PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out. Here, Theo Gremminger analyzes and ranks the best free agents in the NFL in 2025 for fantasy football.
Best Free Agents in the NFL in 2025: Fantasy Football Rankings & Analysis
Less than a month remains until the start of NFL free agency on March 12. Every year, certain players thrive in new situations and significantly impact fantasy football. While the 2025 class isn’t as strong as 2024’s, meaning we won’t see a Saquon Barkley– or Derrick Henry-level signing, several players will be in high demand when they hit the open market.
There is also a chance that some of these players receive the franchise tag from their current teams. The franchise tag period begins on February 18.
Here’s how the 2025 free-agent class stacks up for fantasy football.
1 – Tee Higgins | WR | Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins is the crown jewel of the 2025 free-agent class, and for good reason. At just 26 years old, he has consistently displayed the skills to serve as a team’s offensive focal point and true WR1. Higgins is also coming off his best statistical season to date. Despite missing five games, he still managed to haul in 10 receiving touchdowns—a career-high. He also averaged 18.5 fantasy PPG, another personal best. There will be a long list of suitors for Higgins, and while the Bengals will make every effort to re-sign him, his market will be highly competitive. Expect his salary to be in the $32 to $35 million a year range.
2 – Sam Darnold | QB | Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold was initially expected to be a bridge quarterback until JJ McCarthy was ready to take over as the team’s starter. However, a preseason injury derailed McCarthy’s season, forcing Darnold into action—and he delivered his best season as a pro. He finished with 35 touchdown passes and ranked fifth in the NFL with 4,319 passing yards. Unfortunately, two crushing losses—to the Lions in the regular season finale and the Rams in the Wild Card round—hurt his chances of returning as the Vikings’ 2025 starter, though it’s still a possibility. Most likely, Darnold will lead a new team next season. At just 27 years old, he has completely revitalized his career and enters free agency at the perfect time, headlining a shallow pool of available quarterbacks.
3 – Chris Godwin | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin was off to a phenomenal start in 2025, averaging 19.7 fantasy PPG, before suffering a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery. Upon his return, he thrived in Liam Coen’s offense, operating primarily out of the slot and commanding a 26.6% target share.
At 28 years old, Godwin does have an injury history, but when he’s on the field, he has consistently produced. Fantasy-wise, he remains a high-end WR2 who can contribute immediately to multiple teams. After Higgins, he is the top wide receiver in the 2025 free-agent class.
4 – Aaron Jones | RB | Minnesota Vikings
It feels unusual to rank a 30-year-old running back this highly, but Aaron Jones has one of the cleanest profiles in this free-agent class in terms of both on-field production and scheme versatility. After a long and successful career in Green Bay, he was cut and quickly signed by Minnesota, where he delivered another highly productive season. Jones set career highs with 268 rushing attempts and 1,186 rushing yards while also recording 54 receptions—the second-highest total of his career.
5 – Stefon Diggs | WR | Buffalo Bills
Stefon Diggs is set to join his fourth, and possibly final, NFL team. Houston traded for him last offseason after a fantastic run in Buffalo, where he never finished lower than WR13 in PPR points per game and never averaged fewer than 16 PPG. The 2024 season started strong for Diggs, as he maintained a 15.2 PPG average despite operating with a lower-than-usual average depth of target (ADOT). However, a torn ACL ended his season, which will likely scare off some suitors. Still, Diggs has the on-field production and route-running ability to contribute to multiple teams once healthy.
6 – Najee Harris | RB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris possesses traits that teams will covet—he plays through injuries and produces on volume. He has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in four straight seasons and has never missed a game. While his best production came during his rookie year, he remains a valuable piece in a committee backfield. Harris has never logged fewer than 255 carries in a season and has proven capable of handling a heavy workload when needed.
7 – Justin Fields | QB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields will benefit from a weak free-agent quarterback class and should be a viable short-term solution for multiple teams. Whether serving as a bridge quarterback for a rookie, competing for a starting job, or filling a “best available option” role, Fields has several paths this offseason. He played well early in the season for Pittsburgh, leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start.
At only 26 years old, his NFL story is far from over. The 2025 offseason will be a pivotal one for Fields, and there’s a chance Pittsburgh retains him.
8 – J.K. Dobbins | RB | Los Angeles Chargers
J.K. Dobbins took a “prove-it” deal with the Chargers, and it paid off in a big way. After years of injury-plagued seasons, he delivered his best year as a pro, finishing with career highs in rushing yards (931) and receptions (32). While he no longer has the same explosiveness he showed as a rookie, he still managed 10 runs of 15 yards or more. The Chargers could bring him back, but if he tests the open market, he has at least earned a role in a backfield committee.
9 – Keenan Allen | WR | Chicago Bears
Even at 32 years old, Keenan Allen continues to do what he has done throughout his career—draw targets at a high rate. After Shane Waldron was fired, Allen saw a late-season surge, posting four games with 23 or more PPR points. He finished the season with 70 receptions and seven touchdowns. His days as a WR1, and likely a WR2, are over, but he still has value for teams in need of a reliable veteran slot receiver. He could also opt to chase a Super Bowl ring with a contender.
10 – Russell Wilson | QB | Pittsburgh Steelers
The 36-year-old Russell Wilson will draw interest as a bridge quarterback for several teams. Unlike last season, when Pittsburgh was able to sign him for the veteran minimum, Wilson will likely command a two- or three-year deal with the opportunity to compete for a starting job. A reunion with his longtime Seattle head coach, Pete Carroll, in Las Vegas could be in play—especially if the Raiders decide to pass on a quarterback in the NFL Draft.
11 – Juwan Johnson | TE | New Orleans Saints
Juwan Johnson is a sleeper in this free-agent class. At 28 years old, he is relatively young and has shown enough as a pass catcher for a team to view him as a legitimate starting tight end.
This past season, he set career highs with 50 receptions and 548 receiving yards, further proving his ability to contribute in the passing game.
12 – Amari Cooper | WR | Buffalo Bills
Amari Cooper had minimal impact during his time in Buffalo after being traded midseason from Cleveland. However, his strong production from the 2022 and 2023 seasons—where he totaled 150 receptions—remains fresh in the minds of many teams. Despite his lack of recent output, Cooper will generate interest on the open market.
13 – Jaylen Warren | RB | Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren could re-sign with Pittsburgh and take on an expanded role in the offense if Najee Harris signs elsewhere. Over his first three seasons, he has compiled 127 receptions and more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage, proving to be a versatile and efficient back.
14 – Jordan Mason | RB | San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Mason stepped in admirably for Christian McCaffrey at the start of the season, finishing with a career-high 789 rushing yards and three RB1 weekly finishes. The 49ers are likely to extend him, but if he hits free agency, he would be highly sought after as a backup with upside.
15 – Zach Ertz | TE | Washington Commanders
Zach Ertz is highly likely to return to Washington after a productive season in which he finished as the TE6 overall. He caught 66 passes—tied for fifth among all tight ends—and was a key contributor during Washington’s run to the NFC title game, recording 18 receptions in the playoffs. At 34 years old, this is probably the last contract Ertz will sign. Being attached to Jayden Daniels is not a bad way for Ertz to finish out his career.
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