Projecting Outcomes for Top NFL WRs Who Have Uncertain Futures in 2025 Offseason

The wide receiver market could generate offseason action before the start of NFL free agency.

While there are a few notable impending free-agent wideouts, such as Chris Godwin, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs, keep an eye on the trade market.

Tee Higgins, Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel could be on the move, and the New York Jets are likely to trade or cut Davante Adams.

Let's check in on the latest storylines around the top wide receivers who have uncertain futures.

Where will the soon-to-be free agents sign in the coming weeks? Which teams will most likely make waves for receivers on the trade market? What's the next stop for Adams?

Here, we'll project the offseason outcomes for eight receivers.

Davante Adams, New York Jets

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The New York Jets will likely part ways with Davante Adams in the coming weeks. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler described his contract situation as "untenable."

Adams has a $38.3 million cap number for 2025 and has no guaranteed money left on the remaining two years of his contract. At 32, he will want a new deal and probably isn't enamored with the possibility of catching passes from Tyrod Taylor in New York.

Sooner or later, the six-time Pro Bowler will find his way to a playoff contender in an attempt to win his first Super Bowl.

According to Fowler, Adams wants to return to the West Coast. The ESPN insider named the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers as potential team fits.

Among the three clubs, the Chargers have the most cap space ($66.7 million) and an ascending quarterback on a long-term deal in Justin Herbert, who's in his prime.

Adams could finish his career with the Bolts, knowing he has a stable quarterback situation on a rising team.

Projection: Jets cut Adams, and he signs with the Chargers

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears

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At 32, Keenan Allen has optimal years left in his career. Last season, he led the Chicago Bears in touchdown receptions (seven), finishing second on the team in catches (70) and receiving yards (744).

However, the Bears may look to expand Rome Odunze's role in his second season and allow Allen to sign a sizeable contract with a receiver-needy team.

The six-time Pro Bowler could head back to the AFC West and sign with the Las Vegas Raiders, who hired his former wide receivers coach, Chris Beatty.

Beatty was the Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers coach between 2021 and 2023. Allen made the AFC Pro Bowl roster in 2021 and 2023. Because of his familiarity with Beatty during two of his best seasons, he may be open to signing with the Raiders.

Las Vegas needs another wideout after trading Davante Adams, per his request, during the previous season. Allen can complement Jakobi Meyers; they can line up on the perimeter or in the slot. With tight end Brock Bowers' versatility, the trio could be tough to cover in the passing game.

Projection: Allen signs with the Raiders

Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills

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Before you write off Amari Cooper as a washed-up receiver on the decline, remember he suited up for nearly half of the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns, who have stuck with Deshaun Watson despite his subpar performances, and played through a wrist injury in the other half of the campaign with the Buffalo Bills.

Cooper will turn 31 in June. If healthy, he could bounce back from a modest 2024 term, though it may be best for the 10-year veteran to sign with a team that allows him to blend into the offense rather than be the go-to target.

Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Baltimore Ravens tried to add a spark to their wide receiver room, acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Carolina Panthers, but the move didn't work out. They suspended and then cut him in December.

They can take another shot at a veteran wideout in free agency. Cooper can still win one-and-one matchups and make big plays. In eight games with the Bills, he averaged 14.9 yards per catch.

Along with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, Cooper can help maintain the balance in the Ravens offense. The five-time Pro Bowler may also be intrigued by playing with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

Projection: Cooper signs with the Ravens

Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans

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Whichever team signs Stefon Diggs will probably have to be patient with his recovery. The wideout tore his ACL last October.

According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander, the "likeliness" that the Houston Texans re-sign the 31-year-old is "low."

Coming off a significant injury, Diggs may be available on the free-agent market at a discounted rate. Spotrac projects he will sign a deal worth $13.5 million annually, which may be a bit higher than his actual market value.

The four-time Pro Bowler is an ideal fit for a team that doesn't need him at full strength early in the season but could use a boost down the stretch and in the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs fit that description.

They have shown they can win games without a strong wide receiver corps. As Marquise Brown prepares for free agency and tight end Travis Kelce heads into his age-35 term, Kansas City can add another battle-tested veteran to its offense.

