2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Wide Receivers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting situation when it comes to their Wide Receiver room. They have a guy with all-world skills but one who has suffered from bouts of immaturity and ponderous actions in his career. In fact, the situation is so worrisome that the team has not committed to a second contract with George Pickens who is in his walk season. The other two main roster receivers that are still under contract from last season are Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Austin made great strides in his third year in 2024 and remains a valuable asset but is more of a No. 3 option. Wilson was a Round 3 choice out of Michigan but never got on Mike Tomlin’s “moving train” due to injuries and other unknown factors. With Mike Williams, Ben Skowronek and Van Jefferson not under contract for 2025, Omar Khan needs to add, not just bodies, but viable starters to the roster. Of course, the Men of Steel are expected to add through the NFL draft in April but need to bring in veterans through free agency in March or via a trade.
Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, actually be willing to pay handsomely or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Take a look and decide for yourself.
Most Notable Free Agent Wide Receivers
Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals
Age 26, 6’4”/219 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 12, Targets – 109, Receptions – 73, Receiving Yards – 911, Yards Per Receptions – 12.5, Receiving Yards Per Game 75.9, Touchdowns – 10, First Downs – 48
PFF Position Ranking: 5
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 1
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 1
Overall PFF Grade: 88.2 (High Quality)
Calculated Market Value: 4 years/$28m per year
Cincy has the option to put the $26.88m franchise tag on Tee, and Joe Burrow is pushing hard for it. the top player in the entire NFL pool to stay. There will be plenty of suitors expected to make a bank-breaking deal for Higgins. But will the Steelers be one of them? Higgins has the size, the speed and the big-play in big-games ability. Besides missing games due to injury, this guy is the total package. Pairing him with Pickens and a quality QB could be landmark for the Steelers. But those two things working out aren’t guaranteed. Also, the willingness to pay a premium for a player is not necessarily a certainty.
Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age 28.9, 6’1”/208 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 7, Targets – 62, Receptions – 50, Receiving Yards – 576, Yards Per Receptions – 11.5, Receiving Yards Per Game 82.3, Touchdowns – 5, First Downs – 33
PFF Position Ranking: 10
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 4
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 2
Overall PFF Grade: 86.3 (High Quality)
Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$22.5m per year
This is not Godwin’s first foray into free agency, and not the first time that he’s done it suffering through an injury when he got three years and $20M per to stay in the bay. Godwin was on his way to possibly a career year with no drops in 2024 when he went down with a season-ending ankle dislocation on MNF against Baltimore. Godwin has nice size, route running and quickness, and would be a solid veteran compliment to George Pickens as he was a team leader and a great No. 2 to Mike Evans all-of those years in Tampa. This time around, he’s looking to be paid as a No. 1 and as second to only Higgins at the position in free agency, he should realize that.
Amari Cooper – Buffalo Bills
Age 30.6, 6’1”/208 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 14, Targets – 85, Receptions – 44, Receiving Yards – 547, Yards Per Receptions – 12.4, Receiving Yards Per Game 39.1, Touchdowns – 4, First Downs – 25
PFF Position Ranking: 61
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 7
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 3
Overall PFF Grade: 68.3 (Above Average)
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$17.5m per year
Cooper had wrist and drop issues in 2024 that hampered the veteran receiver after being acquired by the Bills from the Cleveland Browns. Despite being over the age of 30, The five-time Pro Bowl selection is still going to be coveted by teams for his height and his quality catch positioning. He is a valuable locker room presence and would serve as a positive mentor for George Pickens. Cooper would also serve No. 14 on the field as well by commanding the attention of opposing defensive backs.
Stefon Diggs – Houston Texans
Age 31.2 6’0”/191 lbs., Speed – 4.46
2024 Stats: Games Played – 8, Targets – 64, Receptions – 47, Receiving Yards – 496, Yards Per Receptions – 10.6, Receiving Yards Per Game 62.0, Touchdowns – 3, First Downs – 31
PFF Position Ranking: 21
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 7
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 4
Overall PFF Grade: 70.0 (Above Average)
Stefon Diggs is 31 and coming off-of a tear of his ACL. There were some pundits that were claiming that he was declining before the injury that limited the receiver in years past. However, Diggs was on track for another 100-catch/1,000-yard season in his first year as a Texan. Diggs does not have a reputation as a locker room leader, so maybe this would not be the ideal fit for the Steelers.
Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$16m per year
Deandre Hopkins – Kansas City Chiefs
Age 32.6, 6’1”/212 lbs., Speed – 4.57
2024 Stats: Games Played – 16, Targets – 80, Receptions – 56, Receiving Yards – 610, Yards Per Receptions – 10.9, Yards Per Game 38.1, Touchdowns – 5, First Downs – 35
PFF Position Ranking: 26
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 14
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 5
Overall PFF Grade: 78.6 (Good)
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$13.7m per year
Despite dealing with a knee injury, Hopkins had 210 yards and a touchdown for the AFC champions in the postseason. Entering his 13th season, Hopkins isn’t going to carry the mail for a team but might be a decent third option. I don’t think Nuk’s features will benefit the Black and Gold appropriately enough in this particular instance.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown – Kansas City Chiefs
Age 27.7, 5’9”/180 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 2, Targets – 15, Receptions – 9, Receiving Yards – 91, Yards Per Receptions – 10.1, Yards Per Game 45.5, Touchdowns – 0, First Downs – 5
PFF Position Ranking: Not Enough Snaps
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 36
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 6
Overall PFF Grade: 65.5 (Above Average)
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$9m per year
Brown barely played in the Regular Season as wasn’t much of a factor in the Playoffs or Super Bowl for KC. He’s still on the right side of 30 and has that big-play ability but the Steelers have CA3, who has similar features, and could possibly spend their resources better elsewhere.
Darius Slayton – New York Giants
Age 28.0, 6’1”/198 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 16, Targets – 71, Receptions – 39, Receiving Yards – 573, Yards Per Receptions – 14.7, Yards Per Game 35.8, Touchdowns – 2, First Downs – 30
PFF Position Ranking: 106
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 38
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 7
Overall PFF Grade: 59.0 (Average)
Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$12.5m per year
Slayton is intriguing. The Giants had a bad offense and newer, shiner models at the position. However, Slayton’s numbers could have been so much better. Darius is big enough, fast, reliable and looks like he could command attention from the opposing secondary to free up others. The Steelers reportedly were trying to trade for his services in early November. This leads me to think they could look his way again without surrendering draft picks.
Keenan Allen – Chicago Bears
Age 32.8, 6’2”/211 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 15, Targets – 121, Receptions – 70, Receiving Yards – 744, Yards Per Receptions – 10.6, Yards Per Game 49.6, Touchdowns – 7, First Downs – 43
PFF Position Ranking: 76
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 43
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 8
Overall PFF Grade: 64.4 (Average)
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$12.5m per year
The Steelers were two picks away from selecting Allen in 2013, but they settled for Markus Wheaton instead. Allen has had an amazing career, but how much is left? If last year is any indication, there’s time left for the veteran. However, the team that signs him would need to be “one player away”. The Steelers aren’t that team in that situation.
Diontae Johnson – Baltimore Ravens
Age 28.6, 5’10”/183 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 12, Targets – 67, Receptions – 33, Receiving Yards – 375, Yards Per Receptions – 11.4, Yards Per Game 31.3, Touchdowns – 3, First Downs – 21
PFF Position Ranking: 73
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 78
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 9
Overall PFF Grade: 65.1 (Average)
Calculated 2025 Market Value: 1 year/$3m per year
The talent is not the issue here. The problem is that Diontae Johnson quit two teams and was traded by two others in 2024. Johnson is a very good route runner and a quality receiver. But there’s a reason Omar Khan dealt him away in March. Fool me once…
Mike Williams – Pittsburgh Steelers
Age 30.3, 6’4”/218 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 18, Targets – 34, Receptions – 21, Receiving Yards – 298, Yards Per Receptions – 14.2, Yards Per Game 16.6, Touchdowns – 1, First Downs – 14
PFF Position Ranking: 108
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: 99
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: 10
Overall PFF Grade: 58.8 (Average)
Calculated 2025 Market Value: 1 year/$6m per year
Williams was coming off-of a debilitating knee injury suffered in 2023 and a trainwreck of a situation with the Jets when he was traded to Pittsburgh at the deadline. His situation with the Steelers was ponderous. Nobody is sure of the reason why he didn’t get much action. It could be the dreaded “moving train” scenario that plagues newcomers to Steel City late in camp or during the season or it could be that Williams wasn’t grasping a new playbook, but he wasn’t getting targets despite shining when the ball was thrown his way. Nonetheless, I would throw a team-friendly “prove-it” deal Mike’s way and actually use him this time around.
Honorable Mention
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – Tennessee Titans
Age 27.8, 6’2”/211 lbs.
2024 Stats: Games Played – 17, Targets – 60, Receptions – 32, Receiving Yards – 497, Yards Per Receptions – 15.5, Yards Per Game 29.2, Touchdowns – 9, First Downs – 25
PFF Position Ranking: 84
PFF Free Agency Rank – Overall: Not Ranked
PFF Free Agency Rank – Position: Not Ranked
Overall PFF Grade: 63.4 (Average)
Calculated 2025 Market Value: 2 years/$7.8m per year
NWI is of good age and size, but are the nine touchdowns inflating his value? The price tag isn’t too high, but is this just another Van Jefferson that scored more? Why not give him a shot?
Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Wide Receivers
Mike Williams
Van Jefferson
Ben Skowronek
Other Notable Free Agent Wide Receivers
Zach Pascal – Arizona Cardinals
Zay Jones – Arizona Cardinals
Greg Dortch – Arizona Cardinals
Khadarel Hodge – Atlanta Falcons
Rondale Moore – Atlanta Falcons
Nelson Agholor – Baltimore Ravens
Steven Sims – Baltimore Ravens
Tylan Wallace – Baltimore Ravens
Mack Hollins – Buffalo Bills
David Moore – Carolina Panthers
Elijah Moore – Cleveland Browns
Brandin Cooks – Dallas Cowboys
KaVontae Turpin (RFA) – Dallas Cowboys
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Denver Broncos
Tim Patrick – Detroit Lions
Robert Woods – Houston Texans
Ashton Dulin – Indianapolis Colts
Justin Watson – Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster– Kansas City Chiefs
Mecole Hardman – Kansas City Chiefs
D.J. Turner (RFA) – Las Vegas Raiders
Terrace Marshall – Las Vegas Raiders
D.J. Chark – Los Angeles Chargers
Jalen Reagor – Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Palmer – Los Angeles Chargers
Demarcus Robinson – Los Angeles Rams
Tutu Atwell – Los Angeles Rams
Marquez Valdes-Scantling – New Orleans Saints
Tyler Boyd – Tennessee Titans
Dyami Brown – Washington Commanders
Jamison Crowder – Washington Commanders
K.J. Osborn – Washington Commanders
Noah Brown – Washington Commanders
Olamide Zaccheaus – Washington Commanders
Not sure why, but I don’t see Tee Higgins hitting the open market. Wouldn’t be shocked if the Bengals do whatever they can to keep him.
Just some quick back of the napkin math on this.
Lets say Higgins is worth that 28 mil APY over 4 years, and hes able to negotiate a contract similar to burrows where about half the contract is guaranteed in the form of bonuses.
Then lets say Chase’s contract in 2026 follows a similar structure, but at 34 mil APY over 4 years with half of his contract guaranteed via bonuses.
That means that the 2025 cap hit of their top 3 playmakers is roughly 83 million. A pretty huge amount, but stomachable.
2026 is where it starts to go off the rails though. The 2026 cap hit of those three players would be 99 mil for those three players. And this is a team whose defensive playmakers are now well over 30, so if they want to sink 35 to 40% of the cap into three players, they are really banking on hitting on some young defensive picks.
Now here is the really fun part. The cap hit of these three players in 2027, should they retain all three in this scenario would be roughly 125 million. The contracts for these three guys, who would still be in their primes in 2027 are getting so big that there is really no way to build around them. These are such large contracts that you would have to mortgage the entire future for a two or three year Superbowl window if you want to keep Higgins.
Is he really worth that? is he really that irreplaceable? I don’t think so. I think they let him walk.
I think Chase starts at $35M as a floor. He will want more than Jefferson. I see Higgins as a $30M a year guy (Tyreek, AJ Bown, St. Brown, Aiyuk, and Lamb). Can you realistic invest $75M to 2 WR’s? I know Burrow will want him. I don’t know how you rebuild the defense at those numbers. If you sign Higgins can you get a new contract for Hendrickson. I think they are in a little bit of a situation.
This just in that the Bengals plan for franchise tag Tee Higgins.
LINK HERE
Franchise tagging makes much more sense than a long term deal.
The question is, will he play on it? He knows they can’t afford to do it again next year, and they can’t afford to pay him either. I think hell hold out for a real contract or force his way out via a trade.
Higgins is a very rare exception in that the Bengals would get him for less than market value if they use the franchise tag on him. It’s a no-brainer from the team’s standpoint. The issue with tagging him, though, is that Higgins could go “LeVeon Bell” over things and not report to the team next year. To be honest, he’d probably be justified doing so too. Walking away from $26 million would take some giant berries, though. Bell did it for $14 million but this is nearly double that.
He knows they can’t afford to give him a long term deal next year, so hes going to have to go to the open market. I would not expect him to play on the tag. Its an absolute abuse of the franchise tag power to tag someone you know you aren’t paying the next year and is worth more on the open market. The tag must be reformed.
Really, the wide receiver FAs aren’t any better than QBs this year. The Steelers have some bad luck going being that they have some cap room to work with but there aren’t many FAs in positions of need for them.
Amari Cooper is my guy. Great professional, and he still has a lot of good football left in him. He and Pickens would make a nice tandem on the outside.