NFL 2021 Free Agency: The Wide Receiver Carousel

After seeing a Super Bowl that was full of sacks and solid secondary play, teams who went in had unstoppable offenses, specifically the Chiefs. Andy Reid has both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to use and it still appears that they are missing some receiver talent. Hill had a crucial drop in the endzone on a heroic Pat Mahomes effort early in the ball game. Kelce had a key third-down drop as well while the Chiefs were still in the football game. The bottom line is you can never have enough weapons for your quarterback, this free agency period will allow for some teams to fix that problem.

1. Allen Robinson WR CHI

 The soon-to-be former Bears wide receiver is going to be one of the top free agents on the market this year. Even though the pro-bowler has played with suspect quarterback play throughout his career and specifically last year Robinson had one of his best years yet. The Penn State alum totaled 102 catches for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. Assuming Robinson is as frustrated as we are watching him in a system holding back his potential he should be on his way out of Chicago fast enough. Robinson already has gotten one big payday from the Bears already and may look to find a new home with a regular playoff contender.  

These are a few teams I think may have interest in Robinson when he officially hits the market this spring. All three of these franchises that I see fit were playoff participants just last season. If you have kept up with Allen Robinson’s pleas for help on Twitter there does not seem to be too much more patience for losing in his mind. When Robinson was a free agent and signed with the Chicago Bears another team that was heavily invested was the Green Bay Packers. There may be a chance that Packers ownership is ready to give Aaron Rodgers whatever they can after yet another season that came up just short. An offense including Davante Adams and Robinson would immediately become the best tandem in the National Football League. One other team who recently showed that they may not have enough depth on their roster for their franchise quarterback is the Kansas City Chiefs they should also be in on Robinson negotiations. Kansas City has all the speed in the world to offer but adding him to this offense would do wonders gaining some size and jump-ball ability. Another squad who made the postseason in 2020, The Washington Football Team may also look to talk to Robinson. They have the fifth-most cap room in the league and questions at the quarterback position that can be helped with another elite wideout to pair with Terry McLaurin.

2. Chris Godwin WR TB

 Godwin is obviously an emerging star in football already at 24, and this is the first time he will hit the market as a free agent. The Buccaneers have more than enough players to resign and not everyone is going to return for a stay in South Florida with Tom Brady. The rumors circling in Tampa Bay about retaining Antonio Brown won’t bode well for Godwin. Even though Bruce Arians was even spotted telling Godwin he would remain on the team during their historic victory parade on the water, each player still has to consider their best option financially before moving on to another contract. Especially with a player like Godwin who has not received that massive contract his counterpart Mike Evans got. 

Here are a few options that Godwin may trickle upon before he makes a decision on his next destination. The Buccaneers front office may decide to franchise tag Godwin paying him a fair amount for one season before his contract is on the table once again. A team like the Indianapolis Colts could be in the market for Godwin, Frank Reich’s squad has the 4th most cap space in the league and could definitely use another playmaker on the outside. The New York Jets as well need whatever elite talent they could get their hands on, I’m sure Sam Darnold won’t mind an addition like Godwin.

3. Kenny Golladay WR DET

 Golladay heading into the 2020 season was a breakout candidate who many thought would make the jump into the NFL’s elite wideouts category. Instead, Godwin who came into the season with a hamstring injury finished it with a bum hip, ending his season only playing 5 games for Detroit. The Lions obviously have high regards for what they think Golladay can be but when they took on Jared Goff’s contract with the trade of Matt Stafford they may have run out of cap room to re-sign their number one wide receiver. Multiple teams with a proven quarterback would most likely love to add Golladay and deservingly so.

The Lions have an option to tag Golladay and he has already acknowledged that he could do nothing but compete in Detroit for one more season if that is the case. But, this Detroit team still has needs on both sides of the football that could be addressed with the money they would spend on Golladay. The New York Giants had an interest in the soon-to-be free agent wide receiver during the middle of the season. If he hits the market New York may negotiate with Golladay to give Daniel Jones a proven weapon on the outside. Another team that could be interested in Golladay is the Miami Dolphins. With the questions already surrounding Tua Tagovailoa being the future for Miami, why would they not attempt to help his case with a signing like Golladay instead of tearing it down once again at the helm of their offense. 

4. Juju Smith-Schuster WR PIT

 Juju Smith-Schuster is a star in this league whether you like him or not. The energetic Tik-Tok maniac has been effective as a Pittsburgh Steeler so far in his career. Even though he sometimes creates attention that a locker room doesn’t need, there is no question that if Juju can stay healthy he is an impact player on any team.

Here are a few offenses that I think would welcome the former USC star to their team. Smith Schuster has made it more than clear that he wants to remain under Mike Tomlin’s supervision if they can make it happen. The Steelers have built their team from the interior first then out for as long as I remember and it would shock me if they thought resigning Juju would be a no-brainer. A team that could use Smith Schuster’s playability is the New England Patriots. If the tough-minded and no tolerance Patriot front office was willing to bring in Antonio Brown, I can’t see why they wouldn’t think Juju would fit well in Foxborough. I think everyone knows by now without Tom Brady you need a little more than Julian Edelman and a few running backs to throw to. Jon Gruden may also have an interest in Smith Schuster if he hits the market. The Raiders passing attack was definitely not their biggest issue in 2020, but getting another weapon to complete an already talented group of playmakers for Derek Carr would only make it better. 

