Free Agency Fantasy Football Analysis: Risers On New Teams (2025)

March 14, 2025

John breaks down which 2025 NFL free-agent signings are risers for fantasy football. Which signed free agents on new teams should you draft in 2025?

Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side, and sometimes NFL players are able to go to said other side where said grass is greener and sign with a team that puts them in a better situation for fantasy football success. Such is the case for several players this season.

Sometimes wide receivers go to teams with better quarterbacks, sometimes quarterbacks go to teams with better offensive coaching staffs, and sometimes running backs to go teams with better offensive lines. Sometimes there's less competition for volume on their new teams, sometimes they get easier schedules, and the like.

At any rate, we want to analyze which players are likely in better situations, scrutinize those scenarios, and see if we can accurately predict that they'll have better production as a result. So, let's dive into the biggest fantasy football free-agent risers for the 2025 NFL season.

Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams

New Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams is the clearest winner, both in fantasy football and in real life, of free agency so far.

He signed with the Rams, and immediately got an upgrade in situation, offense, and quarterback. Catching passes from QB Matthew Stafford, who still has plenty left in the tank unlike former New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, will immediately help Adams become a fantasy WR1 again if he stays healthy.

Sean McVay sent Davante Adams narrated and detailed highlight cut-ups of his game as he was recruiting him to come to LA - about 10 mins worth. Adams said the Rams making it so clear how wanted he was was a factor in his decision. pic.twitter.com/SrBZZvLBCX

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 13, 2025

Adams also got a massive upgrade at offensive coordinator/head coach. Rams HC Sean McVay is one of the brightest offensive minds in the league, and we've seen a ton of other NFL offenses heavily inspired by his philosophies implemented on other teams.

McVay maximizes the fantasy production of his wide receivers and was a big force behind the massive seasons we've seen from WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Both have been great receivers in their own right, but were heavily assisted by McVay.

Davante Adams ranked 15th last year FWIW https://t.co/QaTHDNZpvB

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) March 13, 2025

Adams looked washed in Las Vegas. But after his trade to the Jets, he magically started performing much better, according to every statistic in existence that measures WR performance.

I don't blame him for not putting out much effort in Vegas after it got rid of QB Derek Carr, who he played with in college and was a big reason why he joined the Raiders in the first place. Adams will have no issues with Stafford, who hyper-targets his team's elite receivers at a ridiculous rate.

Matthew Stafford is all the way back. He's been putting on a clinic every single week. pic.twitter.com/WcMrrHgKge

— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) October 18, 2023

The presence of Nacua won't make Adams' production suffer. If Stafford attempts 30 passes per game, I wouldn't be surprised if Nacua and Adams both average 10 targets per contest, which is plenty to have a productive season.

Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

I'm not extremely thrilled about the state of the Raiders offensive line, nor do I think the team has a great group of pass-catchers overall.

There are still a few issues the team needs to address in the 2025 NFL Draft, including drafting a premier running back, adding another solid receiver, and bolstering the OL. What I do believe is that Smith is in a better situation now than he was with the Seattle Seahawks.

'Bout time.

We have acquired QB Geno Smith via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

📰 https://t.co/azWoOK3xPN pic.twitter.com/5Ftm5NrEcW

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 13, 2025

He'll also reunite with his old head coach, Pete Carroll, and get an upgrade at offensive coordinator in Chip Kelly over the now-fired Ryan Grubb. He may not attempt quite as many passes as he did last season, but Seattle had one of the worst offensive lines in the league, so he should get a minor upgrade there. He spent most of last season throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, primarily a slot receiver without a lot of deep-ball potential, and an injured DK Metcalf as his two top receivers.

Tight end Brock Bowers and WR Jakobi Meyers should present a better group than that, though I want the Raiders to do more here. I'm not calling this a huge upgrade for Smith, but I do think he should have a nice season and outperform his 2024 numbers.

And his film suggests he's a much better quarterback than he gets credit for. He still has excellent mobility for his age, good arm strength, and made a lot of plays on the run when forced to escape the pocket by his poor offensive line.

