1. Carolina Panthers– Last October, I was absolutely shocked that the Panthers decided to trade Kelvin Benjamin and it left them without a true number one receiver. This is no disrespect to Devin Funchess, Kaelin Clay or Russell Shepard, but they aren’t guys that I can necessarily depend on to make a big catch as that top receiver for Cam Newton. You insert Dez Bryant here and he can bring a veteran presence to a Panthers offense who’s skill players are still young and learning and it would give Cam the best weapon he’s had in his career. A guy like Dez would take a tremendous amount of pressure off Cam because when the skill guys on Carolina didn’t make plays, Cam felt he had to do everything to help the team win. I can really see this happening. With the way they run the ball, if Cam can return to the 2015 version and that defense stays where it’s at, this is a contender.
2. New England Patriots– If any team has been able to take a look at a veteran wide receiver, it’s Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Remember April 2007 when they decided to trade for a guy named Randy Moss? Look how that worked out. That gave Brady a deep threat down the field and the two of them made history together. They also acquired Chad OchoCinco from the Bengals in 2011, but that didn’t really pan out so much as many thought it would. This is an ideal situation both parties. The Patriots receiver position is questionable right now. Yes, Julian Edelman will be back, but he’s not a possession receiver and let’s also factor in that he’s returning this season from a knee injury. They also lost both Danny Amendola and Brandin Cooks this off-season and let’s also state that the Rob Gronkowski is still a lingering thought. First, who wouldn’t want to play with the best quarterback in the business right now? Catching passes from Tom Brady on a weekly basis has to be an intriguing thought. New England has the cap space to get a deal done and make things interesting.
3. Green Bay Packers– We can all dream, right? It’s been a very interesting off-season for the Packers. The team cut veteran receiver Jordy Nelson and signed tight end Jimmy Graham to a free-agent contract. Although the Packers still have Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, you plug a guy like Dez into the fold and all three of them can be on the field at the same time. Cobb can be used outside and in the slot (where he does his best work), Adams can play inside and outside as well and you also have Jimmy Graham with a possibility of Dez Bryant? This would be the best group of weapons that Aaron Rodgers will have in his career and this would be the scariest offense in the league if they were able to sign him. The thought for defenses to try and cover Cobb, Adams, Graham, and Dez and I might as well throw in the guy who’d be throwing them the football, right?
4. Indianapolis Colts– For years, I’ve been saying that they need a possession receiver. A guy that can go up and create havoc, especially in the red-zone and a guy to play alongside T.Y. Hilton. They also have a huge void in their receiving core with Donte Moncrief gone. The Colts have the cap space to add Dez to the roster and he’d be a nice complementary asset to the speedy receivers and he’d give the Colts an instant red-zone threat. Hopefully, Andrew Luck returns this year and this possibility can be a special one if the Colts decide to sign him.
5. Washington Redskins– After he was released yesterday by Dallas, he said this was personal and out of each team that I’ve listed as possible destinations, they don’t have what this one could offer and that’s two games per season against the Dallas Cowboys. The wide receiver position was hands down the Redskins weakest spot on the roster. They’ve added Paul Richardson from the Seahawks this off-season and remember, Alex Smith, is now the quarterback for the Washington Redskins. It’s an intriguing destination and he would definitely add more of a spark to the Cowboys-Redskins rivalry.
Honorable Mention: San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams.
