Free agent wide receiver Willie Snead did not light up the stat sheet in 2023. Playing a reserve role on the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, the pass-catcher finished the season with just two receptions for 14 yards while appearing in four games. This came on the heels of a season where he didn’t record a single reception for the 49ers in four appearances. One year before that, Snead hauled in just four receptions for 38 yards while playing for the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.
This is all one long way of saying that Willie Snead has not been a featured part of a passing attack in quite some time, but the free agent believes he can still play. Taking to Twitter, the wideout posted that he wants to “go back to a team that isn’t afraid to let guys compete for a roster spot” while calling out the entitled nature of San Francisco.
All I want is to go back to a team that isn’t afraid to let guys compete for a roster spot. These last 3 years been nothing short of entitlement… Competition breedz Champions❗️
— Willie Snead IV (@Willie_Snead4G) May 3, 2024
Free Agent Willie Snead Blasts “Entitled” 49ers
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Willie Snead believes he didn’t have the opportunity to compete over the past three years, but the free agent probably lost a step. While the former undrafted free agent had some strong seasons with the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens, the fact is that three separate organizations saw what he had to offer and decided to reduce him to a depth player. Unfortunately for Snead, the wide receiver is the common denominator here, and seeing as he’s entering his age-32 season, he’s well past the point where most players start slowing down.
Even if Willie Snead is correct and teams won’t allow him to compete, the free agent won’t be back with the 49ers. In addition to the perceived slight, the team has two superstars in Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel and selected two pass-catchers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Quite simply, there isn’t room for a player like Snead on San Francisco’s depth chart, but he could earn an opportunity with the following five teams.
Possible Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers need as many wide receivers as they can find, and if you think DJ Chark fixes the problem, you need to stop watching 2019 highlights. Willie Snead probably won’t fix Los Angeles either, but the Chargers should throw as many cost-effective free agent darts as humanly possible. Ladd McConkey has the potential to be a featured part of a passing attack, but Justin Herbert will need a complementary player to step up in this offense.
Kansas City Chiefs
On paper, the Chiefs have three reliable wide receivers in Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice. However, Rice will face a suspension, Worthy is an untested rookie, and Brown is in his first year with the club. Chances are, at least one of the aforementioned players won’t be able to contribute, for one reason or another. Willie Snead is not the most impressive free agent, but he’s a more reliable option than Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys must find someone to complement superstar wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Brandin Cooks is not the player he used to be, and the team didn’t invest in a wide receiver until the third day of the 2024 NFL Draft. Seeing as Jerry Jones seemingly doesn’t want to spend money this offseason, he could make due with a free agent like Willie Snead who costs next to nothing on the open market.
New Orleans Saints
Willie Snead was at his best playing for the New Orleans Saints, so a free agent reunion could be in order. While Sean Payton and Drew Brees are gone, New Orleans still has plenty of holdovers from that era who should know how to utilize the wide receiver. The Saints should find someone to replace Michael Thomas, and they don’t have the money to spend up on a big-name player. Snead is a solid low-risk, medium-reward player who could fight for the third receiver position.
Baltimore Ravens
Odell Beckham is officially a Dolphin, which means Baltimore must find another receiver. Rookie Devontez Walker is not a natural fit for Beckham’s role, but Willie Snead could be a free agent fit. While he won’t be as productive as Beckham, the former undrafted free agent has an established rapport with Lamar Jackson and could slide right into this passing attack.
Main Photo: Morgan Tencza – USA Today Sports
