Top Ten Free Agent Receivers in 2025

With Free Agency about to start in the NFL, teams are looking to shake up their offenses and find some impactful players. The legal tampering period of free agency begins on March 10th, with players allowed to sign with new teams when the new league year starts on March 12th. While arguably the strongest impending free agent receiver, Tee Higgins, is off the board after receiving the franchise tag from the Bengals, there are still several pass-catchers out there that can make a difference for teams willing to open their purses. Here are ten receivers who could still make a significant impact on both an NFL team and your fantasy team depending on their landing spots. 

 

Davante Adams

UPDATE: Adams will reportedly be signing a two-year, $46 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams, taking Cooper Kupp‘s spot as a second dynamic receiver on the team. This piece was written and edited Sunday afternoon, which just goes to show how quickly things can change during NFL free agency. Check out our thoughts below on why Adams is still an appealing option at 32 and why he should still be an option to consider in your drafts in 2025:

Unfortunately, the top receiver in the Free Agency class was Tee Higgins, but the Bengals decided to Franchise tag him again. The Jets decided to release Davante Adams to save money on their salary cap, and he is the top receiver in this class. Unfortunately, this is an older class, and seeing a 32-year-old receiver sitting at the top isn’t great. 

Adams isn’t your typical 32-year-old, as many don’t usually come off a 1000-yard and 8-touchdown season at this age. Adams’ 2024 season was shaky, but he managed to be WR8 in FPPG when he arrived with the Jets in Weeks 7 to 18. Adams showed explosiveness and his ability to produce after the catch. Adams should be able to join any NFL team and give WR1 production, as long as he can see a big target share. 

Best Landing Spots: Anything with Rodgers, Chargers, Rams 

We’d love to see Adams find a way to pair up with Aaron Rodgers, who will likely be traded or released by the Jets this offseason. We can’t deny the amazing chemistry they have playing together. Heading home to LA may also help Adams produce another great fantasy season. The Chargers and Rams need a WR2 and have quarterbacks who can get Adams the ball.

 

Chris Godwin

The TRUE WR1 in this class after Higgins initially should be Chris Godwin. The veteran receiver was off to a hot start in the 2024 season, averaging 19.7 fantasy points per game, which was 5th best in the league. Unfortunately, Godwin suffered a dislocated knee injury that would knock him out for more than half the season. Godwin was dominating the targets for the Buccaneers with 62 in 7 games, while Mike Evans only had 43 in that span. 

Godwin was seeing a top 12 target share of 26.6% per PFF. He was 15th in fantasy points per target and dominated in the slot as Baker Mayfield‘s trusted receiver. Godwin has been good but not great over his last few seasons. He has 1000 yards in 3 of the previous 4 years, but low touchdowns with 15 in that span. As long as Godwin returns to full health, he’ll have a chance to be a WR1 for any team needing a receiver. 

Best Landing Spots: Buccaneers, Raiders, Cardinals

For Godwin’s value, returning to the Buccaneers would make a lot of sense. If he stays with the team, we know his role and target share could expand with an aging Mike Evans. The Raiders are desperate to bring in talent and have plenty of money to spend. Outside of  Jakobi Meyers, they don’t have much. Godwin could fill a significant need. The Cardinals could bring in a difference-maker at the slot role after Greg Dortch has provided below-average production. Godwin could be a good WR2 for Marvin Harrison Jr.

 

Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper was heading in the wrong direction in 2024. Was Cooper finally starting to show his age, or was he in a bad situation all season? Cooper played six games in Cleveland with a below 50% catch rate catching balls from Deshaun Watson. He was traded to the Bills in Week 7, and he never seemed to find his groove in Buffalo. Many players rarely switch teams mid-year and provide an elite production level. 

Cooper has been in this league for ten years now. This was his worst season since 2017 when he played for the Raiders. Cooper has always been known for consistently putting up solid fantasy numbers. His 10-year average has been 1100 yards and seven touchdowns. Cooper could have been in a bad situation last year, and we may need to write that off for his value.  He was still seeing deep targets in both offenses and having a win rate vs man of 35.9% (29th best in the league) per PlayerProfiler. 

Best Landing Spots: Chiefs, Jets, Seahawks

Cooper may end up coming cheap due to a down season, or he may take less for a championship window. The Chiefs are looking at many of their wide receivers missing time in 2025, and Cooper could work well on this offense. The Jets will likely add someone, and they could hand Cooper money to pair him with Garrett Wilson. The recent news of DK Metcalf perhaps leaving town may open up a need for an outside receiver in Seattle. Cooper could be that cheaper veteran who can get the job done.

 

Marquise Brown

UPDATE: Brown is returning to Kansas City on a one-year, $11 million deal. While KC may still add other pass-catchers given the legal troubles for Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, this is a nice development for Brown and his fantasy value.

One of the youngest free agent receivers is Marquise Brown. Brown hasn’t put up numbers like the players ahead of him, but he does offer upside and some future years. Despite the lack of elite production, Brown has proven he can provide WR2 numbers to any NFL team and fantasy when healthy. Brown has struggled with injuries as he has missed 23 games over the last 3 years. His career average of 50 receiving yards and .38 touchdowns shows he can give production. 

Best Landing Spots: Chiefs, Rams and Chargers

I don’t think it’s out of the question that the Chiefs decide to bring Brown back for another test run. He only played five total games, but many didn’t even think he’d play again in 2024. The Rams and Chargers could use a player who can challenge a defense downfield with speed, and Brown offers a ton of that in fantasy. 

