The third installment of the 2018 NFL free agency preview of available players, cut candidates, and landing spots, here is a look at the wide receiver position around the NFL landscape:
2018 FREE AGENT wide receivers
TOP SHELF
- Sammy Watkins
- Allen Robinson
- Davante Adams
STARTER UPSIDE
- Martavis Bryant
- Donte Moncrief
- Jordan Matthews
- Paul Richardson Jr
- Marqise Lee
- Jarvis Landry
- John Brown
- Tyrell Williams
ancillary options
Of this list, Butler, Snead, and Enunwa are the three who could move up a tier if their landing spot breaks right. Butler has flashed in the shadow of Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams in Dallas. Enunwa is returning from injury and Snead was a rock-solid fantasy option before 2017 started with an injury and he has yet to incorporate back into the Saints' new-look offense.
RECLAMATION PROJECTS
Pryor could be listed in the 'starter upside' tier, but with one year of relevance and a non-factor in 2017, Pryor fits the reclamation tag as he nears 30 years old. Smith, Decker, and Wallace all have dynasty stopgap potential, but each have had disappointing seasons compared to their former success. Of the three, Decker gets my vote as the most likely to resurface as a WR2/3 for fantasy.
CUT CANDIDATES
- Kenny Britt ($3.3mil)
- Brandon Marshall ($5mil)
- Tavon Austin ($3mil)
- Allen Hurns ($7mil, no dead cap)
- Travis Benjamin ($4.5mil)
- Markus Wheaton ($5mil)
- Jarius Wright ($3mil)
These receivers have cut potential with their contracts. Listed next to each underperformer is how much the team would save if moving on from their current contract. For prototypical outside receiver work, Britt and Marshall are the best options here. Austin is intriguing in a Ted Ginn Jr-type way of emerging later in his career as a top-10 pick without ideal size traits but the athleticism to impact the game.
2018 wide receiver LANDING SPOTS
These landing spots are based on projected free agents, offensive strength, and potential cut candidates.
wr1 AVAILABILITY
- Jets
- Bears
- Cardinals
- Ravens
- 49ers
- Jaguars
- Chiefs
The best quarterbacks on this list (pending 2018 rookie additions and free agent movement) are in Chicago, Kansas City, Baltimore, and San Francisco. The 49ers have Pierre Garcon returning from injury, but he is a stopgap or WR2 more than locked-and-loaded WR1 to block an incoming free agent or a high-end rookie. The Jets are wide open for opportunity (no offense, Robby Anderson) across the board. Larry Fitzgerald projects to be back with Arizona (Carson Palmer may not be) but has been more of a slot option than outside dominator in his twilight years. Jeremy Maclin has a tenuous hold on a starting spot for the Ravens but could be overtaken in 2018. With Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, and Marqise Lee all potential gone, it could be a complete reboot of a Jacksonville passing game which needs one. Tyreek Hill has looked more like a 'manufactured touches' option than rising prototypical wide receiver for the Chiefs in 2017. Chicago has Kevin White returning from injury (again) and Cameron Meredith in the same boat.
wr2 availability
- Browns
- Colts
- Packers
- Panthers
- Bills