The official start of the 2025 NFL season is quickly approaching. The league year and free agency will open at 4 p.m. on March 12. Teams will begin signing free agents, and any trades agreed to before the new league year will become official on that date.
Before the league year officially kicks off, there are a couple of other key dates to remember. Teams must designate franchise players by March 4. The NFL also has a legal negotiating window from March 10 to 12, during which teams can begin contacting and negotiating with the agents of unrestricted free agents. We’ll hear deals breaking during that window, even though they can’t become official until March 12.
It’s time to start breaking down the 2025 free agency class, which includes Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, and Hollywood Brown at the wide receiver position. This year’s free agents are loosely ordered based on talent, age, plus previous and expected future fantasy relevance. Be sure to follow Fantasy Points throughout free agency for in-depth breakdowns of every major (and minor) move. We’ll track every off-season transaction from a fantasy perspective through our “Free Agency Tracker” articles and Graham Barfield’s “Fantasy Fallout” pieces.
Be sure to check out the Free Agency Previews for Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Tight Ends…This article is powered by Fantasy Points Data. Subscribe now to get our to take your research to the next level.
Potentially Available
Davante Adams (NYJ, 33)
Brolley’s Prediction: Los Angeles Rams
Adams appears to be on the move for the second time in five months, as the Jets will give Aaron Rodgers the boot this off-season. He started his third season with the Raiders in 2024 before Rodgers convinced the Jets to trade for his best friend in a failed attempt to stop New York’s season from going under. Adams still reached 1000+ receiving yards for a fifth straight season but failed to extend his four-year run with 100+ receptions. Adams posted 85/1063/8 receiving (12.5 YPR) on 141 targets (27% share) to finish as the WR9 with 17.2 FPG. He ran 486 routes (34.7 per game) and averaged 2.19 YPRR in 14 contests — he missed three games for a hamstring injury.
Adams ranked third in targets per game (9.5), fifth in first-read share (34.7%), and sixth in end-zone targets (15) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. He could be part of a package deal with Rodgers this off-season after averaging 10.4 targets per game and 77.6 receiving YPG in 11 contests with his longtime QB last season. Adams hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down yet, but a small dropoff into the WR2 range should be expected at his next destination. His best seasons are likely in the past, as he’ll join his third team in less than a year at 33 years old.
Deebo Samuel (SF, 29)
Brolley’s Prediction: Washington Commanders
Samuel is coming off an extremely disappointing sixth season, failing to step up for Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan even with Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey combining for just 11 games played. He’s become expendable with Aiyuk locked into a long-term deal, and Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are more cost-effective options. Deebo turned in career lows in receptions per game (3.4), receiving YPG (44.7), and yards per touch (8.7). He posted 51/670/3 receiving (YPR) on 81 targets (17.2% share), adding 42/136/1 rushing to finish as the WR47 with 10.4 FPG. He played on 73% of the snaps, ran 397 routes (26.5 per game), and averaged 1.69 YPRR in 15 contests — he missed two games for calf and rib injuries.
Samuel ranked second in YAC/REC (8.35), second in YACO/REC (3.14), and fifth in designed target rate (25.3%) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. He should be motivated to have a bounce-back campaign after what is shaping up to be an extremely disappointing final season with the 49ers. He finished as the WR12 with 16.2 FP in 2023 after he flopped in 2022 as the WR27 with 13.1 FP. Samuel has low-end WR2 potential next season, but I want to read “Best Shape of His Life” articles this spring/summer before I buy in.
Cooper Kupp (LAR, 32)
Brolley’s Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders
The Rams informed Kupp that they’ve decided to move on from him this off-season. He’s scheduled to make $39.6 million over the final two years of his current contract. The Rams are searching for a potential trade partner, and they may have to pay for a portion of his remaining contract to facilitate a trade. Kupp has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons, missing five or more games in each of the last three seasons since he became the fourth player in the Super Bowl era to win the receiving triple crown in 2021. Multiple ankle and hamstring injuries have limited him to appearances in 33 of 51 games (64.7%) in the last three years.
