The 2025 NFL franchise tag deadline has passed, with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins as the only skill player to get tagged this year. With that in mind, these impending free agents are set to sway offenses and fantasy football values next season depending on where they land.
QB Sam Darnold
While the Vikings didn’t tag Darnold, they’re still negotiating a new contract with him and sound legitimately interested in keeping him around after what was at one point an MVP caliber campaign. If he gets a Year 2 with Kevin O’Connell, Darnold has a shot to be even better. But if Darnold leaves for another opportunity, that means a prime starting gig becomes open—one that’ll give a quarterback a major shot to record huge numbers. Daniel Jones is the standout option after he spent time with the Vikings last season, and he’d bring definite QB1 upside given his dual threat ability and the chance to throw to Justin Jefferson and company. Early drafters on Underdog Fantasy should consider Jones, who would be a cheaper option for the Vikings but can potentially be a superior fantasy performer than Darnold thanks to the rushing upside. Of course, last year’s first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is in the mix there, too.
RB Nick Chubb
Nick Chubb’s career was obviously derailed by his devastating 2023 knee injury, but he’s not the type of person to bet against bouncing back another year removed from the injury. Chubb is set to hit free agency after playing his first seven seasons with the Browns, and the team that lands the four-time Pro Bowler will get a former superstar at a very steep discount. Of course, Chubb rounding back to form is key, but if he does, he could quickly seize a workhorse type of role in a league where running backs continue to do damage.
RB Najee Harris
Najee Harris quietly ran for 1,000 yards in each of his first four NFL seasons with the Steelers, and the 26-year-old is an interesting high-floor free agent option at running back. The Bears have been speculated as a destination for Harris, perhaps playing a David Montgomery type of role in Ben Johnson’s offense. If Najee does leave Pittsburgh, Jaylen Warren—and/or someone else the Steelers add—could excel for a team that wants to run the ball.
RB Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones set a career-high in carries (255) and rushing yards (1,138) in his first season with the Vikings, and the two sides can still work something out. If not, the versatile veteran back might land someplace where he eats into a starter’s workload, perhaps creating a headache for fantasy owners to sort through.
WR Chris Godwin
With Tee Higgins getting tagged, you’d think Chris Godwin—even if he wants to and ultimately remains in Tampa Bay—will certainly be testing the free agent waters now, as teams might make offers that are too good to pass up. While Godwin is coming off a dislocated ankle suffered in Week 7 last year, he was one of the best players in the league when he was on the field in 2024. He can be the foundation of a passing game.