Top 5 wide receiver free agents in 2013

Super Bowl XLVII is finally behind us, and the offseason is about to hit full swing. The free agents are chomping at the bit to see which teams are ready to court them, and this list is about the best wide receivers about to hit free agency in 2013.

If you’re team needs a deep threat, an established veteran, or even just a little more wide receiver depth on your team’s roster. Then this is the list of top receivers you may see on your team in 2013.

Getty Images

5. Wes Welker

Wes Welker can bring a strong veteran balance to a team, that may need help in that department. He is no longer a number 1 wide receiver, or even a solid number 2 from a talent standpoint, but he brings veteran leadership that is hard to find.

A team with a young wide receiver core, can benefit greatly from his services, and that is the best spot for him. He still has the ability to make plays, and that coupled with his other attributes mentioned makes him number 5 on this list.

4. Victor Cruz*

New York Giants Victor Cruz is only 4^th on this list, because he’s a restricted free agent. That means, that any offer your team makes to Cruz, can be countered by the Giants, and they can still retain his rights.

Your team would have to make such a ridiculous offer, that the Giants wouldn’t be willing to counter. That type of contract isn’t worth the trouble, because Cruz is an Elite wide receiver, but is still relatively new to the NFL.

Are you going to take a chance by giving Cruz a 10 million or higher contract with a wide receiver that came out of nowhere the last 2 seasons? That’s why he’s number 5, because the risk to reward ratio is higher with Cruz due to the money you’d have to pony up to get the Giants to let him go.

Your team will also have to give up a few draft picks in the future too. His star status puts him on this list, but he may not be worth the risk due to his restricted status.

3. Dwayne Bowe

Kansas City Chiefs Dwayne Bowe gets a bad rap. He’s plays on the Chiefs people. He had a down year in 2012, but if you look at the body of his career. You’ll see a star stuck in a bad situation.

Bowe is a lot like a Calvin Johnson on a 0-16 ball club. Bowe is finally free to go to any team that wants him, and he would be the perfect fit for a team in desperate need for a number 1 receiver or a compliment.

He’s still relatively young at 28, and if age is what worries you, then look at what Vincent Jackson did on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. Bowe can have that impact, and deserves the distinction of being in the top 3 on this list.

2. Greg Jennings

Greg Jennings has been battling the injury bug as of late, but he’s still a number 1 receiver. However Jennings’ biggest value to a team is his veteran presence.

He can teach the younger wide receivers how to be professionals, and can be a great mentor to the team as a whole. He’s been to the Playoffs, and Super Bowls.

He knows how the game works, and that type of value is priceless. So, if your team that needs a veteran who still has a burst, then Jennings is your guy.

1. Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace was slow to start 2012, and had a down year. He is the most talented wide receiver on this list, and is a big play waiting to happen.

Every team in the NFL needs big play wide receivers, and Wallace can fill that need for any team that signs him. He will change your opponent’s game plan against you, the second he signs.

Players like Wallace don’t come around every year, and would be a great addition to any offense. There is nothing more to be said.

James Cobern is an NFL writer for TPF and can be contacted at JCobern@ThePenaltyFlagBlog.com.