The 2025 NFL free-agent class has big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the potential wide receivers on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.
Tee Higgins is the pinnacle name, but four others offer WR1 potential within an NFL depth chart in their late 20s or early 30s.
Current 2025 Free Agent WRs: Tier 1A
Rarely does a wide receiver of Tee Higgins' level walk into true free agency. Suppose that were to occur (or Higgins is essentially picking his spot). In that case, New England is an interesting spot as they have strong financial capital, imminent positional need, plus the responsibility to build around Drake Maye. Higgins is peaking at the right time in a contract year and with wide receiver contracts cresting as well. Higgins' combination of 2.27 yards-per-route-run (YPRR) and 26% target-per-route-run (TPRR) are career-high marks in addition to his 35.8 routes per game and 18.5 PPR points per game. For example, Calvin Ridley signed a four-year, $92 million contract with $50 million guaranteed as an older player with a lesser production profile in the 2024 free agent class.
Chris Godwin enters free agency coming off an injury-ended 2024 season, but arguably the best season of his career and one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. Godwin's 19.7 PPR points per game, 2.36 yards-per-route-run, and 25% target-per-route-run are all career-best marks.
Stefon Diggs is a year removed from changing teams yet again in his career. Diggs has been in decline from his peak for two seasons now, but still in the "very good" category of NFL wide receiver with 1.84 YPRR and 23% TPRR in his injury-shortened 2024 season.
Current 2025 Free Agent WRs: Tier 1B
Diontae Johnson earned targets at a high rate in Pittsburgh at his career apex but has yet to log a 1,000-yard season or hit 2.00 YPRR. 2024 has largely been a lost season with Carolina's early-season revolving door at quarterback and now a move to Baltimore's crowded passing game.
Amari Cooper still has 'tilt the field' WR1 in his game, but like Diontae Johnson, this season has been a relatively lost year through 12 weeks. Cooper was lagging in Cleveland's early-season dysfunction and is now finding his chemistry with Buffalo. A pop game or two near or in the postseason would position Cooper well within the free-agent class.
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Current 2025 Free Agent WRs: Tier 2
DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen are both clearly past their prime, but they are still reliable possession receivers (and occasional pop moments) options. Allen has carved his impressive 2.04 career YPRR in half this season as Chicago has generally struggled despite their three quality wide receivers. Hopkins has now changed teams three times since 2020. By his 1.81 YPRR and 21% TPRR combination this season, Hopkins has more left for impact than Allen on the top end. Considering his spotty injury profile, Mike Williams could easily be excluded from Tier 2. Williams is easy to write off as a 30-year-old struggling through a team change and 0.80 YPRR this season. However, the bright side is that Williams is only a year removed from 2.33 YPRR and 23% TPRR in 2023 and hitting a career-best 16.6 PPR PPG. All three are likely looking at one-year contract allegiance (even if a multi-year construction or contract is announced) this offseason.
Current 2025 Free Agent WRs: Best of the Rest
- Jalen Coker (ERFA)
- Demarcus Robinson
- Tutu Atwell
- Marquise Brown
- Darius Slayton
- Joshua Palmer
- Noah Brown
- Brandin Cooks
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Elijah Moore
- D.J. Chark Jr
- Mack Hollins
- Tyler Boyd
If Jalen Coker has any positivity in his view by Carolina, expect him to be retained with the exclusive rights tag. Demarcus Robinson will have a DUI charge to potentially deal with in the offseason in addition to fighting for his NFL future on the roster fringe. Darius Slayton is the best combination of production, age, and potential upside/role in 2025 on the list. Noah Brown is an underrated option who clawed his way from the end of the Dallas roster years ago to crashing multiple NFL depth charts for relevant roles since.
2025 WRs: Potential Cuts, Restructures, or Retirements
The glaring name in bright lights for a release or restructure in the offseason is Tyler Lockett. With a cap hit of $30 million and only $4 million in dead cap, Lockett needs a significant haircut to stay with Seattle. At 33 years old, Lockett's erosion in impact this season (and Jaxon Smith-Njigba rising) also points to a changing of the guard. Lockett can still help a contending team as their WR3.
While not a big name, Josh Reynolds is an easy call as a player to be released in the offseason. With only $1 million in dead cap, Denver can save $4.5 million. Reynolds has been a fringe fantasy name for a few seasons now.
Kalif Raymond has popped periodically throughout his career but rarely garnered a full-time role. More than half of Raymond's $6.5 million can be saved unless Detroit retains Raymond in his ancillary wide receiver and special teams roles.
Christian Kirk's contract has exploded over 2024 and 2025 with next year no lock he remains under his existing terms. His cap hit of $27 million has roughly half guaranteed if Jacksonville is looking to move in a different direction in the final year of Kirk's contract.
With Davante Adams gone, Jakobi Meyers has been the stabilizing veteran presence in the passing game for the Raiders. Should the Raiders want to move on in the offseason, they would gain only $6.5 million in cap savings, but shedding Meyers is an option. His cap hit of $15 million is palatable as the Raiders retool.
Adam Thielen is on his last legs of NFL viability and even $8.4 million in cap hit next season is on the high side. Carolina can save $3.4 million by moving on and continuing its youth movement.
While 65% of Courtland Sutton's $20 million cap hit is of the dead cap variety, this is the first time Denver has had optionality with Sutton's contract. The 30-year-old in 2025 has had a bounce-back season this year.
Potential Incumbent Benefactors
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