Introduction
The 2026 offseason really starts rolling with players being cut, traded and hitting free agency. On the 11th of March, free agency starts, and in this article I’m walking you through my takes on the top available players on the fantasy relevant positions (QB, RB, WR and TE). I will give my take on each players’ strengths, weaknesses and what I think their ideal landing spots could be.
Let’s get into it.
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray
Kyler is one of the top free agents available this offseason. He started 2025 rough before going down with an injury, he played just 5 games. What made it worse? Jacoby Brissett stepped in and helped fantasy managers a lot. He elevated McBride, but certainly Michael Wilson.
Strengths
Murray’s rushing ability is still elite, if he dares to show it. In 2024, he carried the ball 80 times for 572 yards at 7.2 yards per attempt and 5 touchdowns. His total rushing EPA was also very good at +17.9. In 2025, although limited, he averaged 6.0 yards per carry with a total EPA of +4.1. A team signing Murray gets a dual-threat weapon.
The arm talent is still there too. In the 2024 season he attempted 55 deep balls, completing 36.4% of them for 553 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Weaknesses
The efficiency numbers are concerning. Murray’s EPA/play was just 0.032 in 2025 and 0.078 in 2024, that’s among the lowest for starting quarterbacks in both seasons. His CPOE (Completion Percentage Over Expected) was even negative in 2025 at -0.53, meaning he was completing passes below what was expected based on the difficulty of his throws.
What’s also worrying: his sack rate jumped from 5.3% in 2024 to 9.0% in 2025. Does his height limit his reading of pressure fast enough or does he hold he hold the ball too long? Either way, the percentage of dropbacks where he was sacked is not a good sign.
Malik Willis
Before Murray became a free agent, Willis was the #1 free agent, especially looking at quarterbacks. He showed us flashes of what he can do when given the opportunity, but he’s been a backup for most of his career. Although, his time in Green Bay made a strong case that he might be a starting caliber quarterback somewhere.
Strengths
Willis has a legit rushing upside. Over the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined he had 42 carries for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
And his arm, well it’s a small sample, but he can sling it. During the 2025 season he completed 87.5% of his deep passes (7-for-8) for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 2024, he was 6-for-8 (75%) on deep passes. His overall EPA/play in 2025 was +0.739, the highest of any quarterback in this free agency class. Yes, it was just 38 attempts, but you can see the talent is there.
Weaknesses
The sample size is his biggest question mark. Just 10 games and 101 pass attempts over the past two seasons with Green Bay. That’s not enough to state he’s the real deal as a starter.
What is worrying though, is his sack rate in 2024. He was sacked on 12.7% of his dropbacks, which is very bad. And when he was in the red zone, his EPA was roughly -0.200 over the last two seasons, which suggests he struggles when the field is getting shorter.
Marcus Mariota
The past two seasons, Mariota has been Daniels’ backup in Washington. He has shown, when needed, that he can put up fantasy relevant number. A lot of times when he started, he was a QB1 in that week, primarily because of his rushing ability.
Strengths
The rushing floor is a real strength. In 2025, Mariota carried the ball 50 times for 297 yards (5.9 yards per carry) with 9 explosive runs and a positive rushing EPA of +6.7. His 2024 season was similar but on a smaller scale: 18 carries, 91 yards and +3.5 EPA total. When Mariota plays, he runs.
His TD rate in 2025 was a solid 4.1%, and in his small 2024 sample (3 games, 48 attempts) he had an 8.3% TD rate.
Weaknesses
He doesn’t have a great arm like Murray or Willis. His completion percentage in 2025 was just 56.5% and on deep passes this was just 30% (12-for-40).
His EPA/play in 2025 was -0.016, which means he was making the offense slightly worse on a per play basis. He was also hit quite a lot at 16.3% of his dropbacks.
