NFL Free Agency is almost upon us. Traditionally, this time of year has been the best time of year for 'Skins fans (since '92, at least) and the 'Skins fan that matters most when FA hits is none other than our owner Daniel Snyder... and this year, the checkbook is cocked and loaded. The team has money to blow, no first round draft pick, only six draft picks total, and a roster in shambles. Anytime you go 3-13, the roster looks like Swiss cheese with all the holes.
We've already checked in and made our voices heard on the Safety crop in the upcoming FA class, and now we shift our focus to another main position of need on this team... WR. Cast your vote and defend your argument in the comments section regarding which FA WRs need to be Redskins next year. Perhaps a couple of our own FAs could be re-signed, but we're focusing on what we can pilfer from others.
The WR situation on this team last year was awful. There was Pierre Garcon and nobody. Santana Moss is getting up there in age a little bit and we could probably do better in the slot (though I love him). They could bring him back on the cheap, especially if a viable threat opposite Garcon was brought in. Hankerson has left a lot to be desired and is currently injured. There's a chance he could be tried at the slot position as he's still on the team for cheap.
Josh Morgan will probably be gone and it probably won't matter. Aldrick Robinson was brought back and it'll be interesting to see what Gruden can do with him. And then Nick Williams, Briscoe, and David Gettis will probably be brought in to camp to compete for depth (and there's Josh Bellamy [who?], too). That's it.
So how's the position looking going forward? Basically, Garcon and...? Hopefully Robinson and Hankerson can step up, but we've been saying that for a while now. We'll probably find a WR or two through the draft, though it'll be interesting to see how much exactly a rookie will be able to contribute on this team in year one. Could Bruce decide to bring in a veteran through FA?
Wide Receiver Options:
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots:
Age: 27
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 198 lbs
Edelman is a bit of a utility knife. He produces not only as a receiver, but in the return game and as a rusher, as well. In 2012, Edelman became the first player since the merger to have both a receiving TD and a return TD in consecutive games. He was a FA before this past season and signed a one-year deal with NE for $885,000. During this past season, he became the NFL's all-time leader in punt return average at 13 yards/return. Edelman appeared in all 16 games and caught 105 passes on 151 targets for 1,056 yards and six TDs. All were career highs. He's crazy similar to Wes Welker.
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants:
Age: 26
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 208 lbs
Nicks hasn't caught a TD in his last 18 games. That sounds bad. He's only had three in his past 29 games. That sounds bad, too. However, Nicks has shown the ability to be a great receiver in the past. His poor recent performance combined with his past injury concerns could make him surprisingly cheap. He played a major role in the Giants' postseason success on their way to winning Super Bowl XLVI, but he's really fallen off the past two years. Can he regain his form?
Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks:
Age: 25
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 202 lbs
Tate really broke out this past year with the Super Bowl champs. He's incredibly athletic and played in all 16 games (starting 13). He caught 64 balls for 898 yards and five TDs. He's a playmaker and is a little like our very own Garcon in his YAC abilities. He's a great blocker and possesses the physicality of a smaller Hines Ward in the run game.
James Jones, Green Bay Packers:
Age: 29
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 208 lbs
Jones led the NFL in TD receptions in 2012 with 14, but he only caught three this past year. However, he did post a career high in receiving yards with 817. He's very physical and strong, though not so explosive. He's smart and is another one who's good with the YAC. Could probably be had for a relative bargain.
Eric Decker, Denver Broncos:
Age: 26
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 214 lbs
Caught 87 passes on 137 targets for 1,288 yards and 11 TDs this past season from Peyton Manning. The man gets TDs (he had 13 the year before) and even caught eight in 2011 (from Orton/Tebow). He's going to be expensive. Real expensive. As in, definitely the highest paid WR in FA this year.
Others to Consider:
Andre Roberts, Arizona Cardinals, 26 years old, 5'11", 195 lbs
Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, 26 years old, 5'11", 180 lbs
Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans, 25 years old, 6'3", 223 lbs
Sidney Rice, Seattle Seahawks, 27 years old, 6'4", 202 lbs
Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers, 27 years old, 6'3", 211 lbs
Ted Ginn, Carolina Panthers, 28 years old, 5'11", 188 lbs