5. Will Fuller WR HOU

 Fuller may be one of the most underrated free agents that will be on the market this offseason. Before the trade deadline during the season Fuller was a hot name being thrown around. He has been a trusty target for Deshaun Watson and a sidekick to Deandre Hopkins. Fuller can be an effective number two wideout on most teams in the league. That is exactly the plus side to signing a wide receiver like Fuller where you won’t have to pay that extra 5-10 million for the top-tier free agents at the position. It seems as if Houston is going to have to blow everything up and with J.J Watt and eventually Watson’s departures, Fuller will follow right after.

There are a few landing spots where I could see a player like Fuller thrive. One option that has already been rumored is Fuller to the Jets. The Jets have enough weapons and draft capital to sit back and aim for a middle-tier wide receiver with potential like Fuller. If Fuller were to join Robert Saleh’s team he would make the receiving core the best it has been since Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker were Jets. One other team who has a ton of cap space and maybe looking to spend a little less money on the wideout position would be Washington. Double teams are going to come at Terry McLaurin as he has never seen before next season, adding another weapon to their already young and talented core would be a great step in the right direction for this offense.

6. Corey Davis WR TEN

 There for sure is a debate if Davis was worth a top-five overall pick in the first round of the draft, but he has been the main contributor for a high producing Titans offense. Davis may have ended his time in Tennessee with the best season of his career. It seems at this point that the Titans are ready to move on and it may be best for Davis to go that route as well.

An interesting fresh start for Davis would be a contract with Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He immediately would then get much better quarterback play if they select the consensus pick Trevor Lawerence number one overall. Keep in mind the Niners and the Jets as well for Davis, teams who are looking for more playmakers and have the cap room. The pricing on Davis is hard to predict due to his up and downplay. But, it wouldn’t shock me if one of these teams were willing to offer in the 13-15 million dollar range.

7. Curtis Samuel WR CAR 

Curtis Samuel was the most consistent playmaker on the Panther’s offense last season when Christian McCaffrey went down. The Panthers still seemed to focus most of their offense around D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson and as teams saw the splash plays from Samuel there’s no question he was getting interested around the league. The Panthers and Matt Rhule will have a chance to bring Samuel back and keep their trio together but their cap situation will need some adjustments. 

A team I have yet to mention in the mix for wideouts would be an interesting fit with Samuel, the Houston Texans. If Houston somehow manages to convince Deshaun Watson to stay, he is going to demand playmakers after losing an irreplaceable one. Samuel provides the run after catch ability that would help Watson on the run as he has been as a Texan. New England could reunite Cam Newton with Samuel, the Patriots have always had a knack for being able to get small and quick wideouts open. Samuel will give Josh McDaniels some more consistency on offense which they obviously lacked last season whether you thought Newton was the reason for that or not.

8. T.Y. Hilton WR IND

 Hilton was lost in the shuffle a bit this year when he dealt with a nagging injury and a quarterback change. Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman immediately contributed to a high-powered offense that reached the postseason. After ups and downs, not many other wide receivers have faced Hilton is a free agent. I think at this point the Colts and Hilton have tried enough times to a point where he would like to explore other options himself. 

These teams have veteran-led offensive systems that would allow Hilton to become a contributor once again. The Green Bay Packers could look to sit back in free agency and make a sneaky move by signing Hilton. Aaron Rodgers has made it work with players with much less talent than T.Y. and this signing could lead to a resurgence in the 31-year-olds career. One other team that could have interest in Hilton after lining up against him for years in the AFC is the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens passing attack was one of the worst in the league and they still managed to win a playoff game. Baltimore cannot afford to waste Jackson’s prime. A veteran like Hilton will fit in nicely in that locker room and give Jackson another target alongside an inconsistent Marquise Brown. 

9. Antonio Brown WR TB

Tom Brady’s leadership role with this Tampa Bay team was truly something that I don’t think has ever been done before. He managed to connect a group of guys whether they were on offense or defense to consistently get better each week throughout the season. Tampa Bay made some risky moves signing both Brown and Rob Gronkowski, but the way Brady handled both of their acquisitions shows they both can stay in control. Tampa Bay may likely have to pick between their wideouts and if they go the cheaper route with Brown over Godwin who could blame them. 

Brown is going to look to stay in the league as long as he can to improve his historic resume. As long as he continues to produce on the field and prove he is over the distractions teams will continue to take chances. If Brown cannot resign with the Bucs he may want to stay in Florida. The Miami Dolphins are in need of another wideout and Brown fits the explosive passing that comes with Tua Tagovailoa. Brown may also come across a chance to return to Michigan where he played in school. The Lions may franchise tag Golladay but could still use some help at receiver losing Marvin Jones as well. Brown would help give Jared Goff another target that could create a decent offensive weaponry in Detroit.

10. Marvin Jones WR DET

Most probably would have thought that Jones production would have gone down with the emergence of Golladay, and while he was hurt Jones produced. Catching 76 balls for just shy of 1,000 yards Jones looks like he is going to pick up yet another contract. The Lions bring in a new coaching staff that may look to get younger instead of keeping Jones around.

Another free agent here that flies under the radar and may be a perfect fit for New England. Jones has never gotten the credit he deserves and continues to compete every day. The New York Giants could also have interest if their number one options in free agency return to their teams. Jones provides some more height that the Giants lack in the red zone. Maybe a Marvin Jones to Daniel Jones combination could result in 5 or 6 touchdowns next season. I’m sure Giants fans wouldn’t be too enlightened with signing another Detroit Lion in his thirties. 

Writer

-By: Micah Jimoh