We're looking at free agency ahead of the official FA start period (March 13th, kinda officially…but things are happening all week+ prior), going position by position to discuss some of the big names, tour top ranked guys, as well as the sleepers and frauds of the group…and we'll make some throwaway/dart throw predictions on landing spots.
Today's position group: Wide Receivers...
The consensus top three WR available…
1) Tee Higgins
2) Michael Pittman
3) Mike Evans *Signed back with TB after I wrote this.
The football analysts having Tee Higgins exponentially ahead of Michael Pittman in free agency is utterly ridiculous, but that’s where they are with this FA WR class.
A year ago, they were writing Mike Evans off as washed up...suddenly, a year later/older...he’s fine? He had a nice season with Baker, but it was kinda like Calvin Ridley’s 2023...good numbers, nice moments, a lot of bad moments glossed over. I respect Mike Evans, but I do see signs of his waning...he’s gonna want to break the bank and I wouldn’t give it to him. He’ll want more than what DeAndre Hopkins got as an FA last season. *And he got it
I suspect both Cincy with Tee and Evans with Tampa...end up signing a deal with their teams, but it’s not a given...especially Mike Evans. Tampa should get out on a high note and draft one of the 300 good/great WR prospects in this draft and bank a lot of CAP savings to deploy elsewhere (like to Baker or the O-Line). The Bucs accidentally winning a terrible division and winning a playoff game last year will be a terrible thing to have happen to them as they overspend to put the mediocre band back together to recapture the glory.
If Tee goes into free agency, or is traded...it will be to go to the Titans, as a prediction.
If Evans is let loose, the Detroit Lions or Carolina Panthers are two leading contenders.
FFM's top three WRs available (if I were an NFL GM)…
1) Michael Pittman
The only real ‘franchise’ #1 WR on this list. I cannot imagine the Colts let him get away. I’d say there’s less than 1% chance. They’ll stick the TAG on him if they can’t reach an agreement.
PREDICTION: Colts for sure.
For fun, if it wasn’t the Colts...Tampa Bay would be wise to let Evans go and pay Pittman to be their new Evans.
A lot of teams would come after Pittman. He’s a west coast guy. He might hope the Raiders or Chargers chase him, but Washington or Carolina may roll out the red carpet/backup the Brinks truck...
2) Darnell Mooney
I’m telling you this is a top NFL WR just hiding out there...a great #2 with some #1 tendencies. Lost in the Bears offensive woes. He was a 1,000+ yard WR in 2021 with rookie Justin Fields! He’s a great undervalued WR asset. And his cost should be relatively cheap.
PREDICTION: I have long thought the Chiefs would be all over him...I thought they’d trade for him before the 2023 deadline. I like the Chiefs getting a screaming bargain here...which would launch his FF value immensely.
The 49ers could make a bargain play here too.
3) Curtis Samuel
Another one of the better WRs in the NFL...he always gets stuck in bad situations, but whenever he gets the ball/work/targets he’s as ‘money’ a WR as there is in the NFL. He can also play tailback as needed. One of the most overlooked weapons in all the NFL for years.
PREDICTION: Could join up with his old Carolina-then-Washington O-C Scott Turner in Las Vegas, where Turner is the current pass game coordinator.
He would be great for the 49ers or Chiefs to be a rock steady option for top tier teams and get his visibility up for a better deal in 2025.
He could go to Detroit and punt Jameson Williams to a #4 WR...or get JW traded away.
The fraud WR of free agency 2024: Odell Beckham Jr.
I cannot believe analysts, or NFL teams, are giving this guy the time of day. He had a useless 2023...and why would anyone take this on for 2024?
PREDICTION: A stupid team will do this.
This has the Jets written all over it...
The best value WR in free agency 2024: Curtis Samuel
A top FA opportunity because of the value...he should be a relatively inexpensive pull and could be grabbed by a contender...more unfair advantage for some contending team.
PREDICTION: He has support in Las Vegas. If not there, this could be a great move for the Chargers or Lions in their push to the playoffs and beyond. The 49ers or Chiefs could be in play.
The deep sleeper WR in free agency 2024: Devin Duvernay
Was a sweet slot WR in college, and then got lost in Baltimore for 4 years. He had some decent games for the Ravens the past few years and he’s a dangerous return man, but I want him to thrive as a WR...or get a shot to do so.
PREDICTION: Has some connections to the Chargers with O-C Greg Roman hired there.
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