2010 WR Free Agent Class Part I: Unrestricted Free Agents

Update:  The Bengals just released Coles.  Logical given his hefty-ish salary.  We officially have no #2 WR now, so there is no excuse for the Bengals not to explore free agency aggressively.  Unless they want to insult their fans (oh right, I forgot).  And Matt Jones DOES NOT count, fan boy.

I am on the record publicly stating I don't think we can solve our receiving problems for next year through the draft.  Odds are anyone taken would not contribute significantly until 2011...and it's looking like that season won't exist anyway.

So that leaves free agency or trades.  Not exactly an area where Mike "You're doin' a heckuva job" Brownie demonstrates excellence.  And besides, Mikey already made his huge splash with Matt Jones.  Mission accomplished we can all agree.

Regardless, there is still lots of talk about the many receivers available as free agents this year.  So, to clear things up, here is a breakdown of the 2010 free agents (though some may have signed since I wrote this and I may have missed a few, apologies in advance).

To start, all free agents are not created equal.  Restricted free agents (RFAs) may come at quite high a price, such as a first round pick in this year's draft.  So we'll look at the unencumbered guys first, who the Bengals can sign without forfeiting anything.  These are the unrestricted free agents (UFAs) that I think might matter:

Antonio Bryant
Nate Burleson
Derrick Mason
Terrell Owens
Kevin Walter

Here's the question you need to ask yourself about UFAs:  would prefer to have any of these them as a replacement for Coles (assuming we cut him) at the same cost or less.  Simple.

My take:  I mostly agree with my boy Sly on TO.  Just not worth the risk/cost with other potential options out there.

Bryant and Walter probably represent the most intriguing options.  Bryant may ask for more money than he is worth though.  Regardless, he should get a look.  Walter plays a good complementary role to Andre Johnson in Houston, no reason to think he couldn't do the same with Chad here.  He's big, he's young and he's a poor man's TJ imitation that should come at the right price.

I don't know much about Burleson but something tells me he is not the answer.  I say every year Mason is getting old...then he goes out and produces.  But seriously, he's old.  Also, he's played against the Bengals enough to know he should stay away.

Bottom line:  the Bengals should cast a line and do some fishing with the UFAs.

Comments

[DJ-Hotlunch]

P.S. Kevin Walter will be 29 when the season starts, not exactly young as you pointed out.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

Okay - so he's in his prime. And should be for about 3 more years.

[CurseofBoJackson]

Moot points, hope I'm wrong, but i won't be. Personally, Bryant is the best option of the UFA's IMO. Provides solid #2 and stretches the field, pay him Coles' salary and voila, you have your #2. His injury strickened year HAD to hurt his income potential this year right? That said, we all know that aint happenin, no salary floor right?

[TheCarlPickensClause]

Walter is 27, I thought?

[blester01]

Out of the list of UFA's, for our needs I'd rank them: 1) Walter; 2) Bryant; 3) Burleson; 4) Chambers (not listed); 5) TO; 6) Mason.

I'd prefer to stay away from the head cases. As far as I know Walter is the "cleanest" out there. I have faith that Marvin snags one of the top ones. If not then we move onto trading for Boldin or resort to grabbing one in the draft.

It would be great to see a depth chart at WR look like:
1. Chad Johnson
2. Kevin Walter
3. J. Simpson (if the light turns on finally; he could be good - but it is a big if)
4. Matt Jones
5. Caldwell
6. Cosby

I actually wouldn't mind keeping Coles if they can. He was a great blocker downfield and supposedly was a good influence to Chad. If he can get on the same page with Carson and hold onto the ball he would be a good slot receiver.

[blester01]

Never mind my comment about Coles. I just read that they cut him.

[Jordan]

I have not read every comment or posting fully as of recently but Why is nobody mentioning that a couple of years ago we had Kevin Walter and could have re-signed him but chose not to?! He has improved and raised his stock over those couple of years so why does everyone think the Bengals will bring him back now, when the could have had him cheaper 3 years ago?

[the truth]

@jordan
Because in 05 we had TJ, Chad, Henry, and Washington. I don't think any of us after the high scoring season of 05 would have signed Walter to what Houston paid him.

