A few years ago, the Pro Bowl receiver would’ve been a highly coveted target in free agency. A few years later, he’s still without a team after the NFL draft.
The Los Angeles Chargers dealt their long-time receiver to the Chicago Bears last offseason. The 33-year-old turned in a fine season in the Windy City before hitting free agency, but it’s clear things were not the same for Allen.
He finished the season with 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns – a steep drop from the 108 catches and 1,243 yards he recorded a year earlier.
With the Bears opting to draft some pass-catchers, that likely leaves Allen on the outs. With younger and faster receivers entering the league every year, Allen is entering a new phase of his career.
Perhaps that is chasing a ring or playing a mentoring role. Regardless, there is still room for Allen in the NFL, even if it doesn’t come with the same salary or workload that it used to.
Here’s a look at some spots across the league that make sense for a veteran that still has plenty left in the tank.
Keenan Allen potential landing spots
Los Angeles Chargers
Some things just go better together. Like peanut butter and jelly, bread and butter or milk and cookies, Allen and the Chargers learned that they are better as a duo. The Chargers spent most of last season wishing they had another receiver and Allen dealt with the rude reality of life with a rookie quarterback.
While L.A. already opted for a reunion with old friend Mike Williams and drafted a pair of receivers, there is always room for more. The room is crowded, but the offseason is a time to figure these things out. The Chargers fancy themselves a potential contender next season. If the current receiver room doesn’t look the part, Allen is only one call away.
Dallas Cowboys
The draft has come and gone, but the Cowboys still need a co-star for CeeDee Lamb in the receiver room. Dallas’ depth beyond Lamb is a nightmare and it’s hard to imagine the Cowboys competing if they can’t get at least one more weapon for Dak Prescott to throw to.
Allen is available and while he doesn’t fit the profile of what the Cowboys need, beggars can’t be choosers at this stage of the offseason. Dallas would benefit from a speed option, but they would also benefit from a receiver who has shown an ability to get open and catch the ball. Allen, at the very least, checks those two boxes.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans isn’t a contender, yet they could be a fine landing spot for Allen if no other teams come calling. The Saints welcomed back Brandin Cooks, but feature a group of receivers who were plagued by injuries last season like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
That might not be a recipe for success if Tyler Shough ends up getting the starting job. The rookie could step right into the starting role if Derek Carr’s shoulder injury continues to be problematic. Allen could, once again, find himself on the receiving end of passes from a rookie quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have a clear need at receiver and a clear desire to win. Vegas attempted to address that first need by taking three receivers in the NFL draft, potentially closing the door on adding someone like Allen. However, there are not a lot of proven players in that room and Jakobi Meyers can only do so much. Adding their former division foe as another veteran would allow Vegas to bring their younger players along slowly.
Kansas City Chiefs
As always, the Chiefs are a wild-card here. If Allen wants to go chasing a ring, the Chiefs figure to be a logical destination. They could be in for some regression this year, but the group of receivers remains largely the same. Rashee Rice is facing a potential suspension and coming off a major knee injury. Hollywood Brown played in just two regular-season games before jumping right into playoff action. Xavier Worthy can’t do it alone.
Last season, the Chiefs traded for DeAndre Hopkins after recognizing that need. This year, maybe it’s Allen that gets that call.
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