NFL Analysis
2/7/25
11 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Best Fits For Top WRs On The Market
The 2025 NFL free agency market is flush with cash and desperately needs playmaking. Free agency sees top names fly off the board within the first 72 hours before there's a second wave that often brings more value. The 2025 wide receiver market should see a similar fate.
Some familiar veterans have defined the NFL's receiver leaderboard for the last half dozen or more years. Some of these names are now old in the tooth and will be in line for a pay cut or reduced role. Meanwhile, there are up-and-comers worth investing in and growing into a bigger spotlight as they enter prime years.
We've scoured the list of top free-agent wide receivers coming in March to find the best on-field fits and possible contracts they can expect to receive. The NFL is welcoming a good but not elite receiving class in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that will lead to some higher spending in free agency as teams shy away from relying on rookies.
Best Fits for Top Free Agent WRs
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals 
Projected Contract: 4 years, $120 million, $44 million guaranteed
While Tee Higgins is easily the top receiver in the 2025 free agent crop, the case for him to cash in isn't cut and dry. He'll undoubtedly command well more than $100 million because he's a 26-year-old, 6-foot-4 playmaker with a terrific resume of efficiency and impact plays. It's rare for someone who averages more than 900 yards and seven touchdowns every healthy season to hit the open market in their prime years.
A return to Cincinnati seems more likely than not at this time, but if Higgins is available, a bidding war will overlook some of the red flags with him. His lack of durability is a major concern, as he's missed five games in the last two seasons and never goes long without some sort of ailment. He's dealt with thigh strains, ankle and hamstring pulls, and a concussion.
Tee Higgins pic.twitter.com/rDEpXiyQFa
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) February 1, 2025
It's especially concerning that Higgins has missed seven games in the last two years just due to leg strains. Being so tall and reliant on being effective on contested catches means he's especially vulnerable to landing on a defender's foot or jumping and putting his Achilles at risk. This will affect his value.
However, the risk will be worth the reward for more teams than not. Big-bodied receivers who can create after the catch are hard to find in the draft and even more so in free agency. The biggest question is how much guaranteed money goes to Higgins.
Best Fits: Bengals, Patriots, Chargers
Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
Projected Contract: 3 years, $54 million, $18 million guaranteed
Suffering a torn ACL at 31 years old is devastating news for any pro athlete, but especially so for a receiver with a game predicated on speed. Stefon Diggs' game has been in decline since his stellar 2022 season anyway, seeing his role in Buffalo shift to a more possession-based one with fewer big plays and fewer yards after the catch. Houston traded for him anyway, and Diggs' athleticism was clearly on the decline through eight games.
Houston's next move with Diggs will be a calculated one. Diggs has a void year on his contract that saddles the Texans with a $16.6 million cap hit with a pre-June 1 cut. They could designate him as a post-June 1 cut and open almost $12.5 million of that space, but there's another option. Houston could simply roll that cap hit into an extension that keeps the veteran in town.
This gives both parties some leverage — Diggs can lock in some guaranteed money, and Houston can avoid losing him for nothing while Tank Dell also recovers from a major knee injury. Expectations must be realistic for a veteran coming off a season with six catches for 62 yards a game and three touchdowns through eight contests. If they are, Diggs can still be effective as a slot receiver who moves the chains.
Best Fits: Texans, Lions, Rams
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
Projected Contract: 2 years, $30 million, $12 million guaranteed
Keenan Allen has the reputation of never being available, but he's missed fewer games than you might guess. He's missed only 14 games since 2017. However, he's been banged up far more often, and his participation in games varies, even if he registers some time on the field.
Turning 33 this offseason and looking out of shape throughout his lone season in Chicago, the veteran possession threat's future is murky. Getting Ben Johnson in the building could reinvigorate Allen's relationship with Chicago, as the best version of Allen is still valuable. Having Allen's medicals and seeing how he operates on a daily basis could be the deciding factor in whether Chicago re-signs him or not.
1. All 5 Caleb Williams passes to Keenan Allen were perfect.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) October 14, 2024
Every. Single. One.
Slant in front of CB before LB can cut it off
Missile between two defenders while under pressure
End zone back-shoulder over the middle. TD
Corner fade. TD
Quick slant on 4th down
Unfair. #Bears pic.twitter.com/jNzI4npRve
If he hits the open market, Allen can expect championship-level teams to call with an offer that incentivizes him to be in top shape and fight to be on the field as often as possible.
None of Allen's advanced numbers suggest that his game will age as well as expected, so this could also be a good buy-low opportunity if teams believe the Bears' situation was so bad that no one could succeed.
Best Fits: Bears, Rams, Steelers
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Contract: 4 years, $100 million, $38 million guaranteed
It feels like Chris Godwin should be older than 29, but the lifelong Tampa Bay star seems to have a lot of life left in the NFL. He was on pace for his second-best season in 2024 before a season-ending dislocated ankle took him out of action. It's the first year he missed more than five games through eight seasons.
Godwin's explosiveness improved at the end of 2023 and throughout 2024 until his latest injury. His torn ACL in late 2021 took a long time to overcome, but there's little reason to think Godwin's health is a major issue anymore. The slot star should command a solid pay raise after coming off a three-year, $60 million deal.
I'm telling y'all Chris Godwin ain't going anywhere.
