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ESPN Previews NFL Wide Receiver Market: Top Free Agents, Trade Candidates & Potential Cuts

John Canady

Host · Writer

20) Jaylen Waddle — Miami Dolphins (Trade Candidate)
Jaylen Waddle has established himself as a game-changing playmaker since being selected in the first round, but a potential organizational reset in Miami could make him the most sought-after trade candidate on the roster. Teams in need of an elite receiver would likely circle Waddle, who could be looking for a fresh start if the Dolphins pivot in 2026.
1) George Pickens — Dallas Cowboys (Franchise Tag Candidate)
George Pickens couldn’t have scripted a better first year in Dallas, erupting for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns while firmly establishing himself as a true No. 1 wideout. After paying the price to acquire him, the Cowboys may have little choice but to use the franchise tag if extension talks stall, keeping their most explosive perimeter weapon in place while buying time to negotiate long-term.
2) Romeo Doubs — Green Bay Packers (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Romeo Doubs quietly put together the best season of his career in Green Bay, finishing with 724 receiving yards and six touchdowns while carving out a consistent role in a crowded Packers receiver room. An underrated vertical threat with playoff experience, Doubs could draw real interest on the open market from teams looking for a reliable No. 2 or No. 3 option who can stretch the field without commanding top-of-market money.
3) Mike Evans — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Mike Evans enters free agency at 32 after seeing his historic run of 1,000-yard seasons snapped by an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, finishing with just 368 yards and three touchdowns. Long viewed as a Tampa Bay staple, Evans now finds himself at a crossroads where age and durability concerns could force the Buccaneers to weigh loyalty against long-term roster reality.
4) Jauan Jennings — San Francisco 49ers (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Jauan Jennings entered 2025 positioned for a breakout, but quarterback instability and unfavorable game scripts kept his role inconsistent despite solid production of 55 catches for 643 yards and nine touchdowns. With San Francisco expected to move on from Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings could quickly shift from intriguing market option to internal priority as the 49ers look to preserve continuity in their receiver room.
5) Christian Kirk — Houston Texans (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Christian Kirk has struggled to showcase the elite play he displayed during his breakout year in Jacksonville during the 2022 season, and his stint in Houston only produced flashes rather than the bounce-back the Texans envisioned when they traded for him. Still just 29, Kirk remains a savvy route-runner with enough juice left to warrant interest, but his next stop will need to offer the right role and offensive fit to spark a true bounce-back.
6) Alec Pierce — Indianapolis Colts (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Alec Pierce may be the most intriguing receiver set to hit the market, combining age, size, and vertical ability at just 25 years old. With steady quarterback play unlocking a breakout 2025 season of 1,003 yards and six touchdowns, Pierce is expected to be a priority for Indianapolis, and if an extension can’t be reached, the franchise tag could quickly enter the conversation.
7) Wan’Dale Robinson — New York Giants (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Wan’Dale Robinson has flipped the early draft-day skepticism on its head, emerging as one of the league’s more productive slot weapons after a true breakout season in New York. With 92 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, Robinson validated the Giants’ long-term vision when they selected him, which now leaves the franchise with a key decision: lock up a homegrown playmaker or let a rising receiver test a potentially strong market.
8) Deebo Samuel — Washington Commanders (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Deebo Samuel showed flashes of his old dynamic self after a trade from San Francisco, totaling 727 yards and five touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play in Washington. The versatile playmaker could either re-sign with the Commanders, who value his big-play ability, or explore free agency for a fresh opportunity to showcase his full skill set.
9) Rashid Shaheed — Seattle Seahawks (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Rashid Shaheed has made a name for himself as both a dynamic deep threat and a special teams ace, arriving in Seattle just before the trade deadline and playing a key role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run. At 27, he’ll draw attention around the league, but it’s difficult to see him leaving the team that helped showcase his skills on the biggest stage.
