If the 2024 season was the 12 months of the Celebrity Working Again, then the tip to the 2025 NFL marketing campaign would possibly flip this into the 12 months of the Celebrity Extensive Receiver.
The 2 most efficient wideouts in soccer, the Rams’ Puka Nacua and the Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba, are competing for a visit to the Tremendous Bowl this weekend within the NFC Championship Sport. Each of these groups made vital receiver additions in free company this previous offseason, because the Rams signed Davante Adams and the Seahawks went for former Rams wideout Cooper Kupp. The Patriots kicked quarterback Drake Maye into MVP gear with a sequence of additives over the previous few offseasons, together with Stefon Diggs, who signed a large deal to affix them within the spring. The Broncos are the exception right here, however you get the thought: It positive has been useful to have an impactful wideout or two within the lineup each week, deep into the postseason.
With that in thoughts, this upcoming offseason’s extensive receiver market is shaping as much as be fascinating. This might be probably the most lively marketplace for veterans since 2022, when Adams, Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown have been traded for draft picks in a matter of weeks. A few of these strikes produced Tremendous Bowls, though in Hill’s case, it was for his outdated crew, not his new one.
Subscribe: ‘The Invoice Barnwell Present’
Brown is certainly one of various wideouts who might be traded this offseason after a irritating 2025 marketing campaign. We may see a sturdy cap casualty market, too, with big-name stars leaving for brand new groups. And there are a number of free brokers coming off rookie offers who would possibly land unexpectedly large contracts on the open market.
At the moment, I am going to run by nearly each notable veteran receiver who is perhaps altering groups this offseason. I am going to begin, although, with the one wideout who must be staying put after being traded final summer time. (Receivers are listed alphabetically inside every part.)
Leap to:
The franchise WR | Free brokers
Lower candidates | Commerce candidates
The franchise wideout
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
For all of the deserved criticism Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones obtained for buying and selling Micah Parsons after which utilizing most of that draft capital to land a lesser defensive participant in Quinnen Williams, there is no arguing that sending third- and fifth-round picks to the Steelers for Pickens and a sixth-round choose was an enormous victory for Dallas. Pickens was an ideal match for the Cowboys, who wanted an out of doors receiver with measurement and vertical means to enrich CeeDee Lamb’s work on the within.
Pickens delivered with a profession yr. I had him because the third-best wideout in soccer and a first-team All-Professional after he racked up 93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns. Pickens needed to accept a second-team All-Professional nod from the voters, however both manner, we’re nonetheless speaking about him as one of many six greatest receivers within the NFL in 2025. That is a massively gifted and worthwhile participant when you think about Pickens made $3.7 million in 2026.
If the Cowboys determine to let Pickens check the open market and transfer on after one season, it will be gorgeous if he landed something in need of $30 million per yr with a multiyear assure. There will likely be groups cautious of paying anybody Mike Tomlin and the Steelers wished to let go, however there is no denying Pickens’ expertise and skill to influence video games. He would not even flip 25 till March, making him one of many youthful free brokers this offseason.
The issue for Pickens is that the tippy-top of the extensive receiver market has risen sooner than the franchise tag for these gamers. The franchise tag for wideouts in 2026 initiatives to come back in at $28.6 million, making it straightforward for the Cowboys to justify utilizing it. Even when Dallas decides it would not wish to signal Pickens to a long-term deal, it may tag and commerce him.
The most probably situation ought to see Pickens return to the Cowboys in 2026 on the franchise tag. If he can show that 2025 wasn’t an outlier season, the Cowboys will likely be extra inclined to signal him to a long-term deal. If not, effectively, Pickens would hit the open market subsequent season. For now, although, the tag looks like probably the most believable path for one of many league’s breakout stars.
Unrestricted free brokers
Romeo Doubs, Inexperienced Bay Packers
An often tumultuous run for Doubs in Inexperienced Bay possible got here to an finish within the Packers’ wild-card loss to the Bears. The underrated Doubs was suitably impactful in his last recreation, catching eight passes for 124 yards and a landing. That goes effectively with a 151-yard efficiency in his playoff debut, a win over the Cowboys within the 2023 wild-card spherical, and an 83-yard follow-up the following week towards the 49ers.
Given how usually the Packers run the ball and the way prepared they’re to rotate a deep, flat receiving corps, Doubs has additionally gone lacking at occasions. He actually did so for a number of practices in 2024, main the Packers to droop their 2022 fourth-round choose for a recreation. Doubs returned and performed out the remainder of his Packers tenure with out incident, however GM Brian Gutekunst used two of his prime three picks within the 2025 draft on extensive receivers and prolonged Christian Watson, who would have additionally been a free agent.
Doubs is due to this fact extraordinarily more likely to really make it to free company, which is not at all times the case for younger wideouts. And there was regular development in his underlying metrics. Doubs’ yards per route run has improved throughout his time in Inexperienced Bay, from 1.4 throughout his rookie and second seasons to 1.8 in 12 months 3 and 1.9 in 12 months 4. Drops could be a problem, however the 6-foot-2 wideout produced a top-30 catch rating this season, per ESPN’s receiver scores.