Running Backs
Kenneth Walker III
Walker, the Super Bowl LX MVP, is hitting free agency. He didn’t get the franchise tag and could be a great RB in another place. In his 2025 season, he has shown what he can do when healthy. Walker leaves behind 43.5% of the team’s total rushing attempts.
Strengths
Walker showed a significant leap from 2024 to 2025. His yards per carry went from 3.7 to 4.6 and his explosive runs almost tripled from 13 to 33. His strength is running to the end gaps (5.1 yards per carry in 2025) and between the guards (5.3 yards per carry). He’s a well-rounded runner, not just a one trick pony.
Another strength is his receiving ability. Over the past two seasons, Walker had 89 targets for 581 yards. In 2025, his receiving EPA was +0.190 per target, not bad out of the backfield.
Weaknesses
His main concern is his durability. Over the last three seasons, Walker missed a total of 8 games (even though 2025 he didn’t miss a game). We have seen what he can do in a healthy season, but does he remain healthy in 2026?
Another stat to pay attention to is his stuff rate. He got stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage on 19.0% of carries in 2025 (21.6% in 2024). Despite the improved efficiency overall, he still has issues when the blocking isn’t there. His total rushing EPA in 2025 was -14.3, which means he had a lot of volume, but the efficiency wasn’t always there. Although it didn’t help that Charbonnet got most of the goal-line opportunities.
Travis Etienne
Etienne and Trevor Lawrence came from the same college and spent years improving their chemistry in Jacksonville. Now, they’ll likely be separated. Etienne has shown he can be a great fantasy asset, but he’s also shown us that he can disappear for fantasy. With Etienne likely gone, 53% of the team’s rushing attempts are gone.
Strengths
Etienne has great durability. After his ligament tear that sidelined him for the 2021 season, Etienne has missed just 1 game since.
He’s also a great receiving back. In 2025, on 52 targets, he caught 36 passes for 292 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. These are numbers we like to see from a fantasy perspective. Over the past two seasons, he had 16 red zone targets, and his EPA/target in 2025 was +0.176, meaning he was quite productive in the passing game.
Weaknesses
Etienne gets stuffed often. His stuff rate was 21.2% in 2025 and 18.0% in 2024, the highest of the top available running backs in this free agency class.
His worst running is done between the guards, where he averaged just 3.5 YPC with a -0.104 EPA/carry in 2025.
His overall rushing EPA in 2025 was -19.0, despite rushing for 1107 yards. He’s volume dependent, but he needs a strong offensive line as well to work his true magic.
Rico Dowdle
Dowdle has been a back-up for most of his career, but when given the opportunity he has proven he can be a viable starter both for an NFL team and for fantasy.
Strengths
Dowdle is an explosive runner. Combined over the 2024 and 2025 season he had 472 rushing attempts, of which 50 of them ended in an explosive play of 10 yards or more. That’s a 10.6% explosive rush rate.
As a receiver, he had 50 targets in both 2024 and 2025, resulting in 4 touchdowns. Of those 50 targets, 13 came in the red zone.
His consistency is one of his strengths as seen in the mentioned data when comparing 2024 and 2025: nearly identical rushing attempts, yards per carry and the same number of targets in both seasons.
Weaknesses
His goal-line work has been limited. In 2025 Dowdle had just 9 goal-line carries, which is only 1 more than Walker, who was considered denied by Charbonnet. In 2024, he had just 5.
The lack of goal-line work shows up in his TD rate: only 8 rushing touchdowns on 472 carries across two seasons, a roughly 1.7% rate.
Tyler Allgeier
Allgeier has lived in Bijan Robinson’s shadow in Atlanta the past few seasons, but now he has the possibility to find a new team where he might carve out a bigger role. Allgeier leaves 29.9% of the Falcons’ rushing attempt behind, but also 44.4% of the red zone rushes.
Strengths
Allgeier is a red zone threat. In 2025, he scored 8 touchdowns on just 143 carries, a 5.6% TD rate. He had 32 red zone rushes and 10 goal-line carries, converting 7 of them into touchdowns. On short-yardage, Allgeier is a force to be reckoned with.
