NFL Free Agency: Top Offensive Players and Potential Landing Spots
The NFL offseason is heating up, with the free agency period looming large on the horizon. Teams are preparing to revamp their rosters, and a host of talented offensive players are set to hit the open market. The legal tampering period, a crucial window for negotiations, kicks off on March 10 at 12 p.m. ET, allowing teams to engage in discussions with potential free agent acquisitions. The official signing period commences on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, marking the true beginning of the free agency frenzy.
Among the most prominent offensive free agents are Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, and Sam Darnold. These players, along with a multitude of others, represent significant opportunities for teams seeking to bolster their offensive capabilities. Let’s examine potential landing spots for ten of the top offensive free agents.
Davante Adams (Wide Receiver)
Davante Adams immediately becomes a top offensive target in free agency. While age may be a factor, he remains a highly skilled wide receiver. With a history of consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, Adams possesses a proven track record of productivity. His experience and route-running ability make him an asset to any team.
Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers
Rumors suggest Adams prefers to play on the West Coast, given his Bay Area roots. While the Chargers could use a No. 1 receiver, the 49ers present a compelling option after trading Deebo Samuel. Adams, although not a yards-after-catch specialist like Samuel, is a superior route runner. His route-running prowess, combined with Brandon Aiyuk’s skill set, would be a formidable combination in Kyle Shanahan’s West Coast offense.
Chris Godwin (Wide Receiver)
Despite a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7, Chris Godwin remains a highly sought-after free agent. Before the injury, he was on pace for an exceptional season, projecting 121 catches, 1,399 yards, and 12 touchdowns over a 17-game schedule. Godwin is a reliable possession receiver known for his ability to move the chains and contribute in key situations.
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need a wide receiver to complement George Pickens. Godwin’s experience playing alongside another standout receiver, as he did with Mike Evans in Tampa Bay, makes him an ideal fit. Furthermore, his veteran presence would be a valuable asset for mentoring Pickens. Godwin can fill a void and become a valuable reciever for the Steelers.
Stefon Diggs (Wide Receiver)
Stefon Diggs compiled 47 catches, 496 receiving yards, and three touchdowns before a knee injury cut his first campaign in Houston to just eight games. Diggs proved last year that he is comfortable as a No. 2 wide receiver behind Nico Collins.
Best Fit: Houston Texans
Tank Dell’s gruesome knee injury creates a hole in the Texans’ wide receiver room, despite the team trading for wideout Christian Kirk to help fill the void. There are enough opportunities for Collins, Diggs, and Kirk to succeed, especially with C.J. Stroud throwing the football. The trio is necessary for Houston to remain in contention.
Amari Cooper (Wide Receiver)
Amari Cooper didn’t quite meet expectations after being traded to the Bills in October. He tallied 20 receptions, 297 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in eight regular-season games in Buffalo. While he is still a good route runner, he is no longer a No. 1 option at this point in his career.
Best Fit: Arizona Cardinals
Cooper’s veteran leadership and presence on the field would be advantageous for a player like Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Cardinals’ pass offense. Arizona needs more weapons around Kyler Murray.
Sam Darnold (Quarterback)
Sam Darnold is coming off a career season where he improved across all stats. After serving as a backup quarterback the past season or two he may be given another starting opportunity.
Best Fit: New York Giants
Darnold enjoyed career-highs in every significant statistical quarterback category in 2024, including yards (4,319), touchdowns (35) and passer rating (102.5). I believe Darnold should return to New York, but this time in a blue uniform.
Aaron Rodgers (Quarterback)
Aaron Rodgers, despite being 41, remains a starting-caliber quarterback. While he may not be performing at the four-time MVP level of his prime, he demonstrated improved play towards the end of last season, achieving a passer rating of at least 90 in four of his final five starts.
Best Fit: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks don’t have a starting-caliber quarterback on their roster after trading away Geno Smith. Rodgers would be a solid bridge while Seattle searches for its quarterback of the future. The Seahawks have a pair of rising stars in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III in the backfield. However, the Seahawks O-line needs to improve, and Metcalf wants out.
Alexander Mattison (Running Back)
Mattison’s versatility as both a runner and receiver makes him a valuable asset.
Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings
Alexander Mattison amassed a career-high 1,138 rushing yards in his first season in Minnesota. He also caught 51 balls for 408 yards. He totaled seven touchdowns from scrimmage. Whether the Vikings hand the quarterback keys to J.J. McCarthy or decide to bring back Sam Darnold for another go-round, the team should retain Jones. Mattison is the type of running back who can expedite McCarthy’s learning curve, and hes already shown that he fits in with Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
DeAndre Hopkins (Wide Receiver)
DeAndre Hopkins can be a good reciever but he is not consistent.
Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
There were games in which Hopkins played like Kansas Citys best wide receiver, such as a Week 9 performance where he tallied eight catches and two touchdowns. Chiefs wide receivers praised Hopkins for the leadership he brought to the receiver room. Hopkins can serve as the underneath threat in Kansas City. He wants to play for a contender at this stage of his career.
Keenan Allen (Wide Receiver)
Keenan Allen remains a savvy route runner despite declining numbers.
Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams
At the start of next season, Allen will be 33 years old and saw his numbers decline during his first year in Chicago. Allen remains a savvy route runner. Allen’s expertise in the middle makes him a perfect fit for the Rams who are planning to part ways with slot man Cooper Kupp. Allen is a cheaper option than Kupp and can run similar route concepts.
Russell Wilson (Quarterback)
Wilson helped the Steelers get into the playoffs, but the team’s passing offense never really got going.
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
The veteran quarterback will have more continuity in Arthur Smiths scheme if he returns to Pittsburgh.
The free agency period promises to be an exciting time for NFL fans and teams alike. The decisions made in the coming weeks will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the league for years to come.