I will be fascinated to see the place Doubs’ deal is available in. There’s an opportunity groups see him as solely a midtier No. 2 receiver, leaving him one thing within the vary of $15 million per yr. I think there will likely be a minimum of one crew that sees him as a participant with untapped potential who may blossom in a extra pass-happy scheme and with a steadier, extra dependable utilization sample. That crew is perhaps prepared to go north of $20 million per season.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Evans’ streak of 1,000-yard seasons damaged by a sequence of accidents in 2025, the possible future Corridor of Famer may hit free company below unsure circumstances. Two years in the past, Evans was a free agent as a youthful participant with no vital harm in his previous. He landed a two-year, $41 million pact to stick with Tampa Bay, and whereas he appeared productive when he was on the sphere, Evans missed 12 of 34 potential video games (and most of two others) due to varied illnesses.
On the sphere, Evans remains to be producing at a excessive stage. His 2.3 yards per route run ranked 14th amongst all wideouts over the previous two seasons. ESPN’s receiver rating, although, instructed a significant drop-off between 2024 and 2025 on a route-by-route foundation, as Evans fell from second in general rating amongst wideouts to tied for 94th. One-year falloffs can occur with receiver rating — Stefon Diggs went from fourth in 2022 to 53rd in 2023 earlier than leaping again to 3rd in 2024 and tying for first in 2025 — so I might be prepared to consider that Evans may soar again towards the highest of the charts in 2026.
The participant Evans’ camp will attempt to hyperlink the star wideout to is Davante Adams, who hit free company after a irritating age-32 season and landed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Rams, together with $26 million assured at signing. Adams completed with 789 receiving yards in 14 video games, however he fashioned a reference to Matthew Stafford and scored 14 touchdowns in his first yr with Los Angeles.
Would the Bucs comply with that type of deal? It may not make sense, provided that they dedicated a three-year, $66 million deal to Chris Godwin Jr. final offseason and used their first-round choose on Emeka Egbuka, who was wonderful within the first half earlier than fading because the season went alongside. Tampa Bay must signal Jamel Dean, Cade Otton, Haason Reddick and Lavonte David (or their replacements) this offseason, and spending greater than $20 million per yr on a pair of extensive receivers may not be the very best use of its sources.
Evans is a franchise legend, although, and the foundations could be totally different when these kinds of gamers are concerned. It will shocking if he performed someplace else in 2026.
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
The 2-year, $11.9 million deal Jennings signed earlier than the 2024 season proved to be a discount, as accidents opened up a task within the beginning lineup for the previous standout highschool quarterback. Jennings delivered, racking up 132 catches for 1,618 yards and 15 touchdowns over the previous two seasons. He additionally excelled on third down and within the purple zone over that span, which provides some additional contextual worth to his manufacturing. Throwing two landing passes on two tries within the postseason hasn’t damage, both.
Jennings got here into the league as a man who might need profiled as an influence slot choice, however Kyle Shanahan has used him primarily as an out of doors goal. Jennings took about 63% of his snaps there over the previous two seasons. He has been a bit extra environment friendly understanding of the slot, and I would wish to see whether or not the 2020 seventh-round choose may hit a brand new stage if he joins a crew that may afford him extra snaps there.
In fact, that assumes he leaves the 49ers, which appears up within the air. Jennings unsuccessfully tried to carry in for a brand new deal final summer time and wasn’t as productive whereas taking part in by shoulder and ankle accidents earlier this season, however he has been a worthwhile participant for the 49ers within the second half and into the postseason. We’ll get to Brandon Aiyuk’s unsure future, however Ricky Pearsall additionally hasn’t but established himself due to accidents, and George Kittle’s standing for the beginning of the 2026 season is unclear after he tore an Achilles within the win over the Eagles within the wild-card spherical.
At 29, that is most likely Jennings’ solely real looking probability of touchdown a multiyear assure. He is perhaps value extra to the 49ers than anyone else, but when they need him again, they will want to supply a major increase to maintain their homegrown wideout round.
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
The Jaguars have been planning to chop Kirk final offseason, however on the final minute, the Texans surprisingly traded a seventh-round choose to accumulate him from their divisional rivals, guaranteeing that they would not must win Kirk’s affections in free company. It was a fortuitous flip of occasions for Kirk, who ended up making the $16.3 million he was initially set to make in 2025, greater than he may have anticipated to land had he really hit the open market.
Kirk rewarded the Texans for his or her largesse, though it took some time. He did not make a lot of an influence throughout the common season, racking up 28 catches for simply 239 yards over 13 video games. Within the wild-card spherical, although, Kirk dramatically reemerged with a giant recreation towards the Steelers, turning 9 targets into eight catches and 144 yards. He added a second landing and 20 receiving yards within the season-ending loss to the Patriots.
As a 29-year-old receiver largely restricted to fit work, Kirk will not have an enormous market in free company. However he is a well-regarded teammate and has an 1,108-yard season on his résumé, so he ought to discover some assured cash as a 3rd wideout on a receiver-needy crew in 2026.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Final offseason, groups determined for velocity merely overpaid to signal replacement-level expertise at extensive receiver in free company. The Rams introduced again Tutu Atwell on a one-year, $10 million deal and acquired 192 receiving yards over 10 video games, because the transfer into 13 personnel groupings and the ascension of Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield lower off Atwell’s entry to the sphere because the third wideout behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.
