Notable Free Agents

NFL free agency starts in less than a week and there are some big names without contracts.  Here is a list of just some of the biggest names on the market this offseason.

1. Wes Welker:  Tom Brady’s favorite target.  Tom Brady recently took a paycut.  Tom Brady gets what he wants and wants this guy to stay.  Welker would be a great slot receiver for any quarterback, but why would he want to go somewhere else when he already has a great relationship on the field with one of the best quarterbacks?  As long as the Patriots offer him a decent contract for about three years, he is not leaving.  Welker winds up staying in New England.

2.  Victor Cruz:  Another great receiver that made a name for himself in the Big Apple.  Already a Super Bowl winner and an established threat, Cruz has proven that he is a rare find Jerry Reece is famous for.  The Giants want him to come back, but without breaking the bank.  I think Cruz will get some offers from other teams, but unless they are Calvin Johnson contracts, I do not think he will walk out of New York.  Cruz winds up staying in New York.

3.  Anquan Boldin:  The reigning Super Bowl champion has said numerous times that he will not leave Baltimore unless it is to retire.  However, he did reject an offer from the Ravens today.  I think the Ravens took Boldin’s loyalty to Baltimore and try to underpay after massively overpaying Joe Flacco.  Unless the Ravens continue to insult Boldin’s talent with underwhelming contracts, he will definitely stayed put and I think they will work something out.  Boldin winds up staying in Baltimore.

4.  Ed Reed:  Boldin’s teammate doesn’t quite seem to have a one track mind.  Reed openly expressed his interest in working with rival head coach Bill Belichick during Media Week.  The Patriots could land the veteran safety, but anywhere he goes, he will make a big impact.  It doesn’t seem that he will remain a Raven nor does it seem like the team can afford him.  The Patriots would be a great place for Reed who can turn that young secondary into a top defense. Reed leaves and heads to the Patriots.

5. Mike Wallace:  Wallace is in a similar situation to Reed in that both he and the Steelers want to work something out, but because of financial restraints, it doesn’t seem likely to happen.  He has drawn a lot of interest around the league including the Patriots, Dolphins, and Vikings.  The Dolphins are said to be the lead horse in the race, but I can’t rule out the Vikings.  The Vikings have a gap at wide receiver with Percy Harvin likely taking off.  Wallace would be a great threat for a team that is a run first offense.  Wallace heads to the Vikings.