Dynasty Fantasy Football: 2025 NFL Free Agents Coming Off Injuries

Free agency is rapidly approaching and with it comes a fresh start for players looking to cash in on their production or find a new home. While this time can be a great time for most players, there are some who enter free agency at the wrong time coming off injury.

What was expected to be a big payday turns into looking for a contract to show they still have it and can reset their market.

I am Kyle Trimble, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and injury analyst at Dynasty League Football. I am here to break down the latest injuries and provide perspective on how to navigate the pitfalls that are injuries.

I would also encourage you to tune in to the DLF YouTube channel (make sure to subscribe!) to tune in to helpful content throughout the off-season.

Today’s article breaks down the fantasy free agents to watch out for to see where you can buy or draft them low or avoid them altogether to help build your 2025 roster.

Wide Receivers

Stefon Diggs

Injury: Right ACL tear

The plan Diggs originally had, getting traded from Buffalo to Houston then tearing up the contract to hit free agency sooner to find his next home seemed like a solid plan. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in week seven and has an arduous road back to health and an uncertain future.

Diggs’s market should still be competitive but typically a drop-off in production is observed during the first year coming off an ACL tear. Add in that he is entering his age-32 season, he may not have a lot left.

I could see Diggs taking a short deal to stay with Houston to reset his market. If he goes elsewhere, I’m not optimistic that he will have a great season. Think 2024 Mike Williams.

If you draft or trade for him in fantasy, I wouldn’t expect his pre-injury levels until the second half of the season if he can flash at that level even with Houston. Take him later than his ADP or don’t give up a lot of capital.

Tee Higgins

Injury: Hamstring/quad strains, left high-ankle sprain

Higgins battled several injuries this year including hamstring and quad strains along with a left high-ankle sprain. While he is eligible for free agency, the Bengals may elect to franchise tag him to keep him around just a little longer.

He has had a long injury history but this year’s latest issues really should have no bearing on his production next year. He may be best suited to stay with the Bengals but his ADP or capital to acquire could really shoot up if he latches on with a team that has an established quarterback. If he somehow lands with the Bills or Chiefs, go grab him and reap the benefits.

Amari Cooper

Injury: Left wrist

Cooper was a midseason trade from the dumpster fire that was the Browns and went to the Bills to get him over the hump that is the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, as soon as Cooper got to Buffalo, he suffered a left wrist injury slipping on a route against the Seattle Seahawks in week eight. This injury was severe enough to require surgery but Cooper put it off to finish the season.

He has made it clear that he wants to win a championship which means that he could stay in Buffalo to run it back with Josh Allen. If he doesn’t chase the money, then having a full season with Josh Allen could see him achieve another 1,000-yard season.

If he signs with Buffalo, I’d be willing to take him a little above ADP or give up extra capital knowing that he will be fed a steady stream of targets. It’s unknown if he had surgery but his health should not impact his future production. Should he go elsewhere, he may fade into fantasy obscurity.

Chris Godwin

Injury: Left ankle dislocation

Godwin was on pace for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season before he suffered a left dislocated ankle in the waning minutes of a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, the dislocation was severe enough that he had to undergo surgery to stabilize the ligaments in the area.

This ankle injury came at a terrible time as he is entering free agency. While he has a chance to play elsewhere, the Buccaneers pushed out the void date on his contract to continue negotiating. All signs point to him continuing on in Tampa Bay. When he does return, research indicates that there is no performance drop-off for those who do return to play the following season. He is a safe option whether you trade for him or take him slightly above ADP.

Demarcus Robinson

Injury: Right AC joint sprain

Robinson suffered a right AC joint sprain against the Buffalo Bills in week 14 causing him to exit the game. While he did not miss any time, he saw a significant drop off in his offensive production for the next few weeks until the playoffs.

Entering free agency, this injury will not affect Robinson’s market as he looks for a possible new home. Though he has never been a steady fantasy producer, he is a fine WR3 and can go off occasionally. Stick with his ADP or don’t overpay.

Mike Williams

Injury: ACL tear

Williams didn’t necessarily suffer another injury this year but he was working back from an ACL tear in early 2023. Signing with the Jets on a one-year deal was awful in hindsight as he never clicked with Aaron Rodgers. He was mercifully traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers but never found his footing there either.

With a full off-season and the potential to sign anywhere, I expect Williams to have a bounce-back year another year removed from the ACL tear. Due to his ACL rehab and Aaron Rodgers’s lack of participation during off-season work, Williams never got in sync with the offense. It has been several years since his last 1,000-yard season but he could still be a steady WR2 which means you can trade for him or select him at ADP with confidence.

Running Back

Najee Harris

Injury: Right shoulder AC joint, right ankle sprain

Harris got banged up a bit this season suffering a right AC joint sprain early but didn’t miss any time. He followed up with a right ankle injury later but this was minor enough that he avoided time on the sidelines. Fortunately, these injuries won’t affect his free agency or his availability.

Despite being a first-round selection, Harris has been a bit of a disappointment. A new environment may be best suited to unlock his true potential. His production may be heavily dependent on where he lands but he could be had at a discount. His landing spot will heavily impact his ADP.

JK Dobbins

Injury: Left MCL sprain

Dobbins has had horrible injury luck the last few seasons with a multi-ligament knee injury in 2021 followed by an Achilles tear in 2023. He managed to battle back to sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers where he had a strong bounce-back season with over 900 rushing yards. This was despite missing four games due to a left MCL sprain in Week 12.

It’s impressive what Dobbins has been able to accomplish battling back from injury after injury. I had said at the beginning of the season that he was not worth your time until he showed he could produce in an NFL offense, he did just that.

Dobbins won’t be signing any long-term contracts due to his position and injury history, but he should expect a robust market for his services this off-season. Between him and Cam Akers, they are showing that there can still be productive seasons following an Achilles tear. He would be a fine RB2 on your fantasy roster behind any offensive line and worth trading for or drafting even slightly ahead of ADP.

Nick Chubb

Injury: Foot fracture

After valiantly returning from an awful multi-ligament knee injury in 2023, Chubb was only limited to eight games before he suffered a broken foot, ending his 2024 season. Reports indicated that he did not require surgery but it has been a rough stretch of injuries for a running back who was coming off four 1,000-yard seasons and was four yards shy of another one his rookie year. His fracture was the result of having his foot stepped on which is less concerning than other potential types of fractures such as a Lisfranc.

Chubb will be 30 in December and has a lot of miles and injuries on him. He could stay in Cleveland out of loyalty to the city but his chance to win a Super Bowl is closing. He may have to take the JK Dobbins approach and prove that he can still perform before he’s worth picking up in fantasy. He is a wait-and-see and should only be taken if he begins to fall below his ADP.

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Kyle Trimble

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Kyle is a Doctor of Physical Therapy out of Buffalo, NY. He has three kids, many chickens, and cheers on the Buffalo Bills. He almost burnt down Wendy’s when he was an employee in high school.