The Jaguars signed Dyami Brown to an similar contract after a sizzling postseason in Washington, but regardless of Travis Hunter’s knee harm, they primarily misplaced curiosity in Brown after a gradual begin. Jacksonville traded for Jakobi Meyers and promoted Parker Washington forward of him within the lineup. Brown performed single-digit snaps down the stretch and was a wholesome scratch within the season-ending loss to the Payments.
If speedy receivers who barely see the sphere are value $10 million offers, Pierce’s pending free company poses an attention-grabbing query: What if a speedy receiver who was really good hit the market? Pierce narrowly topped 1,000 yards for the primary time as a professional with a 132-yard effort towards the Texans in Week 18, however his breakout wasn’t actually a product of higher quarterback play in 2025. His fee of off-target potential receptions was roughly the identical in 2024 (23.5%) and 2025 (23.8%).
Actually, there was two variations of Pierce. The 2022-23 editions have been extra like Atwell and Brown as low-efficiency, high-reward deep threats, as he averaged simply 1.1 yards per route run — 89th out of 101 qualifying wideouts. A solid of fixing quarterbacks did not assist, however Pierce wasn’t in a position to command a significant goal share.
Over the previous two years, although, Pierce has upped that yards per route run determine to 1.9 in 2024 and a couple of.2 in 2025. The mixed 2.1 determine is sweet for twentieth amongst extensive receivers over that span, simply forward of gamers comparable to Jameson Williams and Tyreek Hill. And it will be powerful to argue that Pierce was taking part in with higher quarterbacks than both participant over that two-year span. Pierce nonetheless instructions one of many decrease goal shares within the league given his utilization sample as a downfield menace, however he has primarily been a barely extra environment friendly model of Williams, who signed a three-year, $80 million deal final season.
0:42
What’s Alec Pierce’s fantasy outlook for 2026?
Matt Bowen breaks down the significance of Alec Pierce’s free company vacation spot for his fantasy worth subsequent season.
Pierce’s stat strains are type of a throwback to a different period. This can be a league by which nice wideouts would possibly common solely 11 or 12 yards per catch, as Amon-Ra St. Brown has over the previous couple of seasons, buying and selling large performs for regular completions and first downs. The NFL as a complete has moved towards shorter passes going again to the West Coast offense’s arrival within the Eighties, a pattern that has solely accelerated over the previous decade.
Pierce, alternatively, averaged 22.3 yards per reception in 2024 and 21.3 yards per catch in 2025, main the league each occasions. The final time a participant had two seasons with a minimum of 30 catches or extra whereas averaging greater than 20 yards per reception over his first 4 professional campaigns was all the best way again in 1994, when Alvin Harper did it in his third and fourth seasons for the Cowboys. DeSean Jackson, most likely probably the most comparable receiver for Pierce in latest reminiscence, averaged 18.6 yards per reception after which 22.5 yards per catch in a way more pass-happy Eagles offense early in his profession.
Philosophically, the NFL is leaning extra into the run and away from the fast recreation than it has in years. Partly, that is a product of defenses daring groups to run by taking part in two-deep shells and lightweight packing containers and making a extra fertile atmosphere for dashing the soccer. We’re seeing offenses reply by getting greater, leaning into two- and three-tight finish units and taking part in sixth offensive linemen up and down the sphere extra usually than they’ve in a decade, hoping to power defenses into taking part in greater personnel groupings or bringing a security into the field to assist towards the run. The final word purpose is to seek out methods to create explosive performs towards defenses which are doing no matter they will to take these off the desk.
Pierce is a strolling explosive-play menace, which makes him a really worthwhile participant. I am fascinated to see how excessive his market will get. Simply updating the Williams contract for a projected 9% improve within the wage cap can be a three-year, $87.2 million pact. Even that might be promoting Pierce quick, as a result of Williams wasn’t a free agent and will negotiate with just one crew when he signed his extension with the Lions. (Pierce additionally would not have any suspensions in his previous, which may have made negotiations harder for Williams.)
I do not assume it is wild in any respect to recommend that Pierce might be taking a look at one thing within the ballpark of $30 million per yr in free company, which brings the franchise tag into play. The 2026 tag for extensive receivers is projected to come back in at $28.1 million. A second franchise tag in 2027 can be a minimal of $33.7 million. If the Colts wish to re-sign Pierce (or if Pierce hits the market), I might count on his asking value to be a minimal of $62 million assured over the primary two seasons. That is some huge cash for a participant who hasn’t profiled as a No. 1 receiver over his profession, however true top-end velocity is difficult to come back by.
Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson quietly emerged within the second half of 2025 as one thing greater than the gadget receiver he had been for many of his tenure with the Giants. Pressured into the lead receiver function after Malik Nabers went down with a torn ACL and Darius Slayton floated out and in of the lineup, Robinson managed his first 1,000-yard season with a 113-yard efficiency towards the Raiders earlier than sitting out Week 18.