Kupp posted 67/710/6 receiving (10.6 YPR) on 100 targets (24.6% share) to finish as the WR21 with 14.6 FPG. He played on 83% of the snaps, ran 332 routes (27.7 per game), and averaged 2.14 YPRR in 12 contests. He ran 64.8% of his routes from the slot and ranked sixth in TPRR (.29) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Matthew Stafford favored Puka Nacua over Kupp by the end of the season, finishing with 29 or fewer receiving yards and 3 or fewer receptions in five of his last seven games (postseason included). He finished with his fewest receiving YPG (59.2) since his rookie season in 2017 and a career worst 7.1 YPT. Kupp will be on the low-end WR2 radar if he’s the #1 option in his next location, and he’ll be more of a low-end WR3 if he’s the second option. He’s a risky bet based on his age and injury history, but his ADP is set to plummet from his third-round ADP last season.
Christian Kirk (Jax, 29)
Brolley’s Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers
Kirk reportedly had suitors before last season’s trade deadline, but the Jaguars failed to move him before he broke his collarbone nine days before the deadline. Jacksonville’s new regime could release him with a post-June 1 designation to save $16.2 million, especially since Brian Thomas emerged as one of the NFL’s most promising receivers after Kirk’s season-ending injury in Week 8. Kirk posted 27/379/1 receiving (14.0 YPR) on 47 targets (18.7% share) to finish as the WR58 with 8.9 FPG. He played on 70% of the snaps, ran 206 routes (25.8 per game), and averaged 1.84 YPRR in eight contests. Kirk averaged 4.9 receptions per game and 65.3 receiving YPG in his first two seasons in Jacksonville before dipping to 3.4 receptions per game and 47.4 receiving YPG before his injury. He primarily operated from the inside once with an 81.1% slot rate, and he never dipped below a 72% slot rate in any of his three seasons with the Jaguars. Kirk has WR3 potential in PPR formats if he lands in the right situation, and he’ll be more of a WR4 if he faces tougher target competition.
Tyler Lockett (Sea, 33)
Brolley’s Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
The Seahawks are set to owe Lockett $30.9 million for 2025, and they could save $17 million if they release him this off-season. The longtime Seahawk saw his production fall off a cliff in his first season under HC Mike Macdonald as he slipped to the #3 option behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and D.K. Metcalf. Lockett’s fantasy production fell for the fifth straight season to a career-low 7.1 FPG, and he failed to reach 894+ receiving yards for the first time since 2017. Lockett posted 49/600/2 receiving (12.2 YPR) on 74 targets (11.5% share). He played on 70% of the snaps, ran 500 routes (29.4 per game), and averaged 1.20 YPRR in 17 contests. He finished 82nd in TPRR (.14) and last in YACO/REC (.31) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Lockett is likely to be off the fantasy radar next season as he searches for work as, at best, a #3 WR.
Unrestricted Free Agents
An unrestricted free agent is a player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract who is free to negotiate and sign with any team. The age for each player is the age he’ll turn in the 2024 calendar year.
Fantasy Starter
Tee Higgins (Cin, 26)
The Cincinnati Bengals are prepared to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins for the second straight year. Higgins would earn $26.2 million on the tag, and they’d have until July 15 to work out an extension.
Higgins is searching for a long-term deal to stay in Cincinnati for the second straight off-season, and the Bengals are ready to place the franchise tag on him again. Ja’Marr Chase is also looking to become the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Cincinnati’s front office has major work to keep Joe Burrow’s top WRs happy. Higgins has struggled to stay on the field the last two seasons, but he’s been an elite player when available. He wins at all levels of the field and is a dominant perimeter option at 6’4”, 219 pounds. He missed five games for the second straight season because of quad and hamstring injuries, but he still finished with a career-high 10 TDs.
Higgins posted 73/911/10 receiving (12.5 YPR) on 109 targets (23.1% share) to finish as the WR6 with 18.6 FPG. He played on 79% of the snaps, ran 430 routes (35.8 per game), and averaged 2.12 YPRR in 12 contests. He ran 79.1% of his routes out wide and ranked tied for sixth in end-zone targets (15) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Higgins has seen between 108 and 110 targets with 908+ receiving yards and 6+ TDs in four of his first five seasons. The Bengals are prepared to use the franchise tag for the second straight year to give themselves until July 15 to work out an extension. Higgins should be drafted as low-end WR1 if he remains with Burrow and the Bengals.
