Davante Adams, 29
One of, if not the top wide receiver to become a free agent in a long time, Davante Adams stands alone at the top of what is a pretty impressive free agent class. He has some of the best hands in football, and is a top three (if not the best) route runner in football. He has had double digit touchdowns in five out of the last six seasons. He is the kind of receiver that is always open if one on one, and even at times when double covered. Reports are that he is seeking over 30 million a year in this contract, which would eliminate a lot of teams in contention. However, if there was ever a free agent wide receiver deserving that, it is Adams. He could be a young quarterback’s best friend, or a team’s missing piece on offense.
Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears
Chris Godwin, 25
Godwin appeared to be in line for a huge payday before his ACL tear. As long as his recovery goes well, his combination of age, skill, and production should allow him to sign a very big and lengthy contract. Godwin can play inside and outside well and has decent size and speed. It is possible that his potential has not fully been realized as he was the second option being next to Mike Evans in Tampa. Put in a situation where he would be the clear number one, his numbers could improve by a decent amount over what they have been thus far. As stated, Godwin probably signs a lengthy contract for a lot of money per year to go to a team that is missing a
number one option that can get 120 plus targets. What team he ends up with depends on whether Godwin cares about money first, winning, or some combination of both.
Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
DJ Chark, 25
It does not feel like that long ago that Chark was a big riser in the football world. With a rare combination of size and speed, it seemed like a pairing of him and Trevor Lawrence would become a lethal connection. Injuries have derailed the beginning of his career, with most of last season lost to a fractured ankle, and games missed in years prior as well. The injuries are certainly a concern, but his skill and upside are worth it. He either signs a prove it deal or a longer term one for less money. He should fit perfectly with a team who has an established slot or heavy target receiver, but still needs speed and size.
Potential Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders
Allen Robinson, 28
Robinson’s trend of catching passes from the bottom of the barrel continued during his tenure with the Chicago Bears. Before this season he continued to produce in spite of those throwing him the ball. This season something even stranger happened. The bears stopped targeting him. In theory he is one of the best receivers in the league to have a young quarterback to lean on, yet he was only targeted 66 times. Sure Darnell Mooney is a nice piece, but there is no way he should have been targeted almost 80 more times. There are some reports of sabotage and collusion by Matt Nagy, and it is believable. Still just 28, Robinson may have more in the tank than this past season would suggest. It is possible he could still be an elite number one, but for him, it may matter more that he catches passes from a talented passer for once.
Potential Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders
Michael Gallup, 25
The third option in an elite trio of wide receivers in Dallas, Gallup’s season was also cut short by injury. Being the third behind Cooper and Lamb, his potential may not be known at this point. Is he a possible number one? Or is he more of a top number two in a receiver room? It is really unknown, but he may fit best with a team that has at least one established receiver and wants to add a second one of equal talent. He can offer a good blend of size and speed as the deep threat or an inside outside receiver.
Potential Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Williams, 27
Williams finally put together a season where he put all the stats together with good yardages, catches, and touchdowns. He had flashed before with high yards per catch numbers or large yardage amounts, but he truly reached another level with 30 more catches than his previous career high. It came at the best time too, as he now enters free agency with a unique size profile that no one else in this class can match. He is a deep threat and a big body for teams that have an underneath option already and have a quarterback with potential accuracy issues. He should be a viable red zone target as well although he has not truly been used in that role before.
Potential Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars
JuJu Smith-Schuster, 25
Yet another name on this list whose season was ruined by injury. JuJu Smith-Schuster faces an interesting free agency. On one hand, he could take a one-year prove it deal to show that he is healthy and cash in next off season on a bigger contract. On the other hand, much like others mentioned before, he could sign a longer contract, but for less money than he may have gotten after a full season. It is hard to gauge what kind of fit he could have in an offense. He is not overly fast, but has multiple 97 yard touchdown catches where he outran the defense. He is not a particularly big wide receiver, but is solidly built at 215 pounds. He is most likely in line for a slot role on the bigger side as he mostly was in Pittsburgh, yet he showed the ability to play outside as well. Injuries are also stacking up early in his career, so it is unknown how he will fare going forward. It is also unknown how much of his production dip had anything to do with lingering injuries or skill, but more likely quarterback play. He is most likely not a number one option, but he could also be a higher target volume receiver for a team that needs options.
Potential Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christian Kirk, 25
An underrated receiver on this list, Kirk had his best season yet with almost 1000 yards and 77 catches. He has decent speed, can be a gadgety type player, and can find a place in most offenses. He may not have the talent of an elite number one, but he can play the slot if needed, be a decent number two depending on the offense, and be a very good third option. There is some slight risk though as he has dealt with various injuries throughout his NFL tenure, so banking on him to play a full 17 game season may not be realistic. Expect him to go to a team that has established receivers already, makes use of players with gadget flexibility, or wants to add a player to their room that could have upside over what is already there.
Potential Fits: New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers
Odell Beckham Jr, 29
Odell appeared to have revitalized his career with the Rams, being a focal point all throughout their super bowl run. Sadly, an injury at the hands of the turf monster resulted in his second torn ACL of the same knee in 16 months. It will be a grueling recovery for OBJ and who knows what level he will return to. The history of multiple torn ACLs in the same knee is not the best. The first name that comes to mind is Todd Gurley. It is hard to see a team giving him a worthwhile contract as it has nothing to do with his skill. It may be a prove it deal, but he will not be ready for the beginning of the season which puts even that in question. According to reports we have heard he may not be ready until December. He may get brought back as part of the Rams effort to run it back, but again it would be at a massive discount so really I am unsure. Maybe a young team that does not need him immediately takes a chance.
Potential Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers