Darrius Heyward-Bey is beginning to be treated like the best wide receiver on the free agent market. The former Oakland Raider is garnering some serious suitors for a guy that has had the phrase "under achiever" associated with him lately. The Colts were considered the front runner to sign Heyward-Bey, but now the team has some competition as the Detroit Lions are set to host the wide receiver on Wednesday.
Heyward-Bey was the top wide receiver to enter the NFL draft in 2009. Oakland made the move to get the speedster No. 7 overall. However, he has spent the past four seasons under performing. In his highly anticipated rookie season, he had only nine catches for 124 yards in 11 games played. In 2012, he only had 606 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. For a guy that was considered a guaranteed 1,000-yard receiver, he has yet to live up to the hype.
To his defense, the Raiders have struggled to find their identity while Heyward-Bey was there. He has yet to have a real quarterback throw to him and a possible change in scenery could be just what he needs to regain the form of his college days.
The Raiders are in a bad salary cap position and decided to cut Heyward-Bey to save cash. He was set to make $7.97 million in 2013. His released saved the Raiders $5.3 million in cap space. He will be unable to command that sort of cash with any team he ends up signing with. His numbers do not make him a No.1, top-dollar guy.
The Detroit Lions do not need a No. 1 guy. They need a receiver that can be a primary deep threat and run on the other side of star Calvin Johnson. The Lions released Titus Young for multiple off-the-field issues and now have a lack of depth in productive receivers. The team does have Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles, but they will traditionally be placed as a slot receiver. Heyward-Bey can run a 4.30 40-yard dash and could prove to be a strong addition to the offense with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing him the ball.
The Indianapolis Colts are doing their best to win over the receiver. Owner Jim Irsay has made it known that he wants a big time wide receiver making Heyward-Bey their top target. Andrew Luck could make him the star receiver he was once predicted to be. Alongside veteran Reggie Wayne, Heyward-Bey could turn his career around with the Colts.
No team seems to be in a hurry anymore to sign the remaining offensive free agents. Heyward-Bey could sit on the market a few more days while teams sort out cap space. Right now, the Lions and the Colts have the best shot at signing him.