One of the more stunning outcomes to come from Tuesday's franchise tag deadline was the Detroit Lions' decision not to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Kenny Golladay.
Now, the 27-year-old wide receiver will become an unrestricted free agent and ought to receive plenty of interest from numerous suitors.
Golladay is coming off an injury-plagued 2020 season, in which he had 20 catches for 338 yards for two touchdowns, but is only a year removed from a Pro Bowl 2019 season in which he led the league with 11 touchdown catches, hauling 65 receptions for 1,190 yards.
With the Bears using the franchise tag on Allen Robinson, Golladay is the most attractive free-agent wide receiver on the market.
Here are some of the teams who will likely have interest in Golladay:
New York Giants
Getty ImagesThe Giants have lacked a true No. 1 elite receiver since they traded Odell Beckham Jr. and could use another playmaker in the receiving corps after releasing Golden Tate. They reportedly had interest in Golladay at the trade deadline last year and recently hired former Lions VP of player personnel, Kyle O'Brien, who could boost their chances in signing the receiver.
One of the biggest weaknesses the Giants have at receiver is that they lack size. Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton are 6-foot-1 and 5-foot-10, respectively, whereas the 6-foot-4 Golladay has a more prototypical, physical build as a big-bodied target for quarterback Daniel Jones.
New York Jets
Getty ImagesThe Giants are not the only team in New York in need of a wide receiver. The Jets also need help in their receiving corp. and Gang Green has plenty of cap space to work with in a potential deal.
While the Jets still need to figure out who their quarterback is for next year, it was evident the loss of Robby Anderson was a blow to Sam Darnold. It is still possible that Jamison Crowder becomes a cap casualty, too, so adding Golladay alongside Denzel Mims — whose rookie season was off to a slow start due to injuries — would be a huge boost to the offense.
New England Patriots
Getty ImagesThe Patriots, like the Jets, must figure out who their quarterback is next season, but it is also clear they are in dire need for wide receiver help.
Jakobi Meyers was the team's leading receiver with 729 yards and N'Keal Harry, a 2019 first-round pick, had just 309 yards. Julian Edelman's knee is also a huge question mark. Golladay would immediately improve the receiving corps. and give whoever is quarterback a dependable veteran and big-bodied downfield receiving threat that they have been lacking.
Miami Dolphins
Getty ImagesNot long after news broke that the Lions would not use the franchise tag on Golladay, reports began surfacing indicating the Dolphins' interest. According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, a league source told him Golladay will either land with the Giants or Dolphins.
Pairing Golladay opposite DeVante Parker would be an ideal scenario to help second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who struggled at times in his rookie season. The Dolphins were knocking on the postseason door last year, and adding a talent like Golladay could be what helps push them through in 2021.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Getty ImagesThe Jaguars have a pretty good receiving corps. as is, but bringing in Golladay as the No.1 receiver for, what in all likelihood will be Trevor Lawrence, is an intriguing thought. The Clemson QB has been heralded as a can't-miss quarterback since his freshman season and plucking a veteran Pro Bowl receiver to add as one of his weapons could help Lawrence find success right away under Urban Meyer.
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