Chris Godwin (TB, 29)
Brolley’s Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Godwin has had unfortunate timing in his last two trips to free agency. He tore his ACL in mid-December 2021, but Godwin and the Buccaneers agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with $40 million guaranteed three months later. He’ll hit free agency again this off-season, and he’ll do it after suffering a gruesome left ankle dislocation that ended his season in Week 7. Godwin needed surgery to repair the injury, and his season ended with him leading the NFL in receptions (50) and receiving yards (576) through seven weeks. Godwin finished 50/576/5 receiving (11.5 YPR) on 62 targets (26.1% share) to finish as the WR2 with 19.7 FPG. He played on 87% of the snaps, ran 220 routes (31.4 per game), and averaged 2.62 YPRR in seven contests.
Liam Coen wisely moved Godwin back inside with a 64.1% slot after Dave Canales forced him to run more routes from the perimeter than the slot for the first time in his career in 2023. Godwin ranked 84th in aDOT (5.5 yards) but first in catch rate (82%), third in YACO/REC (3.06), and fourth in YPTOE (2.6) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Godwin is a savvy, tough route runner who does the dirty work in the middle of the field for Baker Mayfield, and he’s formed one of the NFL’s best WR tandems with Mike Evans. The Buccaneers and Godwin agreed to push back his contract's void date until the day before the start of the new league year, which gives both parties more time to work out a new contract before Godwin hits free agency. Godwin can’t be expected to keep up his blistering pace from last season coming off his nasty ankle injury, but he has WR2 upside with the Buccaneers promoting passing-game coordinator Josh Grizzard to replace Coen.
Stefon Diggs (Hou, 32)
Brolley’s Prediction: Houston Texans
The Texans stunned the league when they acquired Diggs from the Bills last April. They restructured the final three years on his contract into a one-year, $22.5 million deal, which set up his first trip to free agency this off-season. He’ll do it under unfortunate circumstances after tearing his ACL eight games into his first season with C.J. Stroud. He moved into a different role as the #2 receiver behind Nico Collins and as the team's primary inside receiver with a 52.8% slot rate.
Diggs posted 47/496/31 receiving (10.6 YPR) on 64 targets (22.1% share) to finish as the WR17 with 15.2 FPG. He played on 78% of the snaps, ran 252 routes (31.5 per game), and averaged 1.97 YPRR in eight contests. He ranked 22nd in A.S.S. (.113) among 113 WRs with 200+ routes. Diggs has won as a route runner with lateral agility throughout his career, so we’ll see how he fares as a 32-year-old receiver returning from an ACL injury. The Texans would love to keep Diggs around after investing a second-round pick in him last season, but they allowed him to hit free agency early by restructuring his contract. He’ll be on the WR3 radar in PPR formats next season, but drafting a 32-year-old receiver coming back from an ACL injury has fantasy disappointment written all over it.
Amari Cooper (Buf, 31)
Brolley’s Prediction: New England Patriots
Cooper enters free agency off of his worst campaign since entering the league a decade ago in 2015. He got off to a disappointing season with Deshaun Watson taking the entire Browns offense. He then failed to make an impact with Josh Allen after the Bills traded for him before Week 7. Cooper posted 4/66/1 receiving in his first game with Buffalo, and he wouldn’t top the 16.6 FP he scored against the Titans in his final 10 games (postseason included). He found himself stuck in a rotation with Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, and Curtis Samuel as he battled through a wrist injury in the second half of the season.
Cooper posted 44/547/4 receiving (12.4 YPR) on 85 targets (18.8% share) to finish as the WR59 with 8.8 FPG. He ran 352 routes (25.1 per game) and averaged 1.55 YPRR in 15 contests. He ran 81.3% of his route out wide and ranked 81st in catch rate (51.8%) and 79th in catchable target rate (67.1%) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Cooper ran into some bad luck playing with Watson and getting stuck in a rotation with the Bills, but he just went for a career-high 1250 receiving yards playing with a hodgepodge of Browns QBs in 2023. Cooper should see his ADP significantly fall this off-season, and he could go down as a fantasy value if he’s able to land a #1 or #2 WR role after a frustrating campaign.
