The Los Angeles Rams released three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson on Tuesday afternoon. General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have a surplus of talent at the receiver position and Jackson became expendable. The breakout of Cooper Kupp paired with the ever-reliable Robert Woods and emergence of Van Jefferson left Jackson near the bottom of Los Angeles' depth chart. The two sides decided to part ways after L.A. failed to complete a trade for Jackson ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.
The 34-year-old Jackson is now subject to the NFL waivers claim process. With that in mind, these three teams should submit claims in hopes of securing Jackson's services.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Disaster struck in New Orleans on Wednesday morning when two-time first-team All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas personally announced he suffered a setback in his rehabilitation process from an ankle injury and will miss the remainder of the 2021 campaign. It was the second blow suffered by New Orleans' passing attack in mere days after starting quarterback Jameis Winston suffered a season-ending knee injury in New Orleans' surprising Sunday win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach Sean Payton must now move forward without his starting quarterback and No. 1 receiver. The Saints reportedly held discussions around acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. and Darius Slayton before Tuesday's trade deadline but failed to reach an agreement for either player. The Saints must now usher their way forward in the wake of both developments. New Orleans' 31st-ranked passing offense (180.9 yards per game) could badly use a field stretcher like Jackson.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
General manager Mike Mayock reportedly "had interest" in acquiring Jackson prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, and unfortunately has even more reason to do so now following the tragic loss of life in the Henry Ruggs III DUI case. We send our heartfelt condolences to those impacted by this devastating event. The Raiders have since released Ruggs.
Mayock and interim head coach Rich Bisaccia are now left to pick up the pieces in the wake of this catastrophe. Currently sitting in first place in the ultra-competitive AFC West, the Raiders have plenty to play for down the stretch of the 2021 campaign. Bryan Edwards and Hunter Renfrow are capable receivers that should benefit from an increase in targets, but Jackson's deep speed ability would serve as a near like-for-like replacement for the released Ruggs. Expect the Raiders to submit a claim for Jackson.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs have not given up on their 2021 Super Bowl campaign. The surprisingly disappointing Chiefs acquired three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Melvin Ingram on Tuesday and will continue to fight for a playoff spot down the stretch. Jackson has made it known that he prefers to play for a Super Bowl contender, and despite the Chiefs currently owning a pedestrian 4-4 record, the five-time 1,000-yard receiver would likely embrace the opportunity to play alongside star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City's Monday night win over the woeful New York Giants continued to highlight the need for the Chiefs to acquire more capable receivers. Kansas City's receivers continue to drop passes and play a sloppy brand of football, which has led to more turnovers in 2021. Acquiring Jackson would provide Mahomes with a much-needed upgrade at the receiver position.
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