10) Tyquan Thornton — Kansas City Chiefs (Unrestricted Free Agent)
Tyquan Thornton, a 2022 second-round pick of the Patriots, has yet to fully realize the speed and playmaking potential that made him a draft-day target. He flashed early in Kansas City this season, but his role and production diminished once the Chiefs returned to full health. Thornton could attract interest from teams seeking a high-upside, deep-threat option ready for a fresh opportunity.
11) Brandon Aiyuk — San Francisco 49ers (Cut Candidate)
Brandon Aiyuk was considered as a rising star in San Francisco, but a knee injury ended his 2024 season early and kept him out for all of 2025. Add on the reported friction with coaches and the front office after his trade request and contract extension, the 49ers now appear ready to move on and a cut for the wideout seems to be on the horizon.
12) Tyreek Hill — Miami Dolphins (Cut Candidate)
Tyreek Hill, once one of the league’s premier wideouts, struggled early this season in Miami before trade whispers began swirling. A season-ending leg injury, combined with coaching turnover and the likely departure of Tua Tagovailoa—the very reason Hill elected to be traded to Miami—makes it increasingly likely the Dolphins will part ways with the star receiver.
13) Calvin Ridley — Tennessee Titans (Cut Candidate)
Calvin Ridley arrived in Tennessee as a marquee free agent signing, but injuries and inconsistent quarterback play have kept him from living up to expectations. With the GM and head coach who brought him in no longer in Nashville, the writing appears to be on the wall for Ridley’s future with the Titans.
14) A.J. Brown — Philadelphia Eagles (Trade Candidate)
A.J. Brown has made no secret of his frustration with his role in Philadelphia, even after helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl last season. Trade speculation has swirled without action so far, but following a wild card playoff exit, this offseason could present the opportunity for Brown and the Eagles to explore a potential move.
15) Keon Coleman — Buffalo Bills (Trade Candidate)
Keon Coleman entered Buffalo with high expectations as a potential replacement to Stefon Diggs, but off-field issues have limited his development despite flashes of talent on the field. With ownership publicly questioning the decision to draft him, a trade appears increasingly likely as the Bills look to reset their receiving corps.
16) Quentin Johnston — Los Angeles Chargers (Trade Candidate)
Quentin Johnston, a former first-round pick, showed signs of finally putting it together early in the season, but his production tailed off as the year went on. With a new offensive coordinator coming in, the Chargers may be open to exploring trade options to reshape their receiving room.
17) Xavier Legette — Carolina Panthers (Trade Candidate)
Xavier Legette is yet another former first-rounder who has yet to fully develop in Carolina despite his rare combination of size and athleticism. If the Panthers decide to reshape their wide receiver room, Legette could easily become the odd man out and a candidate for a trade.
18) DJ Moore — Chicago Bears (Trade Candidate)
DJ Moore has long proven himself as a top-tier NFL wideout, but his role took a backseat this season despite the Bears’ overall offensive improvement under new head coach Ben Johnson. With a step back instead of a breakout campaign, Moore could be on the move this offseason as Chicago explores trade options.
19) Brian Thomas Jr. — Jacksonville Jaguars (Trade Candidate)
Brian Thomas Jr. came into the season with high expectations following a strong rookie campaign, but he struggled to find consistency, leading to trade speculation ahead of the deadline. With a new GM and head coach now in place, Thomas Jr. could be on the market, though it would be surprising for Jacksonville to part ways with a talent of his caliber so early in his career.
20) Jaylen Waddle — Miami Dolphins (Trade Candidate)
Jaylen Waddle has established himself as a game-changing playmaker since being selected in the first round, but a potential organizational reset in Miami could make him the most sought-after trade candidate on the roster. Teams in need of an elite receiver would likely circle Waddle, who could be looking for a fresh start if the Dolphins pivot in 2026.
1) George Pickens — Dallas Cowboys (Franchise Tag Candidate)
George Pickens couldn’t have scripted a better first year in Dallas, erupting for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns while firmly establishing himself as a true No. 1 wideout. After paying the price to acquire him, the Cowboys may have little choice but to use the franchise tag if extension talks stall, keeping their most explosive perimeter weapon in place while buying time to negotiate long-term.