WR free agent rankings 2021: Ranking the best wide receivers and sleepers in NFL free agency

The 2021 free-agent class of huge receivers as soon as seemed to function as a lot or extra expertise than some other place group. Nevertheless, as usually happens, the franchise tag took many of the prime expertise off the market.

The franchise-tag deadline claimed two of the league’s prime wideouts: the Chicago Bears’ Allen Robinson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin. Every of the 2 go catchers would have commanded salaries at or close to the highest of the market, and each may conceivably nonetheless achieve this with their respective groups. Nonetheless, their removing leaves just one obvious blue-chip huge receiver out there in free company.

Prime 5

Kenny Golladay

Of all of the wideouts scheduled to hit free company this offseason, Golladay as soon as appeared the more than likely to obtain the franchise tag. As an alternative, the Detroit Lions stayed true to their tear-down mandate and allowed the Pro Bowl receiver to succeed in the open market. Golladay’s affords uncommon measurement and pace in addition to a strong observe document of manufacturing. Even with fewer groups anticipated to leap headfirst into free company this yr, the 27-year-old can anticipate a contract that includes a top-5 common annual worth.

Will Fuller

After serving in a secondary position behind DeAndre Hopkins, Fuller thrived because the Houston Texans’ No. 1 possibility in 2020. The previous first-round decide set new private data for receptions (53), receiving yards (879), and touchdowns (eight) whereas additionally averaging a career-high 16.6 yards per catch. Fuller will miss the primary week of the 2021 season as a result of a PED suspension handed out final yr, however that shouldn’t have an effect on his market too considerably.

Corey Davis

Final offseason, the Tennessee Titans thought-about Davis sufficient of a disappointment to say no the fifth-year possibility in his contract. Davis responded with simply one of the best season of his profession, recording 65 catches for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns. Davis had the benefit of enjoying reverse star wideout A.J. Brown, a proven fact that different NFL groups will weigh as they take into account pursuing him in free company. Nonetheless, Davis may attraction as a high-upside No. 2 receiver, and that sort of participant tends to hit pay grime on the open market.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

When the Pittsburgh Steelers traded away All-Professional wideout Antonio Brown in 2019, they anticipated Smith-Schuster to transition easily into the No. 1 position. That by no means transpired, with Smith-Schuster struggling to regulate to the heightened protection and failing to match his 2018 manufacturing consequently. That statistical downturn will frighten some groups, however a substantial quantity of the blame belongs to the Steelers’ quarterbacks. Moreover, Smith-Schuster stays very younger — he turns 25 in late November — and will have untapped potential.

Marvin Jones

Jones lacks the nationwide profile of lots of the different free-agent wideouts this yr, a symptom of the Detroit Lions’ lack of relevancy in recent times. Nevertheless, Jones has remained a fairly productive participant throughout his time in Detroit, averaging eight touchdowns and practically 1,000 receiving yards per 16 video games as a member of the workforce. Jones simply turned 31 and nonetheless seems to have one other few years left within the tank.

Sleepers

Nelson Agholor

After flopping as a first-round decide with the Philadelphia Eagles, Agholor rejuvenated his profession with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, recording 48 catches for 896 yards and eight touchdowns. Agholor’s talent set doesn’t match each offense, however in the suitable scheme he can proceed to supply as a No. 2 wideout.

Tim Patrick

Patrick emerged as a dependable weapon following three years buried on the Denver Broncos’ depth chart. The Broncos retain some management over Patrick, who has not accrued sufficient seasons to qualify for unrestricted free company. Nonetheless, he may garner vital curiosity if the workforce tenders him on the lowest degree.

Full record of free-agent huge receivers