NFL Offseason Watch: Wide Receivers

This year's crop of free agent wideouts may not have looked good on paper, but there's still serious potential for 2016 fantasy breakouts, as most of the top guys signed with teams that already have solid quarterbacks to get them the ball.

Key Acquisitions

Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions (five-year, $40 million contract)

The obvious gem of this group, Jones was efficient with limited volume for the Bengals, putting up 8.3 yards per target and a 63-percent catch rate between the 2013 and 2015 seasons, with 14 of his 116 receptions going for touchdowns. Although he doesn't have great size nor speed, Jones also doesn't have any real weaknesses, which makes him effective but not particularly exciting to watch.

Unlike former teammate Mohamed Sanu, the 26-year-old Jones never had a chance to be the featured target in Cincinnati, as A.J. Green's only serious injury occurred in 2014, when Jones missed the entire season with a broken foot.

He obviously won't be able to fully replace Calvin Johnson in Detroit, but Jones should easily top last season's 103 targets, and he has a good shot at his first 1,000-yard season. Given the Lions' lack of pass-catching depth, there should be more than enough targets to around for both Tate and Jones, even if TE Eric Ebron takes a big step forward -- which I certainly won't be counting on.

Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons (five-year, $32.5 million)

This might be my least favorite contract of the free-agency period, especially considering that Sanu's teammate, the aforementioned Marvin Jones, wouldn't have cost the Falcons too much more.

Jones was far more productive than Sanu when both players were healthy, with the latter displaying little ability to separate from good cornerbacks. Sure, he was fine in his role as Cincinnati's No. 3 wideout and trick-play specialist, but the Falcons are now paying Sanu like a high-end No. 2, which would be a wildly optimistic assessment.

Having said all that, Sanu will still be worth drafting in most fantasy leagues, having landed in an ideal situation for fantasy production. The Falcons have an above-average quarterback in Matt Ryan, along with an embarrassing lack of pass-catching talent behind Julio Jones.

Travis Benjamin, San Diego Chargers (four-year, $24 million contract)

Previously known as a return man and occasional deep threat, the speedy Benjamin enjoyed a shocking breakout season with the Browns in 2015, putting up a 68-966-5 receiving line on 124 targets. His production was impressive within the context of a sinking ship, and he would've reached 1,000 yards if Josh McCown hadn't missed half the year.

Benjamin doesn't figure to match last season's 124 targets, but he should enjoy playing with Philip Rivers on a team that needs someone to step up in the passing game alongside Keenan Allen and an aging Antonio Gates. With Malcom Floyd retiring, Benjamin will be the clear No. 2 wide receiver and primary deep threat. He has a real shot to further build on his 2015 breakout.

Rishard Matthews, Tennessee Titans (three-year, $15 million contract)

A seventh-round selection in 2012, Matthews had to fight for playing time throughout his tenure in Miami, despite putting up 8.5 yards per target on a 65-percent catch rate over four years (165 targets). He finally seemed to get his break in 2015, working ahead of both Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker until his season was cut short by a rib injury. Matthews still finished with a career-high 43-662-4 receiving line (61 targets) in 11 games, including a stretch of eight games in which he topped 50 yards seven times.

He's an underrated player and could be a major threat in the right situation, but it's hard to imagine Matthews doing too much damage in an offense that also wants to get the ball to DeMarco Murray, Delanie Walker, Dorial Green-Beckham and Kendall Wright. Granted, the Tennessee offense should be much improved, and Matthews may end up overshadowing Wright.

Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens (two-year, $11.5 million contract)

Wallace's lone season in Minnesota was essentially a lost cause, with rookie Stefon Diggs emerging as the top target in the Vikings' conservative, low-volume passing attack. Although his own performance has been a part of the problem, Wallace hasn't been well positioned to succeed since he left Pittsburgh after the 2012 season, playing with quarterbacks that either don't (Teddy Bridgewater) or can't (Ryan Tannehill) throw deep.

Of course, Wallace also struggled during his final season in Pittsburgh and is now five years removed from his last 1,000-yard season. He should be a better fit with Joe Flacco and the Ravens, but Wallace isn't going to come anywhere close to his peak production.

Baltimore also has plenty of competition for targets, as the team seems to be stocked with complementary weapons but doesn't have a No. 1 guy. Wallace will have to compete for playing time with Breshad Perriman, Kamar Aiken, Jeremy Butler and possibly Steve Smith (Achilles); plus, the Ravens have a bunch of capable pass-catchers at running back and tight end.

What's Left

Anquan Boldin, Free Agent

While the notable remaining free agents can safely be categorized as "washed up," the 35-year-old Boldin probably has more gas left in the tank than any of his position-mates, even though he's the oldest of the bunch. Unlike Roddy White, Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, Marques Colston and Dwayne Bowe -- all free agents -- Boldin was actually productive in 2015, posting a 69-789-4 receiving line (110) in 14 games for a 49ers team that didn't have any other players with more than 33 catches.

Barring a return to San Francisco, Boldin isn't going to lead his 2016 squad in catches, but he could still be a decent No. 2 receiver, with the added bonus that he's effective out of the slot. He probably wants to play for a Super Bowl contender, and he'd be a nice fit for the Bengals, Steelers, Chiefs or Panthers. Oddly, Boldin's only known free-agent visit (as of April 5) was with a Redskins team that appears set at wide receiver.