But next to his short-yardage work, he’s also an explosive running back. Over 2024 and 2025 combined, Allgeier had 32 explosive runs on 281 carries, an 11.4% explosive rate. And that’s even with a lot of short-yardage work accounted into his stat.
Weaknesses
The receiving upside is limited. In 2025 he had just 16 targets and 13 in 2024, with only 1 red zone target in each season.
Allgeier is also more of a north-south runner than an outside runner. His EPA at end gaps was -0.278 in 2025, while his tackle runs produced a positive +0.087 EPA.
Wide Receivers
Jauan Jennings
Jennings broke out in 2024, where he showed what he can do when he gets the opportunity. This continued in 2025, especially when Pearsall went down with an injury. Jennings leaves behind a 16.8% target share and a 21.2% red zone target share.
Strengths
His TD rate over the past two seasons was roughly 7.2% on 206 targets, a very high rate. And these touchdowns weren’t all concentrated in one season: he had 6 in 2024 and 9 in 2025. In 2025, he was particularly involved in the red zone with 22 targets, 8 goal-line targets, and 7 red zone touchdowns.
He’s also a very balanced wide receiver in terms of location, where he has a catch rate of roughly 61% whether targeted on the left, middle or right side of the field.
Weaknesses
Jennings’ WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating) declined from 0.600 in 2024 to 0.497 in 2025, meaning he commanded a lesser share of the offense even when other pass catchers (not named Christian McCaffrey) were injured. His target share went down too from 22% to 16.8%
His catch rate dropped as well, from 68.1% to 59.1%, and his total EPA went down too. His total EPA in 2024 was +43.2, in 2025, this was -2.3, which means the overall efficiency wasn’t great, despite his touchdown production.
Alec Pierce
Pierce showed what he can do on limited receptions in 2025: 47 catches for over 1000 yards. Pierce leaves behind a 15.7% target share.
Strengths
His downfield ability is elite, he averages 21.3 yards per reception in 2025 and 22.3 in 2024. His total air yards were 1593, which leads the wide receivers in this free agency class by a wide margin. His aDOT also confirms he’s used a lot on deep plays with 19.0 yards. Although, he’s not just a deep threat, he caught a lot of balls on intermediate depth.
His deep play ability translates to explosive plays: 17 catches of 20+ yards in 2025. His EPA/target was also very high with +0.664, mainly because of the deep plays that work getting a lot of positive EPA. His EPA/target on deep routes was an overwhelming + 1.033.
Weaknesses
Pierce is very good in the deep and intermediate areas, but isn’t used as much in the short area. This leads to his red zone usage being limited as well, just 15 red zone targets across two seasons.
Because of his big-play ability, we often see a consistency issue. He can put up 25 fantasy points in one week, followed by 1 the next, and 18 the week after. The deep ball dependency means there’s no real floor here.
Wan’Dale Robinson
Robinson really showed what he can be during the 2025 season. Does this change how teams should view him as a free agent? He does leave a 27.9% target share, although this was without Nabers and some time without Skattebo.
Strengths
Robinson’s YAC (Yards After Catch) ability is really solid. In the 2025 season he had 386 total YAC and an average of 4.2 YAC per reception, the only receiver in this wide receiver list above 4.0. He can be a real playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Over the past two seasons, he had a catch rate of roughly 66%. And this is not only because of his short-yardage work, because his yards per reception jumped from 7.5 in 2024 to 11.0 in 2025. He was used on intermediate and deep passes more. Comparing 2024 and 2025, he went from 4 deep targets in 2024 to 21 in 2025.
Weaknesses
His TD rate is really worrisome. Over the past 2 seasons, he had only a 2.5% TD rate. In 2025, he had 141 targets, but only 4 touchdowns. And even without Nabers, his red zone targets dropped from 18 to 14, which was also reflected in his red zone touchdowns: just 1.
