March 4 (UPI) — Oohs and awes are bellowing from the NFL Scouting Combine as top prospects showoff strength and speed.
But one of football’s fastest players is a free agent. His potential landing spot could be in the Sunshine State.
According to Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline, DeSean Jackson might be playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season. Pauline wrote that Jackson will get a deal that pays him about $12 million annually.
“The belief right now is Jackson will end up with the Tampa Bay Bucs, as the combination of weather, a big-armed passer in James Winston and no state tax will make it tough for any other team to match,” Pauline wrote.
Jackson, 30, continues to stretch the field, proven by his league-leading yards per catch in two of the last three seasons. Other sources have continued to report that it is “hard to see” Jackson returning to the Washington Redskins. The Redskins also need to lock up Pierre Garcon.
Jackson had 1,005 yards and four touchdowns on 56 receptions last season. The three-time Pro Bowl selection has five seasons of 1,000 yards or more in his nine year career for the Philadelphia Eagles and Redskins. The Redskins were set to meet its cast of impending free agents at this week’s combine.
ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported last month that the Buccaneers could be a “possible destination” for Jackson.
Winston also told the Tampa Bay Times last month that the Buccaneers want Jackson.
“You better believe we want DeSean here,” Winston told the Times on Wednesday. “I think he would be a great asset to our team. Me growing up an Eagles fan, seeing what he did for the Eagles and back in his Cal days and even with the Redskins, I would love to have DeSean.”
The new league year begins on March 9. Pairing Jackson with Mike Evans would give the Buccaneers one of the best vertical attacks in the NFL.