Jeremy Maclin has been one of the more productive wide receivers in the league in the past few years. In 2014 and 2015, he topped 1000 receiving yards and scored 18 combined touchdowns. He was a key piece of the Chiefs passing attack in 2015, and was slated to take on the leading role in 2016. Unfortunately, injuries prevented Maclin from attaining any sort of consistency in the 2016 season, and he finished with just 536 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs didn't release Maclin when most players are released, and instead opted to wait until June to part ways with the talented wide receiver.
Kansas City determined that his almost $10 million dollar cap hit was not worth absorbing, and decided to move in a different direction. But Kansas City's loss is the rest of the NFL's gain, as multiple teams can now take advantage of the presence of Maclin on the free agent market.
1. Chicago Bears.
Anybody know who the #1 wide receiver on the Chicago Bears is? Neither do I. Cameron Meredith showed some flashes last season en route to 888 receiving yards. Kevin White, who is supposed to be the next great receiver for the Bears, hasn't shown up yet. And Alshon Jeffery, the best receiver on the Bears for the past few years, left for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jeremy Maclin could easily step right in and take over the #1 wide receiver role, providing consistent production to a Bears passing attack that could really use it.
2. Buffalo Bills.
In the offseason, the Bills lost both #2 wide receiver Robert Woods and #3 wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. That left the Bills extremely thin at the position, with just Sammy Watkins as the clear cut number one wide receiver and no clear #2 wide receiver. To rectify that, Buffalo drafted East Carolina receiver Zay Jones, but he is still a rookie.
Maclin would offer another quality target for Tyrod Taylor and he could also be a veteran mentor for the rookie wide receiver. The Bills don't have much cap space remaining, but Maclin would offer the team a solid receiver option that they don't currently have.
3. San Francisco 49ers.
You know who loves fast possession wide receivers?
Kyle Shanahan. He made it work in Atlanta and he'll make it work in San Francisco as well. There's not yet a clear quarterback choice for the 49ers, but whoever it is will need some solid wide receivers. Maclin is a player who can take short passes for long gains and make plays for a rookie quarterback, if the 49ers choose to go in that direction with C.J. Beathard. In addition, the 49ers don't exactly have huge amounts of talent at the position, as Jeremy Kerley will likely serve as the #1 wide receiver.
Whichever team gets Maclin will receive a wide receiver capable of making enough plays to make the entire offense better. The team that signs him will just have to hope he avoids injuries this season.
