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Mailbag: Why so many top receivers available?

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(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

Looking at the list of wide receivers who are or have been on the market either as free agents or trade candidates, the first thing that comes to mind is this is a list of perennial Pro Bowlers, MVP candidates and No. 1 receivers. With the exceptions of Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown, this is a list of the top receivers in the NFL. What is this saying? Is it simply about salary cap?– David Nystrom/Loudon, TN**

Patrik: There will always be several factors contributing to something like this, and look no further than the last several seasons when veteran running backs were being treated like penny candy by teams — leading to them literally holding a players' meeting about it. At the moment, to some degree, that's what is happening with veteran wideouts in the NFL who aren't (now, or maybe ever) at or near the top of the position. With the massive influx of less expensive wideout talent via the NFL Draft, teams believe they have the luxury to cut bait on larger contracts and to take their chances on the incoming prospects, a point that is especially true in a draft like the one coming up this April.

There are always exceptions, e.g., the Rams seemingly preparing to swap DaVante Adams for Cooper Kupp, but even DeAndre Hopkins was only able to secure a one-year deal (with the Ravens). All things come full circle though, so one day in the near future you'll see the tide turn back in their favor, as it's beginning to do, somewhat, for veteran RBs.

Tommy: The common denominator as I look at the free agents and targets you're talking about is more about age and dependability than it is cap space, in my opinion. From a free agent perspective, some of the top available players at the position like Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, etc. have or will have played for 10 or more seasons in the NFL.

Unfortunately, time is undefeated and you've got to consider how much is left in the tank for some of these players before you decide to invest long-term. I think that's where more of the willingness from teams to make high-end WRs like the aforementioned list comes from.

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