Keenan Allen (Chi, 33)
Brolley’s Prediction: Chicago Bears
The Chargers traded Allen for some much-needed cap relief last off-season, which ended his 11-year run with the franchise that dated back to when the Chargers still played in San Diego. The Bears landed a one-year rental for one of the NFL’s best route-runners, but he proved to be a poor fit with Caleb Williams, who struggled to play in rhythm. He ended with his fewest yards in a season (744) since he played one game in 2016, and he finished with career lows in receiving YPG (49.6), YPT (6.1), receptions per game (4.7), and catch rate (57.9%).
Allen posted 70/744/7 receiving (10.6 YPR) on 121 targets (23.5% share) to finish as the WR34 with 12.4 FPG. He played on 87% of the snaps, ran 489 routes (32.6 per game), and averaged 1.52 YPRR in 15 contests — he missed two games for a heel injury. He ran 52.6% of his routes from the slot and ranked 80th in drop rate (9.8%) with 11 drops among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Allen owned 6 drops on 239 targets (2.5%) in 23 games in 2022-23. Allen was the model of consistency when he was available from 2017 to 2023, and it’s fair to wonder if he had a down performance in 2024 because of Chicago’s dysfunctional offense, his age, or a combination of both. Allen could still be useful in PPR formats if he lands in a pass-heavy offense, but he’ll be a WR3 in PPR formats if everything breaks right.
Hollywood Brown (KC, 28)
Brolley’s Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid had big plans for Hollywood before he dislocated his sternoclavicular shoulder joint on Kansas City’s first play of the preseason, which required surgery and landed him on the injured reserve for more than three months. The Chiefs initially feared he wouldn’t even play a down after signing him to a one-year deal last off-season, but he returned to limited action in Week 16 before becoming the #2 WR behind Xavier Worthy in three postseason games. Brown posted 9/91 receiving on 15 targets in two regular season games, adding 5/50 receiving on 13 targets in three postseason contests.
Baltimore’s 2019 first-round pick has topped 769 receiving yards once in his first six seasons despite reaching 100+ targets four times, and he owns one finish as a top-24 WR in 2021. He’s played in just 28 of 51 games (54.9%) over the last three seasons because of shoulder, foot, and heel injuries. Brown’s career has been trending in the wrong direction since he left Baltimore, and he should be viewed as a volatile WR4 heading into free agency.
Fantasy Relevant
DeAndre Hopkins (KC, 33)
Brolley’s Prediction: Houston Texans
Hopkins is coming off by far his least productive campaign in 10 seasons when he’s played at least 15+ games. He started his season by tearing his MCL in early August during Titans training camp, but he played through the injury before resting in a meaningless Week 18 contest. The Chiefs needed WR help with Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) out of the lineup, and they traded a fifth-round pick to acquire Hopkins before Week 8. He scored 4 times in his first seven games with Patrick Mahomes before receding to the background once Hollywood made his Chiefs debut in Week 16.
Overall, Hopkins posted 56/610/5 receiving (10.9 YPR) on 80 targets (13.8% share) to finish as the WR55 with 9.2 FPG. He ran 334 routes (20.9 per game) and averaged 1.83 YPRR in 16 contests. Hopkins mustered just 3/29/1 receiving on 8 targets in the postseason, even with a meaningless touchdown in the final moments of Kansas City’s Super Bowl loss. He ranked 84th in YAC/REC (1.98) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Hopkins’ best days are well behind him as he’s failed to clear 717 receiving yards in three of his last four seasons, but he could post better numbers if his knee health improves. He’s still unlikely to be worth a fantasy investment at his ADP, even if he lands in an advantageous situation.
