If teams outside of Cincinnati were hoping to land the top free-agent prize at wide receiver in 2025, they now need to look elsewhere. With the Bengals franchise-tagging Tee Higgins for a second consecutive offseason, the best available unsigned veteran wideouts are a little past their primes.
With Higgins no longer in play unless a team makes a blockbuster trade for him, here’s breaking down the top 12 free-agent wide receivers in ’25
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The Buccaneers didn’t franchise-tag Godwin but still have some designs of re-signing him to play off Mike Evans and rising youngster Jalen McMillan. If Godwin doesn’t stay put, there’s a good chance the Patriots, Raiders, and Steelers are the most interested in his big-time slot services. Godwin has more value with Higgins off the market, especially once teams are sure he has shaken off his nasty ankle injury.
Diggs should also get plenty of outside interest despite his age and coming off a torn ACL during his first season in Houston. The Raiders and Patriots should be in this mix, as well as the division rival Titans. The Rams figure to show interest in the NFC, but also watch out for the Cowboys and Giants, the respective employers of his former Bills offensive coordinators, Ken Dorsey and Brian Daboll.
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Adams didn’t last a full season in New York, inevitable once the team decided to move on from Aaron Rodgers. The former Raider and Packer could follow Rodgers to a team such as the Giants, but the Patriots, Broncos, and Texans also should be interested. In the end, the best bet for Adams might be a return to California, either with the Rams or Chargers.
Cooper didn’t pan out in a midseason trade to Buffalo. The Bills are iffy on keeping him, and there are few NFC teams in the mix, including the Bears and Rams.
The Chiefs saw enough of Hopkins’ play to think he can be a more regular, savvy contributor to complement young stars Rashee Rice and Xaiver Worthy. If Hopkins doesn’t return, the rest of the division — Raiders, Chargers, and Broncos —should be interested.
Brown may be less preferred for a Kansas City return after Worthy blew up as a speedy big-play threat in the Super Bowl. The Bills and Cowboys could use him most as a deep-ball option for big-armed QBs.
Allen may not be retained for Ben Johnson’s offense in the slot, thus the interest in other veterans to join DJ Moore and Rome Odunze for Caleb Williams. Allen could work out in a return to Los Angeles, but this time to the Rams to replace Cooper Kupp.
Slayton’s field-stretching qualities might also pique the interest of the Bills and Cowboys. The Chiefs and Chargers should have the most interest among NFC teams. He’s the type of solid receiver who can spike when given a more regular role on a contender.
Kirk is a fading slot with a piling recent history of injuries but can still be a valuable role player working off multiple strong receivers. The team moving on Kirk opens the door for a reunion between Godwin and Liam Coen.
The venerable long-time Seattle star showed his fade in recent years as he doesn’t have that same open-field or field-stretching gear. He might get the most interest from the Cowboys, now coached by former Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
If Williams could stay healthy, he would be a big addition with his big-play and red-zone ability, putting the Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, and Raiders on the radar. There also are some rumors he could be a flier for the Ravens because of his size.
Johnson was on three teams last season after his trade from the Steelers, as the Panthers and Texans also employed him. The Ravens both released and re-signed him. He once was a budding all-around star in Pittsburgh, and it may be difficult to revive his career. He is talented but rather mercurial, so it might be staying in Baltimore or bust.
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