Biggest Fantasy Football Question For Each NFL Team Before Free Agency
This year I decided to sit down and write an article a day for each NFL team leading up to NFL free agency. All 32. Within that we covered every offensive weapon on the depth chart and speculated about what free agency moves they might make. The series totals about 80,000 words which is roughly the equivalent of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Within this article I will link to each of those articles if you want an in-depth break down of your team. Maybe you’re wondering what the game plan is for Justin Shorter (spoiler - the Raiders are attempting to convert him to a tight end as depth behind Brock Bowers). Each player that ended the season on an NFL roster is covered in those.
Naturally, in writing those, some key questions became apparent for each team. So, I’m going to take a moment to highlight those here in this article. So, let’s begin!
Note - I will also be running a Free Agency Tracker that will soon be linked HERE with an emphasis on fantasy-relevant players during all of next week, as well as going live from 11AM-12 PM ET with Theo Gremminger on the Fantasy Alarm YouTube!
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills - Should The Bills Extend James Cook?
Adding a wide receiver could pour some cold water on guys like Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid. But the biggest question is the looming extension for James Cook. He’s not quite threatening a holdout, but he and his brother have been publicly campaigning for him to get $15 million per year. That’s a big contract and it’s a big decision for the Bills.
Miami Dolphins - What Is The Future For Tyreek Hill?
Tyreek Hill is no stranger to the headlines - and not always in a good way. He’s recently gone back and forth on possibly retiring or “being done” with the Dolphins vs. being excited for the future and wanting an extension. Is this a guy we can trust in dynasty fantasy football leagues or is it time to get off Mr. Hill’s Wild Ride?
New England Patriots - How Do They Add Weapons?
The Pats have the most cap space of any team. And they have the fourth overall pick. The free agent wide receiver class ended up a bit thin but names like Davante Adams are out there as well as trade rumors for guys like DK Metcalf and Cooper Kupp. How do they acquire weapons for Drake Maye?
New York Jets - Is It A Bridge Year?
They have moved on from Aaron Rodgers and his henchmen Davante Adams and Allen Lazard. Now they need to decide on a direction. Do they reload with a new quarterback and compete right away? Or do they just roll out Tyrod Taylor and call this a lost year? You don’t want to waste too many prime years of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Does Sean Payton Get His “Jokers”?
Sean Payton calls a player you can play out of position a “joker”. Examples from his past offenses would be using Jimmy Graham out wide or having Alvin Kamara run deep routes. They could use a similar tight end in this offense after ditching Greg Dulcich. And Joe Lombardi LOVES throwing to the running back, as this tweet illustrates.
Kansas City Chiefs - Do The Chiefs Upgrade At RB?
Xavier Worthy seems to have avoided charges in a strange saga. Hollywood Brown will be back as will Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce. At running back, however, they have some uncertainty. Kareem Hunt was playing over Isiah Pacheco down the stretch - Hunt is an unrestricted free agent. Do they make an upgrade here after seeing what the Eagles did with Saquon Barkley?
Las Vegas Raiders - Weapons For Geno Smith?
You just traded for a 34-year-old quarterback. You are playing to win now. You’ve got a great “big slot” tight end in Brock Bowers (and an inline tight end in Michael Mayer that could be on the trade block). You have a reliable Jakobi Meyers. Do, you make a move for a wide receiver? They also could upgrade from Sincere McCormick at running back.
Los Angeles Chargers - The Best Tight End Landing Spot?
There are a lot of questions here. Do they add a WR? Who will the starting RB be after Gus Edwards was released? But the tight end spot here is super intriguing. Greg Roman has orchestrated a top five all time TE season with Mark Andrews. After Ladd McConkey, there are targets available. Evan Engram is out there. And guys like Colston Loveland, who Jim Harbaugh coached at Michigan, are available via the draft.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - What To Do With Mark Andrews?
There have been some rumblings that Ravens legend Mark Andrews’s time in Baltimore could be over. If that were the case though, they might need to make big structural changes to an offense that relies on two tight ends. Maybe Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar are ready. Otherwise, they would need another tight end or to convert to more three WR sets. I think Andrews stays but it’s worth discussing as that day will eventually come.
Cincinnati Bengals - Can They Extend Tee Higgins?
Look, I know it’s been talked to death. But we are hitting the biggest questions for each team, and this is the biggest question. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Chase Brown, and Mike Gesicki are in. Can they find a way to make things work with Tee Higgins and keep the band together?
Cleveland Browns - Who Will Quarterback The Cleveland Browns?
Deshaun Watson isn’t going anywhere until after 2026. That contract is brutal. But he’s also extremely unlikely to play this year after re-tearing his Achilles tendon. Enticing someone to come join the franchise that has been the butt of many jokes is not easy. But they will need a quarterback for 2025 if they want to compete. And they need to compete to keep Myles Garrett in town.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Is Justin Fields Their QB1?