Darius Slayton (NYG, 28)
Brolley’s Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers
Slayton has quietly been one of the league’s better downfield threats since he broke into the league as a fifth-round pick for the Giants. He’s been consistently held back by New York’s near league-worst quarterback and offensive line play during that time. He’s still hit 724+ yards four times in six seasons, and he owns a career 15.0 YPR despite New York’s offensive limitations. In 2024, Slayton posted 39/573/2 receiving (14.7 YPR) on 71 targets (12.6% share) to average 6.9 FPG. He played on 83% of the snaps and averaged 1.23 YPRR in 16 contests. He ran 465 routes (29.1 per game) with 79.1% of them coming out wide.
Slayton erupted for 14/179/1 receiving on 22 targets for 37.9 FP when Malik Nabers missed two games in Weeks 5-6, including a WR7 finish (26.2 FP) against the Seahawks. He should be a coveted locker room piece after being selected as the Giants nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Slayton has the best season of his career if he lands in a better offense in his first season away from the Giants. He could go down as an undervalued player, much like Darnell Mooney was last off-season, but he’ll still be a volatile fantasy option as a late-round pick.
Josh Palmer (LAC, 26)
Brolley’s Prediction: Cleveland Browns
Palmer had a chance to be Los Angeles’ #1 WR heading into last season, but he quickly reverted to being a solid #3 WR. He served as the third option behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams before working behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston this past season. He heads to free agency with 581+ receiving yards in three straight seasons, averaging 47.2 receiving YPG and 13.0 YPR playing with Justin Herbert in that span. Palmer posted 39/584/1 receiving (15.0 YPR) on 65 targets (13.4% share) to average 7.2 FPG.
He played on 65% of the snaps, ran 369 routes (24.6 per game), and averaged 1.58 YPRR in 15 contests. He missed two games for elbow and foot injuries, and he sat out Los Angeles’ Wild Card Round defeat. Palmer ranked fifth in aDOT (15.6 yards) and 79th in YAC/REC (2.41) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. He ran 688.3% of his routes out wide and ranked 17th in A.S.S. (.132) among 113 WRs with 200+ routes. Palmer will look to latch on as a #3 WR or as a #2 for a more WR-needy team, and he could be a fantasy bench piece in the right situation.
Diontae Johnson (Bal, 29)
Brolley’s Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
Johnson is coming off one of the most bizarre, drama-filled seasons where he burned so many bridges that his NFL career is at least a little bit up in the air. He spent time on four rosters in 2024 between the Steelers, Panthers, Ravens, and Texans, and each of those teams either traded or released him from their rosters. The cherry on top of the sh*t sundae was his release from the Texans after he complained about his role in Houston’s Wild Card Round victory. The Ravens claimed him in January after releasing him earlier in the season because he would factor into their compensatory pick formula if he signs somewhere this off-season.
Overall, Johnson posted 33/375/3 receiving (11.4 YPR) on 67 targets (18% share) to average 7.4 FPG in 12 appearances. He ran 240 routes (20.0 per game) and averaged 1.56 YPRR while running 78.3% of his routes out wide. He ranked 84th in catch rate (50.8%) and 81st in YPT (5.77) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. A lesser player would have no chance of playing again in the NFL, but Johnson will be one of the best route runners available in free agency. He showed just how dominant he can be when he finished as a top-10 WR in back-to-back games when he posted 15/205/2 receiving for 47.5 FP in Weeks 3-4. Diontae is an interesting player for a team to buy low on after his disastrous 2024. He won’t be offered much in guaranteed money, and he’ll have to prove he can avoid being a distraction wherever he lands.
Mike Williams (Pit, 31)
Brolley’s Prediction: Baltimore Ravens
Williams had a season to forget in his first season away from the Chargers organization since breaking into the league as the seventh overall pick in 2017. He caught passes from two future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson and played in an NFL record 18 regular season games between the Jets and Steelers. Even under those circumstances, he mustered similar production to what he posted in three games in 2023 before tearing his ACL. Williams posted 21/298/1 receiving (14.2 YPR) on 34 targets (5.6% share) to average 3.2 FPG. He ran 307 routes (17.1 per game) and averaged .97 YPRR. He ran 77.9% of his routes out wide and ranked second to last in A.S.S. (-.030) among 113 WRs with 200+ routes. Williams rarely showed his downfield contested-catch ability and his red-zone chops last season, and he’s unlikely to return to his pre-injury form as he enters his age-31 season. He could have a small bounce-back campaign as a volatile low-end fantasy option with more stability and an extra year removed from his 2023 knee injury.
