Veteran NFL wide receiver John Brown, who has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, requested to be released by the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday while the AFC West franchise granted his wish. As a result, Brown is now an unrestricted free agent and has the ability to sign with any team from around the league that will have him.
While a seasoned pass catcher like Brown will likely try to latch on with a contender initially, the 31-year-old wide out will probably receive much more playing time with a franchise that not only needs to add some additional weapons on offense before Week 1 but also one that won't be doing too much winning in 2021-22. Although Brown definitely has at least a little something left in the tank, it may take an injury or some waiting around in order for him to find a team toward the top of the presumed standings.
However, John Brown should look to teams like the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans instead as each team is surely in need of a wide out. Brown can get the job done for any of these three teams on the field while also adding a veteran presence in the locker room as well.
John Brown Free Agency (Kind Of) Landing Spots
John Brown-Patriots
Stealing the attention of every NFL fan across the globe on Tuesday, the New England Patriots officially released veteran quarterback and former league MVP Cam Newton, paving the way for rookie signal caller Mac Jones to be the team's Week 1 starter under center in 2021-22. Although the Patriots do have a few options for Jones along the outside, including a pair of talented tight ends in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, adding as many sure-handed veterans to the team's roster to aid its first-year quarterback will go a long way.
As it stands today, the Patriots employ the tandem of Smith and Henry alongside wide outs Nelson Agholor, N'Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, Kendrick Bourne and Matthew Slater. While all of those players are formidable NFL wide receivers, a player like John Brown would immediately improve this group. In fact, the veteran wide out in Brown would arguably become the best player that the Patriots have at such a position heading into the team's Week 1 matchup against the rival Miami Dolphins.
Because the Patriots are rolling with a first-year player at a premiere position in one of the league's deepest divisions, taking a look at the recently released Brown surely wouldn't be the worst idea head coach Bill Belichick has ever had.
John Brown-Lions
The Detroit Lions will almost certainly finish the upcoming campaign in last place in the always tough NFC North division. With longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford now a member of the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Jared Goff the new starter under center in Detroit and just not a ton to really work with on offense or defense, the Lions remain in rebuild mode as the 2021-22 regular season draws nearer and nearer.
In an interesting move, the Lions made yet another change this week en route to parting ways with veteran wide receiver Brashad Perriman, who the team signed to a one-year free agent contract earlier this offseason. As a result, the Lions are left with Tyrell Williams, Quintez Cephus, Kalif Raymond, Trinity Benson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tom Kennedy at wide receiver with Week 1 looming.
Although the Lions do have veteran tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Darren Fells in the mix as well, adding a player like former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver John Brown could immediately make a positive impact in the “Motor City.” In the absence of Jacksonville Jaguars wide out Marvin Jones Jr. and New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay no longer in Detroit after departing this offseason, perhaps Brown can help fill such a void as the Lions continue to slowly build a new-look roster for the future.
John Brown-Texans
There is a legitimate chance that the Houston Texans finish the 2021-22 regular season as the worst team in the entire NFL. With quarterback Deshaun Watson's future in the league currently in limbo, a first-year head coach in David Culley gearing up to man the sideline and a roster full of role players, the Texans need all the help they can get before Week 1 rolls around.
As it stands today, the Texans will be forced to go with the quarterback tandem of Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills alongside a wide receiver room comprised of Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Chris Conley, Andre Roberts and Anthony Miller.
Outside of Cooks, former Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills wide out John Brown could easily become the best of this bunch if ultimately signed by Houston. Simply put, the Texans shouldn't even think twice about picking up the phone and getting Brown and his representatives on the horn.
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