Robinson was still utilized in the short area often, of his 141 targets, 69 of them came at short-yardage and 25 of them even behind the line of scrimmage. His behind-the-line-of-scrimmage targets resulted in a bad EPA/play of -0.197.
Romeo Doubs
Doubs has been a quiet, steady option in Green Bay, and now will probably hit the market when receiver-needy teams are looking for his reliable hands. He’ll leave behind a 18.6% target share.
Strengths
Doubs is reliable considering his catch rate at roughly 63.5% over the past two seasons, and it’s not just short targets. He can catch on all parts of the field, where his short-yardage catch rate is especially high with 80%. On intermediate and deep targets, he respectively has a 56.2% and 46.7% catch rate.
He is also used a lot in the red zone. On 159 total targets across 2024 and 2025, 30 came inside the red zone (18.9%). These targets translated to 8 red zone touchdowns, including 6 goal-line targets and 5 touchdowns inside the 5 in 2025.
Weaknesses
Doubs’ WOPR grew in 2025 but is still on the lower end. This means he wasn’t commanding a dominant share of the offense, which is to be expected with all the different weapons in Green Bay. Also, his target share in 2025 was 18.6%, which isn’t great for fantasy.
Even though he is reliable, for fantasy his consistency is a concern. Doubs can go from 19 points to 1 to 6 to 10 in consecutive weeks. Without a reliable volume floor, he’s hard to trust as a weekly starter.
Tight Ends
Dallas Goedert
Goedert had a great year in 2025, with 11 touchdowns. This will most likely regress in 2026, but he can still be a viable fantasy option. He’ll leave behind a 17.6% target share.
Strengths
As stated, Goedert scored 11 touchdowns in 2025, the most of any player in this free agency list, regardless of position. Seven of those came inside the goal-line on just 8 targets, which means an 87.5% TD rate at the goal-line. Hurts really trusted him, and Goedert delivered.
Even when playing with two elite wide receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Goedert got a 17.6% target share in 2025. His catch rate was also very good at 73.2%, and his EPA/target was at +0.441. He can be a viable TE1, even with good wide receiver competition for targets.
Weaknesses
When targeted on intermediate routes, Goedert’s efficiency dropped significantly, where he caught just 38.5% of the targets in 2025. Not great, considering he got a catch rate of 66.7% on deep routes (6 targets).
His YAC was also significantly worse than 2024, down from 6.1 to 3.9. And at 30 years old, can he get his YAC back up again, or will it stay lower?
David Njoku
Njoku has been a good fantasy asset for the past few seasons, even in a bad offense in Cleveland. The time has now come for him to move on, as Harold Fannin Jr. is taking over. Njoku can still help a lot of teams with his profile.
Strengths
Njoku is very reliable when targeted on short routes: 71.5% catch rate on 105 targets over the past two seasons. He can be a safety net for quarterbacks.
His red zone usage is solid too, roughly 17% of his targets across both years came inside the red zone, resulting in 9 touchdowns on 25 red zone targets.
Weaknesses
His main concern is his durability. Over the past four seasons, Njoku missed a total of 13 games due to injury.
Another issue is his EPA trend. Yes, he got injured in 2025, but his per play numbers dropped as well. His EPA/play in 2024 was already negative at -0.053, but it got worse in 2025 at -0.075. He’s the only tight end in this free agency list who has a negative EPA, and Njoku had this in both seasons.
Isaiah Likely
Likely is by far the youngest tight end of this list and may have the most unused potential, due to operating in Mark Andrews’ shadow the past seasons. He leaves behind a modest target share of 8.8%.
Strengths
Likely is very consistent in his yards per reception: an identical 11.4 in both 2024 and 2025. He can really get chunk-plays, which is to be expected from a player with his athletic profile. His catch rate was also very good, 72.4% in 2024 and 75% in 2025.
