Fans love the offseason because it's a time of optimism and hope. No matter how poorly last year went, the offseason represents an opportunity to turn it all around. Worst-to-first is common in the NFL, and long-suffering supporters of down-and-out teams love to believe they're just one signing away from doing just that.
The Oakland Raiders and New York Jets will hope that their forays into free agency prove fruitful this year. Both teams are expected to be actively targeting high-end wide receivers. While some of the more marquee names at the position - Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb - are expected to re-sign with their current teams, the free agent WR class this year is still talented and has room to grow. Torrey Smith, Michael Crabtree, Cecil Shorts and Kenny Britt could all hit the open market, with big names such as Percy Harvin, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall and Mike Wallace possibly joining them.
Both the Jets and the Raiders are expected to have roughly $50 million in salary cap space to play with this offseason, according to OvertheCap.com. Each team has the resources and the need to upgrade at wide receiver. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report believes both franchises will be aggressive in targeting the top tier pass catchers once free agency opens in March.
"There's two obvious teams that desperately need wide receivers," Cole said. "The New York Jets desperately need wide receivers. They need a No. 1 guy to augment Eric Decker. They probably need a No. 3 guy, so you could see them go out and get two wide receivers to help their, sort of, pitiful quarterback situation.
"Out on the West coast, you have the Oakland Raiders who desperately need wide receivers to help out Derek Carr. They'd like to have some veterans to come in and help Carr develop into the franchise quarterback they expect him to be."
The Raiders ranked 26th in passing yards per game (204.7), while the Jets ranked dead last (184.1). Neither team ranked in the top half of the league in receiving touchdowns. Both teams have been linked to Alabama star wide receiver in the NFL draft at different times.
However things shake out this offseason, expect these two squads to have added pass-catching talent one way or the other.
