And the NFL’s crazy season has well and truly begun. What started as a trickle of veterans being cut before their contracts expire is starting to sizzle as more and more high profile names are hitting the open market in what looks like being wildest NFL off season we’ve ever seen.
Kenny Golladay has been informed by the Detroit Lions that they will not be using the franchise tag on his expiring contract, and that means the 27-year-old will be testing the free agent market from next Monday. He enters free agency off the back of a lost season for the Lions, where he only played in four games and didn’t play after Week 7 due to a nagging hip injury. Prior to last season, Golladay’s star was rising as he finished 2019 as the WR9 in PPR leagues, averaging 15.5 points per game as he totaled 1190 yards and 11 touchdowns. Assuming he’s back to full health, Golladay will be a huge signing for any team. Here are my top four landing spots to take Kenny G back to fantasy relevance in 2021.
Green Bay Packers
Maybe this is a little too much of a fantasy, but imagine Golladay lining up opposite Davante Adams and being thrown to by the reigning MVP. The thought of two dominant receivers in the Packers’ offense is scary stuff. The Packers have shown they are far more likely to sign players in free agency in recent years, and after not adding to their receiver corps in last years’ draft, could this be splash that takes them over the top in 2021. Cap space is an issue for the Packers at present, so there will need to be some rejigging of the roster to make room for Golladay’s contract, but let’s dream for a moment that they could make it happen.
New York Jets
The Jets have cap room coming out of their ears and should be a making a hard run at Golladay as a flagship signing to support what is likely to be a new starter at quarterback in 2021 (support for Sam Darnold also wouldn’t be a bad idea). Their leading receiver in 2020 was Jamison Crowder, who finished as the WR41 so there is a clear need for a number one target in the offense. Golladay could be a star in a new look Jets offense in 2021 as they try to put the Adam Gase era behind them.
New England Patriots
Staying in the NFC East and Patriots had the worst set of fantasy receivers in the league in 2020 and so are desperate for a number one receiver to help in that area. There’s a clear question mark at quarterback with Cam Newton not likely to return for a second season in Foxborough, but with over $60 million in cap room, getting a stud receiver gives whoever takes over at quarterback a fighting chance of success.
Indianapolis Colts
This would be an interesting landing spot with the Colts having traded for Carson Wentz earlier this offseason and would pair him with a top receiver as he settles into life outside of Philadelphia. With T.Y. Hilton is set to leave the Colts, Golladay would again be in line to step in as the de facto number one receiver, and with sophomore Michael Pittman opposite him, the Colts could have another potent offense in 2021.
Where do you think Kenny Golladay lands in 2021?