Noah Brown (Was, 29)
Brolley’s Prediction: New York Giants
Brown was the odd man out for the Texans at the end of training camp, with the organization deciding to roll with younger options at the position, a move they’d come to regret later in the season. He quickly latched on with the Commanders and emerged as the #2 WR behind Terry McLaurin. Brown snuck onto the fantasy radar as a low-end option before suffering a kidney injury in Week 13, which ended his season. Brown posted 35/453/1 receiving (12.9 YPR) on 56 targets (15% share) to average 7.2 FPG. He played on 63% of the snaps, ran 246 routes (20.5 per game), and averaged 1.84 YPRR in 12 contests. He ran 81.3% of his routes out wide and ranked 11th in A.S.S. (.147) among 113 WRs with 200+ routes. Brown and Tutu Atwell were the only WRs not to see an end-zone target among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Brown has quietly been a fringe fantasy option in each of his last three stops with the Commanders, Texans, and Cowboys over the last three years. He’s missed 13 games in the last two seasons, but he could have some low-end fantasy appeal if he can stay available.
Elijah Moore (Cle, 25)
Brolley’s Prediction: Tennessee Titans
Moore’s career failed to take off in the last two seasons, even with a change of scenery from New York to Cleveland. He’s dealt with miserable quarterback play throughout his career, including for seven games with Deshaun Watson at the start of last season. Moore had a few fantasy moments when Jameis Winston entered the lineup, which corresponded with Amari Cooper being traded to Buffalo, but he still topped 11+ FP just three times overall. Moore posted 61/538/1 receiving (8.8 YPR) on 102 targets (14.8% share) to average 7.1 FPG. He played on 76% of the snaps and ran 564 routes (33.2 per game) with a 56% slot rate in 17 contests. He ranked 83rd in YPRR (.95), 83rd in YPT (5.49), and 81st in YAC/REC (2.21) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Moore has failed to make much of a fantasy impact in the last two seasons despite seeing 100+ targets, and it’s difficult to see him getting a better opportunity for targets this off-season. He’ll at least have an excellent chance of seeing higher-quality targets at his next stop after dealing with the likes of Zach Wilson and Watson to start his career.
Dyami Brown (Was, 26)
Brolley’s Prediction: Washington Commanders
No player helped his free agency market more than Brown did with his performance in three postseason games. He finished behind only Xavier Worthy in playoff receiving yards with 229, which was more yards than Brown posted in each of his first three seasons. He started to gain momentum when Noah Brown suffered a season-ending kidney injury in Week 13. Dyami notched 3+ receptions in seven straight games to end the season (postseason included) after failing to reach 3+ receptions in each of his first 12 contests. Brown posted 30/308/1 receiving (10.3 YPR) on 40 targets (8% share) to average 4.3 FPG. He played on 44% of the snaps, ran 234 routes (14.6 per game), and averaged 1.32 YPRR in 16 contests. Brown’s entire body of work from his rookie contract is underwhelming for the 2021 third-round pick, but he showed enough promise late last season to be hopeful for a 2025 breakout season. He was likely headed toward a frigid market this off-season before he opened a few more doors with his postseason performance. He’ll be an intriguing late-round best ball/redraft selection based on his late-season performance.
Tutu Atwell (LAR, 26)
Atwell didn’t live up to being the 57th overall pick in 2021, but he did incrementally improve during his four seasons with the Rams. His receptions and receiving yards climbed over the last four years despite his route share falling from 64% in 2023 to 41% last season. Atwell posted 42/562/0 receiving (13.4 YPR) on 62 targets (10.9% share) to average 5.8 FPG. He played on 39% of the snaps, ran 246 routes (14.5 per game), and averaged 2.28 YPRR in 17 contests. He ranked 83rd in YACO/REC (.45), and he was one of three WRs who failed to score a touchdown among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Atwell averaged a strong .25 TPRR, which was helped by Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp missing significant time. Atwell checks in at just 5’9”, 165 pounds, but his elite speed will land him work as at least a deep threat at his next stop. It wouldn’t be surprising if he puts together his best season in 2025 with a more consistent role after being the #4 WR for the Rams.
