Several wide receivers and running backs will test free agency this upcoming Tuesday. Both positions are quite deep with talent and youth, which could edge out some of the veteran players who will be in competition for the same jobs. Here are five players over the age of 30 who will possibly hit the free market to see if they can extend their NFL careers just a bit longer.
Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts (Age: 36)
2014 Stats: 779 receiving yards, 64 receptions, five touchdowns (15 games)
The newest addition to the free agent market is Wayne. The former first-round draft pick finds himself without a team for the first time in 11 years after the Colts indicated they wouldn’t retain him. Following a Hall of Fame worthy career in Indianapolis, we are left wondering if Wayne still thinks he has something left in the tank. The veteran tore his ACL in 2013, and quite honestly hasn’t been the same since.
Will he want to give it a go for another couple of years with another team? Even if Wayne wants to remain playing in the NFL, would another team sign him? He will likely be looking at just a one-year deal at a lower salary than the $4 million he just made in 2014. As we wait to find out what Wayne’s plans are after hearing what must be devastating news to him, we can assess what teams might have interest.
Potential Landing Spots: Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks
Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans (Age: 33)
2014 Stats: 966 receiving yards, 85 receptions, three touchdowns (15 games)
It is all but over for the All-Pro with the Texans, who announced earlier this month that Johnson will likely be traded or released. Through the course of his career in Texas, the future Hall of Famer has tallied 13,597 receiving yards and scored 64 touchdowns.
However, coming off of a down season, it remains to be seen what type of market the 33 year old might have. Should the Texans release him, Johnson would draw some interest on the free market from teams that need extra depth or perhaps a beefier receiving unit overall.
As for Johnson, he is probably hoping to play for a team who has a better chance than his Texans have at making it to a Super Bowl in the near future. Where will we see the seven-time Pro Bowler wind up in 2015?
Potential Landing Spots: New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers
Wes Welker, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos (Age: 33)
2014 Stats: 464 receiving yards, 49 receptions, two touchdowns (14 games)
Providing Welker postpones his retirement plans and decides to continue his NFL career in 2015, he will be moving on from the Broncos. Welker is best known for his six-year stint in New England where he topped 1,000-plus receiving yards in five of his six seasons. Unfortunately, the slot receiver’s production has taken a severe nose dive since then. This leaves him testing the open market without many potential suitors.
Despite the drop in Welker’s numbers, he should attract some interest from teams possibly in need of his skill set. Over the course of his career, Welker has accumulated 2,561 punt return yards and 4,138 kick return yards in addition to 9,822 receiving yards. After playing with two of the best quarterbacks to ever suit up, it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
Potential Landing Spots: Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams
Reggie Bush, Running Back, Detroit Lions (Age: 30)
2014 Stats: 297 rushing yards, 253 receiving yards, two touchdowns (nine games)
After a terribly uneventful season with the Detroit Lions, the team decided to cut Bush. Unfortunately, he enters the free agent market carrying this awful stat line in his back pocket. It will take a team able to look past his injury-riddled 2014 season to see that Bush could still have a couple of decent seasons left to offer.
During the course of his nine-year career, Bush had just two seasons where he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Previously slated to earn $3.5 million in 2015, Bush will surely have to take a cut in pay if he wants to keep playing in the NFL—something which he recently confirmed.
Potential Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals
Frank Gore, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers (Age: 31)
2014 Stats: 1,106 rushing yards, 111 receiving yards, five total touchdowns (16 games)
If Gore does not remain with the 49ers, his home for 10 years, there should be plenty of interest for his services. Despite his wear and tear, Gore has produced 1,000-plus yards in eight of his 10 years in San Francisco. The fewest games he has ever played in one season was 11 back in 2010.
Gore will add short-term value to any team in need of a durable workhorse. Considering Gore’s previous production with the 49ers and his performance last season, there won’t be any shortage of interest in his services.
Potential Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts
Photo: USA Today