[guttersnake]

I agree that one of the largest pieces of our off-season is going to come from fixing the WR/TE issue from Free Agency, so I'm on board there. And while I'm in my own little camp that likes Bryant and T.O. as the two best 'fits' for the team, I think the WDR might be getting a little too fixed on WRs... What I took from the last post is the we aren't going to fix the TE position completely from the draft (???) and if that is so, who are we looking at in Free Agency for the job? To be honest, I don't really know and haven't heard much talk...

I do completely echo the idea that the draft can't completely be looked upon as our cure-all for our passing problems, but can Free Agency? I think that somewhere we are going to have to draft a gamble at TE or WR in the draft. However, that's just me, and it would seem that I'm in a small camp on this as well. Just want to be clear: are we thinking we'll draft a TE.... or do we trust Mikey Boy's negotiating skills to get both a TE and WR in Free Agency?

[blester01]

Gutter,

I am in the camp where they get a TE in FA and then one past the 4th round in the draft. That way you can groom the rookie as the 3rd TE for the next year or two. Supposedly the TE position is very deep this year, and you can get the more traditional type in the lower rounds. Also drafting Gresham (sp?) in the 1st scares me b/c of his injury history- just what we need another high draft pick that is susceptible to injuries.

Unrestricted FA's are: (Comments are from Profootballtalk.com - I added the ages)

1. Ben Watson (29): Immortal in New England for one play, Watson will also be remembered for his inconsistent hands. But he's improved his blocking, he's very athletic, and he makes a fine red zone target. Some Belichick disciple will want him.

2. Randy McMichael (31): McMike disappeared in St. Louis, but that's not all his fault. He's better than some starters out there.

3. L.J. Smith (30): If you can live without great pass blocking or durability, he's your guy.

4. Brandon Manumaleuna (30): Mike Martz likey.

5. David Martin (31): I once saw him make some fabulous grabs as a member of the Packers and have overrated him since. He was a disappointment in Miami.

6. Alge Crumpler (32): He's mostly a blocker now, and seems likely to return to Tennessee.

According to another site you can add Matt Spaeth from Pittsburgh (25) to the list, but I cannot confirm this. Out of these 7, I would be happy to see them go after Spaeth or Watson. Spaeth seems like a clone of Miller when I see him play; so I think he could be a good pickup to either start or add quality depth.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

@guttersnake - just focusing on one position at a time. lots to discuss and we can get to TE free agents later. For now, I am assuming Kelly comes back as traditional blocking TE (huge assumption I suppose) and that in this deep draft we can get a TE in the 3rd or 4th round with patience. That's fine for me. Brat doesn't seem to know what to do with TEs anyway, so I consider them much less important for receiving than WRs.

[FeedMikeBrownToAquaBengal]

Walter is a former Bengal never-been wanna-be.
Jerome Simpson is A BUST.
These UFA's mostly are overrated and overpaid types.
Matt Jones stinks and looked terrible at his workout.

They need to draft some wide receivers due to having drafted so poorly in previous years.

[SM]

Screw the FA's: the Cardinals are asking for a 3rd Round Draft pick for Anquan Boldin. 3rd Round!! Are you kidding me? That's a freaking steal.

The Broncos also tendered Brandon Marshall at 1st Round compensation--NOT 1st and 3rd, just a 1st Round pick. They are begging to trade him at that level. There is NO possible way that we could draft anyone who'd have more of an immediate impact than Marshall. I don't care if it costs $11M per year--it'll be $13M per year by 2012 anyway, so lock him up now.

[blester01]

I agree SM, if Bolding is only going to cost a 3rd round pick they need to make that deal ASAP. He is a better upgrade than Walter.

Have you guys seen this? I think Chad has gone viral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WySbTpy3Rec&feature=player_embedded

[guttersnake]

@ Sleeping w/B

Fair enough... I'm just curious to see where everyone's priorities lie and how we should use the tools (FA, Draft, etc) to get what we need...

...eagerly awaiting the TE post.

[the truth]

As Collingsworth pointed out last night, he has heard from league officials that Marshall is on a one stike policy. If he does one more thing wrong he's out for a year. A first round pick and 10 mill a year is a lot to spend on that kind of risk. Let alone the fact that you'll be out of the free agent market for 7 days if Denver waits to decide on if they'll match it.

Boldin is a great option, way better than Marshall, but he is 30 and will want a huge contract. I still go for walter or TO myself.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

Truth :

Interesting info on Marshall. I never heard about that about him. You may be getting your wish soon about T.O. Looks like they're pursuing him per bengals.com and the Enquirer.

[Ross]

GET WALTER!!!!!