10 Early Predictions For 2025 NFL Free Agency: Fantasy Football Offseason Outlook

January 16, 2025

Where will the top NFL free agents sign in 2025? Mike Fanelli explores 10 potential landing spots for the 2025 free agency class.

While the 2024 fantasy football season, the playoffs are underway. Many fantasy players will turn their attention elsewhere until it’s time to draft in August.

However, dynasty fantasy football players are looking forward to free agency and the NFL Draft. While some players will re-sign with their current teams before the start of free agency, the upcoming class has some firepower.

Let’s look at 10 of the top offensive free agents this spring and predict where they could land in the offseason.

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

While Darnold struggled in the Vikings’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the veteran had a career year in 2024. He completed 66.2% of his pass attempts for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, setting career highs in nearly every category. Furthermore, Darnold finished fifth in the NFL in passing scores.

Justin Jefferson 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Many believe Darnold could return to Minnesota despite the team using their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on J.J. McCarthy. While the veteran could sign a long-term contract with the Vikings, he will have options on the open market. Don’t be surprised if Darnold ends up with the Tennessee Titans, allowing them to use the No. 1 overall pick on Travis Hunter.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Fields start the year as the Steelers’ No. 1 quarterback. However, the former Ohio State star lost his starting role to Russell Wilson once the veteran was healthy. While he lost his starting role, Fields had a solid season, totaling 1,106 passing yards and five touchdowns in six starts.

There is a rumor going around on social media that Pittsburgh wants to sign Fields to an extension before the start of free agency. Yet, he will have options on the open market. The veteran could land with the Las Vegas Raiders, depending on who they hire as their head coach.

Running Backs

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

After seven years with the Green Bay Packers, Jones flipped sides in one of the league’s top rivalries, joining the Vikings. The veteran running back had an excellent season, totaling 255 rushing attempts for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, setting career highs in attempts and yards.

Minnesota would like to keep Jones at the right price. The veteran running back is on the wrong side of 30 with over 1,750 regular-season touches on his resume. If the Vikings and Jones can’t agree on a deal, he will have options on the open market. The Kansas City Chiefs could replace Kareem Hunt with Jones to pair with Isiah Pacheco in the backfield.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Alabama star has been one of the more consistent running backs since joining the NFL in 2021. Harris has had at least 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns every year of his career, hitting both marks in four consecutive seasons despite having a dip in touches.

Najee Harris gets the @Steelers on the board!

📺: #CINvsPIT on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/FxUtb5EQyg

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Yet, the Steelers declined the veteran’s fifth-year option last offseason, meaning Harris will hit the open market in the spring. While Pittsburgh could offer him a new contract, the former Alabama star likely will play elsewhere in 2025. He could join the Cleveland Browns with Nick Chubb set to be a free agent.

J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers

Dobbins had a career year in 2024. After struggling to stay healthy for most of his career, the former Ohio State star was outstanding in his first season with the Chargers. He had 195 rushing attempts for 905 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing four games with a knee injury.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is a massive fan of Dobbins. So, fantasy players shouldn’t be shocked if the veteran re-signs in Los Angeles. However, he could find a better offer on the open market. Dobbins would be an excellent replacement for Najee Harris alongside Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh.

Wide Receivers

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Most of the conversation surrounding free agency over the next two months will be about Higgins. The star wide receiver had a career year despite missing five games because of injuries. He played the 2024 season on the franchise tag after the Bengals refused to negotiate a long-term contract last offseason.

Therefore, many expect Higgins to play elsewhere next year. Yet, the growing sense around the NFL is that Cincinnati will find a way to pay Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase this offseason, keeping the superstar duo with Joe Burrow for the next several years.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Unfortunately, Godwin suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle injury in the Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The star wide receiver was on pace for a career year before getting hurt. He would have finished with 121 receptions on 151 targets for 1,399 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over a 17-game pace.

Chris Godwin with the catch and the stretch for the TD!

📺: #WASvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/RKSftFVMxh

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024

Tampa Bay should be the betting favorite to re-sign Godwin in the offseason. Yet, the team could let him walk with Jalen McMillan’s emergence to end the year. Godwin could be the most desired free agent this offseason if he hits the open market. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are two teams to keep an eye on.

Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans

Many wondered if Diggs was over the hill after getting traded in the offseason. However, the star wide receiver had a productive year with the Texans before suffering a torn ACL in the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He finished with 47 receptions on 64 targets for 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

It will be interesting to see how much of a market Diggs has this offseason. The veteran is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off a significant injury. Yet, he was productive last year. While many thought Diggs would only spend one season in Houston, the star receiver’s chances of returning improved after Tank Dell suffered a massive knee injury in Week 16.

Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

While many had low expectations for Ertz, the veteran had an impressive year. He played in every game for the first time since 2021. Furthermore, Ertz had 66 receptions on 91 targets for 654 receiving yards and seven scores, his highest touchdown total since getting traded from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Zach Ertz catches his 50th career TD 🔥

📺: #TENvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/AnUShkAtKe

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Despite turning 34 in November, Ertz is arguably the best tight end option in free agency. While the NFL Draft class has several elite tight end prospects, the veteran could be an ideal target for a team picking late in the first round. If he doesn’t stay in Washington, the Denver Broncos would be a possible landing spot for him.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Gesicki has spent most of his career as a role player with limited production. He had one season with more than 53 receptions over his first six years in the NFL. Yet, the veteran had a career season in 2024, totaling 65 receptions on 83 targets for 665 receiving yards and two scores.

The former Penn State star struggled when Tee Higgins was on the field. However, Gesicki was outstanding, filling in as Joe Burrow’s No. 2 pass catcher. Expect the Bengals to make keeping Gesicki their top priority if they lose Higgins in free agency.

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