If the San Francsico 49ers have one glaring deficiency to address leading up to the 2012 season, it is at the wide receiver position. Many analysts expect the Niners to look to the 2012 NFL Draft to shore up their ranks at wideout, but it was not out of the question that San Francisco would shop the free agent market for some assistance. Now it appears as though one potential free agent wide receiver will soon be out of the mix.
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Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Buffalo Bills are on the verge of signing a contract extension with their top wide receiver, Stevie Johnson. The deal is reportedly for five years and may be completed within the next 24 hours. The Bills were hoping to come to an agreement with Johnson before the March 5 deadline to apply the franchise tag to players. It looks like they will come in just under the wire and avoid having to place the tag on the WR.
Johnson has been with the Bills since he was drafted by the team in 2008. He has 170 receptions and 2,189 receiving yards, as well as 19 career receiving touchdowns.
The 49ers had been mentioned as potential suitors for Johnson, would he have hit the open market when free agency begins on March 13. It looks like they will not be getting the opportunity.
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