As we inch closer to NFL free agency teams will now decide what to do with some of their top players and difference makers. There are a number of high-caliber wide receivers that could land with new teams including DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker and Stevie Johnson but also some other veteran names such as Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson and Plaxico Burress that could search for new teams. Here are the top 10 choices for wide receiver in 2012 free agency.

1. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles)

Is DeSean Jackson more trouble than he is worth? The jury still may be out but after causing a fiasco with the Eagles last season it could be the end of the road in Philly. The problem for the Eagles is that they don’t have anyone else to take his place. For a number of years the Eagles struggled at the WR position and now that they finally have someone worth something are they going to turn around and let that go? Jackson’s vertical ability has a great impact on the way defenses approach the Eagles’ offense and Michael Vick. Losing him would do more damage than just paying him the high salary he demands.

2. Wes Welker (New England Patriots)

If your name is not Tom Brady then chances of you obtaining a lucrative contract from the Patriots is very unlikely. Welker continues to set NFL records and could end his career with the Brady-led Patriots. At least that would be the smart thing to do. Previously with the Miami Dolphins Welker never produced the type of offense he does now. Is it the person throwing him the ball, or is it the system that he fits in. Welker is virtually impossible to cover out of the slot due to his quickness, intelligence, and hands. It would be hard to imagine that Welker looked elsewhere and Brady didn’t push for him to come back.

3. Stevie Johnson (Buffalo Bills)

Ryan Fitzpatrick has all but lifted up his shirt asking for Stevie Johnson to come back to the Bills but head coach Chan Gailey named a few conditions if he is to come back. There is no doubt he has talent but his actions, while funny, are hurting his team. The Bills need a flamboyant and exciting player. It is something they have not had in a good amount of time, but there is point in time to do it and Stevie doesn’t know that.

4. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs)

Dwayne Bow is a number one receiver that a team like the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Denver Broncos could use. Let’s not forget so can the Chiefs. His large stature, catching radius and work around the goal line make him a complete mismatch. He has also shown the propensity to make acrobatic catches on the fade and back shoulder passes.

5. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers)

The Chargers have avoided a long-term extension with Jackson and even let him hold out with no response. Philip Rivers needs a go-to receiver and right now Jackson is the best option. Jackson turns 29 this winter and could be slapped with the franchise tag. Selected to only one Pro-Bowl during his career he also finished in the top fifteen and top ten in the NFL for receiving yards during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. After career-low numbers in 2010 he bounced back in 2011 with 1,106 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

6. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts)

There has been talk of Reggie thinking this may be his last season in Indy, but odds are that also lies if Peyton is coming back. Hard to imagine the Colts would leave Manning without his number one target. One of the most interesting quotes from Wayne, is that he feels younger due to the lack of quarterback for the Colts. In fact, he thinks he bought himself a few more years. Reggie Wayne put on his hard hat for 11 seasons for the Colts, but the packed boxes in the locker room indicate he’s moving on.

7. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints)

When healthy Colston is a nightmare match-up for a corner, but the Saints have proved they can win without him. Picking up Colston could be a risk with his injury history. In his sixth NFL Season in four of his. This is Colston’s sixth NFL season. In five of those years he’s gone over 1,000 yards. Teammate Roman Harper stated, “He doesn’t draw a lot of attention to himself; he goes out there and he makes the hard catches. Goes across the middle, takes the hard hits, and doesn’t complain. He makes plays for us, and he doesn’t ever cause trouble. It’s simple: If you get more players like Colston, you have a great team.”

8. Pierre Garcon (Indianapolis Colts)

Drafted in the 6th round in the 2008 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Garcon has shown flashes of brilliance but could lack the overall number one ability. Targeted a team high 134 times in 2011 Garcon fell just short of reaching 1,000 yards.

9. Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams)

Lloyd is a bit of a mystery playing for five different teams in his brief NFL career, but drafted in 2003 and traded by the Denver Broncos to the St. Louis Rams expectations were high. Lloyd was one of the few bright surprises for the Rams this season finishing with 51 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns since coming over from the Broncos in Week 5. What makes Lloyd’s numbers even more impressive is that starting QB Sam Bradford was injured for a large part of that 11 game stretch.

10. Plaxico Burress (New York Jets)

Burress only secured 45 of 95 targets this year, gaining 612 yards on those receptions. His eight touchdowns bailed his season out somewhat, but it’s hard to expect a repeat of that next year, given that he turns 35 in August. Someone will still take a chance on the veteran due to his size and red zone threat.

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