Cover letter: List strangers as potential collaborators? And/or, can/should I be contacting them?
I think your need to trust your instinct that this kind of 'name dropping' is pretentious and avoid it.

By contrast, if you have carefully read someone's papers and truly believe you might
want work on a closely related topic, then you might mention
that as a one possibility. 

Personal mentions can backfire as often as they may have some positive
effect. For example, suppose you make a strong case in your application that you really want
to work with Prof X. But Prof X is about to go on sabbatical or to change
universities. So the hiring committee figures you're not such a
marvelous fit to the department after all. 

However, I think you are right to realize that it is helpful to show that
you have background, interests, focus and organizational ability that will make you an
asset to the department.  Obviously, it should be clear in your mind
why you want to be accepted. Giving some inkling (without being pretentious)
of why they should accept you is a good idea.