He averaged 2.1 yards per route run, manner up from his 2023 (1.5) and 2024 (1.3) marks, each of which have been under league common. That was pushed by Robinson making his catches farther downfield. About 76% of Robinson’s targets between 2023 and 2024 have been inside 5 yards of the road of scrimmage. In 2025, that fell to 63%, leaving extra alternatives for him to make performs downfield and create vital yardage. He had 4 catches on passes touring 25 or extra yards within the air this season after only one over the prior three seasons mixed.
On the similar time, 2025 was the primary time Robinson averaged greater than 10 yards per reception as a professional, making it to 11 yards per catch with Jaxson Dart on the helm for many of the season. At 5-foot-8 and 185 kilos, there are going to be groups that merely do not see Robinson as something greater than a flexible participant on throws close to the road of scrimmage, which is able to restrict his choices in free company relative to that of Pierce, despite the fact that they completed with related yardage totals.
0:46
Will Wan’Dale Robinson and Jaxson Dart change into fantasy related subsequent season?
Stephania Bell breaks down the connection between Wan’Dale Robinson and Jaxson Dart and what it means for his or her fantasy future.
The participant who involves thoughts as a comparability for Robinson is Curtis Samuel, a fellow undersized second-round choose who had his greatest season simply earlier than hitting free company. In 2021, Samuel signed a three-year, $34.5 million take care of Washington on the open market. That $11.5 million common wage would translate to $19.2 million with the projected 2026 cap. That is perhaps a bit excessive, nevertheless it would not be a shock to see Robinson land a deal value north of $15 million per yr. And with the Giants desirous to encompass Dart with playmakers whereas he is on a rookie contract, I may see GM Joe Schoen justifying that type of transfer.
Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
Catch Samuel on the proper week and he is devastating. Samuel led the league in yards after catch rating (in ESPN’s receiver scores) in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and he was second in 2024. He dropped off solely to tenth in 2025. He is nonetheless a particular expertise relating to breaking tackles and making one thing out of nothing. And whereas Samuel has by no means put collectively a full wholesome season as a professional, he did handle to play 16 video games for the second time in his seven-year profession this season.
Alternatively, Samuel has constant issues with drops and fumbles, with three of the latter approaching 89 touches in 2025. He has change into much less impactful as a runner, the place he managed simply 4 first downs on 17 carries this season. And with every passing yr, Samuel’s 1,405-receiving yard, 365-rushing yard marketing campaign of 2021 appears to be like increasingly like an outlier. He averaged practically 111 yards from scrimmage that season and is at 61 yards from scrimmage per recreation throughout his six different seasons, a determine that fell all the best way to 50 yards from scrimmage per recreation in 2025.
Samuel spent many of the season taking part in with varied backup quarterbacks versus Jayden Daniels, which clearly damage Samuel’s probability at a giant season. However even should you prorate out Samuel’s six video games with Daniels below middle, we find yourself with 99 catches for simply 850 yards, which tells you ways a lot of Samuel’s manufacturing got here on screens and lateral throws across the line of scrimmage. His common goal with Daniels on the sphere traveled simply 4.5 yards within the air, which might rank sixty fifth out of 67 wideouts by way of goal depth over a full season.
There is a helpful participant right here, however Samuel’s harm historical past, issues holding on to the soccer and age (he turns 30 in January) will restrict his market. It will be shocking if Samuel landed a multiyear assure, and he is more likely to take a pay lower from the $17.5 million he made this season.
Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks
Shaheed profiles someplace between Pierce and the Dyami Brown/Tutu Atwell class of downfield threats at receiver. Partly, that is as a result of he is coming off his least environment friendly season as a professional, along with his yards per reception mark down about 6 yards from the place it was over the prior three seasons. Shaheed made his first Professional Bowl this season as a return man, which is able to assist his worth, however he hasn’t had the type of contract yr Pierce has in Indianapolis. Shaheed can be practically two years older than Pierce, which issues in free company.
Seen over his first 4 years, although, Shaheed has been a helpful second/third wideout and return man whereas taking part in on some inconsistent Saints groups. I liked the match for him in Seattle as a deep menace off play-action in Klint Kubiak’s offense, and Shaheed had 4 70-plus-yard video games in six tries final season throughout Kubiak’s lone season in New Orleans earlier than struggling a season-ending knee harm. Shaheed opted for his meniscus to be repaired versus changed, which value him extra trip of the lineup in 2024 however sometimes results in a more healthy knee down the road.
As I wrote after this weekend’s video games, Shaheed’s had one of many weirder seasons of any wideout in latest reminiscence since becoming a member of the Seahawks. He has executed nearly nothing as a large receiver, with simply 188 receiving yards over 10 video games within the Pacific Northwest. And but, he has been wildly impactful doing every little thing else, as he has run for 91 yards on eight carries and produced three return touchdowns, together with the opening rating in final week’s blowout win over the 49ers.
I might count on Shaheed to be taking a look at one-year offers with the hope of proving himself and incomes a multiyear assure subsequent offseason. The identical arguments for Pierce having extra worth on this model of the NFL offensive meta apply to Shaheed, which is able to hold his flooring moderately excessive. An elevated model of the Atwell and Brown contracts from final season would see Shaheed land one thing like $15 million in 2026, which appears about proper.
