Fansided

2015 NFL Free Agency: Five best players still free agents

By Andrew Garda

Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball against Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second quarter at Levi
Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball against Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second quarter at Levi /
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Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) scores a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes (21) reacts during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) scores a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes (21) reacts during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Greg Jennings

After a brief stint in Minnesota with the Vikings, Greg Jennings found himself a free agent again. Getting released by the Vikings—whose receiving corps consists of a mercurial Mike Wallace, an unproven Charles Johnson, an inconsistent Cordarrelle Patterson and a decent Jarius Wright—doesn’t speak highly of what Jennings has left in the tank, but there is still something there.

At 31 years old, Jennings is absolutely a few steps slower, struggles to get separation the way he used to and isn’t as dynamic after the catch.

What he brings to the table though, is a veteran savvy, a good work-ethic and some solid receiving skills. Perhaps he isn’t a No. 1 receiver anymore, but he is more than capable of being a solid role player or No. 2.

As we mentioned in the slide on Michael Crabtree, when you’re looking at guys like Hakeem Nicks and Reggie Wayne, this is a player who should stand out a bit more over them.

In fact, given what I have seen of guys like Dwayne Bowe, Stevie Johnson, Cecil Shorts and Harry Douglas, it’s a bit of a surprise they are all on new teams and Jennings isn’t. A guy like Shorts still has some upside but Douglas, Johnson and Bowe are who they are.

I’d rather have Jennings for the most part.

All of which is to say that someone will probably get Jennings at a very nice value and, if they are smart about how they use him, he should perform well.

Jennings also shouldn’t be close to breaking the bank at this point, so again, he is a value player here.

Of course, the question comes down to what he is asking for again and what he is willing to share in terms of targets. Also, he could be looking for a Super Bowl ring over money, and might be holding on for a team with a better shot than the ones who might be showing interest.

Most of the time players go for the cash (who can blame them?) but getting a championship does matter to an aging player. Jennings was there once in 2011—he might want to be back there again before it’s all over.

Next: Justin Blalock

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