NFL Analysis
12/17/24
6 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Ideal Landing Spots for Top Wide Receivers
The free agent class for 2025 is absolutely loaded with star wide receiver talent, and there are some ideal landing spots for each of the top playmakers.
2024's free agent class will be remembered most for its star talent at running back, with three stars at the position thriving on new teams. In fact, the league's top three rushing leaders are all 2024 free agents who went to new teams in Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs. The three of them have combined for more than 4,200 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns.
This year's wide receiver class has the potential to have the same kind of impact, so let's take a look at five of the top upcoming free agents at the position and which teams would make the most sense from a personnel and financial standpoint.
2025 Free AGent WR Landing Spots
Stefon Diggs
It's unclear what version of Stefon Diggs an NFL team will get in 2025. He'll be 31 years old and recovering from a torn ACL, but it's hard to deny the body of work he's produced during the course of his pro career.
Prior to his injury, Diggs was still an efficient weapon in Houston's offense despite not being the No. 1 target. He caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns while averaging a respectable 1.84 yards per route run.
Although he's getting up there in age, Diggs can provide value that few veteran free agents can. He's a versatile weapon that can line up wide or in the slot and has the alpha mentality to bring an edge to whatever offense he's on.
There are a few teams who need that kind of mentality at wide receiver, but the New England Patriots could be a really fun one for Diggs. Drake Maye needs a safety valve, Diggs could set a standard for New England's younger receivers, and he could get a chance at payback against his former Bills team twice a year.
Best Landing Spot: New England Patriots
— Film Collins (@filmcollins01) December 10, 2024
Amari Cooper
Amari Cooper is having a bit of a career renaissance in Buffalo, even if the numbers aren't standing out.
The Bills have been fairly conservative with utilizing Cooper since trading for him, but he's been an efficient weapon when on the field. After logging a poor 1.08 yards per route run in Cleveland, he's nearly doubled that efficiency with 2.03 YPRR during his time with Josh Allen.
Cooper's route running has always been his superpower, even with age. However, the 30-year-old wideout has also been able to display his deep-ball tracking with the Bills, making some impressive over-the-shoulder catches with regularity.
The Arizona Cardinals need a separator who can also stretch the field on their offense. Marvin Harrison Jr. is still finding his footing, and Michael Wilson is more of a traditional big-bodied "X" receiver. Having a veteran like Cooper could open up the passing game even more so that Kyler Murray can compete in the NFC West in 2025.
Best Landing Spot: Arizona Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins
There's an outside chance that DeAndre Hopkins will hang up the cleats if he can get a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs this year. However, he'll still have an opportunity to make good money this offseason because of his resume.
While he's no longer the same player as he was during his time as a five-time All-Pro, Hopkins has been a solid weapon for the Chiefs. In eight games for Kansas City, he's caught 35 passes for 393 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 1.95 YPRR. He's also continuing to dominate on 50-50 balls, catching 11-of-20 contested catches this season, per PFF.
Even if he's lost a step, Hopkins still showcases elite body control to make highlight-worthy catches with regularity. He would make a lot of sense for a team like the Washington Commanders, who already have an established No. 1 receiver in Terry McLaurin. Still, they need a weapon to whom Jayden Daniels can throw the ball up and trust his target to come up with it in contested catch situations.
The Commanders have tons of cap space to give Hopkins a competitive offer, and this could also allow them to draft and develop another receiver to be the successor.
Best Landing Spot: Washington Commanders
Chris Godwin delivering a big stiff arm pic.twitter.com/r5AdMrTYmj
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 14, 2024
Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin suffered a gruesome dislocated ankle earlier this season. Fortunately, it looks like he'll be fully healthy in plenty of time to report to training camp for whichever team he plays for next.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would love to keep Godwin around, he's likely priced himself out of their budget for 2025 and beyond. He's in the prime of his career at 28 years old, with four straight 1,000-yard seasons before getting injured this year. 2024 looked like it was going to be his best year to date, catching 50 passes for 576 yards and five scores in just seven games.
Whoever makes a run at Godwin is going to need to be willing to pay top-of-market money for him. He's an excellent receiver with an impressive track record in 50-50 situations, catching 59.4 percent of his contested catches over his career.
Even with the emergence of Ladd McConkey, the Los Angeles Chargers desperately need another established wideout to keep the passing game going. Justin Hebert is a star quarterback who needs more weapons, and Godwin could be that established No. 1 target on the outside to unlock this offense.
Best Landing Spot: Los Angeles Chargers
Tee Higgins
There isn't a more coveted wide receiver on the free agent market in 2025 than Tee Higgins.
Despite playing as the No. 2 option behind Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins has continued to be one of the most electric receivers in the league when healthy. He has 50 catches for 669 yards and six scores in just nine games this season, averaging 2.0 YPRR.
At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Higgins can be a matchup nightmare for secondaries because of his size, explosiveness, and body control. He can be lethal after the catch or come away with highlight-worthy catches on the sideline. It's the perfect prototype for an outside receiver, and he's been waiting for his chance to be "the guy" in an offense again.
There isn't a better fit for Higgins than the Las Vegas Raiders. Along with a ton of cap space this offseason, they'll likely be drafting a QB (presumably Shedeur Sanders) who needs an established wideout to throw to when things go haywire.
An offense with Sanders, Higgins, and ascending star tight end Brock Bowers would be a great foundation for the rest of the team in Las Vegas.
Best landing spot: Las Vegas Raiders