Tyquan Thornton, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Thornton reestablished himself as a viable third extensive receiver throughout his run in Kansas Metropolis. Enjoying with Patrick Mahomes clearly helped, and Thornton did expertise the occasional drop, however the 2022 Patriots second-round choose was in a position to get open downfield frequently earlier than struggling a concussion, which ultimately ended his season. He additionally dealt with kick returns for the Chiefs, taking his first snaps on particular groups as a professional within the course of.
Thornton profiles equally to Dyami Brown as a Day 2 choose with a restricted historical past of manufacturing however one who flashed when given a possibility in a terrific offense throughout his last season earlier than free company. He will even be solely 25 years outdated when he hits the market in March. There is perhaps some sticker shock on the one-year offers given to Atwell and Brown given the meager returns, however Thornton ought to nonetheless be capable of land a one-year deal for a major increase on the $1.1 million he performed for in 2025.
Lower candidates
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
If what’s taking place right here, you is perhaps the one one. The whole Aiyuk scenario with the 49ers has been bizarre courting again to summer time 2024, when the group was reportedly near buying and selling its star receiver to the Steelers. On the final second, although, the 49ers and Aiyuk agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension, seemingly guaranteeing Aiyuk’s future can be in purple and gold for years to come back.
Since then, Aiyuk has caught 25 passes for 374 yards. The 2020 first-round choose tore his proper ACL and meniscus in 2024, ending his season. The crew reportedly wished to commerce Aiyuk after the 2024 season, suggesting that it had some purchaser’s regret on the deal, however no transfer ever transpired. The expectation was that Aiyuk would return in 2025, however that by no means occurred, with the WR reportedly lacking rehab classes. Because of this, the 49ers elected to void the $24.9 million bonus that was beforehand assured in Aiyuk’s contract. That call would sometimes set off a grievance from the participant and the NFLPA, however Aiyuk has apparently determined towards submitting one.
0:34
49ers GM on Aiyuk: ‘He is performed his final snap with the Niners’
49ers GM John Lynch tells reporters WR Brandon Aiyuk has performed his final snap with the crew.
You do not have to have a grasp’s diploma in studying tea leaves to achieve a way of the place this one is heading. And in case it nonetheless wasn’t clear, GM John Lynch mentioned Wednesday, “I believe it is secure to say that he is performed his final snap with the Niners.”
Does Aiyuk have any commerce worth? The 49ers have been in place to land a second-round choose for him in 2024 and wished to get one thing in return for him final offseason, however it will be shocking in the event that they have been in a position to get something greater than a conditional choose for Aiyuk now. Even when Aiyuk’s 2026 compensation is not assured, I am undecided there will likely be many groups lining as much as pay him the $27 million that is at present due on his present contract.
Aiyuk is perhaps launched or must renegotiate that deal earlier than touchdown someplace else. One apparent touchdown spot is Washington, the place the Commanders make use of former 49ers government Adam Peters and have a gap of their lineup at extensive receiver with Deebo Samuel hitting free company. Aiyuk was Jayden Daniels’ teammate at Arizona State, too. However even for a crew with a quarterback on a rookie deal, $27 million can be a giant ask for a participant who hasn’t performed for the reason that center of 2024.
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
The clock began ticking on Hill’s tenure with the Dolphins when he refused to enter the Week 18 recreation towards the Jets in 2024 earlier than suggesting that he wished to play elsewhere afterward to reporters. Hill and the group primarily reminiscence holed that scenario and people feedback over the offseason, however that was extra a product of Hill’s contract being assured and untradable than the rest.
His manufacturing declined dramatically in 2024 from what had been league-best effectivity in 2022 and 2023. Issues then took an extra flip south when Hill dislocated his left knee and tore a number of ligaments in Week 4, ending his season. Hill was additionally accused of home violence by his estranged spouse, opening the wideout as much as potential league self-discipline.
Hill is due $36 million in 2026, all of which is nonguaranteed. There’s a zero % probability he’ll play on that deal subsequent season. He may theoretically return to the Dolphins on a diminished wage, however with Mike McDaniel fired, the Dolphins rebuilding and no matter occurred on the finish of 2024 leaving a foul style within the group’s mouth, it appears a secure wager that Hill has performed his final snap in Miami. His choices will rely on whether or not and when Hill is wholesome sufficient to play.
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
There will not be many reminiscences of the Ridley period in Nashville. Unexpectedly signed to a four-year, $92 million deal by the Titans in free company two years in the past, he managed 1,017 yards in his first season with the crew, however accidents restricted Ridley to 17 catches for 303 yards over seven video games in 12 months 2.
Ridley ran a catch fee of simply 51.2% over his two seasons in Tennessee, and whereas he did not precisely have nice quarterback play for many of these targets, that catch fee ended up 4.4% under expectation, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Tennessee’s different wideouts over that span ran a collective 4.7% catch fee under expectation, so Ridley wasn’t considerably higher than the Titans’ different wideouts on inexpensive contracts.
Ridley averaged a good 2 yards per route run over the previous two seasons, so there’s nonetheless a stable NFL receiver right here when the veteran is ready to keep on the sphere. I am undecided we have seen any type of famous person ceiling from Ridley since he returned from his seasonlong suspension throughout the 2022 marketing campaign, although, and the 31-year-old is recovering from a fractured fibula.
