NFL Analysis
11/27/24
5 min read
Ranking Top-5 Free Agent Receivers Hitting The Market This Offseason
The 2025 NFL free agent class isn't strong at some positions, but it is absolutely loaded at wide receiver.
Receivers were paid more than $338 million in contracts last offseason. That was without a true established star at the position. The top-earning receivers in the class were Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, and Darnell Mooney.
This year's free agent class is projected to feature more star power at the position, so expect even bigger contracts from the players below, who are the top available free agent receivers for the 2025 season.
Ranking Top Free Agent Wide Receivers
Amari WOW pic.twitter.com/iiuUeeReYG
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) November 17, 2024
5. Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills 
Amari Cooper nearly faded into irrelevance with the Cleveland Browns. Although he's dealt with injuries since being traded, he's flashed enough with the Buffalo Bills to warrant a solid contract in free agency.
A former first-round pick, Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler, including a selection in 2023. However, Cooper was an afterthought in Cleveland's offense with Deshaun Watson as the quarterback. That hasn't been the case at all when on the field for Buffalo. In fact, according to Pro Football Focus, Cooper jumped from 1.08 yards per route run in Cleveland to 2.03 in Buffalo, nearly doubling his efficiency.
Cooper will be 31 years old next season, and it's unclear how many more prime years he'll have before his decline. However, plenty of teams will be interested in an established veteran with a production-filled career, especially for a player with a release package off of the snap like Cooper has.
4. DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs
Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins are in similar situations this season, going from irrelevancy to being traded to Super Bowl contenders. However, Hopkins has the edge over Cooper in these rankings because of his production and star power.
Like Cooper, Hopkins has earned five Pro Bowl selections, but he also has three first-team All-Pro and two second-team All-Pro selections in his career. He hasn't had the same kind of success recently but still eclipsed more than 1,000 receiving yards last season for the Tennessee Titans.
Hopkins looked like he was near the end of his career to start 2024, but he has come alive with the Chiefs. In fact, Patrick Mahomes is posting a 140.0 passer rating when targeting Hopkins this season, catching 5-of-8 contested-catch opportunities with 235 yards and three touchdowns in more than five games in Kansas City.
It's an impressive turnaround for the former superstar. He likely won't get much attention on a long-term deal, considering he'll turn 33 next season, but he's such an exciting weapon on the outside that he should at least get a one- or two-year deal with sizable guaranteed money from a playoff contender.
3. Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
Stefon Diggs was still getting acclimated to his new team before tearing his ACL, and now the Texans will have a tough decision to make after a blockbuster trade for the veteran wideout last offseason.
The 30-year-old receiver was pacing for another 1,000-yard season before his injury. In eight games, he had caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 1.84 yards per route run.
Houston will likely want to try and bring Diggs back in some capacity. He's the ideal fit with the other two receivers, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, giving C.J. Stroud plenty of weapons to work with on offense. The problem is that Diggs could command a sizable contract from another team in free agency, especially if he paces to return early into the 2025 season.
The uncertainty around Diggs' availability knocks him down a spot on this list, but he's still one of the most electric receivers in the game when healthy.
2. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle just a few weeks ago. The good news is that he's expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2025 season, which should make him one of the top wide receivers on the open market.
At 28 years old, Godwin is entering the prime of his career. Even as the No. 2 option behind Mike Evans, he was having one of the most efficient seasons for a wide receiver in the league in 2024, averaging 2.34 yards per route run.
Along with 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns, Godwin was near the top of the NFL in catch rate and YPRR.
As a receiver who was playing his best football, it's heartbreaking to see Godwin suffer such a gruesome injury to end his 2024 season. However, when healthy, he should be considered one of the top free agents available at any position.
imagine trying to bracket Tee Higgins and failing this badly pic.twitter.com/HVGEVRsVgZ
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) November 18, 2024
1. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
It's a loaded free agent wide receiver class, but no one comes close to Tee Higgins.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound receiver has had to take a backseat as the No. 2 option behind Ja'Marr Chase but continues to have a huge impact on the Bengals' offense. He has 38 catches for 489 yards and four touchdowns in only six games, averaging 2.27 YPRR.
On top of that efficiency, Joe Burrow has shown his trust in Higgins in contested catch situations throughout his career. He's caught over 42 percent of his 50-50 balls throughout his career with 65 contested catches, showing elite body control with his imposing frame.
Higgins is also only 25 years old, and his best football is likely ahead of him. He'll be seeking top-of-market WR money this offseason, and he'll most likely get it as he becomes the instant No. 1 receiver for most NFL teams pursuing him in free agency.
Top Free Agency Landing Spots for Higgins