On intermediate routes, Likely caught 55.6% of his targets, meaning he’s not only a safety net, but can also lengthen the field.
Weaknesses
We don’t know his full potential yet, as he was behind Mark Andrews in the depth chart. This also resulted in a low target share of 12.7% in 2024 and 8.8% in 2025. We don’t have a good indication what his numbers will do if he gets a larger role in a new offense.
His TD rate in 2025 was also brutal, just 2.8% (1 TD on 36 targets). For context, he had a 10% TD rate in 2024. His landing spot is very important whether this number will go back up again or will stay low.
Favorite landing spots
Now that we know each player’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s time to look where these players should land. Based on roster needs for each team, I’ve matched the players to various teams.
Kyler Murray (Favorite landing spots: Vikings, Steelers)
Currently, J.J. McCarthy doesn’t look like the long-term solution for the Vikings. They also have Mason as the only startable running back right now, which means Murray could become an extra weapon in the rushing game immediately. Also, his arm strength can elevate Justin Jefferson back to the ceiling we know he’s capable of. He might have to win the starting job first, but Murray has the potential to do it.
With the Steelers, the same logic applies. Pittsburgh currently has Jaylen Warren as running back, with Kenneth Gainwell hitting free agency. The Steelers have been looking for quite some time for a long-term quarterback solution and Murray could be that solution. Yes, Murray has efficiency concerns, but his dual-threat ability and his arm strength to elevate Metcalf could be just what the Steelers need.
Malik Willis (Favorite landing spots: Steelers, Cardinals)
If the Steelers don’t land Murray, Willis could be a great option too. He’s also a dual-threat quarterback. Willis’ rushing production at 6.2 YPC fits the need of a dual-threat quarterback which can elevate the Steelers to the next level. The sack rate is concerning, but the Steelers have a great O-Line when looking at pass blocking.
Without Murray, the Cardinals will be looking for a new quarterback too. There is a key connection as well: Willis has grown under Matt LaFleur, Mike Lafleur’s brother. This could help accelerate Willis’ development. What it means for McBride, Harrison Jr. and Wilson? I’m a little bit scared..
Marcus Mariota (Favorite landing spots: Falcons, Raiders)
Mariota is already familiar with Atlanta from his prior stint. With Cousins being released, the Falcons need a viable backup behind Penix. Given Penix’s injury history, having a veteran who can start when needed is crucial.
Las Vegas will likely draft Mendoza at #1 overall, but who’s behind him? Pickett? The Raiders could use a veteran presence who can teach Mendoza and start when needed.
Kenneth Walker III (Favorite landing spots: Jaguars, Chiefs, Vikings)
A great landing spot for Walker would be the Jaguars. Jacksonville loses Etienne and with him 53.0% of the team’s rushing attempts and 47.0% of their red zone rushes. The Jags currently have Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen, neither of whom currently replaces what Etienne brought. Walker’s explosive – and receiving ability would slot in perfectly.
The Chiefs really need a #1 running back, with Pacheco hitting free agency. The fit here is Walker as the explosive/receiving complement to Kareem Hunt’s short-yardage role.
Aaron Jones will be released from the Vikings, leaving Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott. Mason isn’t a receiving back, which is exactly where Walker can complement this backfield and potentially take over as the RB1 on his own.
Travis Etienne (Favorite landing spots: Chiefs, Vikings, Commanders)
Same logic here as with Walker, KC needs a #1 running back. Etienne’s a receiving threat out of the backfield, making him a great fit in KC. Hunt handles the short-yardage, Etienne the explosive – and receiving plays.
Also with the Vikings, Etienne would fill a similar void as Walker. His receiving upside is what this backfield is missing with the departure of Jones. The stuff rate isn’t great, but the Vikings O-Line can help him get more explosive plays.
Washington struggled with their running backs in 2025 and most of their backs are free agents. Etienne could be the answer, though the fit with Daniels as dual-threat quarterback is a question mark. Etienne could be the RB1 in Washington.