Simply $3 million of Ridley’s $21.8 million compensation in 2026 is already assured, and the coach and normal supervisor who signed off on that deal are now not within the constructing. Ridley would not get something near that $21.8 million determine in free company, which creates leverage for Tennessee. If the entrance workplace pushes Ridley to take a pay lower, he must both accede to Tennessee’s phrases or fend for himself in free company, the place he would possibly simply get the identical discount in wage the Titans would offer.
Ridley has a $1 million bonus that will get paid in mid-March, which is able to encourage the Titans to decide on Ridley’s future comparatively rapidly, however I count on them to push for a friendlier contract in 2026. They want all the assistance for quarterback Cam Ward they will get, however they may wish to get a extra dynamic playmaker to work alongside Chimere Dike.
Commerce candidates
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
The choice to accumulate Brown in a draft-day commerce with the Titans was a coup for GM Howie Roseman, who initially tried to signal Allen Robinson in free company earlier than pivoting to a way more profitable Plan B. The Eagles expanded Brown’s snap share, making him an every-down receiver, and reaped the rewards: Brown had back-to-back 1,450-yard seasons, stayed on that tempo over a 13-game marketing campaign in 2024 and helped lead the Eagles to a Tremendous Bowl final season.
Issues went distinctly south in 2025. Brown managed to make it narrowly over 1,000 yards in 15 video games, however he repeatedly expressed his frustration on and off the sphere because the Eagles struggled to seek out common targets for his or her mercurial wideout. Brown completed the season with a disastrous postseason efficiency within the loss to the 49ers, as he dropped two passes and needed to be separated from coach Nick Sirianni.
All of this places Roseman in a tough spot. The Eagles gave Brown a three-year, $100 million contract as a part of his commerce to Philadelphia, and unsurprisingly given his aggressiveness in negotiating new pacts, Roseman signed Brown to a different three-year, $96 million extension within the spring of 2024. Brown technically nonetheless hasn’t began that second deal, though he has obtained a bit of the cash from that contract in bonuses.
1:54
How a lot blame does A.J. Brown deserve for Eagles’ loss? Stephen A. weighs in
Stephen A. Smith reacts to A.J. Brown’s efficiency within the Eagles’ playoff loss to the 49ers.
Brown is due a assured $29 million in 2026. And if the Eagles commerce Brown earlier than June 1, they’d be on the hook for $43.5 million in lifeless cash. That is not an unfathomable or unprecedented quantity within the NFL when the wage cap initiatives to come back in north of $300 million, and it will put the Eagles on tempo to have about as a lot lifeless cash in 2026 ($84 million) as they did in 2025 ($85.8 million). However it’s not a situation Roseman hoped to take care of when he signed that 2024 extension.
The Eagles would additionally must discover a substitute for Brown, who stays very environment friendly on a route-by-route foundation. Brown was nonetheless sixth within the NFL in receiver rating — down from first in 2024 and second in 2023 — and it will not be straightforward to interchange that type of manufacturing. The Eagles may count on to land some significant draft capital for Brown, however I am undecided that might be a first-round choose given the general public frustrations Brown expressed this previous season. Brown additionally will likely be 29 subsequent season, and although that is nonetheless not significantly outdated by extensive receiver requirements, groups develop extra hesitant about buying and selling vital draft capital for veterans as they strategy 30.
The simplest factor for all events concerned is perhaps giving the connection another shot and revisiting this in 2027, when many of the assured cash in Brown’s deal can have been paid out. But when the Eagles really feel the necessity to push the eject button on their relationship with their prime wideout, Brown can have a captivating market. He is nonetheless one of many league’s greatest extensive receivers, even when he did not present it towards the 49ers.
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Payments
Although Coleman had a 36-yard catch-and-run towards the Jaguars, the 2024 second-round choose has clearly fallen out of favor in Buffalo. Coleman was each benched for disciplinary causes and subsequently wholesome scratched a number of occasions in 2025. When he has been on the sphere, Coleman managed 59 catches for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns, a lot of which got here in a comeback win over the Ravens in Week 1. He had 112 yards in that win and hasn’t topped 50 yards in a recreation since then. It appeared telling within the wild-card spherical that Tyrell Shavers — who was actually taking part in by a torn ACL — had extra snaps within the second half than Coleman.
Coleman nonetheless has two years left on his rookie deal and can make $3.8 million between 2026 and 2027, most of which is already assured. That is a pittance for a participant whom groups noticed as a Day 2 choose heading into the 2024 draft, which is why there will likely be curiosity if the Payments do determine {that a} recent begin is greatest for all events concerned. On condition that proprietor Terry Pegula appeared guilty the choice to draft Coleman on fired coach Sean McDermott throughout an explosive information convention Wednesday, it is secure to say that Coleman is best off getting out of Buffalo.
The Commanders obtained a third-round choose (and moved a fifth-rounder) once they despatched Jahan Dotson to the Eagles, whereas the Cowboys despatched a fourth-round choose to the Panthers for Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round choice. The Payments ought to be capable of get one thing consistent with the latter value for Coleman, with groups betting they will get extra out of his measurement and contested-catch means than Buffalo.
