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DeSean Jackson Rumors: Top Four Potential Landing Spots

Now that it appears that DeSean Jackson may very well be heading out of Philadelphia at some point in the not-so-distant future, it makes sense to check in on potential suitors for the talented, but enigmatic wide receiver. In looking at DeSean Jackson rumors and the top-four potential landing spots for him, we have to look at a few different things. 

1. Need

2. Salary Cap Room or Flexibility

3. Draft Picks

 

1. New England Patriots

It goes without saying that the Patriots would show interest in Jackson. After retaining Julian Edelman on a three-year contract and signing free-agent Brandon LaFell, it appears that they’re not necessarily done looking for upgrades at wide receiver.

While the Patriots could very well look to the draft to fill this need, it’s important to note that they spent two picks last year on wide receivers and have other needs to fill early on in May.

The Patriots are about $9.7 million under the cap. They would have to immediately restructure Jackson’s $12.75 million cap hit in 2014 or work their magic internally to make this happen. Without a dollar of guaranteed money remaining on his deal, Jackson might be open to an extension that front loads guaranteed money. Will the Patriots?

As this one Eagles fan pointed out, if Jackson were to be traded it would be a hard day for fans in Philly. Despite issues with the front office, he’s been one of the most well-liked players on the team for some time now.

However, this cannot play into the Eagles’ thought process. If they can rid themselves of Jackson’s contract and get a decent pick in return, this deal might just go down.

 

2. San Francisco 49ers

For those of you wondering, that’s 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (always GQ) with Jackson at what appears to be a concert. Kaepernick has mentioned the possibility of teaming up with the local Northern California product in the past and would definitely welcome the idea.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that suggest a deal is unlikely, the least of which is that San Francisco is just $4.2 million under the cap. While Albert Breer of NFL Network seems to suggest this is a big deal, sources close to the situation in Santa Clara pretty much laughed that off.

San Francisco designated Carlos Rogers as a post-June 1st cap casualty, which means it will be getting $6 million more to spend against the cap. In addition, the 49ers have already approached several veterans about contract restructures should they land Jackson.

Bob Donnan, USA Today: Crabtree, Boldin and Jackson would be sexy.

Bob Donnan, USA Today: Crabtree, Boldin and Jackson would be sexy.

The larger sticking point here is that San Francisco ran the least amount of three-wide sets in the NFL last season. It would have to change its offensive scheme in order to find enough targets for Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Jackson.

Another thing to look at here is that the 49ers have a ton of youngsters on rookie deals they’re going to have to approach about extensions in the next year. In reality, Jackson would be more of a one-year rental. Is San Francisco willing to yield a third-round pick knowing full well that might be the case?

 

 3. Carolina Panthers

Cam, we feel ya.

Cam, we feel ya.

If you read my piece on the Panthers wide receiver situation yesterday, you know full well that this team is in the market for multiple wide receivers. The six receivers that make up their pass-catching corp for Cam Newton have a combined four regular-season NFL receptions.

In addition to all this, Newton himself is undergoing ankle surgery today and is expected to miss at least three months (via the Charlotte Observer). 

One way to overcome what has been a disastrous offseason would be to go out there and get one of the better receiving threats in the entire National Football League. As is the case with every team on this list outside of the Patriots, there is at least one issue that could prevent Carolina from pulling the trigger.

The salary cap.

Photo, Spotrac: That's a heck of a lot of cash to a few players.

Photo, Spotrac: That’s a heck of a lot of cash to a few players.

After Greg Hardy signed his $13.1 million franchise tender earlier this month, the Panthers are $4.27 million under the cap. Their flexibility also seems to be dwindling, especially after releasing Steve Smith. One possible answer would be to agree to a long-term deal with Hardy and back loading the contract itself. After all, Charles Johnson and Hardy, Carolina’s two starting defensive ends, account for 30 percent of its cap in 2014.

In any event, Carolina has the biggest need of any team on this list. It would, however, need to get creative in order to fit Jackson under the cap in 2014. Are the Panthers willing to restrict long-term cap flexibility for a short-term fix? I am not too sure that they are. That’s exactly what got them in this mess to begin with.

 

4. Oakland Raiders

Okay, now this makes a ton of sense. Even after its myriad signings, Oakland still has $30.8 million in cap space. Jackson also played his college ball at Berkeley, which is within a few dozen miles of o.Co coliseum. Oh, and the Raiders have a need for a No. 1 wide receiver.

The Raiders could even make a deal without having to redo Jackson’s deal, something that no other team on this list can do.

Now the negatives. How exactly would the enigmatic Jackson handle being on a team that’s likely not going to be in contention in 2014? Would he act as a good leader for a young quarterback? Would Reggie McKenzie go against his previously set motto of not spending draft picks on veterans?  We would need answers to all three of these questions before Jackson was in fact traded to the Raiders.

Then you have this.

Perception of Jackson varies a great deal around the NFL. Writers and fans of specific teams wouldn’t touch him if their lives depended on it. Others would welcome him with open arms. In the end, Jackson wouldn’t want to piss off Raiders Nation.

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA Today

All contract information provided by Spotrac.com 

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