2011 Free Agency Preview: Wide Receivers
Here’s the second part of our 2011 free agency preview from a fantasy football perspective. Part one previewed the running backs and quarterbacks. This time we take a look at the wide receivers.

Wide Receivers

Vincent Jackson- Despite missing the first 12 games with the Chargers last year due to a hold out and team mandated suspension, Jackson still showed glimpses of why he’ll be the most sought after wide out on the market. Jackson is a huge ( 6′ 5” 230 lbs.) big play receiver who, aside from the abbreviated 2011, has improved and produced better numbers in every one of his five NFL seasons. At 28, Jackson is about to enter his prime and will be looking to break the bank with a huge multi-year deal. V-Jax has stated that he would like to return to San Diego, but the biggest question is will he and the Chargers be able to put their differences behind them and move forward together. Fantasy dream team: Chargers

Sidney Rice- Yet another receiver who missed a significant chunk of the 2010 season, Sidney Rice will hope to cash in for his breakout 2009 season. He was slow to recover from a hip injury and by the time he returned in Week 11 the Vikings season was already lost. Minnesota is in a transitional phase right now so they could choose not to use their franchise tag on Rice and allow him to hit the open market. At 6′ 4” and 202 lbs Rice is both big and fast with big play abilities. He will command plenty of attention from teams looking for a new #1 receiver. Fantasy dream team: Patriots

Santonio Holmes- The New York Jets are certainly known as a dominant defensive team but their offense is going to present some problems for them this off-season. Both of the Jets starting wide outs are pending free agents and the likelihood is that the team will only sign one of them. Santonio Holmes played in four fewer games but finished only one reception behind Braylon Edwards. Holmes has also been a big time producer in the post-season for both New York and Pittsburgh, so it might make sense for a team that is an annual playoff contender to target the 26 year old star. Fantasy dream team: Jets

Steve Smith- The break-out star for the Giants in 2009 was on his way to another fine season before he got hurt and essentially missed the final six games of  2010. He’s facing a long recovery from micro-fracture surgery and may not begin running until right before NFL camps begin in July. Teams aren’t likely to make signing him a priority until they see he’s totally healthy. This could cause him to be a free agent much longer than other players of his caliber would normally expect to be. At 25, he’s still young and is an excellent possession receiver. Fantasy dream team: Cardinals

Braylon Edwards- Edwards may never again approach his insane 2007 season but he’s still a good enough player to consistently produce as a starting wide receiver in the NFL. He’s also big enough to make for an imposing target in the end-zone. If the Jets decide to focus on signing Santonio Holmes, Edwards will command attention from other teams looking for an upgrade. Fantasy dream team: Rams

James Jones- Jones put up some impressive numbers down the stretch for the NFC champions. In the second half of the season he scored four of his five touchdowns and began to separate himself from Jordy Nelson and an injured Donald Driver. Jones has struggled with drops but has shown flashes of big play potential. He could be a very intriguing pick if Donald Driver were not to return to Green Bay. Fantasy dream team: Bengals

Randy Moss- It’s amazing to consider that at one point in 2010 Moss played for three teams in six weeks. His value was so low that only one team bothered to place a waiver claim on him after the Vikings waived him. In seven games with the Titans, Moss only caught five balls. His days of dominating NFL secondaries might be over, but Moss could still play a significant role for a contending team that is looking for a sizable deep threat. Fantasy dream team: Bears

Malcolm Floyd- In the absence of Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd looked very good for the Chargers. His play ranged from good to dominant as he and Philip Rivers built a nice chemistry. But injuries hit the San Diego receiving corps hard and Floyd missed six games. While healthy, he showed enough to warrant attention from teams looking to upgrade at their second wide receiver spot. Fantasy dream team: Falcons

Terrell Owens- T.O. exceeded most expectations in 2010. In a five game stretch Owens caught 41 passed for 618 yards and seven touchdowns. Those are downright dominant number and proved that Owens still has plenty left in the tank. At 37, and with a history of behavioral issues, Owens will likely only command a one year deal from a team that feels it has a strong enough locker to take a chance. Fantasy dream team: Raiders

Santana Moss- Moving from the outside to a slot position in Mike Shanahan’s offense did wonders for Moss. He had a career high 93 receptions and his fourth 1000 yard season. He’s never been a huge touchdown producer, but  his six scores were enough to warrant WR3 status in most fantasy lineups. Entering his 11^th season at age 31, Moss will be seeking the final multi-year contract of his career. Fantasy dream team: Redskins

Other notable free agent receivers: Mike Sims-Walker, Plaxico Burress, Steve Breaston, Lance Moore, Brad Smith, Jacoby Jones, Donte Stallworth, Devin Aromashodu, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Danny Amendola (restricted free agent)

Potential salary cap casualties

Roy Williams- Trading for the disappointing Williams and immediately giving him a huge extension was a huge mistake. The emergence of rookie Dez Bryant may spell the end of Big Roy’s stay in Big D

Chad Ochocinco- There’s been a very public sparring match between Ocho and Marvin Lewis, and its doubtful that they can co-exist. Look for Chad to return his last name to Johnson, but for a new team.

Michael Jenkins- Jenkins signed a $20 million contract in 2008. He’s scored three touchdowns in the last two seasons and is due $3.5 million.

Chris Chambers- There’s no way the Chiefs bring back Chambers for just under $3 million.

Steve Smith (CAR)- The Panther will begin a complete rebuild and there’s little reason to bring back a veteran making $7 million and who is clearly unhappy with his role on the team