1:54
Jeff Saturday in disbelief over Payments proprietor’s Brandon Beane-Keon Coleman feedback
Jeff Saturday sounds off on Payments proprietor Terry Pegula’s protection of Brandon Beane concerning Keon Coleman.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
It has been a weird profession for Johnston, because the 2023 first-round choose was a rookie punchline for his arms. In 12 months 2, Johnston established himself as a playmaker and downfield choice whereas nonetheless having a brutal run of drops towards the Ravens. After which, this previous season, Johnston’s arms … have been largely tremendous? Subsequent Gen Stats nonetheless credited him with 5 drops, which is not preferrred, however he additionally ran a catch fee 5.2% over expectation, which hints towards Johnston making extra powerful catches than the highlights would possibly recommend. He was at minus-4.3% final season.
He acquired off to a sizzling begin, with 22 catches for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns by the primary 4 weeks of the season, however Johnston wasn’t in a position to maintain these numbers. As a receiver who makes his largest influence as a downfield choice, he most likely suffered most among the many Chargers wideouts from the accidents at deal with, which restricted Justin Herbert’s time to throw.
Oronde Gadsden’s emergence as a vertical menace additionally appeared to mute Johnston’s influence. After topping 70 yards in every of his first 4 video games, Johnston did not go over that complete once more till Week 16. Keenan Allen is a free agent, however the Chargers would possibly really feel as if they will transfer ahead with Ladd McConkey within the slot, Gadsden because the transfer tight finish and 2025 rookie Tre’ Harris because the crew’s main outdoors choice, with the power so as to add one other receiver on the surface in free company or on the draft.
Johnston can fill that function, however the Chargers should determine on his fifth-year choice for 2027 this offseason, a determine that initiatives at $17.5 million. That is not going to be an unreasonable value for a second wideout, however the Chargers have Herbert on a large deal and in addition pays McConkey earlier than the 2027 season. Coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz additionally inherited Johnston from the earlier regime, so they are not as hooked up to him as they’d be for certainly one of their very own picks.
A commerce is perhaps the very best factor for Johnston, who I believe profiles greatest as an influence slot receiver. With McConkey (and Allen this season) forward of him for slot snaps, Johnston took solely 13% of his snaps out of the slot in 2025. He averaged 2.6 yards per route run out of the slot, nearly double what he averaged break up out extensive. A spot the place he can play within the slot frequently would possibly assist unlock some untapped potential, and even when one other crew picks up his fifth-year choice, it will be on the hook for under about $20 million mixed over the subsequent two seasons.
Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
The Payments traded down twice once they drafted Coleman. The second time was with the Panthers, who chosen Legette after shifting as much as No. 32. Like Coleman, Legette was a one-year faculty marvel whose measurement and athleticism appealed to NFL groups, however he hasn’t lived as much as expectations.
Legette hasn’t fallen afoul of the group, which is a plus relative to Coleman, however he additionally hasn’t been as productive. Coleman has averaged 1.7 yards per route run, suggesting that he might be a helpful contributor with steadier taking part in time. Admittedly whereas taking part in with a much less imposing quarterback, Legette has averaged simply 1.1 yards per route run over that very same interval. He has had points with drops, together with a possible successful landing towards the eventual champion Eagles final season within the last minute.
The Panthers nonetheless have a spot for Legette within the lineup once they play three-wide units, however he has fallen behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker by way of priorities and manufacturing for Carolina. And there is no purpose why GM Dan Morgan would hold that spot open if the Panthers can discover an improve this offseason. Legette is owed $4.4 million over the subsequent two years, all of which is assured, and he has a possible fifth-year choice in 2028 that might come up for a call after the 2026 season.
Carolina was prepared to surrender on Mingo, a top-40 choose, after solely 24 video games when the proper commerce provide emerged. I think it will be related for Legette this offseason.
DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
Moore has had a wierd profession in Chicago. The Bears have been comfortable so as to add the now-28-year-old wideout as a part of the commerce that in the end gave Bryce Younger to the Panthers, and Moore responded with a 1,364-yard effort in his debut season with the Bears. However his numbers have gone down dramatically in every successive season. Moore averaged 80.1 receiving yards per recreation within the 2023 season; by 2025, that had fallen to 40.1.
There are unquestionably strengths to Moore’s recreation, together with his willingness to go over the center of the sphere and his means with the ball in his arms. He has additionally developed a status for, relying on who you ask, freelancing or not at all times having his head in video games. He appeared to be sleepwalking by a misplaced 2024 season at occasions, and it actually appears as if the 2018 first-round choose did not run the proper route or make the proper adjustment on the interception Caleb Williams threw in additional time throughout the divisional spherical loss to the Rams. It appeared telling that he wasn’t within the locker room after the sport or throughout the locker cleanout Monday.
Because the Bears acquired Moore, they’ve used vital draft capital on wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, together with tight finish Colston Loveland. They’ve additionally employed coach Ben Johnson, and we do not know if Johnson actually sees Moore as an important a part of the offense. The Bears may lean into extra 12 personnel groupings with Loveland and Cole Kmet subsequent season or in any other case discover extra causes to get out of their 11 personnel packages. And the Bears may additionally wish to discover extra alternatives for an Olamide Zaccheaus-type participant as their third wideout.
