Adam Schefter over at ESPN indicated earlier today that nine teams have put a call in to DeSean Jackson’s agent and are interested in his services. The star wide receiver was released by the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday and should find himself a strong market, as he’s by far the best free agent receiver out there.
Let’s look at DeSean Jackson rumors and what five team might have the best chances to land the ultra-enigmatic but talented wide receiver.
Oakland Raiders
Now that #DjaxToOakland is trending worldwide on Twitter, we might just see the first instance where a player is swayed to sign with a team because of a social media movement. If you’re a free agent and see that type of support for you, especially with the recent mud slung your way, you may very well be swayed to sign with a certain team.
Woodson: Bring in Jackson http://t.co/oxC9c4BABg
— Lay Lo (@Lay_Lo_) March 29, 2014
Jackson would help fill a void that exists on the Raiders roster for a true No. 1 wide receiver. Even after adding the underrated James Jones earlier this offseason, Oakland is missing that one star-type player. Adding him to the mix with Denarius Moore, Rod Streater and Jones would be huge for Matt Schaub or whoever is under center in 2014.
DeSean Jackson, Raiders have mutual interest, per @RapSheet http://t.co/rleRn2YWaC
— NFL: AroundTheLeague (@NFL_ATL) March 29, 2014
This is also a serious possibility right now. Not only did Jackson play college ball just outside of Oakland, he is a pillar in the community and has done some tremendous charity work within Oakland. The Raiders also have a nice amount of money under the cap to get a deal done. They could front load a long-term deal, which would enable them to get out of the contract after year one should Jackson not pan out.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
While Oakland remains the sexy pick to land Jackson around the social media world, real world rumors indicate that Kansas City could very well be the front runners here. And it makes a ton of sense. Jackson and his former head coach in Philadelphia, Andy Reid, have a really good relationship. In fact, Reid pushed for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to sign Jackson to a five-year contract extension back in 2012.
Now, several teams are interested in DeSean Jackson, including his old coach Andy Reid’s. Will the pull from Oakland beat that out?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 29, 2014
The need is most definitely there. Sitting behind Dwayne Bowe on Kansas City’s depth chart are Donnie Avery, Junior Hemingway, A.J. Jenkins and a whole bunch of nothing else. If Reid were able to land Jackson in order to provide another target for Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith, it could go a long way in overcoming the additions that the Denver Broncos have made this offseason.
Two wildcard teams interested in DeSean Jackson: #Redskins and #Bills. Can see both fits. Toss those in with #Chiefs, #Raiders and the rest.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 29, 2014
Kansas City currently sits $4.7 million under the cap, via Spotrac. It would have to either restructure some contracts or back load Jackson’s deal in order to make something happen. There is also a possibility that the Chiefs could release Anthony Fasano and Avery, saving nearly $3 million in cap room. Though, almost all of Fasano’s contract for the 2014 season is guaranteed. That makes a release highly unlikely.
3. Buffalo Bills
Phil Sears, USA Today: Adding Jackson to the mix surely would help Manuel progress as a QB.
As you saw above, the Bills could be an under-the-radar option to land Jackson. They have a solid starting duo in Steve Johnson and Robert Woods, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another playmaker to the mix for young quarterback EJ Manuel.
I find this rumor to be a tad overstated at this point. In addition to their two starters, the Bills have a nice young complementary group that includes T.J. Graham and burner Marquise Goodwin. I just don’t see how Jackson fits into the equation.
4. New York Jets
Outside of Oakland, this seems like the most natural fit. In the aftermath of signing Michael Vick to a one-year contract, the Jets could use his partner in crime (no pun intended). While New York did net the biggest free agent wide receiver in the form of Eric Decker earlier this offseason, he’s viewed as a top-tier No. 2 wide receiver. Adding Jackson to the mix would be huge here.
Unfortunately, the Jets don’t seem too keen on this idea.
