After 13 seasons in the NFL, former Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson heads into free agency looking for a new landing spot for what could be the final time. With the light on his career fading, but with quality games still to play, where are a few possible landing spots that could intrigue DeSean Jackson in free agency?
WR DeSean Jackson’s return to the Eagles was riddled with injuries
We all know the saying of “There is no place like home.” Well, I guess that meant everywhere except Philadelphia because DeSean Jackson’s return did not go as planned.
Selected by the team back in 2008, Jackson spent 2014 through 2018 with Washington and Tampa Bay before signing a three-year, $27.9 million contract to return to the Eagles in 2019. Unfortunately for both parties involved, Jackson was never able to stay on the field.
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Over the last two seasons, Jackson appeared in eight combined games. Age seemed to catch up as a smattering of lower-body injuries made him a staple on the weekly injury report. During his two seasons with the team, Jackson saw 36 targets, catching 23 for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns. According to my notes, that means WR DeSean Jackson made $754,347.82 per catch for the Eagles. Not too shabby.
However, when he’s been on the field, Jackson has proven to be as dangerous as ever. In his final game after returning from injury in 2020, he scored an 81-yard touchdown. His only full game in 2019 saw him rack up 154 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 receptions. While he is 33-years-old, former Eagles WR DeSean Jackson can still be an electric playmaker, and teams will be calling his phone as a potential landing spot in free agency.
A reduced 2021 salary cap will heavily impact potential landing spots for WRs like DeSean Jackson
Due to lost revenue of the 2020 season, the NFL salary cap took a massive hit. Adam Schefter recently reported the 2021 salary cap will be $182.5 million.
Teams will have to make difficult decisions regarding veterans and how bullish they can be in free agency. The one position that will have the most significant impact is the wide receiver position. Heading into free agency, wide receivers dominated the landscape. However, in recent days that has dwindled as Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin were both franchise tagged.
Someone like DeSean Jackson fits in a different category, though. Given Jackson’s age and injury history, the only landing spots that will likely have an interest are ones looking to pick up a playmaker in free agency for a potentially deep playoff run. His upside will far offset his price tag on a likely one-year contract.
As he hits free agency, where are some potential landing spots for DeSean Jackson in 2021?
Are the Los Angeles Rams a potential landing spot for DeSean Jackson in free agency?
After trading for Matthew Stafford, the Rams are all-in heading into 2021. Their wide receiver corps is already one of the best in the NFL, with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods leading the way and complemented with Van Jefferson. They could use a WR who can take the top off while taking advantage of Stafford’s arm. Josh Reynolds has that ability, but he is a free agent in 2021. Former Eagles WR DeSean Jackson would fit this role nicely.
There is also familiarity with the coaching staff as head coach Sean McVay was the offensive coordinator in Washington from 2014 to 2016 when Jackson was on the team. While together, Jackson led the league in yards per reception twice in those three years, averaging 69.3 yards per game and scoring 14 total touchdowns in 39 games.
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Those days are long gone, but DeSean Jackson can still be a spark plug, and pairing the Rams with him in free agency as a potential landing spot checks all the boxes.
The only thing holding this back is the dumpster-fire that is the Rams’ cap situation. With the cap set at $182.5 million, they are a league-worst $32.11 million over the cap. Apparently, the salary cap is nothing but a social construct and a figment of our imagination.
Would DeSean Jackson choose Indianapolis as a landing spot in free agency?
While the Colts are a team trying to take the next step in the AFC, no one is sure about their receivers. Parris Campbell hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and 2020 rookie Michael Pittman did not breakthrough. In addition, T.Y. Hilton is scheduled to be a free agent as well.
The Colts made a trade with the Eagles to bring in Carson Wentz. If he is going to find success in his new home, making him as comfortable as possible is the prudent move. Not only is he with a former coach, but he could also have a former teammate in DeSean Jackson.
If Indianapolis is the landing spot for DeSean Jackson in free agency, he could end up as a field-stretcher on a small deal. The Colts do expect to upgrade their WR room as they have $48.07 million in space.
Las Vegas as a landing spot for DeSean Jackson fits the Raiders’ style of play
When in doubt, find the fastest guy in the room and make him wear Black and Silver. That’s been the Raider-way since Al Davis, and it’s carried over into his son and Jon Gruden. Last year, they had their pick of every WR on the board and went with Henry Ruggs III and his blazing speed. Furthermore, they brought in Nelson Agholor, who is known as a deep threat.
Agholor was the WR1 for them in 2020 but is also heading into free agency. This leaves the role open for former Eagles WR DeSean Jackson should he choose the Raiders as a landing spot in free agency. While playing, Jackson could also be a pivotal mentor to Ruggs and speed along his development.
If Gruden plans on trying to chase down the Chiefs (which they did last year), he needs that over-the-top playmaker. As we know with DeSean Jackson, he can will that role so long as he is on the field.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.