Caleb Harris
The Los Angeles Rams made a notable adjustment to their wide receiver corps on Thursday, releasing former Super Bowl champion and special teams captain Ben Skowronek, as The Athletic reported. Although the fourth-year veteran has appeared in just six games for the Rams in 2023, he becomes the latest in a relatively long line of experienced wideouts to enter the spring without a NFL team.
Even after recent deals with former Pro Bowlers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Allen Robinson, it turns out there is a solid crop of established pass catchers still available in free agency. Here are some of the top names that remain unsigned:
Traded for rookie Brian Thomas Jr. to Jacksonville, Jones missed half of 2023 due to injury. But he was Trevor Lawrence’s favorite the year before, securing a career-high 82 receptions for 823 yards. The former Buffalo Bills prospect also showed timely production with the Las Vegas Raiders, hence his quick interest from several clubs around the league.
The former slot standout endured a rough two-year stretch from 2022-23, missing significant time due to injury before being eliminated from the Raiders’ passing attack. But he has been reliable when active, with a 74.1% target-to-catch rate and a 100-catch, 1,000-yard season under his belt. At 28, he still registers as the No. 3 plug-and-play player.
The veteran speedster was criticized for a critical drop during his rookie season with the Chiefs and has actually always been a deep threat with a career 50.3% catch rate. But he also scored in Kansas City’s last Super Bowl win and clearly keeps his legs on the field. Averaging 17 yards per reception for his career, he can still be a rotational home run hitter.
Teams may not be in a rush to add Thomas’ hard-hitting personality after he played in all 20 games over the last four injury-plagued seasons; the Saints seemed more than content to close the book on their once-prestigious partnership this offseason. But the former All-Pro still has solid length as a potential red zone outlet and has been reasonably effective when on the field in 2023.
The converted cornerback has never been more than a wing player, “peaking” with 24 receptions for 229 yards in 2021, but he is a proven return specialist, surpassing 26 yards per kick return in five different seasons and leading O NFL in punt return yards and scores as a rookie. In an NFL that is prioritizing returns, he can still make a difference on special teams.