— 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗶™ 🏴☠️ (@TheSamerAli) January 28, 2025
See ya later, keep it movin'
(🎥 YouTube/SportsProductions2.0)#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/jwI9FdHn6f
With his age and the fact his injury should have no lingering effect, Godwin will be highly attractive to a range of teams. Rebuilding teams could use his reliability, crystal clear role, and high floor of production. Contending teams know they're getting all that and will reap the rewards as soon as the 2025 season begins.
This will drive a bidding war for Godwin, and he could sign with an unexpected team that sees him as the missing piece for a Super Bowl run.
Best Fits: Buccaneers, Chiefs, Commanders, Broncos
Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills
Projected Contract: 2 years, $34 million, $22 million guaranteed
The Buffalo Bills ran their offense through their slot receivers and have transitioned away from relying on outside playmakers. In three playoff games, Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel combined for 28 targets, 24 receptions, 255 yards, and two touchdowns. Amari Cooper had only eight targets for six receptions and 41 yards.
The Bills were widely praised for acquiring Cooper from the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. However, Cooper was a non-factor for the team, and it's hard to imagine he'll suddenly bounce back at 31 with a Pro Bowl season. It's actually unbelievable Cooper was so good in 2023 and suddenly lost so much juice one year later.
"Amari Cooper to Josh Allen for the TD!" is a new one 😂
— NFL (@NFL) December 2, 2024
📺: #SFvsBUF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/scnnIT0NOL
It's possible that distraction-free training where Deshaun Watson isn't present and torpedoing a team's chances to win helps Cooper. Cooper's drop issues have been intermittent, so prospective teams will hope Cooper looks more like the reliable possession threat he was in Cleveland than in half a season in Buffalo.
The door is probably closed for Cooper to return to Orchard Park, but that doesn't mean he has no value. It's probably time to adjust expectations for Cooper to be more of a No. 2 option on a healthy offense.
Best Fits: Cowboys, Cardinals, Chargers, Lions
DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Contract: 1 year, $10 million, $6 million guaranteed
Another well-known veteran who swapped teams midseason, DeAndre Hopkins, is in a precarious situation as he enters free agency. After turning 33 this summer and producing well below any level he's reached, Hopkins is likelier to hang around in free agency like Julio Jones did than to get an early strong offer.
His Chiefs stint has been fine, catching 41 of 59 targets for 437 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games, but he has only one catch for 11 yards in two playoff games.
As fun as it would be for Hopkins to turn back the clock a little bit with the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, it's telling that it hasn't happened yet. Theoretically, Hopkins is the perfect sideline merchant for Mahomes to feed targets toward. Neither has ever played with such a dynamic talent as the other with respect to how each player wins.
D HOP WELCOME PARTY‼️ pic.twitter.com/fk8N4ZeMRX
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 5, 2024
It's possible this offense simply isn't geared toward the back-shoulder fades and jump balls that we thought Kansas City would integrate with Hopkins on board. If not, contenders needing a reliable pass-catcher who can give a little bit of a spark here and there should still kick the tires on Hopkins.
Best Fits: Chiefs, Bills, Chargers, Panthers
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders
Projected Contract: 3 years, $50 million, $18 million guaranteed
Here's where the free agent class gets fun and probably zany with some shocking numbers. Dyami Brown played about 40 percent of snaps for Washington in 2024 and caught only 30 passes for 308 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. But then he broke out with a playoff-leading 229 yards on 14 receptions in the postseason.
Brown's downfield explosiveness and youth (25 years old) are huge positives in a market flooded with aged veterans on the downswing. With speed being a constant premium, Brown is the perfect player that teams can offer a huge contract filled with fake money that only conveys performance-based incentives. Think of Gabe Davis' deal with Jacksonville as a reference.
Dyami Brown wide open in the back of the end zone! TD @Commanders!
— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ZUyUbswAte
Washington's involvement will be interesting because Terry McLaurin will need his own new deal, and the rest of the receiving corps needs upgrading. Losing Brown could necessitate an early-round draft pick to be used, and Washington's roster can't afford many setbacks in talent.
Brown's age and skill set means he'll be an early priority for contending and rebuilding teams alike.
Best Fits: Commanders, Patriots, Cardinals, Bengals, Steelers
Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Projected Contract: 2 years, $20 million, $14 million guaranteed
Another young receiver with a skill set that has value but isn't the most productive player, Elijah Moore's market will be geared more toward revamping teams wanting to find value in his prime years.
Moore's two-year stint in Cleveland was a little more productive than his time in New York, and he proved to be a good slot option. How much is a slot receiver averaging 540 yards and 2.5 touchdowns a year worth?
Simplifying it that much undersells how well Moore performed with decent quarterback play in Cleveland. He never had that for elongated stretches, and Cleveland unlocked some better play from Moore as it moved him out of the slot in 2023. Rival teams should see this as an opportunity for a versatile player who needs some stability.
Picture perfect toe-drag TD by Elijah Moore 📸
— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024
📺: #CLEvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/uMdKkYP9Na
Being only 25, Moore can bet on himself for the first time and find the right plan for his success. It'd make sense to take a shorter-term deal that allows him to see the open market again in the coming years.
Best Fits: Browns, Giants, Broncos, Steelers, Panthers
