Before free agency officially begins, TGH will be giving you our picks for the top free agents at every position in 2020. Keep in mind, these are our opinions for the top players and will not list every free agent. As of writing, all of the players listed are currently still un-signed.
Here is a look at our picks for the top free agents at wide receiver in 2020.
Amari Cooper
Maybe one of the best overall free agents in 2020, regardless of position, is Amari Cooper.
Cooper has only had one season in which he totaled less than 1,000 yards. In 2019, he had 1,189 yards and eight touchdowns on 79 catches. The yards and touchdowns were both career highs, as he rode Dak Prescott’s great season.
After being traded from Oakland in 2018, Cooper has become the number one option in Dallas. He has the speed to get ahead of defenders and has high catch percentages. He has also remained healthy, playing and starting in all 25 games in which he has been available in a Cowboys uniform.
The main problem surrounding Dallas re-signing Cooper is Dak Prescott’s contract. After making Ezekiel Elliot the highest paid running back in the NFL, the Cowboys have two more huge contracts to shell out. One or both of them may have to take a pay cut if they want to remain on the same team.
Pay cuts are not ideal, but the tandem of Prescott and Cooper is one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the league. They should want to remain on the same team for their best chance at a Super Bowl. Being that quarterbacks are harder to find, Dallas will likely focus on making Prescott happy first, however.
If that happens, many teams will come calling for Cooper. If they have a solid quarterback and the money to sign him, he can catapult a team into contention right away. Dallas could still pull it off, but everyone may not get the money they deserve.
A.J. Green
Green did not play a single snap in 2019 after suffering an ankle injury on the very first day of training camp. It is up for debate whether or not he could have returned to the field. Regardless, he remained on injured reserve for the entire season.
This likely did not hurt his chances of earning a big contract, however. He is one of the most impressive receivers in the NFL every year. His physicality and ability to catch 50-50 balls is among the best in the league.
Green has failed to eclipse 1,000 yards only twice, in two injury-shortened seasons. He has collected double-digit touchdowns in three seasons, and has consistently led the Bengals in targets and receptions.
Whether or not he returns to the Bengals will obviously heavily rely on the contract that is offered, but he may also be persuaded to stay by the prospect of potentially being teammates with Joe Burrow. It is extremely likely that Cincinnati will draft the Heisman and national champion-winning quarterback with the number one overall pick.
If he is intrigued by seeing whether or not he and Burrow will click on the football field, he may re-sign with what will likely still be an underachieving Bengals team. He has played his entire NFL career with Cincinnati, after all.
If not, then, like Cooper, almost every team will be very interested in him. Plenty of teams have Super Bowl windows open, and even though this draft is replete with good receivers, they may want a veteran to help them now.
Robbie Anderson
Anderson has mountains of potential, and can be a huge addition to a contending team. Playing all four years with the New York Jets has maybe not showcased his full talent.
In 62 games over four seasons, he has amassed 3,059 yards and 20 touchdowns. His yards per reception is a massive 14.8 and he averages around 50 yards per game. In his two years having (mainly) Sam Darnold throwing to him, he has had 752 and 779 yards in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The Jets will likely want to re-sign Anderson, as evidenced by them refusing to trade him at the deadline last season. But whether or not he will accept an offer may rely on how much he wants to join a team that is ready to win now.
Anderson would be a WR2 at the very least on every roster in the NFL, and as previously mentioned, many teams will want a proven receiver.
Featured Image courtesy of Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI
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