The NFL free agent rumors have started to take off with free agency underway and players like Steve Smith, Kenny Britt, Devin Hester, James Jones, Santonio Holmes, Hakeem Nicks and Julian Edelman are the top players on the market and teams like the Giants, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers and Seahawks all could be interested in signing those names.
Steve Smith was released by the Panthers and he is getting attention from teams like the Ravens and Niners, while Edelman is coming off of a career year with the Patriots and he could turn that into a nice deal. Jones and Holmes are solid veteran receivers, but with Holmes' injury issues teams may stay away, while Devin Hester is considered more of a special teams option than anything else. Nicks is in a tough spot after coming off two bad years and he will be looking to cash in as well.
The Niners have shown interest in both Nicks and Edelman and those players could get signed soon and after that names like Britt and Holmes should sign. Britt is an intriguing option, but he had attitude issues and left the Titans after a down season and he could be a cheaper option for teams looking past Nicks or Edelman. Erick Decker already signed with the Jets and he was considered the best wideout option and teams could also look to the draft, as the WR position is one of the deepest in the class.
Steve Smith was released by the Panthers are he had 64 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns catches last season and he has been targeted by the Ravens. Smith comes in after a long and productive career in Carolina and while he is not a number one receiver anymore, he should be able to thrive in the right system. Edelman is a good option for teams looking for slot receivers and Smith fits into that as well and he could be a good option for the Giants fi they lose Nicks.
Edelman had by far his best season in his career and he played in 16 games and was fully healthy for the first time and he had over 100 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns and now he could make some money instead of returning to the Pats. The team would be well served to re-sign him, while Hester could be an option as well. Holmes is a wild card and James Jones is another solid veteran receiver pickup.