Surprisingly, there are a ton of top-end wide receivers set to hit the NFL free agent market in March. The list is headlined by Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins as well as future Hall of Famer Mike Evans.
But the strength of the free agent class at wide receiver is depth. That includes Michael Pittman Jr., Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown.
Here, we look at the top-eight NFL free agents at wide receiver while pointing to an ideal landing spot for each player.
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Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Rumors have continued to point in the direction of Higgins moving on from the Bengals and finding a spot as a WR1 with another team. Now, we’re not too sure. Recent reports indicate that Cincinnati is planning on placing the franchise tag on the 25-year-old pass-catcher. Said cost would come in at $20.67 million. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins averaged over 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. He struggled this past season, recording 42 receptions for 656 yards. In any event, expect the Cincinnati Bengals to retain Higgins this offseason.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming off an NFL-record 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season to open his career, Evans is set to hit NFL free agency. Tampa Bay is not going to place the franchise tag on the five-time Pro Bowler. Instead, that will likely go to Baker Mayfield. While it’s hard to imagine Evans playing with another team, it’s not a guarantee that he’ll return to the Buccaneers. Instead, we like Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets as a prime fit. Evans would team up with youngster Garrett Wilson to form one of the better receiver duos in the NFL. It just makes too much sense.
Related: 8 NFL free agents who could be franchise tagged this offseason
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
There is every reason to believe that Indianapolis will place the franchise tag on Pittman Jr. this offseason. He’s been their most consistent weapon since the Colts selected him out of USC in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This past season saw Pittman Jr. put up career highs in receptions (109) and yards (1,152). Retaining him as a top target for young quarterback Anthony Richardson should be in the cards here. Expect a return to the Indianapolis Colts in 2024.
Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
After being suspended for the entire 2022 season due to gambling, Ridley picked up where he left off this past year. The former first-round pick from Alabama recorded 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Jaguars. The question here is going to be market value with Jacksonville unlikely to place the franchise tag on the 29-year-old receiver. It just makes too much sense for general manager Trent Baalke and the Jacksonville Jaguars to retain Trevor Lawrence’s top target.
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Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
The 26-year-old Brown has seen a downtrick in production since coming over to Arizona from the Baltimore Ravens in a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2022 season. This past year saw the dynamic receiver catch 51 passes for 574 yards and just four touchdowns. He also hauled in a mere 50.5% of his targets. A change of scenery really should be in the cards here. We like the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs as a fit. Despite earning another title, wide receiver was a major issues for Patrick Mahomes and Co. Brown’s dynamic down-field ability would certainly come in handy here.
Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills
If Buffalo opts to trade or release Stefon Diggs this offseason, re-signing Davis would make a ton of sense. He’s been undervalued and overlooked since the team made the former Central Florida star a fourth-round pick in 2020. This past season saw Davis average 16.6 yards per reception while hauling in seven touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Bills, they are in a disastrous salary cap situation heading into NFL free agency. It’s going to be hard retaining him. We like Davis as a fit with the San Francisco 49ers should they end up trading Brandon Aiyuk. The defending NFC champs would need to get someone to work with Deebo Samuel moving forward. Davis would be an ideal fit.
Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
Beckham Jr. simply isn’t the same player he was earlier in his career. After multiple ACL injuries, it pretty much is what it is right now. He caught a mere 35 passes for 565 yards with three touchdowns a season ago. We’re going to go out on a limb and conclude OBJ re-signs with the Baltimore Ravens in NFL free agency.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
After breaking out to the tune of 81 receptions for 1,055 yards as a sophomore back in 2021, Mooney has seen a downtick in production the past two seasons (907 combined yards). A lot of that has to do with Chicago’s quarterback play. Even then, we envision a change of scenery here. The Cleveland Browns make a ton of sense as a potential landing spot. They got very little behind Amari Cooper a season ago. Deshaun Watson needs another weapon. Taking a chance on Mooney during NFL free agency would be a way to provide that.
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