Some big names at the wide receiver position enter free agency this offseason. And with a new wave of stud young quarterbacks in the league most of these guys are set for a big payday. Here are where these stud receivers should land for the 2025 season.
Chris Godwin – Denver Broncos
It’s no secret the Denver Broncos are in desperate need for offensive weapons. Outside of Courtland Sutton, it’s up in the air who will be catching passes from Bo Nix next year. But Marvin Mims stepped up for Denver to end the 2024 season. His breakaway speed makes him a perfect boundary receiver opposite of Sutton, so Denver needs to find an elite slot guy.
Chris Godwin is the perfect man for the job. After using Godwin as an outside receiver for multiple years, the Bucs moved Godwin back into the slot receiver role in 2024 and he thrived. In just seven games Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Before his season-ending injury he was playing at an All-Pro level.
Bo Nix was most effective in short to intermediate passes, and that’s where Godwin thrives. Having a reliable slot guy like Godwin is the best scenario for Denver. This should be intriguing for Godwin as well, because he will be 29 next season, and could dramatically raise his value because the volume he will receive in the slot.
Tee Higgins – New England Patriots
Tee Higgins to the New England Patriots is a match made in heaven. Drake Maye needs a legitimate wide receiver one, and the Patriots have enough money to make Higgins one the highest, if not the highest, paid receiver in football. Even if Cincinnati was willing to pay Higgins, they won’t pay him more than what Ja’Marr Chase will get.
There are a lot of NFL teams that have weak wide receiver rooms, but the Patriots are undoubtably the worst. Drake Maye looks like the franchise guy in New England, so getting him a true alpha at receiver is a must. The Patriots have a bad history at drafting receiver. So instead of gambling in the draft, they should open the bank to get an already proven star receiver.
About a month ago Joe Burrow talked about how he wanted Higgins back in 2025, and Higgins even said he’d be willing to take less money to return to Cincinnati. But with Bengals needing to sing Chase to an extension and New England having the most cap space in the NFL, Higgins may just get an offer he can’t refuse.
Keenan Allen – Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen has stated he will only play in Chicago or L.A. next season. And considering the Rams already have Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp that rules them out. And with the Bears having D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze on contract through 2029, it only makes sense for Allen to have a reunion with the Chargers.
Ladd McConkey was the only viable receiver for Justin Herbert in 2024. Adding a veteran like Allen to such a young receiver room would do wonders for Jim Harbaugh’s offense. And Keenan Allen already has a repertoire with Justin Herbert.
Allen also has a few good years left. Even in a crowded Bears receiver room he still was targeted 121 times. And in 2023 with the Chargers Allen had a career-year with 108 catches for 1,243 yards, and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers are in win now mode, and Keenan Allen helps them win now.
Stefon Diggs – New York Giants
Diggs got out to a promising start with the Houston Texans. In eight games he finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns. Despite entering his eleventh season, Diggs still has some gas in the tank.
The only competent pass catcher in New York is Malik Nabers. And if the Giants are going to draft a rookie quarterback, which all sings points to that happening, he’ll need more help. Stefon Diggs in the veteran presence the Giants need. There’s also some familiarity between Diggs and Giant’s Head Coach Brian Daboll.
Daboll was Diggs’ offensive coordinator with the Bills for two seasons. In those two season Diggs combined for 230 catches, 2,760 yards, and 18 touchdowns, the best two-year stretch of his career.
This pairing may not make sense, because it seems Diggs is looking to win a ring before his career is done, but joining New York this offseason could seriously raise his value in the future. And who knows, if the Giants draft the right guy they could be right back in the playoff mix.
DeAndre Hopkins – Kansas City Chiefs
It doesn’t make any sense for DeAndre Hopkins to leave Kansas City. He’s a future hall of famer, and has done just about everything except win a Super Bowl. Now that could all change on February 9. But regardless of the Super Bowl outcome, Hopkins should play out his career with the Chiefs.
It’s unknown when Rashee Rice will return from injury. After his ACL tare early in the season, it seemed like his season was over, but there are rumors floating around that Rice may be available for the Super Bowl. But even if Rice is ready to go next week or week one of 2025, having Hopkins around is a win-win. The Chiefs get a veteran receiver to lead a young receiver room with Rice and Xavier Worthy. And Hopkins get a chance to win a ring or two before he retires.
Hopkins could take a larger contract from another non-contender like the Titans, but the best moves for Hopkins and the Chiefs is for Hopkins to stay put in Kansas City.
Hollywood Brown – Washington Commanders
Outside of Terry McLaurin, the Commanders seriously lack receiver talent. Dyami Brown stepped up in the playoffs, but who’s to say if the will sustain in the 2025 season. Getting Jayden Daniels a veteran wide out would seriously help expand an already dynamic Kliff Kingsbury offense.
Hollywood Brown found the most success under Kliff Kingsbury in Arizona. In 2022 Brown only played 12 games, but he was on pace for a 94 catch season with 1,004 yards. Adding him, on what would likely will be a cheaper deal, will vastly help Daniels’ development.
McLaurin is fast, but he isn’t Hollywood Brown fast. Having a true over the top threat for one of the best deep ball quarterbacks in football is enough to make a move for Brown. But adding a fast vertical threat also opens up the middle of the field for Terry McLaurin, an area he loves to operate in. Brown would seriously open up the Commanders passing game in 2025.
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