There are a lot of fun questions here. With Najee Harris likely gone, does Jaylen Warren return in a bigger role? Will they trade for or draft a WR2 (they are trying to collect compensatory picks for guys leaving so they probably aren’t signing free agents). Though free agents that have been released, like Davante Adams, would not count against that formula. Regardless, the biggest question for fantasy is whether the mobile Justin Fields will get a starting job again. The upside is there.
AFC South
Houston Texans - Will Stefon Diggs Be Back?
Nick Caley wants to run three WR sets. That’s what the Rams offense does, and I expect his scheme to be similar. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk are in. Tank Dell is likely missing all of 2025. If Stefon Diggs isn’t back, that opens this team up to potentially making another move at WR. Stay tuned.
Indianapolis Colts - Is Anthony Richardson The Guy?
The Colts have wide receivers and a star running back. They could use a tight end. But the most important question is whether Anthony Richardson is the long-term answer at quarterback or not. If he is, the upside for an athlete like this is tremendous for fantasy football. But the floor is the same as every quarterback that doesn’t start - zero. That’s the nature of the position.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Kirk and Evan Engram Are Out - Who Is In?
James Gladstone is in as GM and Liam Coen is in as coach. They wasted no time trading Christian Kirk and cutting Evan Engram. Brian Thomas is locked in. Brenton Strange could be the starting tight end as they do like a “two way” guy like Coen had in TB in Cade Otton vs. a “big slot” like Engram. But they will likely need at least one more pass-catching weapon for Trevor Lawrence.
Tennessee Titans - Will They Tip Their Hand On 1.01 Pick In Free Agency?
It’s interesting that free agency comes before the draft. Because it could tell us what a lot of teams are planning. For instance, if the Titans go out and sign a quarterback in free agency (especially someone like Sam Darnold), does that mean they don’t plan on taking a quarterback at first overall? Their free agency moves could give us an inside look at what they are thinking.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Who Will Start At Running Back?
They’ll probably need another receiver with Brandin Cooks hitting free agency. But they have CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. What they don’t have is a running back. Rico Dowdle could be back but he’s an unrestricted free agent. Do they go for someone like Najee Harris? Or do they look to a deep draft class for a back?
New York Giants - Which Giants Quarterback Rumor Is True?
The Giants have been linked to virtually every free agent quarterback, every trade candidate quarterback, and every quarterback in the draft. I guess they could sign someone AND draft someone. But only one guy can start. The rumors are constantly swirling so it will be fun to see which one is true.
Philadelphia Eagles - Do They Even Need Weapons?
This is maybe the one team that doesn’t have to add much in terms of starting weapons. Jalen Hurts is a star. They have two high end WRs under contract in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. They have a solid tight end in Dallas Goedert. They have Saquon Barkley. Spending up on a WR3 might not even be necessary. They definitely need depth, however.
Washington Commanders - How Does Deebo Samuel Fit In?
The Commanders made a move for star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. They have Terry McLaurin out wide, and Zach Ertz is back at tight end. Deebo Samuel has a history of also dabbling at running back though RB coach Anthony Lynn already has Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. Projecting Deebo Samuel’s usage could make for an interesting play in fantasy football.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Can Kyler Murray Unlock Marvin Harrison?
I did a full study this offseason on what happened with Marvin Harrison Jr. I combed all the stats and watched all 500+ routes which I broke down into gifs for the article. The short and sweet is that Kyler either gets the ball out very quickly (top 3 in QB throws under 2 seconds). Or the play breaks down and he scrambles around. He didn’t often get through his reads to the longer developing routes that Marvin Harrison Jr ran. Can he take that step forward this year?
Los Angeles Rams - Who Is The WR2 After Puka Nacua?
They’ve informed Cooper Kupp that he will be traded. Jordan Whittington is there. TuTu Atwell is back on a one-year deal. Tyler Higbee will be back as well. We know Matthew Stafford can support two targets. Who will be the second behind Puka Nacua?
UPDATE Davante Adams has agreed to a two year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. That answers that question.
San Francisco 49ers - Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings?
With Brandon Aiyuk recovering from knee surgery, they both should start early. But this team heavily features a fullback which means there are only two full-time WR jobs. Plus, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will need their targets. Who gets the full-time job opposite Brandon Aiyuk will determine which of Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings is a fantasy football stud or a bust.
Seattle Seahawks - Will DK Metcalf Get Traded?
I know they need a quarterback. They are eyeballing Sam Darnold. But everything in fantasy football hinges on the DK Metcalf trade. Much like SF and MIA, Klint Kubiak loves himself a fullback. That means two WR sets with a tight end (which could be Noah Fant or, if he’s released, could be AJ Barner). That second WR spot opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba becomes incredibly valuable for fantasy because of the high target consolidation of the scheme.
UPDATE DK Metcalf has been traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2nd round pick
NFC North
Chicago Bears - Does Ben Johnson Want A Split Backfield?
