Possible Targets For Free Agency & The Draft

Nov 16, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Bruce Ellington (23) is brought down by Florida Gators defensive back Brian Poole (24) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver:

This is a position that I think they will turn to the draft, and free agency to fill. I would like to see them pick up a deep threat receiver in free agency, but I am not exactly sure there is one. There are guys who CAN be deep threats, like Emmanuel Sanders, but he is more of a smallish player like Royal. For lack of that over the top speed threat in free agency, I would rather go with a guy like Hakeem Nicks. He may not be the speediest guy, but he can go up and compete for the ball. Furthermore, he already said he would like to play for the Chargers. His injury history concerns me a little, but having Keenan Allen, Hakeem Nicks, Eddie Royal, Vincent Brown, and a mid-round kick returning wide receiver would be a pretty solid unit. Malcom Floyd could possibly come back, which would lock up that group nicely.

In the draft, I would go with a wide receiver that can return kicks in the middle rounds. If we drafted a receiver like Bruce Ellington, he could automatically give us a much needed spark in the return game, and could also play in the slot. That could make a big difference if (or when) Eddie Royal goes down. I also like John Brown out of Pitt State. Even though he is only 5’ 10” and 179 pounds, he can still play ball. He led Pitt State with 63 receptions for 973 yards & eight touchdowns. He returned 28 punts with a 15.4-yard average, and aTD in 2012. In 2011, he had 61 passes for 1,216 yards with 12 receiving touchdowns. Brown also averaged 13.7 yards per return, with three return TD’s. So, he is definitely worth a later round pick, and would add that “speed” that Telesco is looking for. He ran a 4.34 forty yard dash at the combine. Brandin Cooks was the only player with a faster time, who ran a 4.33. That’s fast!