You Are The Worse Coach I Ever Met” Star Player Disparaging The San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan.
On Wednesday, Calvin Ridley reportedly agreed to a four-year, $92M deal with the Tennessee Titans, removing arguably the best free-agent wide receiver from the market.
Teams that missed out on the Ridley sweepstakes could still make a deal for Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins or select a player from a deep draft pool in April. However, while the free agent pickings are getting slim, a handful of impactful players remain unsigned.
Here are four of the top remaining wideouts on the market, including which team might be the best potential fit.
Mike Williams | Cut Wednesday by the Los Angeles Chargers, the big-bodied receiver isn’t without risk, having played in only three games last season following a season-ending ACL tear. However, before going down, he ranked fourth in the NFL in yards (249), and at 29 years old, he could still have something left in the tank.
Potential fit | Kansas City Chiefs | The Chiefs were mired in issues at wide receiver last year, and an upgrade at the position is necessary. Williams does come with a checkered injury history. Still, if healthy, his experience and skill level would only compliment the likes of tight end Travis Kelce and budding wideout Rashee Rice.
Marquise Brown | Bothered by a nagging heel injury that caused him to miss the final three games of 2023, Brown didn’t have his most productive season, recording 51 catches for a career-low 574 yards and only four touchdowns. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old has showcased explosive playmaking ability in the past and might only need a change of scenery to bounce back.
Potential fit | New York Jets | After leading wideout Garrett Wilson (95 receptions, 1,042 yards), the Jets’ most productive pass-catchers last season were tight end and running back. Brown could infuse some life into the receiver group and open things up on the other side for Wilson, who is already a two-time 1,000-yard receiver.
Curtis Samuel | The seven-year veteran has emerged as a consistent target, paired with speed and big-play ability. Last season with the Washington Commanders, he finished second on the team in catches (62) and receiving yards (613), and at only 27, should still have something to offer in the right scheme.
Potential fit | Buffalo Bills| Samuel finished with 62 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games last season. His speed and big-play ability could immediately fill the void left by Gabe Davis, who inked a three-year, $39 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Odell Beckham Jr. | The 31-year-old showed, in glimpses with the Baltimore Ravens last season, that he can still be an effective wideout when healthy. He notched 35 receptions, three touchdowns, and 565 receiving yards, his highest output since his last 1,000-yard season in 2019.
Potential fit | New York Giants | After struggling with Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson last season, the Giants could use a veteran presence. Furthermore, they’re familiar with Beckham, and the prodigal son’s return might lessen the blow of losing running back Saquon Barkley to the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
The San Francisco 49ers have been active early on in free agency, both in securing some important signings as well as freeing up cap space by parting ways with players.
Among those to leave the team this offseason was veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who was released Wednesday ahead of the final year of his contract. Armstead was due to make $17.4 million in base salary while carrying a cap hit of $28.3 million, prompting the team to cut him at the start of the new league year.