NFL Free Agency is on the horizon and teams are primed to add talent and depth to their rosters. For the Washington Football Team, one of the main areas of need is at the wide receiver position.
Terry McLaurin needs some help outside and Washington knows it.
Cam Sims (48 receptions, 477 yards, 1 TD) and Steven Sims Jr. (27 receptions, 265 yards, 1 TD) haven't shown enough to the front office that they're the future at the position in DC, and last year's "draft steal", Antonio Gandy-Golden, has one reception going into his second season.
It's time to add another weapon. Here are the top options available in free agency at wide receiver (if they don't end up franchise tagged).
**All salary cap figures according to Spotrac.com**
2021 Free Agent Wide Receivers:
Allen Robinson, 27 Years Old — Bears
2020 Salary: $14 million AAV
Calculated Market Value For Next Contract (CMV): 4 years, $80 million | AAV: $20 million
2020 Stats: 16 GP, 102 Receptions, 1250 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving TDs
Allen Robinson is the top receiving threat available in free agency. His play has gone largely unnoticed in Chicago. Robinson hasn't missed a game since 2018. Over the last two seasons, the former Penn State star has accumulated 200 receptions on 305 targets for 2,397 yards and 13 touchdowns and no fumbles. Every team needing a deep threat will be vying for Robinson's services at the beginning of free agency and Washington has the cap space to put pen to paper.
Chris Godwin, 24 — Buccaneers
2020 Salary: $821K AAV
CMV: 4 years, $68.6 million | AAV: $17.1 million
2020 Stats: 12 GP, 65 Receptions, 840 Yards, 7 TDs
Chris Godwin will be looking to cash in when the new league year begins. The recently-crowned Super Bowl champion has recorded at least 59 catches, 840 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, despite missing four games in 2020 and playing with Jameis Winston prior to Tom Brady's arrival. In 2019, Godwin had the best season of his career thus far, hauling in 86 receptions for 1,333 yards and 9 touchdowns in just 14 games. He has shown that he can be a more-than-capable No. 2 receiver behind Mike Evans, and could fit in quite nicely in Washington behind Terry McLaurin for the right price.
Will Fuller V, 26 — Texans
2020 Salary: $2.54 million AAV
CMV: 4 years, $67.8 million | AAV: $16.9 million
2020 Stats: 11 GP, 53 Receptions, 879 Yards, 8 TDs
Will Fuller was shopped around at the trade deadline but ultimately ended up staying put. When available, Fuller has been one of the most dynamic threats in the NFL. But his availability will be a major talking point when teams inquire about his services. The former Notre Dame standout was suspended for the final six games of the 2020 season after violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Fuller missed 22 games through his first four seasons due to injury, before last season was cut short for him. This one receiver to be wary of before going all-in on.
Corey Davis, 26 — Titans
2020 Salary: $6.34 million AAV
CMV: 4 years, $39.44 million | AAV: $9.8 million
2020 Stats: 14 GP, 65 Receptions, 984 Yards, 5 TDs
Corey Davis had the best season of his four-year career in 2020 after the Titans declined his fifth-year option. Opposite sophomore-standout A.J. Brown, Davis was able to haul in 65 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. His numbers over the years may give some teams concerns. He has never been a 1000-yard guy, and his receiving totals haven't had a positive correlation (375 yards in 2017, 891 yards in 2018, 601 yards in 2019, 984 yards in 2020). Some team will overpay to sign Davis, but there are still questions that haven't been answered.
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Curtis Samuel, 24 — Panthers
2020 Salary: $1.61 million AAV
CMV: 4 years, $49.9 million | AAV: $12.4 million
2020 Stats: 15 GP, 77 Receptions, 851 Yards, 3 TDs
Curtis Samuel is the receiving most-often linked with the Washington Football Team. He played for Ron Rivera and Scott Turner in Carolina and he would be a natural fit in a similar offense run in Washington. Despite being the No. 3 option for the Panthers in 2020, Samuel was still able to bring in 77 catches for 851 yards and has been used as a receiver and in the backfield. His price-tag is also extremely reasonable for someone with his age and skill-set, and he'd be an instant contributor for the WFT.
Nelson Agholor, 27 — Raiders
2020 Salary: $1.047 million AAV
CMV: 2 years, $19.5 million | AAV: $9.7 million
2020 Stats: 16 GP, 48 Receptions, 896 Yards, 8 TDs
Nelson Agholor exceeded all expectations in 2020 for Las Vegas after being brought in to bolster their depth chart. Injuries to Tyrell Williams and Henry Ruggs provided more opportunities for the former USC star and he capitalized. Agholor would surely be a fan-favorite in Washington with his big-play ability, and signing a former Eagle would make for two very interesting divisional matchups in 2021.
Tim Patrick, 27 — Broncos (RFA)
2020 Salary: $750K AAV
2020 Stats: 15 GP, 51 Receptions, 742 Yards, 6 TDs
Tim Patrick isn't going to be the top option on any team's free-agent list, but he has largely gone under-the-radar in Denver so far. When Courtland Sutton was ruled out for the season last fall, most expected first-round pick Jerry Jeudy to have an even larger role in the offense, but someone else took advantage of the opportunity: Tim Patrick. Sure, Jeudy finished the season with nearly 100 more receiving yards than Patrick, but in the end zone, Drew Lock went to the former practice-squad standout. The future is bright.
Keelan Cole, 27 — Jaguars
2020 Salary: $3.259 million AAV
2020 Stats: 16 GP, 55 Receptions, 642 Yards, 5 TDs
Keelan Cole is another deep threat who isn't at the top of any team's free-agent list. The longtime Jaguar has been in a crowded receiver room for the entirety of his tenure there with the inconsistent quarterback play but has been able to make plays time and time again. Not only is he a more-than-capable receiving threat, but he's also a dynamic returner, taking a 91-yarder to the house this past season. Cole, who has never missed a game in his three seasons in the NFL, will be a value signing for any team that brings him on-board.
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