As others have reported, Jets GM John Idzik is not among those who have called to inquire about free agent WR DeSean Jackson. #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) March 29, 2014
Maybe the Jets are against this idea because they don’t want to be seen as former Philadelphia Eagles central. In any event, I would take John Idzik’s apparent leak to the media with a grain of salt. After all, couldn’t it be said that Woody Johnson will get whoever he wants should it fit under the franchise’s finances and the player is willing to go there?
5. San Francisco 49ers
Kirby Lee, USA Today: Kaepernick and Jackson would be lethal.
At this point, it’s nothing more than conjecture. The 49ers haven’t been reported to have a whole lot of interest in Jackson since his release on Friday. They were, however, linked to the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver prior to him being released, via NFL.com.
The Seahawks and 49ers are among teams to have talked to the Eagles, sources said, but they lack the cap space to absorb Jackson’s salary and trading for him would be cumbersome. Given that contract it’s unlikely the Eagles get more than a mid-round pick for him, if they are able to deal Jackson.
The idea of being able to put Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis and Jackson on the field together has to be enticing for Trent Baalke and Co. It would also enable the 49ers to go defensive-back heavy in the draft, especially on the heels of the recent Chris Culliver arrest.
If 49ers were to land DeSean Jackson (no indications they will) it would free them up to go DB with first three picks. CB, CB, S.
— Vincent Frank (@VincentFrankNFL) March 29, 2014
According to Spotrac, San Francisco currently sits $4.2 million under the cap. It will also pick up another $6.5 million in June after releasing Carlos Rogers earlier this offseason. Money might not be a huge issue here, but scheme most definitely will. San Francisco doesn’t run three-wide sets, which could cause friction between Jackson and the team.
Other teams with reported interest…
Washington Redskins
Between @RapSheet report and the #Redskins people I’ve spoken with, I think the interest in D-Jax is more than any of us thought at first.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania980) March 29, 2014
While sexy on the surface, this idea might not go too far. Washington is $6.7 million under the cap right now, but also has to worry about locking Brian Orakpo up on a long-term deal in order to avoid paying him the $11.45 franchise tender he’s currently under.
Carolina Panthers
Some mixed signals here. Head coach Ron Rivera indicated that the team might be interested in the talented receiver, but all reports indicate that general manager Dave Gettleman isn’t considering adding Jackson.
Folks, the Panthers are not going after DeSean Jackson regardless of Ron Rivera’s innocuous comments. They just aren’t.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) March 28, 2014
Carolina’s current No. 1 wide receiver is Jerricho Cotchery. Just think about that for a second. Short of adding two or three NFL-ready wide receiver in the draft, the Panthers are going to be in a deep hole at that position next season. Adding Jackson to the mix would be huge.
Unfortunately, Carolina is $1.63 million under the cap and has nearly $30 million allocated to defensive ends Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy. A long-term deal would have to be worked with for Hardy in order for anything to happen here. Even then, Carolina doesn’t seem to be too interested in adding Jackson in the first place.
New England Patriots
Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today: Could NE give Brady that elite threat he needs?
Much like the 49ers, it was previously reported that the Patriots were interested in Jackson prior to his release. Interestingly enough, we haven’t heard a whole lot about them in the last day or so.
That doesn’t mean that the Patriots aren’t interested. They could use a true No. 1 for Tom Brady short term. Running out the likes of Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman and the other young receivers New England currently has on the roster isn’t necessarily an ideal scenario for the defending AFC West champions.
In the End…
Instagram: Jackson and Kaepernick are buds off the field. No, don’t get any ideas.
I expect Jackson to land with one of the two Northern California teams. This is all based on conjecture and putting everything together. He has ties with the community there, they have both expressed interest at some point and the need is clearly right in front of our face.
Oakland seems to be the front runner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers are working on shocking the world behind the scenes. After all, Ninja-Baalke works in mysterious ways. Just look back to the whole Peyton Manning courtship.
In any event, it doesn’t seem that Jackson’s perceived gang affiliations are holding teams back from expressing interest.
Money in the bank on him landing in either Oakland or San Francisco.
Photo: Kirby Lee, USA Today