Just hours after the Atlanta Falcons released wide receiver Roddy White, thoughts turn to which NFL teams should step up and sign the 11-year NFL veteran. This makes him possibly the best free-agent wide receiver out there. (Marques Colston isn’t happy to hear this news.)
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of White, even during his early years when he was all flash, and little maturity. It took him awhile to finally find his groove in Atlanta, but he was a true third-year breakout WR, catching 83 passes for 1,202 yards and six touchdowns in 2007. But really, he took off once Matt Ryan came to town, and White put together a string of six 1,000-yard seasons.
White is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards – and he’s still only 34 years old. While he has certainly slowed down in recent years, Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Jeff Schultz things White has something left in the tank.
3 NFL Teams That Should Target Roddy White
So now, we look to the other 31 NFL teams to see which ones will step up to offer the dreadlocked one a contract.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: White joins just six other wide receivers to play in over 170 NFL games in their first 11 seasons. Having him teach Mike Evans how to play through injuries could help the Buccaneers go a long way.
Oakland Raiders: Another young stud receiver that could really benefit from having White to work with during practice is Amari Cooper. Remember that Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was with White as the Falcons’ QB coach and assistant head coach in the late ‘00s, when White grew into an All-Pro.
Tennessee Titans: Speaking of the late ‘00s Falcons coaching staff, Mike Mularkey was the offensive coordinator for those teams. Now he’s the head coach in Tennessee, with a group of young wide receivers that haven’t quite put it together on the field, yet.
For the final piece of that puzzle, former Falcons wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie (2008-2015) is now the offensive coordinator for the Titans. This spot makes the most sense for White to land.
One thing that is likely, though, is that the Saints won’t be signing him anytime soon.
I’m going to miss Roddy White so much. pic.twitter.com/ELa84y1gAF
— Ashley Holcomb (@ashleyxholcomb) March 3, 2016
Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images