2012 NFL Free Agency: Wide Receivers on the Market
by Adam Stites on Jan 30, 2012 9:45 PM EST
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PrintWhile it will certainly be interesting to see how the Jaguars approach free agency in addressing some of the needs, namely the wide receiver and defensive end positions, there seems to be little doubt that there will be a wide receiver signed by the Jaguars in free agency.
ProFootballWeekly went so far as to say that they expect Gene Smith to rank the free agent wide receivers and go after the top guy and refuse to be outbid. Who that top guy will be is largely dependent upon the actions that teams take with their impending free agents and obviously the way that Smith and his staff rank the players. Here's a look at the potential top free agent wide receivers and their current contract situation with their respective teams:
2012 Free Agent Wide Receivers
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Rank |
Player |
College |
Height |
Weight |
|
1 |
 |
Marques Colston | Hofstra | 6-4 | 225 |
| With an impending contract incoming for quarterback Drew Brees and with Carl Nicks among several other players heading for free agency, it's very possible that the Saints won't be able to afford a "luxury" player like Colston. At 6-4, 225 Colston has been a large target for Brees and the Saints, racking up over 1,000 yards in every season except 2008 in which he only started in six games due to injuries. Injuries are the largest question mark about Colston, but he has missed just two games in the last three seasons. |
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2 |
 |
Dwayne Bowe | LSU | 6-2 | 221 |
| Chiefs GM Scott Pioli recently described Bowe as a "key component of the past and hopefully the future." With that, it seems doubtful that the Chiefs will just resign to allowing him to reach free agency. If they can't reach a deal with him, they also have the option to use the franchise tag. However, if he does reach free agency he would be a prime target for any team looking for a top receiver. His 15 touchdowns in 2010 led the NFL and he has had over 1,100 yards for two consecutive seasons on less-than-great Kansas City passing offenses. |
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3 |
 |
Mike Wallace | Mississippi | 6-0 | 199 |
| In three seasons, Wallace has quickly earned the respect of defenses for his speed that has allowed him to beat teams deep. That has been reflected by his yards/reception which has consistently been among the league's best. However, as a restricted free agent it's doubtful that the Steelers would allow Wallace to hit the open market without a tender that would require the Jaguars to give a draft pick or maybe even two to sign him. A move that is extremely unlikely to happen. |
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4 |
 |
Wes Welker | Texas Tech | 5-9 | 185 |
| Welker has been at the top of the NFL receiving leaderboards for several years now ever since joining Tom Brady's Patriots. Whether or not he'd be able to produce similar results in an offense that isn't New England's is a little questionable, but there's no doubt he'd make for a pricy free agent. The likelihood of that actually happening seems slim, to say the least. Why Welker, a large piece of the reason the Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl next week, wouldn't be a top priority for Belichick would be a complete mystery. |
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5 |
 |
Stevie Johnson | Kentucky | 6-2 | 210 |
| Bills GM Buddy Nix has said that he wants to keep Stevie Johnson in Buffalo and Johnson has made no indication that he would like to play elsewhere. The two sides have already had discussions about a contract extension so it seems unlikely that the 25 year old will reach the open market. With over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons and several big, "game changing" plays he would likely be a hot commodity on the open market. |
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6 |
 |
Vincent Jackson | Northern Colorado | 6-5 | 230 |
| The Chargers haven't made two-time Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson much of a priority in the last couple years and played under the franchise tag for all of 2011. That was right after a contract dispute with the team that withheld him from the first 10 games of the 2010 season. Perhaps the reason the Chargers seem fine with the idea of the receiver leaving is due to his legal troubles since joining San Diego in the 2005 draft. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to a DUI charge in 2006 and was arrested again in Jan. 2009 for suspicion of drunken driving to which he also pleaded guilty. He had a third incident in March 2010 for driving with a suspended liscense and expired tags. As cliche as it has become, he doesn't fit the type of player that Gene Smith has dedicated himself to bringing to Jacksonville. |
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7 |
 |
DeSean Jackson | California | 5-10 | 175 |
| While this Jackson hasn't had the legal issues that Vincent Jackson has had, he is also a character concern. Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee even went to Twitter to say "Desean Jackson is a punk." Scobee went on to say, "...he doesn’t respect anyone or anything around him." I can't help but agree with Scobee, but that doesn't take away the impact that Jackson has had on the field. He is certainly a speedy deep threat and provides a dangerous return man for the Eagles. There's a good chance he'll hit the market as, according to Paul Domowitch, "Jackson's opinion of his worth continues to be night-and-day different from the Eagles" and the Eagles are unlikely to franchise him. |
