Potential Landing Spots for Victor Cruz

Author: Peter DiPaola
Edited by: Nicholas Petersen

Victor Cruz has been released by the New York Giants and is free to sign to any NFL team that offers him a contract. Here are some potential suitors for the seven year, 30 year old, NFL veteran.


CLEVELAND BROWNS

Cleveland went 1-15 in 2016. It’s pretty clear that they need help across the board. While Cruz can’t cure all that ails the Browns, he can help their passing game by providing veteran leadership to a young team. And if Terrelle Pryor walks during free agency, Buffalo would need more help at receiver to supplement young Corey Coleman, their soon-to-be second year wideout. It would also benefit the Browns 2017 quarterback (whoever that poor soul is) to have a proven veteran like Cruz catching his passes.

BUFFALO BILLS



Buffalo ranked 30th in passing yards in 2016, partly due to wide receiver injuries. While Cruz does have a history of injuries, he did manage to play in 15 games in 2016. If he can stay healthy in 2017, he could be a welcome addition to the Bills who face Sammy Watkins entering his 4th season. Pairing Watkins and Cruz - assuming that both stay healthy for a full season - could open up the Bills passing attack. But to make that happen, Buffalo - like the Browns - will need a serviceable quarterback under center.
 
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Kyle Shanahan, an former offensive coordinator, is now the head coach of the 49ers. The 49ers had their share of passing game struggles in 2016, making themselves dead last in passing yards, 19th in passing touchdowns (21) and 29th in completion percentage. With a new coach and a new offense, a talented receiver could shake off some of the offensive woes that plagued the 49ers in 2016. Having a proven veteran at receiver would help, but with uncertainty (I’m being kind…) at quarterback for the 49ers, having any receiver with the talents of Cruz will help.


LOS ANGELES RAMS

Los Angeles was ranked 31st in both passing and rushing yards in 2016 along with being ranked dead last in points per game and total yards per game. Los Angeles does not have a first round pick due to trading up in 2016 to get quarterback Jared Goff. With a young quarterback and new head coach the Rams need all the help they can get in free agency and the draft - Cruz could be a good fit for a Rams offense in need of help.


TENNESSEE TITANS
The AFC South could be up for grabs (again!) in 2017, and Tennessee could use some more help in order to win that division. Unlike the other teams mentioned before, the Titans have a coachable quarterback in Marcus Mariota. Obtaining Victor Cruz would bolster the Titans 25th ranked passing offense and give Cruz the best possibility for working with anything other than a middling talent in the game’s most important position. Tennessee ranked 3rd in rushing yards in 2016. If Cruz can come in, stay healthy and show some of the speed and versatility he did in New York, it is possible that special things could happen when he gets open in play action situations.


HONORABLE MENTIONS: Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars (Tom Coughlin connection) and the Philadelphia Eagles.



*ALL STATS ARE FROM WWW.NFL.COM*