Wide Receiver Free Agent Rankings

[NOTE:  Click the links to see our free agency rankings for quarterbacksrunning backsfullbacks,tight ends, centers, guards, and offensive tackles.  We’ll continue our way through all of the positions this week.]

The media is currently in the middle of regurgitating old Percy Harvin storylines, but the truth is that nobody has any idea how that whole situation is going to shake out.  What we do know is that the Vikings need to arm their offense with pass catching weapons, and losing a guy like Harvin would be one huge step backwards, which is not a direction they can really afford to go in.

The Vikings need so much help at receiver, in fact, I would consider almost every option to be viable and would fully expect to see some fireworks during free agency.  Here are some of the options:

Top Tier

1.  Dwayne Bowe, KC

There is no doubt that Bowe’s career has been plagued by inconsistencies and a knucklehead attitude.  With that being said, the guy is very talented and has produced at a high level despite poor quarterbacks filtering through Kansas City over the years, and that offense misses him greatly when he isn’t there.  He would immediately provide some legitimacy to the Vikings offense.

2.  Greg Jennings, GB

It has been two years since Jennings has really put together an entire season of Pro Bowl quality play, but the guy just needs to stay healthy and that potential is certainly still there.  Stealing a division opponent’s great player is an added bonus, and he could certainly be a veteran leader on an offense that could use one.

3.  Mike Wallace, PIT

Wallace had a horrible 2012 season, but we all know that the blazing speed and incredible potential is still there, and if he lands in the right situation he could really tear up the league.  With that being said, I’m not sure that Christian Ponder is the quarterback to take advantage of Wallace’s speed, and he could end up being Bernard Berrian version 2.0 if he lands with the Vikings.

4.  Wes Welker, NE

I am not a fan of the age thing here, but Welker has arguably been the best wide receiver in the NFL over the last five years from a consistency standpoint.  Ponder and the Vikings could certainly use some consistency, veteran presence, and a working man’s attitude on the offense for a couple of seasons.

5.  Ramses Barden, NYG

Here is my crazy man’s flier of the day-week-month.  I have been enamored with Barden’s potential ever since he was a rookie out of Cal-Poly.  I wanted the Vikings to select him in the third round, but the Giants picked him one spot in front of the Vikings, and they had to settle for Asher Allen.  Barden is one of the tallest receivers in the league, has adequate speed coupled with blazing athleticism, and I still believe he could be a number one receiver on a number of NFL teams.  Stuck behind Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, and Victor Cruz in New York means he has low miles and the sky could still be the limit.

Second Tier

6.  Brian Hartline, MIA

7.  Danny Amendola, STL

8.  Brandon Gibson, STL

9.  Donnie Avery, IND

10.  Johnny Knox, CHI

11.  Ted Ginn, SF

12.  Joshua Cribbs, CLE

13.  Chaz Schilens, NYJ

14.  Domenik Hixon, NYG

15.  Micheal Spurlock, SD

16.  Steve Smith, STL

17.  Jerome Simpson, MIN

18.  Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE

19.  Deion Branch, NE

20.  Louis Murphy, CAR

21.  Devery Henderson, NO

22.  Brandon Stokley, DEN

23.  Julian Edelman, NE

24.  Devin Aromashodu, MIN

25.  Matt Willis, DEN

26.  Derek Hagan, OAK

27.  Donte’ Stallworth, NE

28.  Plaxico Burress, PIT

29.  Braylon Edwards, NYJ

30.  Sammie Stroughter, TB

31.  Roscoe Parrish, TB

32.  Brandon Tate, CIN

33.  Kassim Osgood, DET

34.  Austin Collie, IND

35.  Courtney Roby, NO

36.  Ruvell Martin, BUF

37.  Kevin Ogletree, DAL

38.  Randy Moss, SF

39.  Donald Driver, GB

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