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8 |
 |
Reggie Wayne | Miami (FL) | 6-0 | 190 |
| Reggie Wayne has been among the league's best for a long time. The only problem is maybe it's been too long. Signing a 33 year old great receiver would smell a lot like the signing of a 33 year old Torry Holt in 2009 to Jaguars fans. That move was a complete failure as Holt failed to find the endzone once in his one year in Jacksonville. Wayne's production hasn't fallen off like Holt's though and with a complete overhaul and rebuild in Indianapolis, a 33 year old receiver likely wont be at the top of the priority list for the Colts. Wayne had seven consecutive 1,000 yard seasons before this year in which he came 40 yards short. A still impressive number given Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky were his quarterbacks. |
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9 |
 |
Brandon Lloyd | Illinois | 6-0 | 188 |
| The Jaguars passed on the chance to give up a mid-round pick to the Broncos to acquire Lloyd, instead allowing the Rams to give up a 5th round pick to get Lloyd fresh off a season in which he led the NFL in receiving. While 2011 certainly wasn't his strongest season he still managed to rack up 966 yards between his four games in Denver and 11 in St. Louis and was the leading receivers for the Rams. Whether or not the 30 year old will stay in St. Louis is still up in the air although Lloyd expressed some willingness to stay after the hiring of Jeff Fisher after originally sounding as if he wanted out once Josh McDaniels was hired away from the Rams by the Patriots. |
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10 |
|
Robert Meachem | Tennessee | 6-2 | 212 |
| Similar to what was said about Colston, the Saints have a lot of free agency needs to reach before they worry about "luxury" players like receivers. While it's probably doubtful that the Saints allow both Colston and Meachem to reach free agency and essentially destroy their receiving corps, it's likely that one will not be in New Orleans next year. In four relatively healthy years with the Saints Meachem hasn't done much, but he's also been behind several on a loaded depth chart. He's made the most of his opportunities on the field and has racked up 23 touchdowns in his career in New Orleans. A change of scenery could be a dream come true for Meachem. |
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11 |
 |
Mario Manningham | Michigan | 6-0 | 185 |
12 |
|
Pierre Garçon | Mount Union | 6-0 | 209 |
13 |
 |
Laurent Robinson | Illinois State | 6-2 | 194 |
| 14 |  |
Harry Douglas | Louisville | 6-0 | 183 |
15 |
 |
Josh Morgan |
Virginia Tech | 6-1 | 215 |
16 |
 |
Plaxico Burress |
Michigan State | 6-5 | 232 |
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Comments
We need a top tier WR from this list
In my opinion, we need at least 1 of those top tier guys in Jacksonville.
1) By top tier I mean Colston/ Bowe/ or Johnson.
2) Then they can get a second tier guy like Meachem/Manningham to play as #2 WR.
3) Draft a WR this year rounds 2-3 and let him develop & learn at the pro level. Sanu/D Jones/Quick/McNutt/Criner.
Thats good but....
I would go with Colston/Johnson/ V jack, I have said all along, that Bowe is a bust, he drops alot of balls, and is a chracter on the bench, a bad one, I like your post though, How about Garcon/Manningham/ L Robinson? cheaper and good speed, and hands
I don't how many balls I've dropped...
…but I know it’s atleast 2. ;)
Anyone interested in making money easy and quick on the interne, let me know through twitter or facebook(preferably facebook).
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Jan 30, 2012 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
-shakes head-
Only you rhett, only you…lol
by Jags85 on Jan 30, 2012 11:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Bowe is a bust?
Have you looked at his career in the NFL? the most impressive stat wise of all the FA wide receivers if you ask me.
Give me Bowe/Colston and Stevie Johnson/desean and lets win some ball games
Wes Welker dropped more passes than Dwayne Bowe this year
Drops are an overrated stat, honestly. Make plays and I’ll forgive a few drops. It’s the drops by guys that don’t do anything else that piss me off.
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by CaliforniaJag on Jan 30, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Bowe is a bust
Now thats a laughable statement
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 31, 2012 7:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Im pretty sure Colston will hit the market
Lets get Marques Colston and Stevie Johnson or Laurent Robinson and then draft a speedster
I would like...
…Marques Colston for sure. For the #2, I would want somebody who is a speedy deep threat, as Colston is more of a feature possession receiver. DeSean Jackson would be perfect, but that’s a lot of money in between these two guys, and I don’t think Jackson will be called anyway. So as a #2, besides Jackson, I would like Robert Meachem or Pierre Garcon. I would love any of the 2 top 8 guys, but that’s highly unlikely, so give me Colston and Meachem.
Anyone interested in making money easy and quick on the interne, let me know through twitter or facebook(preferably facebook).
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
One question
what’s to say Colston is not a product of having Brees as his QB?
"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price." -Vince Lombardi
Twitter: @JWGreenbaum
If you watch him play...