Rico Dowdle (Favorite landing spots: Seahawks, Commanders, Broncos)
With Seattle losing Walker, they could use a complementary piece to Charbonnet, especially someone who’s shown he can start as the RB1, with Charbonnet likely being out for the start of the season due to his injury. When Charbonnet returns, a Dowdle/Charbonnet split backfield would make sense.
Dowdle would fill a need for the Commanders as well, with a presumably lower price tag compared to Etienne. With his consistent production, Dowdle can be a viable option including his receiving upside.
Sean Payton loves a split backfield. Without spending big money on Walker or Etienne, Dowdle could be a good option. Both Harvey and Dowdle have receiving upside, but Dowdle would be the more complete runner.
Tyler Allgeier (Favorite landing spots: Broncos, Lions, Panthers)
Denver has Harvey, but Allgeier brings a completely different build. His 5.6% TD rate and 10 goal-line carries in 2025 fill the short-yardage role which could help the Broncos. Harvey could still be the receiving back, so a classic thunder and lightning approach.
The Lions lost David Montgomery, their thunder to Jahmyr Gibbs’ lightning. Allgeier is exactly that: a short-yardage back who can convert on short-yardage situations. He won’t need 200+ carries to be fantasy relevant here, as the Lions could again be an offense with a lot of short-yardage scoring opportunities.
With losing Dowdle, the Panthers could replace him with Allgeier, although not a 1-for-1 player profile swap. Allgeier would be the short-yardage specialst, whereas Hubbard would still handle the receiving work.
Jauan Jennings (Favorite landing spots: Raiders, Titans, Commanders)
With Mendoza likely as the new quarterback, Las Vegas needs to give him weapons to succeed. Right now it’s Brock Bowers and Jeanty as the #1 options, this feels limited. Jennings will be a true WR1 in Las Vegas with his red zone production, but also his balanced catch profile.
Calvin Ridley’s future with the Titans is all but certain. Either way, the Titans lack weapons for Cam Ward, a hole Jennings could fill. If Ridley stays, Jennings is a strong complementary piece. If Ridley leaves, Jennings could be the WR1 in Tennessee.
The Commanders will likely be without Deebo Samuel in 2026, which means they only have McLaurin as a startable wide receiver. Jennings would be a welcome addition, where McLaurin stretches the field and Jennings could be a safety net. This could make for some fun player-swapping too, Jennings joining the Commanders and Deebo back to San Francisco.
Alec Pierce (Favorite landing spots: Falcons, Saints, Titans)
With Mooney gone, Atlanta needs a WR behind Drake London. Pierce’s downfield ability could complement Drake London, and Penix has the arm to throw it deep. A combination of London, Pierce, Pitts and Bijan could make a fun offense in Atlanta.
The Saints have Olave and Vele behind him, although is Vele the answer to the WR2 role? Pierce adds another weapon to the offense, also taking off all the attention and coverage to Olave. Pierce would also add another weapon for Tyler Shough.
Tennessee could use a guy like Pierce to act as the deep threat. Ward has a strong arm and can sling it downfield. The Titans do have the cap room to make this happen, so why not?
Wan’Dale Robinson (Favorite landing spots: Titans, Raiders, Commanders)
It feels like the Robinson to Titans signing is almost done, but it’s also a good landing spot for him. Yes, almost every wide receiver can be a good addition for Tennessee, and Robinson is no exception. With his YAC ability and short area reliability he can act as an extra safety net for Cam Ward. We’ve seen what he can do on the intermediate and deep field areas of the field as well, so he would be more than a one-trick pony.
Las Vegas needs wide receivers. With Robinson’s production at every depth, he can be the go-to wide receiver for Mendoza. Act as a safety net on the short area of the field, or as the receiver at the end of a long ball. He can create after the catch too, which helps to move the chains.