 

Stefon Diggs

Next up is Stefon Diggs, who may be heading into a bad situation this offseason as a free agent. He is going to be 32 years old this season and is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in October. Before the injury, Diggs still showed us that he could provide WR2 numbers in fantasy as he ranked WR15 in FPPG (15.2) despite being in a crowded receiver room in Houston. 

Diggs may be more of a name-value player compared to having gas left in the tank. I think Diggs, no matter where he goes, could struggle to reclaim that high level of fantasy production. Some more recent receivers who suffered ACL injuries at 30 have been Jordy Nelson and Julian Edelman. Both got at least one more great season, so Diggs has some hope.

Best Landing Spots: Giants, Ravens 

For Diggs, any return to Houston is likely out of the question with Christian Kirk being traded there. The Giants could be made possible by Brian Daboll working with him in Buffalo. Diggs may want a shot at a championship, and it seems that the Ravens are always looking for a receiver. They have a core that is good enough for Diggs to work on a full recovery before he plays.

 

DeAndre Hopkins

We have another mid-season receiver who didn’t pan out as great as many wanted when the trade went down in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins started on the Titans but was traded to the Chiefs in Week 8. Hopkins put up just three games with over 10 fantasy points, which was a huge disappointment because of the name value mixed with the opportunity in Kansas City. He posted under 50 yards in 7 of his 10 games with the Chiefs. 

Hopkins isn’t the same player he once was, and we could see the injuries pile up soon for him. He has been under 800 yards in 3 of the last 4 seasons. 2024’s per-game average of 38 yards was his worst since his rookie season. Hopkins will be 33 years old, so the likelihood of him still being elite is slim. His explosive play rate was ranked 59th among receivers in 2024.

Best Landing Spots: Falcons, Ravens 

The Falcons could bring in a cheap receiver like Hopkins to help boost Drake London to the next level while impacting the offense. The Ravens always want to bring in a veteran presence at receiver, and Hopkins could help there, much like Diggs.

 

Darius Slayton

Next up is Darius Slayton, who is not a household name but is a talented player nonetheless. He may not have been elite during his time in New York, but he produced 700 receiving yards in 4 of his 6 seasons. Slayton got booted to the Giants’ third receiver, so he would see a reduced role. When Malik Nabers missed time in the early season, Slayton combined for 37 fantasy points in the two games. Slayton has had high YPT and YPR over his career but has never played with a great quarterback.. 

Best Landing Spots: Raiders, Bears, Cardinals 

The Raiders could be one of those teams that give a player like Slayton a 3-year contract that gets him about 35 million. They have money to spend, and Slayton could fill their need at receiver without completely breaking the bank. The Bears may be able to use Slayton in their slot role with Keenan Allen leaving. Slayton may just want a shot at working with a good team under Ben Johnson. The Cardinals also have money but may not want to spend as much on receivers as they have other positions that need to be filled.

 

Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson should be higher on this list, but his off-the-field behavior is a concern. Johnson was on a wild ride in 2024 as he started with the Panthers. Johnson would need Andy Dalton to take over to help his fantasy production. He produced as the WR15 in FPPG from Weeks 3-7 until he was traded away. His time with the Ravens was short-lived; he was released after only playing four games while infamously seeing very few snaps. He would also get picked up by the Texans and released before the playoffs. 

Johnson has sometimes proved that, with a good quarterback, he can produce WR2 numbers in fantasy. He has 800 yards in 3 of 6 seasons and finished WR7 after the 2021 season. Johnson could still rebound in his career, but he needs a team to believe in him to do so. 

Best Landing Spots: Titans, Raiders

It’s hard to give a great landing spot for Johnson, as he was not a hot option in the 2024 season. The Titans could use a receiver opposite Calvin Ridley, who has an upside and may be cost-effective. Johnson could also be the Plan C option for the Raiders if they can’t land a higher-up receiver.

 

Keenan Allen

Keenan Allen is the next receiver up, heading into his age 33 season. Allen was very boom/bust last year in fantasy. He had five games of 20-plus fantasy points, but recorded under 10 fantasy points in each of his other 11 games. It was clear he is slowing down as his target separation dropped from 20th to 47th. His yards after catch dropped from 14th to 43rd ranked. 

Allen has been a great receiver for his career but has missed games in recent seasons. He has missed 13 games over the last three years. He has been under 800 yards in two of the previous three seasons. Touchdowns have been the only thing to keep Allen’s fantasy numbers up, with at least six touchdowns in seven of the last eight seasons. 

Best Landing Spots: Chargers, Bears, Saints 

Allen said that he would likely want to return to the Chargers or Bears. It’s easier to see him go back to the Bears since he may do it for cheap and try to win with them. The Chargers already have a great slot receiver, so it would only be more out of respect if they bring back Allen. He also has ties to Kellen Moore and Brandon Staley, who run the offense in New Orleans. If they figure out their cap situation, they may want to bring in guys who understand their offense. 

 

Tyler Lockett

After getting released, Tyler Lockett sits as our 10th-ranked receiver heading into free agency. Lockett has had a great NFL career, but he has started to slow down in the last two seasons. In 2024, he finished with his worst stats since the 2017 season. Lockett is going to be an older receiver in 2025, as he will be 33 years old. Lockett could provide one last decent season, but target opportunity will be important. We saw Lockett’s targets drop, which affected his fantasy production.

Best Landing Spot: Raiders

We may have seen the last of Tyler Lockett on an NFL field. He is an older receiver but has ties to one NFL coach, Pete Carroll. The Raiders could look to bring Lockett over as a familiar face for their new head coach. It is likely his best shot to see a decent fantasy production.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Icon Sportswire
Adapted by Kurt Wasemiller (@kurt_player02 on IG & Threads, @kuwasemiller on Bluesky)