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There's never a bad day to make bold predictions about the NFL. And since many things happen that shock everyone who follows the league, it stands to reason that some wild predictions could turn out to be true.
This season, there are big-name free agents, and what happens to them could end up surprising everyone. Even if most of the time they're simply retained by their teams when it makes sense to do so or let go when they can't be afforded or aren't seen as sufficiently valuable anymore, the answers aren't always the most boring.
So, let's dive into three big, bold predictions for some of the league's biggest free agents ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
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Tee Higgins Holds Out, Gets Traded
The Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on star wideout Tee Higgins. They reportedly plan to first make one of the NFL's best WRs, Ja'Marr Chase, the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Then, presumably, they'll move on to trying to get Higgins' contract worked out.
But it seems that other teams would be willing to pay Higgins more money. He's in his prime, having turned 26 in January, and just put together a monster season, having caught 73 of his 109 targets for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing in just 12 games.
Bengals place franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins. pic.twitter.com/SuuBGBcK8g
— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2025
He's one of the few WRs in the NFL capable of winning consistently enough and in sufficient ways to put together multiple games of 100 or more receiving yards and two or more receiving scores in a season. He's an elite talent, with ideal size and play strength, and can win in a variety of ways. He's a matchup nightmare for opposing pass coverages.
Some teams are desperate for wide receivers right now. And while last year's WR draft class was stacked, this year's isn't so much, though dynasty fantasy football managers might try to convince you that it still is. For many teams, Higgins would immediately elevate their offense to new heights, if he could stay healthy.
There are teams with the draft capital to pull off the trade that need Higgins a lot more than the Bengals do and are willing to pay up. The New England Patriots, one of the squads most desperate for a wideout, have publicly stated that they're moving on from attempts to acquire him. If he does choose to hold out, Cincinnati could compromise with less draft capital than it initially asked for.
Tee Higgins having perhaps the game of his career in what could be his final home game as a Bengal.
- 11 catches
- 131 yards
- 3 TDs (GW in OT)Cincy might have to just back up the brinks truck.pic.twitter.com/pBpFVr4gkr
— Mike Kennedy (@MikeKennedyNFL) December 29, 2024
Cincy may not have enough to pay what he demands, and he could demand north of $30 million per year. With Chase certain to earn at least $36 million annually, it might be too much for a team to spend nearly $80 million per season on two wideouts in a game that has a ton of positions of need, especially after its poor year on defense.
Though quarterback Joe Burrow has insisted that the team needs to retain No. 5, it makes much more financial sense to let him go, acquire great draft capital, and bolster the defense and offensive line, which are bigger positions of need than WR for the team right now.
Sam Darnold Gets A Big Contract
Despite the utter collapse at the end of the season, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is lucky enough to be able to play well (when the offensive line pass-protects well for him), and that's enough to get a ton of money thrown at you if you play the most important position in all of football.
Darnold was obliterated by both the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 and the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, respectively. Yet, for most of the season, he brought stability to the team's offense. I posit that he barely played better than some backup quarterbacks would in the same situation, but at least teams know he can give them a chance to win if he's in a good situation.
Sam Darnold was HIM for a time. I wish him the best going forward. pic.twitter.com/3awsrVyAc4
— Thomas Sullivan (@Yfz84) March 4, 2025
The 2025 NFL Draft class is widely viewed as extremely weak at quarterback. After last season saw six signal-callers drafted in the top 12, with QBs Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix all solidifying themselves as franchise quarterbacks moving forward, this year has talent that's seen as much more questionable and much less deep.
A team that can put together a solid offensive line, but doesn't have a high draft pick and isn't in a position to trade up, will likely be willing to give Darnold a multiyear deal north of $30 million per season. At the very least, he could serve as a bridge quarterback and one of the league's best backups, depending on where he goes.
There are simply so few options in the QB market right now. Someone like Aaron Rodgers, being over 40 years old and coming off a terrible season with the New York Jets, shouldn't be considered by many teams. And every good talent at the position is locked up with their current team.
If Darnold gets to the market, I'd be very curious to see if the Colts got involved. I think he's a clear upgrade for a team that needs to win right now.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 4, 2025
There are other teams, like the Indianapolis Colts, who attempted to select their quarterback of the future, but were burned badly for it. Their QB, Anthony Richardson, hasn't fixed his horrible accuracy problems, and he can't run a functional offense. It's worth questioning if Darnold as a bridge QB would serve them better, with Richardson as a backup.
Then, they could attempt to make a move for a rookie QB down the road. They know better than we do if ARich is likely to work out, but it looks like he's a bust.
Stefon Diggs Doesn't Get Signed Before Season Starts
We aren't that far removed from Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs being an elite fantasy option (at least until the last few games of the season) with the Buffalo Bills. And it looked like he would return solid WR2/WR3 value in 2024 before he tore his ACL in Week 8 and got ruled out for the rest of the season.
#Texans WR Stefon Diggs is down and grabbing his knee. It appeared to be non-contact. pic.twitter.com/IIgB411T0J
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 27, 2024
He's now 31 years old and will turn 32 just before December. He was only on a one-year deal with the Texans, and while he played at a decent level, players his age coming off ACL tears usually don't produce very well. It also generally takes until the second season after an ACL tear for many players to return to 100 percent.
Whatever 100 percent Diggs is at in his age 32-33 season in 2026 remains to be seen, but he already seemed to have lost a step in 2024. And his contract was pretty massive -- over $22 million for one season with Houston. That was a complete wash.
He was targeted heavily by quarterback C.J. Stroud but failed to log a single 100-yard receiving game. And from Week 2 to Week 8, he logged just one receiving touchdown. That production simply isn't worth the price. If Diggs refuses to accept a significantly reduced contract, he may have to wait until a team is truly desperate at WR before he gets an offer. That might not happen until after the season starts.
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