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VICTOR CRUZ TO LEAVE THE BIG APPLE?

March 8, 2013

Seamus Smith

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The New York Giants have placed wideout Victor Cruz with a first-round tender. In most years, the RFA market is absolutely dormant, especially when accounting for surrendering a high draft pick to pluck a player away from their current team. But Victor Cruz is young and an explosive playmaker with a great deal of upside—enough for some front offices to make him the exception to the rule.

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Listed below are the five teams most likely to take the proven commodity in lieu of their opening round selection out of the college ranks.

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ST. LOUIS RAMS (16th and 22nd Selection): As the team on this list with highest pick and the only with multiple first-rounders, the Rams have a leg up. Considering their most accomplished receiver, the injury prone Danny Amendola, is neither a legitimate number one target, nor currently under contract, St. Louis could certainly use the advantage.

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MINNESOTA VIKINGS (23rd selection): Even if they can appease Percy Harvin to remain with the team for years to come, the Vikings still need to find someone to play opposite him on the outside.

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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (25th selection): Now with a star in the making behind center in Russell Wilson, Seattle needs to give him more dynamic weapons to compete in what is becoming the NFL’s toughest division. There is a reason three of the five teams listed here are in the NFL West.

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HOUSTON TEXANS (27th selection): For years, the Texans have been searching for a compliment to Pro Bowler Andre Johnson. The Super Bowl window is open down in Houston and grabbing Cruz would give them the arguably the league’s best 1-2 punch through the air.

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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (31st selection): With rocket-armed franchise QB Colin Kaepernick firmly entrenched as the future, S.F. needs to give their young star a true burner to stretch the field, opening things up underneath for WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis.

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