Demarcus Robinson (LAR, 31)
Robinson jumped into fantasy relevance once he started to see the field for the Rams in the second half of the 2023 season. His performance landed him a one-year deal to remain in Los Angeles last off-season, and he paid it off with career-best in receiving yards (505) and receiving TDs (7) in his age-30 season. Overall, Robinson posted 31/305/7 receiving (16.3 YPR) on 64 targets (10.7% share) to average 7.3 FPG. He played on 82% of the snaps and ran 471 routes (27.7 per game) in 17 contests. He finished 79th in YPRR (1.07), 77th in YAC/REC (2.45), and third in aDOT (16.3 yards) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Robinson’s best chance to maintain a starting role and to have an outside chance at fantasy relevance is to stick with the Rams. He’ll need Stafford to stick around to maintain his limited fantasy value, and he could get a boost if Kupp is out of the picture.
Brandin Cooks (Dal, 32)
Cooks’ production tailed off for a fifth straight year, and he’s coming off by far a career-worst campaign at 31 years old. It didn’t help that he played just four games with Dak Prescott. Cook landed on the injured reserve before Week 5 and missed seven games for a knee injury before returning to play with Cooper Rush the rest of the way. Cooks posted receiving (10.0 YPR) on targets (14.7% share) to average 7.0 FPG. He played on 70% of the snaps and ran 265 routes (26.5 per game) in 10 contests. He ranked 83rd in catch rate (51%), 81st in YPRR (.98), and last in YPTOE (-3.6) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets. Cooks owns six 1000-yard receiving seasons in 11 years, but he hasn’t topped 700 receiving yards in three consecutive campaigns. Cooks will be forced to latch on as a #3 WR, at best, after his production continued to tail off another year into his 30s.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Ten, 28)
Westbrook-Ikhine had one of the more improbable touchdown runs in recent history during the middle of last season. NWI scored TDs in seven of eight games in Weeks 6-13 with 8 total TDs in that span. He went on his touchdown spree despite seeing just 38 targets (21.1% TD rate) in that stretch, and he did it in an offense that ranked 27th in PPG (18.2). NWI finished with 9 touchdowns on 60 targets (15%), including the longest touchdown reception of the season at 98 yards. Westbrook-Ikhine posted 32/497/9 receiving (15.5 YPR) on 60 targets (10.6% share) to average 8.0 FPG. He played on 71% of the snaps, ran 398 routes (23.4 per game), and averaged 1.25 YPRR in 17 contests.
Westbrook-Ikhine ranked 81st in TPRR (.14) among 85 WRs who saw 50+ targets, and he ranked 101st in A.S.S. (.010) among 113 WRs with 200+ routes. NWI has logged 70% snap shares or better in three straight seasons, and he’s been a special teams contributor throughout his career to improve his market. He’ll look to latch on as a #4 WR, but he’s unlikely to be fantasy-relevant without a little injury help.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (NO, 31)
Valdes-Scantling managed just 2/26 receiving on 9 targets and 58 routes in six games for the Bills before Buffalo released him to make room for Amari Cooper. MVS quickly found work with a Saints team struggling to keep healthy WRs on the field, including Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (concussion). He exploded for 5/195/3 receiving for 42.6 FP in Weeks 10-11 and totaled 51+ yards and/or scored a TD in five straight games in Weeks 10-15. Overall, MVS posted 19/411/4 receiving (21.6 YPR) on 44 targets (9.9% share) to average 6.0 FPG. He ran 271 routes (19.4 per game) and averaged 1.52 YPRR in 14 contests. MVS showed he still has plenty of speed to burn once he received the chance to play in New Orleans, but he’s likely to go back to being fantasy irrelevant as a situational deep threat.
