Come March 10, the 32 NFL teams will pick up their phones and begin frantically calling agents all over the country, hoping to reel in some quality free agents. With the 2015 NFL Draft more than a month away at that point, general managers will be fixated on upgrading their rosters through veteran talent.
One position of considerable strength is wide receiver. There will be a bevy of high-priced athleticism on the market for teams to choose from, allowing for big names to change addresses. It has to be noted any of the following five players could be given the franchise tag by their current teams, virtually guaranteeing they will be retained for another campaign. However, they are all currently slated to be free agents.
5. Michael Crabtree
Crabtree is going to get interest on the market. A first-round draft pick in 2009 by the San Francisco 49ers, Crabtree has only one 1,000-yard season to his credit. Still, at 27 years old, Crabtree is a solid option as a secondary receiver for a team looking to add some quality depth at a reasonable price. The 49ers might have a tough time retaining Crabtree, due to being an estimated $3.7 over the salary cap.
4. Randall Cobb
Cobb is picking a great time to have an excellent season. The fourth-year star out of Kentucky has enjoyed a terrific regular-season, posting career-highs in catches (91), yards (1,287), touchdowns (12) and first downs (71). Only 24 years old, Cobb is going to get a fat multi-year deal. The only drawback, ironically, is playing with Aaron Rodgers. Some around the league are going to wonder whether Cobb would be as effective with a regular quarterback.
3. Jeremy Maclin
Maclin has to be thrilled he bet on himself this offseason. After tearing his ACL in 2013 during training camp, Maclin missed the season and turned down a low-money, multi-year deal to play on a one-year contract. In doing so, Maclin put ample pressure on himself to produce and did he ever, catching 85 passes for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. If Maclin is retained by the Philadelphia Eagles, expect the contract offers to come rolling in.
2. Demaryius Thomas
Thomas is a truly wonderful player. After coming out of Georgia Tech in 2010 as the Denver Broncos’ first-round selection, Thomas started slowly with just 834 yards over his first two years combined. However, Thomas has seen a massive production spike since Peyton Manning arrived three years ago, posting over 4,400 yards in that span. This year, Thomas totaled 1,619 yards on 111 catches and 11 touchdowns. If Denver doesn’t slap the tag on him, Thomas will get $100 million somewhere.
1. Dez Bryant
Along with Calvin Johnson, no receiver is more physically dominant than Bryant. The Dallas Cowboys have to make some tough decisions financially, with both Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray as free agents. If Bryant is allowed to test the market, he will command a massive contract. Over the last three years, Bryant has posted at least 1,233 yards and 12 touchdowns each year. At age 26, Bryant will be the jewel of the offseason.
