Predicting the Landing Spots for the Top 5 NFL Wide Receiver Free Agents

Zack Cook
Host · Writer
5. Marquise Brown
Speedsters with Marquise Brown's talent don't typically become available in free agency. There's a definite bond between Brown and quarterback Kyler Murray in Arizona, but that doesn't mean he'll be sticking around. Brown could return depending on the price tag and how the Cardinals address their top five pick in the 2024 NFL draft. We're not counting on it, and plenty of great fits on the open market should intrigue him.
2023-24 Stats: 574 receiving yards, four touchdowns
Prediction: Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +25000)
1. Tee Higgins
All signs point to Tee Higgins being franchise-tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning there's not a lot of value in speculating beyond that. If Higgins reaches the open market, though, he'll be the most desirable target. It's hard to envision a long-term relationship working out between the Bengals and Higgins, but for at least one more season, he should remain in Cincinnati.
2023-24 Stats: 656 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +1500)
2. Mike Evans
If you're looking for consistency in free agency, wideout Mike Evans is the target for your team. In each of his ten NFL seasons, Evans has recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards, which was no different in 2023. Evans has recorded double-digits in touchdowns during half those seasons, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down anytime soon. It seems the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Evans are parting ways, meaning he'll be one of the most sought-after wide receiver targets on the market. Whether Evans wants money or to chase a ring will likely determine what situation he ends up in.
2023-24 Stats: 1,255 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns
Prediction: Chicago Bears (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +5000)
3. Calvin Ridley
Looking past what Calvin Ridley can do on the right team is hard. It looked as though the Jacksonville Jaguars would be a dream fit for both parties, but it never really amounted to that in terms of production. The numbers were acceptable, but the consistency wasn't there for Ridley in 2023. If the Jaguars want to keep Ridley, the conditional third-round pick they owe the Atlanta Falcons jumps to a second-round pick. One team to keep an eye on in free agency for Ridley is the Tennessee Titans.
2023-24 Stats: 1,016 receiving yards, eight touchdowns
Prediction: Tennessee Titans (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +13000)
4. Michael Pittman Jr.
With the option to be franchise-tagged by the Indianapolis Colts, there's no guarantee of what transpires with Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency. Although he only found the endzone four times, Pittman is coming off a strong year with over 1,000 receiving yards. He's proven he can be a target machine and stretch the field, both valuable commodities NFL teams search for. The Colts have the space to make this work, so expect Pittman Jr. to be franchise-tagged or extended long-term.
2023-24 Stats: 1,152 receiving yards, four touchdowns
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +5000)
5. Marquise Brown
Speedsters with Marquise Brown's talent don't typically become available in free agency. There's a definite bond between Brown and quarterback Kyler Murray in Arizona, but that doesn't mean he'll be sticking around. Brown could return depending on the price tag and how the Cardinals address their top five pick in the 2024 NFL draft. We're not counting on it, and plenty of great fits on the open market should intrigue him.
2023-24 Stats: 574 receiving yards, four touchdowns
Prediction: Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +25000)
1. Tee Higgins
All signs point to Tee Higgins being franchise-tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning there's not a lot of value in speculating beyond that. If Higgins reaches the open market, though, he'll be the most desirable target. It's hard to envision a long-term relationship working out between the Bengals and Higgins, but for at least one more season, he should remain in Cincinnati.
2023-24 Stats: 656 receiving yards, five touchdowns
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals (Super Bowl LIX Odds: +1500)

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