Underrated Landing Spots for Top 2025 NFL Free Agent Skill Players

Although the NFL postseason is coming up soon, the buzz around free agency is also going to steadily build in the near future.

Among the hundreds who will be plucked off the open market, few will attract as much attention as quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers—the skill-position players.

Now, just about anyone would want to catch passes from Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes. Offenses run by Ben Johnson, Matt LaFleur or Kevin O'Connell may have a similar appeal, and the league's most competitive teams are certainly a major draw.

However, there are several teams that are beyond the obvious group that should be heavily considered by skill players.

The choices are subjective but consider the opportunity for a player relative to his position and a roster's current outlook.

Oh, and spoiler alert: It appears I'm pretty bullish about the future of the AFC West beyond the Chiefs.

Denver Broncos

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Bo Nix and Sean Payton

Given that the Denver Broncos are likely playoff-bound, they're not the most underrated spot in the league. We haven't exactly been talking about Denver as a destination team, either.

But we absolutely could.

Sean Payton has engineered a quick turnaround for a franchise that peaked at seven wins during the tenures of Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio and Nathaniel Hackett. Denver finished 8-9 last season and enters Week 17 with a quality 9-6 record.

In addition, the Broncos have seemingly found the answer at quarterback with Bo Nix. His debut campaign has been highly promising, and taking advantage of having a QB on a rookie deal is critical.

Other than Courtland Sutton, though, who's catching the ball? Devaughn Vele and Marvin Mims Jr. might both finish below 500 receiving yards. There is plenty of reason for Denver to get aggressive for a high-end receiver like Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper or Chris Godwin.

Denver probably doesn't need to chase a running back, but receivers and tight ends should be looking closely at the Broncos.

Las Vegas Raiders

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Brock Bowers

This one comes with an asterisk.

If the Las Vegas Raiders don't sign Sam Darnold or aren't in position to select a top QB, I'm not as excited. The recent win over the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped the Raiders to the projected No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. That might be too late for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.

Perhaps the final two weekends vault Las Vegas back to a top-three choice, or maybe the Raiders move up anyway. This outlook is both uncertain and—because of trades—variable.

That qualifier aside, the Raiders have so much opportunity.

Las Vegas doesn't have a clear-cut starter at running back, and the receiving corps is thin. Tight end Brock Bowers is a budding superstar, yes, but Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker are basically the only other targets—and they're more reliable complements than standouts.

As long as the Raiders have a clear plan for their QB situation, whether that's Darnold or a rookie, they should be a legitimate consideration in free agency.

Los Angeles Chargers

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Justin Herbert

Wrapping up the AFC West, there's the Los Angeles Chargers. In short, I believe in Jim Harbaugh.

Everywhere he's been a head coach—college, pros, back to college, back to the NFL—the teams have won. Not only that, but Harbaugh has consistently elevated the program or franchise to an elite level.

Could you really fault a free agent for hopping on this bandwagon?

Plus, the QB situation is settled with Justin Herbert under contract through the 2029 season. His presence solidifies the appeal of the Chargers, who also seem destined for the playoffs in 2024.

Outside of rookie wideout Ladd McConkey, though, who's a definite part of Herbert's supporting cast? Running back J.K. Dobbins had a resurgent year until yet another injury sidelined him. Quentin Johnston has bounced back from a bad rookie campaign but is still shy of 500 yards, and Josh Palmer is an impending free agent.

Especially since L.A.'s cap sheet gets clearer in 2025 and beyond, the Harbaugh-led Chargers are an intriguing team for running backs Aaron Jones or Najee Harris and a top receiver—particularly a prime-age target like Higgins.

New England Patriots

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Drake Maye

As expected, the 2024 campaign has been unkind to the New England Patriots. They hold a 3-12 record with two difficult games to play, trending toward another top-five draft pick.

But they, too, have presumably found a QB with Drake Maye.

Not needing to address that position can free New England to revamp the rest of the roster and fully commit to building around Maye. Best of all, according to Over the Cap, the Patriots boast the most available cap space in 2025 as the offseason nears.

Meanwhile, you should be noticing a theme. This receiving corps just doesn't have a bunch of unquestioned contributors.

Kayshon Boutte might become that, and Demario Douglas looks like a respectable high-volume receiver. Hunter Henry has been a quality safety outlet, but a truly competitive team would not be relying on a non-explosive tight end like him as the main option.

Maye gives New England the hope of a bright future, and any top-tier free-agent receiver would immediately be the No. 1 target.

New York Giants

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Malik Nabers

Look, the New York Giants are bad at football right now. I'm not going to suggest otherwise for even a moment.

But there's a world in which that changes quickly.

Heading into Week 17, the Giants have the NFL's worst record. They desperately need a QB after the Daniel Jones experiment failed, and holding the No. 1 overall pick means New York could pick its direction with Sanders or Ward—or even Darnold in free agency.

The major question in New York is whether head coach Brian Daboll will return. And, if he doesn't, the franchise's next hire would have a considerable impact on their appeal.

Let's say Daboll is back or the Giants land a respected offensive mind. In that situation, Darnold or a star receiver should be in play. New York probably can't afford both Darnold and a top wideout to pair with a rookie QB and Malik Nabers, but either path is worth exploring.