The NFL free agent class for 2016 has players like Travis Benjamin, Marvin Jones, Alshon Jeffery, Percy Harvin, Anquan Boldin, Rishard Matthews, Jermaine Kearse, Riley Cooper and James Jones hitting the market at the wide receiver position.
Alshon Jeffery is the top target among the group, but it's very likely that he will remain in Chicago this offseason. Players like Benjamin, Kearse, Jones and Matthews are coming off of career-best seasons and could cash in on the market. Cooper was released by the Eagles in a salary cap move, while Harvin is coming in after dealing with injuries for the Bills last season.
Benjamin has reportedly started contract talks with the Browns and it's looking likely that he will return to the team. According to ESPN Cleveland, Benjamin said that he is "hopeful" that a new deal will get done and that he has already spoken with head coach Hue Jackson about how he fits on offense. Benjamin is coming off of a career season that saw him make 68 receptions for 966 yards and five touchdowns and that could lead to a nice raise in 2016.
Jeffery is not expected to even get to the open market, as Jeff Dickerson at ESPN Chicago reports that the Bears are likely to use the franchise tag if the sides can't work out a new deal. The Bears are ranked in the top 10 among teams with projected salary cap space and that should allow the team to retain Jeffery. Ben Volin at the Boston Globe writes that Jeffery could get a deal in the range of five-years, $70 million, which was what Dez Bryant got from the Cowboys.
Marvin Jones is coming off of a career year and could be on his way out of Cincinnati this offseason. Jones told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he is not planning to accept a hometown discount from the Bengals, but that he would "like to be back." Jones made 65 catches last season for 816 yards and four touchdowns after missing the previous year with an injury. Jones has 14 combined TD catches in his last two full seasons for the Bengals and he could turn that into a solid contract this winter.
Kearse has also said he will not give a hometown discount to the Seahawks after he put up career numbers last season. Kearse set career highs with 49 catches for 685 yards and five touchdowns, but he is not likely to return to Seattle. The team has a tight cap situation and withT yler Lockett emerging as a legitimate threat at wide receiver, Kearse likely will be allowed to walk.