GM Ryan Poles signed Moore to a four-year, $110 million extension in the summertime of 2024, a deal that begins subsequent season. Moore’s $23.5 million base wage in 2026 is already assured, and if he is on the roster in mid-March, $15.5 million of Moore’s $23.5 million wage in 2027 turns into absolutely assured. The Bears (or any crew buying Moore) would primarily be on the hook for a one-year, $40 million deal or a two-year, $49 million pact earlier than revisiting his contract after 2027.
1:08
Why ‘Mad Canine’ is mad at DJ Moore
Chris “Mad Canine” Russo sounds off on Bears extensive receiver DJ Moore for not talking to the media after the Bears’ loss to the Rams.
Moore remains to be a starting-caliber wideout, and there must be curiosity if the Bears do hearken to provides. A middle-round choose can be a sensible return, however the true profit is perhaps liberating up $24.5 million in 2026 money, which might enable Johnson and Poles to realign the offense within the coach’s most well-liked imaginative and prescient.
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
I made the case for a possible Thomas commerce when writing concerning the Jaguars after their wild-card loss to the Payments. The present entrance workplace, which has been very aggressive with its roster choices, did not draft Thomas. The 2024 first-rounder had a superb rookie season, however he by no means actually discovered a gentle function in Liam Coen’s offense, with exterior considerations that he wasn’t exhibiting the type of physicality and dedication wanted to thrive as an NFL extensive receiver.
These considerations have been overblown, however Thomas was in a position to command targets on solely 21.1% of his routes in 2025, down behind Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Brenton Unusual and even Travis Etienne Jr. That was up at 26.9% in 2024. Thomas misplaced practically a full yard per route run, the distinction between an elite marketing campaign as a rookie and a below-average one in 12 months 2. He fell all the best way to 157th (final place) in ESPN’s receiver scores.
I do not consider Thomas is the worst receiver within the league. Groups will not have hassle remembering what he did in 2024, when he appeared to glide by defenses and effortlessly separate from man protection. Thomas can be owed slightly below $5 million mixed over the subsequent two seasons and has a possible fifth-year choice in 2028, which might be extremely worthwhile given his stage of manufacturing as a rookie.
The Jaguars would possibly choose to maintain Thomas to see if they will coax a resurgent yr out of the 23-year-old, however with Travis Hunter returning to the lineup subsequent yr, Coen would possibly choose to maneuver ahead with Washington, Meyers, Hunter and both an out of doors addition or anyone like Tim Patrick (a pending free agent) because the wideout core. Critically, a Thomas commerce would return significant draft capital for a Jaguars crew that traded its 2026 first-round choose to the Browns to accumulate Hunter.
There is no purpose for the Jaguars to commerce Thomas except they will land one thing vital in return. To me, that might be a first-round choose. And there must be groups on the backside of the primary spherical prepared to ship that type of compensation again to Jacksonville. The Payments, who vanquished the Jaguars earlier this postseason, are an apparent match. The Browns may justify sending Jacksonville’s first-round choose again to the Jaguars to accumulate a much-needed wideout for his or her quarterback of the longer term. The Jets may put collectively a package deal that provides as much as one thing greater than a late first-rounder.
If the Jaguars do make Thomas obtainable, there must be vital curiosity, even after an underwhelming 2025.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins did not appear determined to maneuver Waddle on the commerce deadline, and I do not consider that they will function with any type of urgency to commerce him this offseason. Waddle remains to be solely 27, and he’ll nonetheless be younger sufficient to play a significant function for the subsequent Dolphins quarterback of the post-Tua Tagovailoa period.
Waddle is also owed solely $68.6 million over the subsequent three seasons, which each makes him very straightforward to maintain round and will increase his potential commerce worth. Certain, $22.9 million would not sound like a discount, nevertheless it’s already a fairly team-friendly deal in a league by which the highest of the market is north of $40 million per yr — and that quantity is barely going to go up.
Alternatively, Waddle would possibly profile as a high-end WR2 as a substitute of a real WR1. Although he had a 1,356-yard season in his second marketing campaign as a professional, he has but to publish a second season remotely shut, partially due to a gentle run of accidents. Waddle turned Miami’s prime wideout by default when Tyreek Hill was damage in September, and although he averaged slightly below 81 receiving yards per recreation over the subsequent six weeks, that determine fell to only 40 receiving yards per recreation over the following six, with a rib harm preserving the 5-foot-10 wideout out of the season-ending loss to the Patriots.
You may make a case for Waddle as an underrated extensive receiver, provided that he performed with a now-benched quarterback in Tagovailoa and throughout from a extremely focused Hill. You may alternately make the argument that Waddle has one outlier season and will not have Mike McDaniel scheming areas open in 2026. I am someplace within the center. Waddle’s team-friendly contract and Miami’s full absence of different extensive receivers makes me assume the Dolphins would desire a first-round choose to maneuver him this offseason. I am undecided that might make sense for many groups.
Leave a Reply