Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, Garrett Wilson, and More NFL News
By Sigmund Bloom - Exclusive to Footballguys
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News From the NFL
The NFL has informed teams that the 2025 salary cap will be between $277.5 and $281.5 million, up from $255.4 million in 2024.
Why It Matters: This represents a bump of around 9-10%, which is less than the 2022 (14.08) and 2024 (13.61), but more than 2023 (7.97). Once again, teams that sign players to top-of-the-market extensions before their contracts are up are getting rewarded. Teams that wait (we're looking at you, Cincinnati) are punished. Having a quarterback on a rookie contract is even more valuable now, and hitting on draft picks will be rewarded more.
News From AFC Teams
Baltimore Ravens News
According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the Ravens and TE Mark Andrews have a "good chance" of staying together in 2025.
Why It Matters: Andrews is due a $4 million roster bonus on March 17 and has a non-guaranteed $11 million salary. While his contributions might not be worth $15 million and his 2024 season ended on a low note, Andrews is still a core piece of the team. The Ravens probably value him as much as or more than any other team, and both would benefit from continuity. Isaiah Likely is going to break out in fantasy leagues eventually, but it won't be in 2025 if Graziano is right.
Cleveland Browns News
Zac Jackson of The Athletic wrote that "all indications are that (the Browns) are going to continue to hold Myles Garrett and try to present him with a monstrous new contract" to keep him with the team.
Why It Matters: If Garrett is dealt (as he requested), he would be one of the biggest names traded in NFL history and likely spark an exodus of veterans from the Browns roster. It would represent a reboot of the team and almost certainly put them back at the top of the draft next year, which could change the math on whether they should take a quarterback this year. Convincing Garrett to stay with a new contract boosted by an ever-rising salary cap would signal an attempt to extend their window of competitiveness.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that people are "connecting the dots" between the team and QB Kirk Cousins.
Why It Matters: Cousins has a good history with head coach Kevin Stefanski and will likely get the veteran minimum a la Russell Wilson in 2024, a boon for a team that is still a bad place with the cap even after the 2025 increase. Cousins should be better in 2025, another year removed from a torn Achilles. If he ends up with the Browns (he hasn't been released… yet), it would be good for David Njoku and Jerry Jeudy.
Cincinnati Bengals News
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Bengals will attempt to sign WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins, and DE Trey Hendrickson to long-term contracts this offseason. James Rapien of Sports Illustrated also reported that the team plans to use the franchise tag on Higgins.
Why It Matters: Chase is almost certain to remain a Bengal for the foreseeable future, but Higgins' next chapter is cloudier. The tag could be a precursor to a new deal or a trade if the two sides can't agree on terms. Higgins and Chase have the same agent after Higgins made a change last year, presumably evidence of a desire to sign long term with the team. We would project Higgins as a Bengal for 2025, which is the best possible spot for his fantasy value. If Higgins is traded, Andrei Iosivas would become the #2 receiver.
Houston Texans News
Aaron Wilson of NBC Houston reports that WR Tank Dell's ACL surgery is pending now that his LCL and MCL repairs are completed.
Why It Matters: This timeline is not optimistic for his chances of playing in 2025. The Texans have John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson on the roster to play complementary roles to clear #1 Nico Collins, but Robert Woods and Stefon Diggs are free agents, so they should be in the market for at least one significant addition via free agency or the draft. Some project Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka to be reunited with C.J. Stroud if he's on the board when the Texans pick 25th in the draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars News
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes there is a 75% chance the Jaguars will release WR Christian Kirk.
Why It Matters: Kirk is due $15.5 million, which isn't exorbitant by 2025 cap standards, but still potentially prohibitive, Parker Washington is developing behind him. Washington wasn't especially impressive in place of Kirk after his season was ended by a broken collarbone, but he is only going into his third year. If the Jags release Kirk, it could be a sign that they believe in Washington, but there are plenty of good slot receiver prospects in the draft, and the slot receiver skillset is the easier to find at wide receiver. Kirk could be a fit in a primary role in Washington or Arizona, among other places, and actually gain fantasy value if he's released.
Kansas City Chiefs News
ESPN's Adam Schefter believes the Chiefs could use the transition tag on OL Trey Smith, but Nate Taylor of The Athletic reported that they are not expected to use a tag on Smith.
Why It Matters: The Chiefs offensive line was the weak link in Super Bowl LIX, even though Smith was one of the strong pieces. The transition tag number is about $22 million. While there was some speculation that the Chiefs would consider it, the league lumping all line positions together for tags means that the price is a bit inflated since it includes salaries at the more premium position of tackle. Smith would be one of the marquee interior offensive linemen on the market after the Chiefs only had to use a sixth-round pick to draft him back in 2021.
Las Vegas Raiders News
Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports that QB Gardner Minshew II will not be part of the team's plans for 2025.
Why It Matters: It's much easier to say who won't be an option for the Raiders at quarterback than who will be. The team will incur a $10.82 million cap hit for releasing him, with the ability to defer $3 million to 2026 if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Aidan O'Connell is the current starter, but the Raiders are in position to take a quarterback in the first round. They could see one of the top two prospects fall to their natural pick of #6, but new GM John Spytek might be willing to move up to land their guy if they fall in love with one of Cameron Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado).
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