It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys have some work to do to re-establish their offense among the league’s best. It wasn’t long ago that the offense was a staple in the league’s top 10 rankings, no matter who was asking. The Cowboys were first in scoring in 2021 and 2023, and third in 2022, but plummeted to 21st in 2024. They were Pro Football Focus’ top offense in 2021, fourth in 2023, but No. 28 in 2024.
Dallas finished fourth in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2021, and ninth in 2023, but dropped to 25th in 2024. The drop is consistent with the loss of QB Dak Prescott, but the team’s passing game was a struggle even when he was under center and the biggest culprit was the lack of receiving options not named CeeDee Lamb.
Both Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson struggled in 2024, with the latter turning in the worst TE performance in the history of advanced stats. Cooks is a free agent and Dallas would be wise to find help from outside. Waiting to see how the draft falls and then hoping to get elite production from a rookie makes little sense unless they are ready to early commit the No. 12 pick (or higher) to the cause. So free agency, or the trade market might be the way to go.
Fortunately, this is a big offseason for potential wide receiver movement. It’s one of the most stacked positions in free agency and several other players could be available for trade. Wednesday’s announcement that the salary cap will have an additional $7 million in space certainly helps ease the idea of acquiring salary, and Dallas has options to create whatever room they desire, if they want to actually invest in Brian Schottenheimer’s tenure.
Here’s a look at the wideouts from PFF’s recent list of 22 top offseason targets, which should be of great interest to Stephen Jones.
2. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
Dec 3, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates in the end zone after catching a touchdown pass against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Hill’s public comments following the season’s conclusion and the subsequent walking back of those comments have very much put the talented receiver’s future in flux. The nine-year veteran stumbled in 2024 due to instability under center for the Dolphins and the offense’s general ineffectiveness, which earned him the lowest PFF receiving grade of his career (77.3). Despite that, the phones in the Dolphins’ front office will be ringing should Hill become available.
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agents-trade-targets-ranked
2025 Cap Hit: $15 million (ton of dead money in guarantees follow his contract)
Contract Runs Through: 2026
4. Tee Higgins, Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) lays out for a pass in the end zone but is ruled out of bounds in the third quarter of the NFL Week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. The Bengals remain winless after a 38-33 loss to Washington.
The first domino to fall in the receiver market undoubtedly should be Higgins, as he holds all of the traits coveted in a WR1 — and it wouldn’t cost draft capital to secure him. Despite an ailing hamstring holding him out at times this past season, Higgins still produced exceptionally in 2024, amassing the highest PFF receiving grade (88.3) of his career.
2025 Cap Hit: Unrestricted Free Agent
5. Garrett Wilson, Jets
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) is shown as he warms up, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.
While the Jets’ dealing of their 24-year-old former first-round pick with nothing but stellar production is unlikely on the surface, reports that Wilson could request a trade this offseason have sprouted as of late. If he were to become available, he would immediately become one of the most coveted receivers on the trade market. Wilson is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, with his 25 missed tackles forced on receptions leading all receivers in 2024.
2025 Cap Hit: $3.5 million
Contract runs through: 2026 (fifth-year option invoked)
8. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Dec 5, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) runs against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darren Hall (34) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Before going down with a gruesome ankle injury in October, the eight-year veteran was on pace to produce one of his best seasons as a pro. Through Week 7, Godwin boasted the third-highest PFF receiving grade (85.7) among wideouts, displaying that the savvy slot target still has good snaps left, should he be able to bounce back from his injury.
2025 Cap Hit: Unrestricted Free Agent
11. Davante Adams, Jets
Aug 26, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) pose for a photo after the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
After finding his way to New York in October to link back up with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Adams could depart alongside his teammate. Despite producing his lowest PFF receiving grade (76.8) since 2016, he still has plenty of good snaps left and would provide an established offense with an X receiver who routinely showcases his savvy route-running and contested-catch ability.
2025 Cap Hit: $36.2 million
Contract runs through: 2026
13. Cooper Kupp, Rams
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) scores a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
After being the center of numerous trade rumors near the deadline, Kupp is set to depart Los Angeles after the team informed him it will seek a trade this offseason. Some risk-averse teams will likely overlook Kupp due to his age (32 in June) and recent injury history. But, even in a down year, the dynamic receiver earned a 72.3 PFF receiving grade, showcasing his exceptional floor and potential to bounce back.
2025 Cap Hit: $20 million
Contract runs through: 2026
15. Deebo Samuel, 49ers
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) runs the football against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
After a pair of extensions (Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings) and a first-round receiver selection (Ricky Pearsall), the writing was on the wall that Samuel would be the odd man out in the 49ers’ receiver room. Although 2024 was a far cry from his level of play in years prior, Samuel is still a versatile weapon who is deadly with the ball in his hands. His 8.2 yards after catch per reception ranked third among all qualifying receivers this past season.
2025 Cap Hit: $2.2 million (absorbing $17.5M in cash, $15M in future dead money)
Contract runs through: 2025
17. Christian Kirk, Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) hauls in a reception as Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars edged the Colts on a field goal 37-34. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
As Kirk enters the final year of his contract, and comes off an injury that ended his season in October, Jacksonville is likely to search for avenues to get out from under his $24.11 million cap hit in 2025. The 28-year-old receiver is a prime candidate to be dealt to a team desperate for receiving help — or be designated as a post-June 1 cut.
While Kirk’s production has diminished each year in Jacksonville, as injuries limited his time on the field, he has played well when healthy. Per PFF’s stable receiver metrics, Kirk’s 79.4% separation rate against single coverage over the past three seasons ranks in the 98th percentile at the position.
2025 Cap Hit: $16.5 million
Contract runs through: 2025
19. Amari Cooper, Bills
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Bills added Amari Cooper at the trade deadline this past season to boost their limited receiving corps. Although he didn’t erupt in his time catching passes from 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen, like many thought he would, he did produce a respectable 72.2 PFF receiving grade in a Bills uniform. Cooper may not have the same juice as in his earlier years, but he would be valuable to an offense looking for veteran leadership in the receiver room.
2025 Cap Hit: Unrestricted FA