Robinson and Samuel possess a similar skill set: both create behind the line of scrimmage and both have rushing ability. If Samuel leaves, Robinson would make for a good replacement. McLaurin would stay as the alpha WR1, but Robinson would slot in perfectly behind that.
Romeo Doubs (Favorite landing spots: Patriots, Titans)
Diggs has been released, which means the Patriots have a large receiver room, but no true WR1. With Doubs’ stable catch rate (63.5%), red zone production (8 red zone TDs over the past two seasons), and his ability to catch anywhere on the field, he could fill that hole. This would also help the Patriots develop some young guys behind Doubs like Kyle Williams.
If the Titans want to, they can double-dip on wide receiver if they release Ridley. Doubs won’t be the most expensive receiver in this free agency class, making him a good WR2 signing. His 30 red zone targets across two seasons and his reliable catch rate, give the Titans a dependable second option.
Dallas Goedert (Favorite teams: Commanders, Eagles, Dolphins)
Washington really needs a TE1, with Ertz likely hitting free agency. That would mean the Commanders lack a starter-caliber tight end. Goedert could step into that role that Zach Ertz played in 2024, when Ertz and Daniels connected frequently. With Goedert’s catch rate, he can be the safety net for Daniels, but is also reliable in the red zone.
Goedert could return to the Eagles and reclaim his role as Hurts’ safety net. TD regression is almost certain after his 11 touchdown season, but he’s a beloved target inside the red zone. He’s also shown that he can thrive in an offense with two elite wide receivers beside him.
Miami’s TE room has multiple free agents, including Waller and Dulcich. If they don’t re-sign them, the Dolphins have a significant need, regardless of the quarterback in 2026. Goedert’s short-area reliability makes him a safety net for any quarterback coming in.
David Njoku (Favorite landing spots: Chiefs, Buccaneers)
If Kelce leaves or retires before the 2026 season, the Chiefs would need a tight end who can work the middle of the field. Njoku’s 71.5% short-target catch rate would fit the profile. He’s not Kelce, but he can play a similar role. With Mahomes, Njoku’s numbers could elevate compared to his numbers in Cleveland.
If Cade Otton leaves in free agency, the Buccaneers would need a receiving tight end for Baker Mayfield. Njoku could see a significant target volume here, especially if Mike Evans decides to leave too. Njoku’s short-area game would thrive in Tampa Bay.
Isaiah Likely (Favorite landing spots: Buccaneers, Commanders, Dolphins)
Same logic as Njoku, if Otton departs, the TE position is a position of need for Tampa Bay. Likely’s upside is higher than Njoku’s: he’s younger and his yards per reception are higher as well. In an offense with Baker Mayfield throwing him the ball, Likely could be a TE1 for fantasy.
Washington would need a new tight end with Ertz likely leaving for free agency. Likely’s receiving capabilities make him a potential ‘2024 Ertz’ for Daniels, a reliable target who can move the chains.
Miami might lose Waller and Dulcich this offseason, opening a path for a new TE1 in Miami. Likely is still young and could be a long-term answer alongside Waddle and Achane in the receiving game.
The bottom line
This free agency class, but certainly their landing spots, do have consequences for fantasy football. The biggest takeaways:
The running back market has some great names, and with the lack of running back depth in this year’s draft class, teams could go hard on these running backs. With Walker and Etienne being the headlines, their landing spots would make for a shakeup in the fantasy world.
At wide receiver, some good but not elite talent hits free agency. Different profiles are available, so teams could get a player they need: deep-threats like Pierce or more all-round like Robinson. Some of these players can even be the #1 receiver on their team, depending on the landing spot.
At tight end, some good options are available too. Goedert had a great 2025 season, but age and the likelihood of TD regression can scare some teams off. With Njoku and Likely being available, some good athletic tight ends are in the mix too. Can Njoku regain his TE1 status and will Likely be the TE1 somewhere else?