Assuming Rashee Rice fully recovers from a knee injury and Xavier Worthy continues to grow in a bigger role, Diggs can add the finishing touches to a solid pass-catching group in Kansas City.

Projection: Diggs signs with the Chiefs

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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In Week 7 of this past season, Chris Godwin dislocated his ankle and underwent a season-ending surgery.

Still, according to The Athletic's Dan Pompei, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will prioritize his contract situation:

"Nothing is more important to the Bucs this offseason than the Chris Godwin contract situation, and it could come to a head in Indianapolis. What appears certain is the Bucs want Godwin back and he wants to be back. What is uncertain is whether they can reach a middle ground on a new deal before the wide receiver becomes a free agent in March."

Tampa Bay pushed back the void date of the 29-year-old's contract from February 18 to March 12, allowing more time for an extension before the official start of the new league year.

The Buccaneers could let Godwin walk and expand Jalen McMillan's role. However, it seems general manager Jason Licht will make a concerted effort to retain a homegrown Pro Bowl talent.

Projection: Godwin re-signs with the Buccaneers

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

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Regarding possible movement in the wide receiver market, Tee Higgins is the biggest domino because, in his prime, he can command a massive contract.

Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin publicly sent a strong message to Higgins' camp at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"Whenever I'm in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins," he told reporters. "I'm going to do what I can to get Tee Higgins. Our preference with Tee Higgins is to do a long-term agreement."

However, based on the 26-year-old's social media post, he may think Tobin is "capping" or telling somewhat of a lie.

In fairness, Tobin said "It's going to be hard" to keep Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase together.

After winning the receiving triple crown, Chase should be a lock to sign a megadeal. Tobin told reporters the 24-year-old will be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

On the other hand, the Bengals have designated Higgins for the franchise tag, which leaves him in limbo and more likely to be available for the right trade offer.

The New England Patriots have the most cap space, with a whopping $128.1 million to spend on premium talent. They desperately need playmakers to support quarterback Drake Maye in his second season and beyond.

The Patriots can make a firm offer for Higgins, a package of draft picks, and sign him to a lucrative deal. New England should be swinging for the fences to help its young signal-caller take a massive leap in 2025.

Projection: Bengals trade Higgins to the Patriots

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

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Cooper Kupp knows his days with the Los Angeles Rams are numbered. At best, the team may be able to fetch a fourth-round pick for him.

The 31-year-old has battled injuries over the previous three years, missing 18 games since 2022, but he can still be a solid No. 2 option in the passing game.

After winning the receiving triple crown in 2021, he has racked up at least 710 receiving yards and five touchdowns in each of the last three campaigns.

The Houston Texans can move on from Stefon Diggs, who's recovering from a torn ACL, and add Kupp to complement wide receiver Nico Collins.

While Collins stretches defenses vertically, Kupp can be the down-to-down chain-mover primarily out of the slot. Last season, he caught 67 passes and nearly 42 percent of his receptions went for first downs.

The Texans can help quarterback C.J. Stroud convert on critical third downs with Kupp's ability to make the tough grabs.

Projection: Rams trade Kupp to the Texans

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

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The San Francisco 49ers and Deebo Samuel are likely headed for a divorce. At the combine, general manager John Lynch told reporters he would "try to honor" the player's trade request.

The 49ers can feature 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle in the aerial attack while Brandon Aiyuk recovers from a torn ACL and MCL.

Because of Pearsall's rookie flashes and Jennings' career year in 2024, the Niners may be confident their aerial attack can thrive without Samuel, whose receiving numbers have declined over the last two seasons.

San Francisco will likely get a Day 3 draft pick for a 29-year-old with average production. Yet he can still provide a spark for an offense needing a versatile playmaker.

The Washington Commanders should inquire about Samuel. They didn't have a consistent No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin last season. It would be risky for them to rely on 34-year-old tight end Zach Ertz to be their reliable secondary pass-catcher in back-to-back terms.

Of course, the Commanders should add a wide receiver early in the upcoming draft, but they can get ahead of free agency with a trade to bolster their offense. Play-caller Kliff Kingsbury can get creative with Samuel's ability as a ball-carrier and feature him on short catch-and-run plays in space.

Projection: 49ers trade Samuel to the Commanders

NFL team salary-cap and player contract details are courtesy of Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.