With free agency set to begin in less than one month, Redskins.com's Stephen Czarda previews the 2015 NFL free agent class. Today's focus is on the wide receivers.
The Redskins made the biggest free agent splash in terms of the wide receivers last offseason, scooping up DeSean Jackson just days after his six-year tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles ended.
Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is entering his fourth year in the league in 2014.
Jackson, who of course is known for his game-changing speed, paced all wide receivers in the NFL last season with a 20.9 yards per reception average.
On the other side of the line was Pierre Garçon.
Fresh off of a career year in which he shattered the Redskins' single-season receptions record with 113 catches, Garçon once again proved to be lethal when the ball's in his possession, hauling in 68 balls for 752 yards and three touchdowns.
The Redskins will also be returning Andre Roberts and Ryan Grant — both of whom just completed their first seasons in Washington — but the rest of their wide receiving corps could change.
Santana Moss and Leonard Hankerson are both pending free agents.
One of the greatest receivers in Redskins history from a statistical standpoint, Moss said he still wants to play and is preparing as if he'll be in the NFL next season, but is also realistic about his expectations approaching his 36th birthday in June.
Hankerson, meanwhile, saw action in only one game last season after spending the majority of the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list recovering from a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his left knee suffered late during the 2013 season.
If the Redskins elect to fill their receiving corps with a veteran free agent, here are those wide receivers set to appear on the market:
Wide receivers
- Seyi Ajirotutu, San Diego Chargers
- Miles Austin, Cleveland Browns
- Jason Avant, Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenny Britt, St. Louis Rams
- Vincent Brown, Oakland Raiders
- Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
- Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
- Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
- Josh Cribbs, Indianapolis Colts
- Marcus Easley, Buffalo Bills
- Derek Hagan, Tennessee Titans
- Leonard Hankerson, Washington Redskins
- Dwayne Harris, Dallas Cowboys
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jerrel Jernigan, New York Giants
- Brandon Lloyd, San Francisco 49ers
- Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
- Robert Meachem, New Orleans Saints
- Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders
- Josh Morgan, Chicago Bears
- Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
- Hakeem Nicks, Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Ogletree, New York Giants
- Kassim Osgood, San Francisco 49ers
- Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers
- Dane Sanzenbacher, Cincinnati Bengals
- Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brad Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
- Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
- Brandon Tate, Cincinnati Bengals
- Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
- Deonte Thompson, Buffalo Bills
- Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans
- Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
- Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
While the Cowboys would like to re-sign Bryant, he may be courted by several teams looking to add the two-time Pro Bowler.
Bryant has been one of the best wide receivers in the league since his arrival in 2010, already hauling in 381 receptions for 5,424 yards and 56 touchdowns in five seasons.
Michael Crabtree, the 10th-overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, may also draw some attention and has ties to current Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan, as he drafted the Texas Tech product while holding the same position with the 49ers.
Crabtree has recorded at least 600 receiving yards in five of his first six seasons.
Randall Cobb, meanwhile, is coming off a breakout season in which he recorded career highs in receptions (91), receiving yards (1,287) and touchdowns (12).
He also has three return touchdowns to his credit during his career.
Josh Cribbs and Dwayne Harris are also among those that can provide a spark on special teams.
Others like Reggie Wayne (14 seasons), Nate Washington (10 seasons) and Jason Avant (10 seasons) can provide younger wide receivers a veteran presence while also still able to contribute on the field.
RELATED LINKS:-- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Defensive Ends -- 2015 Free Agency Outlook: Running Backs
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