…he runs good routes, and gets himself open, but having a great QB deliver close to perfect passes does help a lot.
Anyone interested in making money easy and quick on the interne, let me know through twitter or facebook(preferably facebook).
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Jan 30, 2012 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
Vincent Jackson went to North Colorado?? Don't want him!
I would love for the Jags to sign Bowe and then either someone like Manningham or Douglas. Or possibly even Laurent Robinson.
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 30, 2012 10:05 PM EST reply actions
That was sarcasm
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 31, 2012 7:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
forgot about Josh Morgan
he might be someone to keep an eye on, but I have a feeling San Fran will overspend to keep him.
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wow, doesnt look like the top FA's are going anywhere
That being said, I say lets get M Maningham, L Robinson, and H Douglas, they should all come cheaper then the top guys, and all have the possibility to become our number one, I mean look what Robinson has done in Dallas this year, in fact he saved my fantasy season. and even though manningham is surrounded by talent, he has still had a few monster games this year, and Douglas? any jaguar ticket owner that went to all games last year, knows what this guy did against us in preseason, other then that one play? the falcons looked like crap against our D. Sign all three in FA, and get at least one WR in the first or second round, then get some o line help at tackle, and sign our FA’s on D. Then maybe in the last round get a project QB, just in case Gabbert is a bust=The Jaguars win baby
Manningham, Robinson, and Douglas?
That’s what is going to fix the worst receiving group in the league?
@troycarson
Nah like if any of those top tier guys aren’t available, I hope Gene makes a trade. We don’t need Harry Douglas as our #1 WR lol.
Jags need to stop going in circles with the WR’s & bring in a big name, with some big time talent at the position.
I agree
I have been saying the same thing, but about the draft, I say we move up and go with blackmon, or RG3, We need a big name on offense, florida football is all about offense, we pick up on our offense, and we pick up fan base, media hype, and future free agents – Go Jags, I dont care how we do it, we just need it done NOW
No
If we choose to not draft Coples with the 7th pick (I don’t know why we wouldn’t, since our d lacks pass rush) we trade down a couple picks ( 10th-13th) and pick up an extra second – fourth rounder and get us more help at wr with the extra pick. Quick? McNutt? Toon? Pick Tannehill up in the sixth round ( we do need a solid back up at Quarterback since McCown is not a real QB. He has less talent than Gabbert. 8 years in the NFL and hasn’t played well. Hmmm?
It's All good!
who would trade up to number 7?
what player will be so sought after at number 7 for us to trade back?
give him some weapons this season.. if he fails badly, lets move on. If he shows something better (20+ TD and 3000+ yards), we got our man!
New system
on a run first team returning another RB and he will be a 2nd year player with more film out there for defenses to work from. 15-20 is about where I expect him to fall.
I think
Colston, Desean, Vincent Jackson, Bowe, and STevie JOhnson will all hit free agency. They all want to see what the other will get contract wise.. they all want to maximize there potential salary, which would be done by hitting the open market and forcing teams to outpay one another.
Obviously Welker and Mike wallace will not be available.
Jags, outpay for the young ones (Bowe, Desean, Stevie johnson).
Anybody else see this happening?
I don’t think all of them, but at least 1 or 2. And whoever they are, Jags need to be on top of that.
San Diego
wouldn’t pay v-jax 2 years ago.
Desean’s time in Philly has passed him.
Johnson and Bowe are the 2 that could get the tag
Saints cap is tight, colston is on the market
i see Johnson bowe colston(if possible with the cap) resigning and that leaves Vjax and Desean out there and i dont see gene going for them unfortunately
Cold Blooded
by Jaggaholic82 on Jan 30, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
Bowe could
But Brandon Carr the CB would be a FA then..
???
Are Colston’s knees gonna hold up? He’s had a few surgeries I believe and been playing on turf his whole career. Stevie Johnson would bring the “personality” this team needs. I wouldn’t be mad with a 2 yr deal for Reggie Wayne. I like Manningham also… not blazing speed, but has no trouble getting deep. No way the Giants pay him when they got Cruz and Nicks coming up next year.
by Luv4Chr!st on Jan 30, 2012 10:54 PM EST via Android app reply actions
The Jags need personality?
And here I thought they needed recievers
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Jan 31, 2012 7:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Aren't they synonymous?
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." Winston Churchill
by Conservative on Jan 31, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
the way i read this is alot of those guys are going to be resigned
i see wayne jackson and all the lower tier including meachem to be the only guys that would be on our radar honestly
Cold Blooded
My Dream
Jags sign Steve Johnson & Robert Meachem
Sign Mario Williams
Draft Kirkpatrick
Playoffs
by Eddie Money on Jan 31, 2012 12:05 AM EST via mobile reply actions
IMO
the most underrated FA WR is Josh Morgan. In fact, if I had to guess one WR to end up in Jacksonville, its Morgan.