Ben Johnson came over from the Lions. The Lions notoriously ran a split backfield with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Bears currently have D’Andre Swift. Do they add another back and split the backfield? Or is it wheels up for Swift? That’s the big question. I also wrote a bonus article just like the Marvin Harrison Jr one looking at Rome Odunze’s outlook, if you are interested in that kind of thing.
Detroit Lions - Should They Add A Big Split End?
This team has Jared Goff. They have two great RBs. They have a stud tight end in Sam LaPorta. They have Amon-Ra St. Brown as the slot/flanker and Jameson Williams as the speedy field stretcher. Tim Patrick is a free agent - do they upgrade with a big-bodied split end?
Green Bay Packers - Do They Need A True WR1?
Josh Jacobs publicly said the Packers need a WR1. He might be out of line going to the media but is he wrong? Christian Watson could miss the whole season. Jayden Reed has never played more than 75% of the snaps in a game. In five combined seasons, Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs have yet to have 100+ receiving yards in a regular season game (Doubs did it once in the playoffs). Do they need a true alpha?
Minnesota Vikings - Will Aaron Jones Return?
Kevin O’Connell mentioned he wants Jones back but possibly in a reduced role as part of a committee. Jones might want money and touches elsewhere instead. That would leave the top of the depth chart open for what should be a competitive team. This is a big landing spot for fantasy football in a very deep running back draft class.
UPDATE Aaron Jones has returned to the Vikings on a deal reportedly worth $20M.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Is Kyle Pitts Going To Be Traded?
Zac Robinson’s offense likes having three wide receivers and one tight end. That tight end typically plays inline and blocks a lot. That led to Charlie Woerner actually player more snaps than Kyle Pitts at times. The Falcons are in a tough situation cap-wise and could save $10M by trading Pitts. Do they pull the trigger?
Carolina Panthers - Which Pass-Catcher Steps up?
Bryce Young looked much better down the stretch. We’re still unsure if Adam Thielen will be back or not. There are many young pass-catchers who are intriguing here in Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and Ja’Tavion Sanders. Who steps up and breaks out in 2025?
New Orleans Saints - Is The Taysom Hill Era Over?
Taysom Hill has been an enigma for fantasy football. He’s made ranking the tight end position a nightmare. The Saints are once again in cap space hell however and it seems like Hill is on the chopping block. Will his reign of terror on the fantasy community mercifully come to an end? Or does he just land in Denver with Sean Payton?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Will Chris Godwin Be Back?
The Buccaneers extended the void year deadline for Chris Godwin to give themselves more time to negotiate. But the clock is ticking as the new year approaches. Can they get this extension done to keep the star in town? He would be one of if not the most coveted WR assets if he hits the open market.
Player News
Ryan Ramczyk retired after eight seasons in the NFL.
Ramczyk served as a stalwart member of the Saints’ offensive line from 2017-2023, battling through deteriorating cartilage in his knee. He was sidelined by the issue for the full 2024 season. Ramczyk’s NFL accolades include a spot on the 2017 PFWA All-Rookie Team, two second-team All-Pro nods (2018 and 2020) and one first-team All-Pro (2019) spot.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery is a player that “teams like a lot more than the media knows.”
Rapoport suggests that Ersery could make his way into the late first round, connecting him with the tackle-needy Chiefs. Ersery performed more consistently as a run-blocker than as a blindside pass protector over the last two seasons, but notably allowed just a 3.0 percent quarterback pressure rate last year, the 10th-lowest among Power Five left tackles with at least 400 pass-protection snaps.
Beat reporter Scott Bair reports that Bears DC Dennis Allen asked slot CB Kyler Gordon to learn a second position, either on the perimeter or at safety.
The Bears’ previous coaching staff spent two seasons trying this experiment before allowing Gordon to blossom in a full-time slot- and box-coverage role last season. Perhaps, Allen can succeed where others have failed. His intent is to “find some more playing time” for Gordon, which is understandable given Gordon’s significant on-field impact last year.
Bills signed CB Tre’Davious White, formerly of the Ravens, to a one-year, $6.8 million contract.
White, now 30 years old, returns to the team that drafted him in the 2017 NFL Draft’s first round. White was a force to be reckoned with early in his career, but a 2021 ACL tear and a 2023 Achilles tendon rupture have reduced his play quality. White will now compete for the Bills’ No. 2 perimeter role.
Bills waived TE Armani Rogers.
This is unfortunate. Rogers recently ruptured his Achilles tendon for the second time in three years. He showed promise as a 2022 rookie, earning a 65.3 PFF receiving grade and a 68.0 PFF run-blocking grade, but the injuries are taking their toll. The Bills also released DT Branson Deen.
Titans waived OT Nicholas Petit-Frere.
The team signed C Sam Mustipher and OT Oli Udoh in corresponding moves. Petit-Frere failed to meet expectations after the Titans spent a third-round pick on him in 2022, allowing 35-plus quarterback pressures in 2-of-3 NFL seasons.