The NFL is trying its hardest to focus on the NFL Scouting Combine this week but it’s hard to ignore the fact most agents and teams get a head start on free agency talks while the combine goes on.

This 2025 free agency class isn’t as interesting as last year’s, with more potential interest on the defensive than offensive side, but there are still very important matters to be settled on. We’ll speculate on some free agency moves that could be fun for fantasy football.

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NFL Free Agency Predictions

Najee Harris to the Chargers

The Chargers’ connections to the Ravens are well known. While it wouldn’t be surprising to see Joe Ortitz (general manager) and Jim Harbaugh elect to build through the draft like the Ravens have professed for so long, perhaps they also see the benefit Baltimore gained by making a splash in free agency last year and bringing in Derrick Henry.

The Chargers need a more effective running game to get the best out of Greg Roman’s offensive scheme. J.K. Dobbins flashed but slowed down and Gus Edwards looked like the bus had run out of gas. While Kimani Vidal was a popular sleeper pick, he might as well have slept through most of the season.

Najee Harris has been much maligned by many within the fantasy community over the years, seen as a plodder and uninspiring, but what if Harris was held back by the Steelers being a lackluster offense for much of his time in Pittsburgh? Harris caught the backend of Ben Roethlisberger, before Kenny Pickett and then the mish-mash of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024. What if, in a magical fantasy football timeline, we get Harris with a capable quarterback in an offense that helps running backs shine? That could be very fun.

First four years in NFL:

Najee Harris: 3.9 yards per carry, 2.9 yards after contact per carry, 20.7% missed tackles forced per rush, 5.8% explosive run rate

David Montgomery: 3.9 YPC, 2.7 yards after contact per rush, 15.1% missed tackles forced per rush, 5% explosive run rate

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) February 24, 2025

Aaron Rodgers Waits

The quarterback carousel will take up many of the headlines in the next couple of weeks, especially with Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers floated as potential trade candidates. Rodgers finished the season in slightly better form than he spent much of it in, but it’s undeniable he’s not the player he once was.

Rodgers used to have such an incredible command of the pocket along with knowing exactly when to leave it that he gave defenses nightmares. Now, Rodgers’ arm strength has deserted him and his mobility is non-existent, not to mention the furor that accompanies his persona. For a team picking high up in the draft and disappointed in the lack of options, why take a chance on Rodgers when you’re trying to establish and build a culture?

For teams that see themselves as competitors, can they look at Rodgers’ tape from any of the last three seasons and see a difference-maker? Unlikely. Let’s not forget that when Tom Brady was a free agent there was plenty of pause from teams with regards to his future, and he’d played to a higher recent standard than Rodgers has. Rodgers might be one of the biggest names available but it feels more likely he’ll be waiting a while to scrap over the last job or two out there.

Matthew Stafford Stays

Sticking with the quarterback carousel for one more rotation, Matthew Stafford is causing all kinds of headlines at the moment with the revelation from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that Stafford’s agent has permission to talk trade terms with other teams. However, what option out there is better for the Rams? They’d need to trade up to secure one of the rookies, which doesn’t seem prudent with the state of the incoming rookie class.

Kirk Cousins is still under contract with the Falcons, as is Derek Carr with the Saints, while Rodgers would be a definite downgrade. Perhaps the Rams want to pursue Sam Darnold, but is paying Darnold $40 million a safer bet than giving Stafford closer to $50 million? As for Stafford, would he want to go to Pittsburgh at this point in his career? Or try to make the Giants relevant in the NFC East? This feels similar to the situation Lamar Jackson found himself in with the Ravens two years ago in many ways. The illusion of freedom might create headlines but both the team and the player ultimately could be best suited to getting back into bed for at least one more year.

“Our first goal in mind is to have [him] come back here as our quarterback”

McVay addresses the Matthew Stafford situation in LA pic.twitter.com/UROh0DEpG1

— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) February 25, 2025

Amari Cooper Moves to Houston

The Texans were 2024’s biggest fantasy football disappointment with C.J. Stroud‘s regression heavy and unpleasant. Much of the regression was due to the offensive line being woeful, but Stroud also struggled without quality pass-catching options as Tank Dell regressed, Stefon Diggs missed much of the season and Nico Collins missed five of the first 10 games of the year.

The Texans simply have to give Stroud better options for 2025. While Amari Cooper didn’t do much in Buffalo, it’s hard not to think part of that was down to Joe Brady’s scheme with barely anyone sustaining fantasy relevance outside of Josh Allen and James Cook. Cooper has long played better in domes than outside. A return to a dome while staying with a contender would make sense for all parties involved.

Marquise Brown Joins the Commanders

After losing in the Super Bowl with Kansas City, perhaps it makes sense for Marquise Brown to return and for the Chiefs to see if they can get more out of Brown in a season where he stays healthy, but equally, it’s worth wondering if they need Brown. Xavier Worthy took a huge leap down the back half of the season and Rashee Rice will return from injury early in the season, if not before. The longer Rice’s legal process plays out the more it feels like minimal punishment is coming.

This would leave Brown searching for his fourth team in five years and there are plenty of good options in a lackluster wide receiver free agency, but the one that seems the most fun is pairing Brown with the electric Jayden Daniels. Brown played under Kliff Kingsbury in Arizona in 2022, recording 709 yards and 67 receptions on 107 targets in 12 games. Daniels needs more targets to ascend to the next level and this wouldn’t get in the way of the way Terry McLaurin is utilized.

Juwan Johnson Reunites with Sean Payton

Since Sean Payton returned to the head coaching streets and started his reign in Denver, he’s brought in the likes of Will Lutz, A.T. Perry, Adam Trautman, Dwayne Washington, Michael Burton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Chris Manhertz and a whole host of coaching staff who were with him in New Orleans.

Payton simply loves having what he knows around him. The Broncos are searching for a ‘weapon’ at the tight end position, according to Payton. It would make too much sense to see him reunited with 28-year-old Juwan Johnson. As a former wide receiver, Johnson flashed at times over the last couple of seasons. The Broncos need more pass-catching options and Johnson paired with Bo Nix could be a fun combination.