The NFL free agent market just got a top name in DeSean Jackson and now the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Patriots, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs all could target the released wide receiver after the Philadelphia Eagles cut him on Friday heading into the month stretch before the NFL draft.
Jackson is coming off of his most productive year in the league and he was released for a number of reasons, some of which include the fact that he was making $10.5 million, potential gang ties, off the field behavior and immaturity issues that clashed with the philosophy of Chip Kelly. According to ESPN.com, the team decided to release Jackson after listening to trade offers and now a number of teams could be in the mix to pick him up, as a number of teams need wideouts and while the draft is full of them with a deep class this year, Jackson has a certain set of skills and he has been successful in the league.
When the trade rumors came up, many cited the contract he had and the $30 million coming in the future and now reports of his behavior and missing meetings and potential gang ties have overshadowed that and either way, the Eagles are done with him. Likely landing spots include the 49ers, Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders, as all have the money to sign him and need another wideout. Jackson is coming off of one of his best seasons and he had 82 catches for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns last season to set career highs and this came after he was slow to come on to Kelly's new offense. Kelly will miss Jackson's speed and what he brings to the field, but as a franchise the Eagles felt it was best to move on from him and now he could end up with another team in the division.
Kelly brought back Jeremy Maclin on a one year deal and signed Riley Cooper to a five year deal and with Brent Celek and a deep WR class in the draft, the team feels it will be fine without Jackson. The team also added Darren Sproles to the mix this offseason in a trade with the Saints and while he is not a wideout, he is a receiver from the backfield and Kelly may feel that the production can get made up for Jackson. The Eagles felt the NJ.com report about the gang ties and to his friends that might be in gangs was troubling and no doubt they were influenced by the Aaron Hernandez situation as well.
Jackson was a big number on the cap and he had over $30 million left on the five year deal he signed in 2012 and that came after he was a second round pick from Cal in 2008 and he was taken by Andy Reid, making many speculate that he could end up in KC, as they need receivers. The Giants could take Jackson, as they need to replace Hakeem Nicks and they have seen his damage first hand, including on his punt return that knocked them out a few years ago and he also has four of those in his career.