Slumping NFL franchises usually struggle with the same things: developing team chemistry from the front office on down, finding decent offensive line play and identifying a franchise quarterback through free agency or the draft. Those things are consistently hard to do.
So they might as well take the lay-up where they have it: finding good receivers.
They are everywhere. Just look at our list of the top 50 free agents, from ESPN's Kevin Seifert. It includes eight wideouts, and four come in the top 10. And don't forget about the past two draft classes, which have produced a combined 11 first-round receivers and saw 23 selected in the first two rounds -- good enough for 36% of the player pool. Receivers who can microwave a cold offense can be found anywhere in the draft.
And yet several teams need an infusion of talent at the position. Having talent at the position can go a long way. Just look at the four remaining playoff teams. The Bengals showed what happens when an offense has three star wideouts, and the other three teams have Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp or Tyreek Hill. That only deepens the intrigue for 2022 free agency, which has numerous high-end receivers, beginning with arguably the best in the game.
The toast of free agency: Davante Adams
Rarely does a receiver of this caliber hit free agency. But if the matching Instagram posts from Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams over the summer about "The Last Dance" -- channeling Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen -- foreshadowed what's to come this offseason, Adams will be the most coveted free-agent wide receiver since ... Jerry Rice to the Raiders in 2001?
By applying a franchise tag of around $19.1 million, the Green Bay Packers can stop that from happening. Or they could negotiate a long-term deal over the next two months.
"If there's a chance Rodgers returns, I can't see them letting Adams go," an NFC exec said. "They'd have to find a way to keep him. It feels like a package deal with those two."
Widely considered the game's best receiver, Adams is still in his prime after turning 29 years old last month. And he can beat just about any defensive coverage. His chemistry with Rodgers knows no limits, but that's where the intrigue lies: Can he duplicate that same chemistry with another quarterback, and what does his game look like outside of Green Bay?
"The only knocks on him coming out [of Fresno State in 2014] were lack of top-end speed and change of direction," an NFC scout said. "He's overcome those things to become a complete player, but I wonder how it all looks in a different offense with a different quarterback and [when] he's not running the timing plays with Aaron. Maybe it looks good, still ... we just don't know until we see it."
The Raiders have a natural connection to Adams, who played college ball with Derek Carr. Adams alongside slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller would help Las Vegas maintain pace in the AFC West track meet.
But cost is a major issue with anyone approaching Adams. A few veteran agents agree Adams would be smart to aim for a three-year deal for at least $80 million with high guarantees.
The Tampa Bay favorite: Chris Godwin
One of the top players on the market is hopeful his torn ACL suffered in Week 15 doesn't affect his bottom line. Some teams say he could see a slight decrease since his early 2022 performance might be affected, though others point to players such as Tennessee pass-rusher Bud Dupree, who cashed in on an $82 million deal despite suffering the same injury. It only takes one.
Multiple sources say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have high interest in re-signing Godwin. They consider him the Lavonte David of their offense -- the tough and physical player who sets a tone and embodies team culture. Receiver Mike Evans might draw double coverage most often, but Godwin can do a little bit of everything. The money will determine whether that happens, but a return is on the table for Tampa Bay.
A second franchise tag -- a 120% increase from the $15.9-million clip in 2021 -- seems unlikely coming off the knee issue, but a sweet-spot deal that acknowledges the high-end market while protecting the team due to Godwin's injury should suffice.
Finding fits for Godwin's game, beyond Tampa Bay, would be rather easy, too. The AFC East comes to mind, with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots needing upgrades for their young quarterbacks.
The rediscovered brilliance: Odell Beckham Jr.
Ever since Odell Beckham Sr. got overzealous with film editing, Beckham has enhanced his league-wide outlook. His play for the Los Angeles Rams has evoked enough vintage Beckham moments to get the NFL's attention, as he has six touchdowns in his past nine games. Getting out of Cleveland was the best thing to happen to Beckham.
"The talent has always been there, [he] just needed some consistency and good health," an AFC scout said.
Added an NFC exec: "I actually thought he looked good in Cleveland, too. The explosion is still there, even if he was still finding his footing early in the year. If you need nuanced route-running and perfect timing every snap, he's probably not your guy. But he's fit in great in Los Angeles and is showing he can put his head down, work, blend in and let his talent shine."
