The Sports World News free agency primer continues until free agency starts on March 11th. Wide receiver is one of the deeper positions in the 2014 NFL draft. This will definitely have an effect on the the free agency market. Players might have to take less money to stick around or risk being replaced by a younger and cheaper player in the draft. The top five at the position and predictions:
No. 1 Eric Decker: Decker is an interesting guy due to the fact that you don’t really know they player you are getting. Yes, Decker had an incredible season in 2013, but was it him or was it Peyton Manning? That is one of the questions potential suitors have to ask themselves before they take a chance on Decker. Decker could be one of the first players to sign this free agency. A match across from Reggie Wayne and giving Andrew Luck his first real number two wide receiver. Prediction: Colts
No. 2 James Jones: Jones is a guy, much like Decker, that can be a product of his environment. Aaron Rodgers is obviously a great quarterback and Jones could just be reaping the befits. The assumption is that Jones is going back to Green Bay and taking a home town discount. I don’t buy this as the true. The Packers reload at wide reciever every year through the draft so Jones isn't a must sign. Jones is a good enough player to make better money and choose the right scheme for him. A team that has been searching for a number two recover for as long as we can remember and is in a situation to win now? One comes to mind. Prediction: Panthers
No. 3 Hakeem Nicks: Other experts had Anquan Boldin and Riley Cooper above Nicks before they resigned, I wouldn't have. Nicks have a terrible 2013 and had a grand total of zero touchdowns, but this is during Eli Manning’s worst season of his career. Nicks is better than 2013 showed and just needs a change of scenery. This class is loaded with number two receivers but Nicks can return to number one receiver form. Will he get that shot? Free agency will tell, but he is the biggest boom or bust guy in free agency. Nicks will likely sign a one year “prove it” deal and I believe he will have an incredible season. Prediction: Patriots
No. 4 Julian Edelman: This is a hard guy to call based on the fact that he is Tom Brady’s favorite target in a bad year. Edelman played great in 2013, but this guy is the most likely to have produced only because of his system and quarterback. For that reason he can't pass up the oppurtunity to play with Brady for years to come. Prediction: Patriots
No. 5 Golden Tate: Super Bowl Champion Tate is now in the business of making money. The assumption around the NFL is that once a Super Bowl ring is won, any player should try to cash in immediately after. That is why Tate will be overpaid but find a place that makes sense. A team with established wide receivers and want to throw the ball as much as possible. Prediction: Cardinals
BONUS: Dexter McCluster: Eagles
Kenny Britt: Seattle
Emmanuel Sanders: Jets
Devin Hester: Buccaneers
Did we miss anyone? Any predictions of your own? Tell us @SportsWN
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