Let’s see why: Late round draft pick that’s improved every year, he has all the measurables needed to take the next step, including height, weight, speed, and quickness, he’s also going to be a steal because he’s been handicapped by situation and injury, he’s also got good hands and he’s very sudden in his route running and after the catch
My next guess is Laurent Robinson. He’s a very similar FA prospect to Morgan, but he might be a little more expensive because he’s broken out a bit and because he’s in Jerry Jones’ good graces.
And I know we have plenty of slot sized receivers, but if we wanted another one that was gonna carry some value for his price tag, I think Danny Amendola is that guy. He’s an RFA, so it’s not likely he will be available.
At this point we can't assume anything
Theres a lot of factors that are going to go into these signings. We may have the money but we have to convince players to come here, which considering its a small market and Blaine Gabbert hasn’t shown a lot yet, is going to be tougher then some think. If the Saints offer Colston a slightly lower contract he might just take it as he would be able to stay with Brees and a contending team. Do I think we will get a great WR in free agency, yes. Do I hope the Jaguars land a bunch of great FA wide receivers, yes of course. That being said people with expectations that we are going to land mulitple top tier WRs however might want to lower those expectations.
"I love lamp"
I actually like the Burress/V. Jackson combination....
Think it could definitely happen and Burress has never been a truly bad guy…I’d applaud that move.
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
I really like Pierre Garcon. I think he is a steal.
by Catfanatic1979v1 on Jan 31, 2012 8:28 AM EST reply actions
What, a player from Mount Union?
Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."
by unhipcat on Jan 31, 2012 9:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not trying to speak for him but he probably meant as far as Contract to Production
Meaning not having to pay a lot, or a crazy number, for the production he’ll put up
by Jags85 on Jan 31, 2012 9:28 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
i know people keep saying this guy or that guy is not a Gene guy
But I don’t think that will be an issue. Shad wants a winner. He went on record saying HE would have drafted Tebow. Meaning if theres a player HE wants then that player’s coming here. Not sure how Gene would feel about it but i think every WR is a possibility.
by Speedy101 on Jan 31, 2012 11:10 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I personally dont see what it is about
Vincent Jackson that everyone else does. I think he’s a journeyman receiver with okay speed. He has good size, but he is such a punk! He seems like a locker room cancer and I don’t think what he could bring as far as talent is worth the grief.
Bowe and Manningham are the best fits for this team IMO.
by TCJagsFan on Jan 31, 2012 12:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
At the end of the day, I think a lot of folks here are going to be disappointed...
as teams resign their WR free agents there’s going to be a lot crying going on in here.
good point-all but desean jackson
muddyballs is right, i think steve johnson is forgone conclusion back with the bills, Bowe i like the most but if the cheifs don’t sign him , he will probably get offers from rams, jets,bears, and maybe a peyton manning led (colts, skins, fins,)my point he will have his pick, of a huge market or a great or much better QB,guys like colsten,welker,garcon,meachem, all make me weary that there more a product of hall of fame QB and a dominant offense-gene won’t touch vincent, and bottom line its khan’s final say. and he seems a little risky and likes the big time stars. I don;t think desean jackson has charachter issues, i think the situation will help the jags get him-He is a guy that u get him the ball anythiing can happen, jags need that! Prediction, sign D.jackson, and mularkey grabs ol harry douglas, and 1 more in the 2nd round of the draft.
ec DUVAL
I think we have to prioritize a bit.
I doubt Wallace & Colston will get to test the market, and I think the Deshawn Jackson noise will settle down after the team has made it’s point that it won’t be bullied around.
On the other hand I think 5 notable guys can be had if we simply pay more. Bowe and Stevie Johnson and both star players we’ll have to overpay. I think Bowe does some things much better, but Stevie may be more versatile. Both these guys have issues, but they have both had games that embarrassed the leagues best CB’s. I don’t mind paying too much for either and I don’t see any chance these are “system guys”; either should do just as well or better in Jacksonville.
I’d put Laurent Robinson & Robert Meachem in the next tier, still very very desirable to a team like ours. They are attainable, young enough, and good enough to make a difference. It’s not really clear to me why Meachem hasn’t been more successful, but I think he’s done enough to earn a contract. Plus both these guys are fast enough to be WR1 material. Manningham is a very well rounded WR who I think is also looking for the biggest contract. IMHO he’s not a bad consolation prize. I think his show he can put his character issues aside.
Not sure about Josh Morgan, I was under the impression he was OK, but still hadn’t really figured out how to focus on football. I’m not comfortable with his leg injury, and I think SF is desperate for WR’s. If I was going to pluck a guy off their roster, I’d look at Ted Gin Jr.
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