Geno Smith, elite QB! pic.twitter.com/YRceCZAcqt

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 21, 2024

Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Ever since making the horrible mistake of drafting Harris in the first round in one of my fantasy football leagues in 2022, I've not been particularly excited about having any of him on my rosters.

He does get an upgraded situation, though. The Steelers didn't have great run-blocking last season, and the Chargers have a much-improved offensive line, so Harris should get more yards before contact per rush and have more room to run.

Chargers expected to sign RB Najee Harris to one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million. (via @rapsheet, @mikegarafolo, @Tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/g3cCBkyHZT

— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2025

I'm not sure what his role will be, but if L.A. decides not to invest an early round pick in a running back in the draft, we could see Harris handle virtually all of the backfield volume. The team released backup RB Gus Edwards after a very poor showing in 2024, and it doesn't look like it is bringing back the leading rusher from a year ago, J.K. Dobbins.

Obviously you’re entitled to your opinion on Najee Harris but the numbers don’t lie.

The man showed up to work.

Best wishes to him moving forward. pic.twitter.com/1MfZnXQRO8

— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) March 11, 2025

And Harris' blue-collar, workman's mentality is exactly what Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman likes. Most in the fantasy football community aren't the biggest fan of Roman's extremely run-heavy offensive style, but it should benefit Harris, who's exceeded 1,000 yards rushing and 250 carries in all four of his seasons so far, logging 17 games played each year.

The fit is excellent. We'll have to wait for the draft to see what happens. I imagine the loss of Edwards will prompt the team to at least spend a late-round selection on a better backup RB. That would secure Harris' role as the clear bell-cow back and a season with 300 or more touches (if he stays healthy all year) would become plausible. That would boost his fantasy value.

Evan Engram, TE, Denver Broncos

Engram's 2024 season was cut short by injuries. Previous to that, he was the TE2 overall in PPR scoring in 2023 and the TE5 in 2022. When he's targeted at a high rate, he tends to produce very well.

He already has the potential to put up monster fantasy seasons, but the Jaguars selected wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with their first-round draft pick last year, and he developed into a huge target hog. Had Engram stayed there, he likely wouldn't have seen nearly as much passing-game work as in previous years.

TE Evan Engram signing two-year deal with Broncos. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/SRaRLJ1Lhq

— NFL (@NFL) March 12, 2025

He was released by Jacksonville, though, and signed a two-year, $23 million deal, which is solid money for a tight end. With that kind of contract, Denver likely has big plans for him in the passing game. Outside of WR Courtland Sutton, it didn't have any decent pass-catchers last season. WR Marvin Mims Jr. appeared to have a breakout of sorts near the end of the year, but he's been inconsistent thus far.

Evan Engram led all tight ends in both receptions (112) and yards (957) from the slot over the last two seasons.

Under Sean Payton, Broncos tight ends have run 52.3% of their routes from the slot, the 5th-highest rate in the NFL.@Broncos | #BroncosCountry https://t.co/aQ8Hsw7c9r pic.twitter.com/37ATNgaki0

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 13, 2025

Engram will easily be the best tight end head coach Sean Payton has had since Jimmy Graham with the New Orleans Saints, and Engram's skills as a pass-catcher are a nice fit for Payton's offense.

Getting reps in the slot is typically beneficial for tight ends and receivers in the NFL because it presents easier coverage assignments with slot cornerbacks (who are typically less skilled than outside CBs) and gives them more space to work to either side of the field.

Highlight reel of the Broncos new Joker Evan Engram.

Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/g0hFeGG2VR

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) March 12, 2025

Engram isn't a great blocker, but that's somewhat of a good thing because he probably won't be asked to do that often. In addition, quarterback Bo Nix had a nice, productive rookie season with Denver, despite a lack of receiving talent.

He threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns in 17 contests in his first year as a pro. This is an excellent landing spot for the ninth-year pro. He should effectively become the team's WR2 and should challenge Sutton for the team lead in targets every game and even throughout the season.

Engram should be a very solid value in redraft leagues in 2025.

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