T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
A Pro Bowl player, Houshmandzadeh is one of the league’s top receivers and arguably the best number two receiver in the entire league. A seventh round selection, Houshmandzadeh now has more than 5,700 career receiving yards. Heading into the ‘08, he had increased his reception and touchdowns totals in each of his six seasons and was coming off of a league-leading 112 receptions with 12 touchdowns. He had a down season by his standards in ’08, however, yet still managed to gain over 900 receiving yards on 92 catches in fifteen games. He posted those numbers while being thrown to by backup Ryan Fitzpatrick much of the season, making it considerably more impressive. Losing Houshmandzadeh would be a major setback for Cincinnati. Look for the Bengals to make every effort to retain and possibly promote him.
Bobby Engram, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Engram likely won’t be the most desired receiver on the market this offseason, but he will provide a veteran option for team’s looking to add experience with their youth and others. Engram has an injury history that has caused him to miss a fair amount of time, but he’s been a solid receiver when healthy. His 2007 campaign was the best of his career. His 94 receptions helped him rack up 1,147 yards and six touchdowns without a strong running game supporting the offense. Playing for a struggling Seattle team this season, he played in thirteen games and caught 50 passes for nearly 500 yards, but failed to reach the endzone. With his history of injury and a struggling offensive unit not helping his numbers, he’ll likely wind up back in Seattle with his career closer to the end than the beginning.
Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Henderson’s career high in receptions may be 32, but he’s a deep threat and can make big plays down the field when things are clicking for the offensive unit. He’s had at least three scores in each season of his four-year career and set a new career-high in yards with 793, averaging almost 25 yards per catch. If the Saints let Henderson go, someone may give him a shot at a bigger role.
Shaun McDonald, UFA, Detroit Lions
McDonald has had to play behind the likes of Torry Holt, Roy Williams, and Calvin Johnson during his six seasons. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he has shown that he can be a quality receiver. He had a career-high with 79 receptions in ’07 with the Lions and converted six of those into touchdowns. His numbers dropped this season as the entire team struggled and he played in just twelve games, but considering his situation, 35 catches for 332 yards isn’t a terrible showing. Assuming he returns from injury without a problem, McDonald has the ability to be a solid number two, and chances are he’ll look to play for a more competitive team.
Other Wide Receivers
Hank Baskett, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Jabar Gaffney, UFA, New England Patriots
Dante' Hall, UFA, St. Louis Rams
Sam Hurd, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Jones, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Ashley Lelie, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Koren Robinson, UFA, Green Bay Packers
Amani Toomer, UFA, New York Giants
Roydell Williams, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Cedrick Wilson, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Other Tight Ends
Owen Daniels, UFA, Houston Texans
Will Heller, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Eric Johnson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers
Jim Kleinsasser, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Pope, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Wilcox, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
L.J. Smith, UFA, Philadelphia
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