2010 NFL Free Agent ReceiversBy: Roshan Bhagat Age as of 9/1/09. All free agents listed here are done so with an optimistic outlook that a new CBA will be agreed upon. Accordingly, only four accrued seasons are necessary to obtain an Unrestricted Free Agency status on this list. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers (26) Jackson has continued to use his size advantage to push down the field and become one of the premier wideouts in the league. His ability to out-jump and out-muscle defenders on high passes makes him a real red zone and deep ball threat. On pace for nearly 1500 yards, averaging nearly 20 yards per reception, Jackson is due for a enormous raise from his mid-round rookie contract. The Chargers have a number of key contracts expiring at season’s end and could really use the relief of an uncapped year to retain all or most of them. With the chemistry he and Rivers have developed, Jackson should be at the top of the Chargers’ priority and it would be shocking to see him become an unrestricted free agent. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos (25) With Orton at the helm, passes haven’t been coming in Marshall’s direction as much as they did with Cutler. Orton doesn’t lock onto one receiver nearly as much as Jay Cutler did last year and consequently Marshall’s production has diminished. Marshall’s future remains a mystery only to be solved by his contract demands. He got off on the wrong foot with Head Coach Josh McDaniels and if his price isn’t right, the Broncos could easily cut him loose and try to replace him elsewhere. No matter where Marshall lands up, he will almost assuredly receive a contract less indicative of his raw talent. Braylon Edwards, New York Jets(26) Edwards started his stint with the Jets impressively. He looked like a premier wideout in just his first game against Miami with 5 receptions for 64 yards and 1 (nearly 2) touchdowns. If Sanchez can get some consistency, the two of them could develop a fine connection. Edwards’ size brings a unique skill set to the Jets’ receiving corps opposite Jericho Cotchery. Don’t expect the Jets to have just made the trade to keep Edwards for a 1 year loan. They should try to work an extension after the conclusion of the season, rewarding him based on production, work ethic, and attitude. Terrell Owens, Buffalo Bills (35) Owens is as good as gone after this year. He’s kept quiet despite team and individual struggles, but knowing Owens, he’s internally dissatisfied with his projected 553 yard season. If TO can stay under the radar the rest of the year, he could open up more landing spots for this offseason, with a competitive team. At this point in his career, he needs to come to terms with not being the focal point of the offense and that could be something scaring teams away from Owens who seemed to garner minimal interest in free agency a year ago. Owens keeps himself in great shape and should still be able to produce as a number one receiver given a healthy quarterback option, but it’s all the baggage that comes with this star WR that make teams shy away. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28) Bryant may have cashed in a big check last year, but as predicted, he has struggled to give a repeat performance – not that it’s all Bryant’s fault with a lack of consistency from the quarterback and an arrhythmic offense in general. The Buccaneers have enough money to re-sign him, but if the cost is too much, look for the Buccaneers to allow him to walk. In a sense, they seem to be reluctant in spending money in hopes of either turning a bigger business profit or saving up for the future. Bryant should be paid like a good starting number two receiver, but may ask for more, in which he could be entering the pool with a strong crop of receivers. Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals (26) – Restricted FABreaston is just off the pace of hitting 1000 yards again this year, but is still playing very good football behind Fitzgerald and Boldin. The Cardinals will keep him for at least this year under a restricted free agent contract. If he continues his impressive performance it could potentially signal the end of Boldin’s career in Arizona once they find an offer worthy of allowing the semi-disgruntled receiver to walk. Kevin Walter, Houston Texans (28) Walter hasn’t been nearly as effective as last year, coming off an injury early in the year. For the Texans offense that hasn’t been short of scoring this year, it could be a good thing for the team. Keeping Walter under the radar could help them hang on to him at season’s end for a less competitive price. His size and style of play suggests that he should be a solid complementary receiver for a long time in the league. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys (25)Don’t expect the Cowboys to pay him quite yet, but if Austin can even continue to produce at half the level he has in the two weeks surrounding the Cowboys’ bye, he’ll be given a hefty raise and extension this offseason. The Cowboys locked up DeMarcus Ware and probably won’t want to give any more in-season extensions this year. Jerry Jones knows what happens when players are paid based solely on a strong stretch and won’t make that mistake after just a pair of extremely productive games, but don’t expect him to allow Austin to walk away. Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens (35)Mason is the consummate pro and as reliable a receiver as any in the league. He’s been a consistent 1000 yard receiver for his entire career and continues to hold that pace for this year at 35. If Mason decides that this year will not be his last, he’ll likely have an offer to re-sign with the Ravens who have been ecstatic to have his consistency and attitude on offense. If he has any place he’s always wanted to play, this could be the offseason where he readies for his last hurrah. Other Notable Free Agents: Jason Avant, Philadelphia Eagles (26)Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins (23) – Exclusive Rights FAMark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs (27)Isaac Bruce, San Francisco 49ers (36)Chris Chambers, San Diego Chargers (31)Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens (27)David Clowney, New York Jets (24)Ronald Curry, St. Louis Rams (30)Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers (27)Domenik Hixon, New York Giants (24)Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals (26)Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints (26)Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina Panthers (36)Josh Reed, Buffalo Bills (29)Brad Smith, New York Jets (25)Bobby Wade, Kansas City Chiefs (28)Kelley Washington, Baltimore Ravens (30)Demetrius Williams, Baltimore Ravens (26)Troy Williamson, Jacksonville Jaguars (26)Jerheme Urban, Arizona Cardinals (28)Top Tight Ends: Owen Daniels, Houston Texans (26) After breaking out of the gates with what appears to be a career year in the making, don’t anticipate Daniels to back down from his lofty contract demands. He’s been targeted the most of any tight end in the league and is on pace for 89 receptions, 1136 yards, and 11 touchdowns. Those are numbers indicative of an elite tight end in any era and better than many number one wideouts. As Daniels continues his emergence as one of the league’s very best, he’ll be paid as such this offseason. The Texans did add some other tight ends through last year’s draft, but will work hard to keep him in Houston even if it means applying the franchise tag on him Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos (26) Update: Scheffler hasn’t been the weapon he could be with his great athleticism and soft hands. Instead, the Broncos have used him more frequently in their offensive sets this year, but also have asked him to block more often. Scheffler had a big Monday Night game against San Diego where he showed his potential by eclipsing the 100 yard mark. While he hasn’t publicly voiced any dissatisfaction, which isn’t surprising considering the 6-0 start, Scheffler may very well be dissatisfied with his role. At season’s end, he is just as likely to leave Denver as he is to stay. Other Notable Free Agents: Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans (31)Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins (25)Daniel Fells, St. Louis Rams (25)Jeff King, Carolina Panthers (26)David Martin, Miami Dolphins (30)Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams (30)Billy Miller, New Orleans Saints (32)Leonard Pope, Arizona Cardinals (25)Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans (28)Derek Schouman, Buffalo Bills (24)Alex Smith, New England Patriots (27)L.J. Smith, Baltimore Ravens (29)Matt Spaeth, Pittsburgh Steelers (24)Ben Watson, New England Patriots (28)