The 2025 NFL Free Agency period is rapidly approaching, and teams are preparing to make bold moves that could reshape their rosters for 2025 and beyond.
DAZN News has identified the top three offensive players scheduled to become free agents and which teams should pursue them.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
As a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins has exceeded expectations, recording 34 touchdowns and over 4500 yards in five seasons with the Bengals.
Despite his impressive production, the Bengals have been hesitant to commit to Higgins in the long term.
In 2024, Higgins requested a trade before agreeing to return to the team on a one-year franchise tag.
Still, as the team prepares to extend triple crown winner Ja’Marr Chase to what will undoubtedly be a record-setting deal, Higgins’ future remains uncertain.
One thing is clear – Higgins has the talent to serve as the focal point of a passing offense, and the 26-year-old will have plenty of other suitors if the Bengals don’t pay up.
Which teams need Higgins?
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Chargers
There is no shortage of teams who need help at wide receiver, but not all have the cap space to sign a player with Higgins’ salary expectations.
The four teams listed are desperate for wide receiver help and have the cap space required to acquire Higgins.
New England should prioritise upgrading its wide receivers to give promising young quarterback Drake Maye the tools he needs to achieve his potential.
New offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will surely be banging the drum for a player with Higgins’ talent.
Despite roster holes on their offensive line, the Patriots could feasibly address both needs as they have over $112 million in projected cap space – more than any other team.
If interested in Higgins, the Patriots may have to fend off competition from the Raiders, Commanders, and Chargers, who all need help at wide receiver.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
The former first-round pick was given a new lease of life in Minnesota, and he grasped the opportunity with both hands.
Darnold ranked fifth among all quarterbacks with 35 touchdowns and fifth with 4,319 passing yards.
His performance in 2024 presents Minnesota with the difficult decision of whether to extend his contract or pivot to their first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
There are always more quarterback-needy teams than available, capable quarterbacks, so Darnold will get paid wherever he suits up in 2025.
Which teams need Darnold?
- Minnesota Vikings (extension)
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
A case could be made for Darnold returning to the Vikings, but it’s fair to wonder if Darnold’s late-season capitulation in their Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams makes Minnesota think twice.
If he is allowed to test free agency, Darnold could find a home with the Raiders. They have no clear plan at quarterback and must be keen to address the situation.
The Raiders would have been able to acquire one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, but their late-season wins saw their draft pick drop to sixth overall.
They have the second most projected cap space behind the Patriots and may choose to spend some of that on a franchise quarterback.
The Steelers need to secure a long-term quarterback and appear likely to extend Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.
However, Darnold is nine years younger than Wilson, while Fields is still unproven, so Pittsburgh may deem it prudent to look Darnold’s way.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Godwin has recorded almost 6,000 yards in the last six seasons and would have done better had he not suffered injuries in the 2020 and 2024 campaigns.
Unfortunately, his time with the Buccaneers appears to be over, as they have limited salary cap room in 2025.
Capable of playing in the slot or out wide, Godwin’s positional versatility will be coveted by teams seeking to acquire his services.
Which teams need Godwin?
- New England Patriots
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Chargers
All four teams have the cap space required to make a splash in free agency, and wide receiver is a significant need for each.
Acquiring a wideout with the talent of Godwin and pairing him with Terry McLaurin makes for a scary proposition in a Commanders’ offense led by Jayden Daniels.
The Chargers may be in the market after disappointing play from their outside receivers in 2024.
Quentin Johnson endured an inconsistent season marred by drops, Josh Palmer is a pending free agent, and the roster depth at wide receiver is thin.
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