The NFL free agent class has been whittled down to the bottom of the barrel, but Sidney Rice is still on the market and now he could be an option for teams like the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, NY Giants, Carolina Panthers or Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, as he has been cleared for football activities ahead of the NFL draft.
Rice has been dealing with injuries in two of the past three seasons and he came into the offseason after an ACL surgery and that is why the Seahawks cut him loose. According to ESPN.com, the Seahawks could be interested in bringing him back after losing Golden Tate in free agency, while the NY Giants, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints also could be in the mix for the free agent wideout. Rice has been a productive receiver when healthy, but last season he only made it through half the schedule and two years before that he also missed time.
Rice had one full season with the Seahawks after playing in 16 games in 2012 and that was hit best season since his career-best season in 2009. Back with the Vikings Rice showed his potential with 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns, but he only played on full season since then and those are the only two seasons where he did not miss any games. Two years ago he had 50 catches for 748 yards and seven touchdowns and now after being cleared, Rice hopes that he can stay healthy after playing in just eight games in 2013.
The Saints need more depth at wide receiver and according to ESPN.com, he could be in the mix in New Orleans if he can prove he is back after being cleared. Rice has great size at 6-foot-4, 202-pounds and he is a red zone threat and he could be a very solid option alongside Kenny Stills and Marques Colston. Rice was cleared by Dr. James Andrews according to Pro Football Talk after he got his surgery back in October and now he could be an option for the Giants and Panthers.
According to ESPN.com, Rice was in Carolina, although he was not there on an official visit and he is coming off of being cut, as the Seahawks saved over $7 million by getting rid of him. The Giants signed only Mario Manningham really at WR this offseason after losing Hakeem Nicks and many think they will go after another player in the draft and Rice could be a cheap option for the team as well. The Panthers and 49ers each missed out DeSean Jackson and that is another reason why they could go after him, as both need depth at the wideout position as well.
