan Taylor will set a young QB up for success.

2. ODELL BECKHAM, JR.

Age: 30

2022: N/A

Odell Beckham, Jr. went from Super Bowl LVI champion to unemployed, thanks to a knee injury suffered in the Los Angeles Rams’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Beckham, before he got hurt, was on his way to a potential Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, a likely blowout win and a long term contract. When his knee buckled, everything changed. But OBJ took all of 2022 off, is healthy, and ready to contribute and looking for that big contract he was in line for before grabbing his leg in the Super Bowl.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Rams

Hey, there’s no reason to overthink this. The Rams are purging contracts in order for Sean McVay to completely overhaul the offense with nothing holding him back financially. There’s no question that this version of the LA offense works better with Beckham opposite of Cooper Kupp. It was the difference between a Super Bowl Championship and even making it there at all. Los Angeles tried to replace what OBJ could do with Allen Robinson (who will show up on this list), but it didn’t quite work out. Beckham, Jr. was made for LA. Might as well buy a house and stay.

3. ADAM THIELEN

Age: 32

2022: 6-2, 200 pounds, 70 receptions, 716 yards, six touchdowns

Adam Thielen has seen his production drop to a pretty steady No. 2 roll since he first broke out in 2018. That’s not a slight, as all he’s done is play opposite Stefon Diggs and then Justin Jefferson in his time with the Minnesota Vikings. There are only so many footballs to go around. What he’s never done is stop finding the end zone and last year’s six touchdowns, and that’s a lot, are tied for his lowest total since 2017. He had back to back double digit TD seasons from 2020-2021. He’s older, but because he broke through later, there’s not a lot of wear on the tires. Thielen’s got one more good contract in him.

Where he should end up: Buffalo Bills

Not only should Thielen be looking for a shot at a ring here at the end of his career, he could be someone who helps Buffalo get over the hump. The Bills still have Stefon Diggs, who looked as if he might land on this list as trade bait after their season ended, and Gabe Davis. After that, there’s not a lot, especially reliable targets like Thielen, who can not only bail out Josh Allen on third downs, but lay down some good downfield blocks when Allen keeps the ball.

4. JARVIS LANDRY

Age: 30

2022: 5-11, 196 pounds, 25 receptions, 272 yards, one touchdown

Landry was injured most of last season and didn’t have much of an impact with the New Orleans Saints. It’s the second year in a row that the former five-time (consecutive, no less) Pro Bowler didn’t finish a full season and the third in a row where he didn’t hit 1,000 yards. Does that mean he’s done? I don’t think so, but he’s definitely not a No. 1. Like Thielen, Landry’s probably looking at his last contract era (even if he ends up signing multiple one-year deals). No reason not to fully embrace the mercenary mentality and maybe try to get some hardware in the process.

Where he should end up: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers traded up for the No. 1 pick in the draft and will be selecting a quarterback. They gave up a lot more to get there, including a second rounder. That means they need to be particularly active in free agency in order to field weapons for this young signal caller, whether it’s CJ Stroud, Bryce Young or one of the other two “first round” QBs that will surely get Frank Reich fired again in two seasons. Add Landry to their young group and give this No. 1 overall pick a real chance.

5. ALLEN ROBINSON II

Age: 29

2022: 6-2, 220 pounds, 33 receptions, 339 yards, three touchdowns

Allen Robinson was the guy the Los Angeles Rams picked to be OBJ while OBJ was hurt and it worked out for absolutely no one. Robinson never got in sync with the offense and what he could bring, a downfield receiving threat, couldn’t materialize thanks to the Rams tissue paper offensive line. Robinson posted career lows in receptions and yardage before getting sidelined with an injury and is now perched upon the trading block. Robinson is just two seasons removed from a 102 catch, 1,250 yard, six touchdown season with the Chicago Bears. He just needs to land somewhere that’s a better fit.

Where he should end up: Baltimore Ravens

If the Ravens are serious about building a modern day NFL offense, they need to start at completely remaking their receiver group. Robinson is the kind of player that can bail out a quarterback by hauling in a jump ball and is not afraid to put his head down and block.

6. DJ CHARK

Age: 26

2022: 6-4, 198 pounds, 30 receptions, 502 yards, three touchdowns

Chark struggled to stay healthy last year, but in his 10 games managed to be a productive member of a surprisingly solid Detroit Lions receiver group. Chark is a five year vet and is probably not looking at any type of long term deal. As a slot receiver, he fits on most rosters and probably won’t break the bank.

Where he should end up: Tennessee Titans

No team has a weaker wide receiver room than Tennessee. Second year man Treylon Burks is the only potential standout with Nick Westbrook Ikhine (25 catches, 397 yards, three touchdowns) and Kyle Philis (8 catches, 78 yards) rounding out the top three. They’ll probably look for help in the draft, but there’s no reason not to add Chark for a year.

7. N’KEAL HARRY

Age: 25

2022: 6-4, 225 pounds, seven receptions, 116 yards, one touchdown

Add N’Keal Harry to the draft bust pile with Justin Blackmon and Laquon Treadwell in that, his bust-ation makes no sense to me. This guy should be in the midst of a solid career, but here he is, about to play for his third team since being drafted at No. 32 overall by the New England Patriots in 2019. At this point, Harry is a project that a coach would want to develop and try to rediscover the magic that had him rated a first round talent.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams can’t afford many big splashes this offseason and have been shedding cap like crazy in what they’re calling a remodel. Currently, that “remodel” is down a few receivers, especially if the team successfully ships Robinson out of town. Harry should cost next to nothing to add to the roster and Sean McVay has brought the careers of “problem players” back from the dead before.

8. KENNY GOLLADAY

Age: 29

2022: 6-4, 213 pounds, six receptions, 81 yards, one touchdown

Kenny Golladay will go down as one of the worst free agent signings in New York Giants history and nothing he does from this point on to save his career will change that. After three consecutive down (and injured) years, there’s always the chance that Golladay could call it a career. If it’s possible for him to be healthy, he should be fine now after barely seeing the field in 2022.

Where he should end up: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have no wide receiver depth to speak of and Golladay, coming in at a career low point, would be a bargain to add as a possible WR2 to take some of the pressure of Drake London. That is, of course, if Golladay can stay off the training table.

9. SAMMY WATKINS

Age: 29

2022: 6-1, 211 pounds, 16 receptions, 325 yards, no touchdowns

For a guy that’s put the “journey” in the journeyman monicker, Sammy Watksins has played in a lot of playoff games in his time moving through different franchises. In fact, Watkins hasn’t missed the playoffs on a roster since 2016, his final season with the Buffalo Bills.

Where he should end up: Houston Texans

After shipping off Brandin Cooks Sunday morning, the Texans need a guy that can stretch a defense and open up one on one match ups for guys like Robert Woods and Amari Rodgers underneath. Houston needs to give their young rookie QB, whoever it turns out to be, weapons with which to grow.

10. MARVIN JONES

Age: 33

2022: 6-2, 199 pounds, 46 receptions, 529 yards, three touchdowns

Marvin Jones has made a habit of burning teams deep for the last 10 years and shows no signs of slowing down. Of course, because of his age, he’s looking at a sting of one-year contracts. He spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and averaged 11.4 and 11.5 yards per catch respectively.

Where he should end up: Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s obvious that third year quarterback Trevor Lawrence trusts Jones in the offense. It’s why he targeted him 120 times as a rookie and 81 times last season. With the jump in the Jags performance and a playoff appearance in 2022, there’s no reason to rock the boat. Keep Jones for the piddling cap hit he’ll cost you for at least another season.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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