Most agree Beckham fits better on a contender with a strong culture. Going to the Jacksonville Jaguars or Chicago Bears for the biggest check could backfire. But Los Angeles is tied to Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods for multiple years, so a return to the cap-strapped Rams appears difficult. The Kansas City Chiefs were in the mix for Beckham during his midseason free-agency swing and are among the most bold front offices. It wouldn't shock to see them circle back.
The exotic option: Mike Williams
Williams put together his most compete season at the right time. Playing on a fifth-year option of $15.7 million for the Los Angeles Chargers, Williams caught 76 passes -- eclipsing his previous career-high by 27 -- for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a midseason lull but was also working through a knee issue. Having receiver Keenan Allen on the other side helps, but Williams has set himself up for a hefty payday.
"A team that needs juice, vertical balls, he's perfect," an AFC offensive coach said. "He's good on speed cuts. The right offense will utilize him well."
Added an NFC exec: "Possession routes and jump balls, back shoulder/fades -- anything to accentuate his size, length, catch radius and ball skills, teams should be looking for."
Not every evaluator considers Williams a true No. 1, though there are only maybe 8-10 of those in the NFL. Many see him as more of an exotic No. 2 with big yards-after-catch ability.
Cleveland could be a team to watch here. It could use a big-bodied target who can stretch the field. Jacksonville or Chicago could spend on receiver help. Someone will pay Williams, and pay him big. The Chargers have $58.2 million in cap space, and using roughly one-third of that on Williams wouldn't be the worst thing.
The rebound: Allen Robinson II
The 2021 season was a challenge for Robinson, who battled through COVID-19 symptoms, injuries and the Bears' ... wait for it ... instability at quarterback. His 38 catches for 410 yards in 12 games were career-worsts, excluding his 2017 season when he played one game. To be sure, finding a rhythm was difficult with three different quarterbacks in the lineup at different times and Justin Fields' Year 1 learning curve.
Age isn't a major issue -- Robinson turns 29 in August -- and his strengths haven't gone away.
"Route-running and contested catches ... he can still do that," an AFC exec said. "He was never a speed guy, so he should be able to give a team a few quality years."
An AFC coach agreed, saying: "He is great at contested catches, but there's a reason why he has to make [them]. He has some trouble separating."
Robinson's days in Chicago are likely over, as both sides are ready to move on. The Indianapolis Colts rarely spend big in free agency, but they appear intent on addressing needs this offseason after the Week 18 meltdown in Jacksonville. Robinson is a good fit there if Indy is willing to spend.
Other intriguing options
Some evaluators are very high on Michael Gallup, who can play inside and out with adequate speed and the ability to make tough catches. But the torn ACL suffered earlier this month is a big blow because, unlike Godwin, Gallup hasn't had the chance to establish himself as a top guy just yet, in part because of his crowded receiver room with the Dallas Cowboys. But he fought for his positioning there, and Dallas loves his game.
Christian Kirk flirted with a 1,000-yard season in Year 4. As one NFC coach said, Kirk has the body of a slot receiver but doesn't "break off" cornerbacks with the quickness of the top slot guys. Even so, he's reliable, earning 103 targets from quarterback Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals' offense despite plenty of options around him.
DJ Chark Jr. is a fascinating case. After a 1,000-yard season in 2019 with the Jaguars, he seemed poised to stardom but struggled with injury and performance over the next two years. (He's already moving well and running on that fractured left ankle suffered in October, so that shouldn't affect his free agency status.) One AFC exec questions whether Chark has what it takes to be great, saying the traits are there, but his fitness and nuanced route-running aren't where they could be. The Philadelphia Eagles could look to Chark if they need a deep threat to complement DeVonta Smith.
And then there is the Pittsburgh Steelers' JuJu Smith-Schuster, who enters free agency with loads of question marks, mostly due to injury. He had to take a one-year deal to return to Pittsburgh this season and then had a shoulder injury limit him to five regular-season games (he returned for the wild-card game against the Chiefs). He has also dealt with knee troubles that worry some teams. At his best, though, Smith-Schuster is a tough No. 2 who can make plays in traffic. Kansas City was interested at one time. Will the Chiefs circle back?
Sleeper receivers to watch
Braxton Berrios: Berrios became a focal point in New York Jets' offense, and they should try to re-sign him.
Russell Gage: Gage was a viable option for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons' offense in the absence of Calvin Ridley.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: He will get paid a sneaky-big amount. Speed kills, and he was the Packers' vertical threat this season.