Gregg Rosenthal· Feb 24, 2025
Rosenthal unveiled his top 101 free agents of 2025 for NFL.com, ranking Tee Higgins first, Trey Smith second and Milton Williams third, with Nick Chubb at No. 101. He also expects Higgins to be franchise tagged rather than reach free agency.
“T. Higgins, who we think is gonna get franchise, Tag will not get the free agency”
said on air or in an interview · Around the NFL (podcast) · read the original →
The page this came from has changed since we captured it on Aug 5, 2026. The quote and evidence above are from our capture, not from what the page says today.
2 checkable claims — 1 top player list and 1 trade and signing call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
All 2 have settled, averaging 42 out of 100, against 75 for a naive guess at the same calls.
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Who this take is about
2 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsTee HigginsFeb 24, 2025
Tee Higgins to move
“T. Higgins, who we think is gonna get franchise, Tag will not get the free agency”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 100-200 skillHow this was scored
- skill:
- -200
- player:
- Tee Higgins
- season:
- 2025
- claimed:
- he leaves
- was with:
- CIN
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 100
- difficulty:
- 2
- the naive guess:
- he stays where he is
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- ended up with:
- CIN
- weeks left when called:
- 18
- Top Player ListsFeb 24, 2025
“Here are the top ten free agents... T. Higgins... Trey Smith... Milton Williams three... Ronnie Stanley four, Zach Bond coming off a career year at number five, Sam Darnold at six, Osa Adigie Zua at number seven, Josh Sweat from the Eagles at eight, Chris Godwin at nine, and Carlton Davis... Nick Chubb at twenty nine is my one on one.”
Hit · 84Scored 83.94a naive guess scored 50+33.94 skillHow this was scored
- naive:
- a coin-flip ordering scores 50
- skill:
- 33.94
- placed:
- 17
- season:
- 2024
- players:
- 22
- accuracy:
- 83.94
- baseline:
- 50
- by position:
- WR 8: 95.24, DT 2: 100, LB 3: 75, CB 4: 60
- difficulty:
- 1
- weeks in the season:
- 18
- could not place:
- 0
- weeks left when called:
- 0
What others said about the same people
- Steve WeischTrade and Signing Calls · Tee HigginsMiss · 0Wyche argued Cincinnati cannot afford to keep both receivers and expects New England to sign Tee Higgins away with an unmatchable offer, and he suggested Kirk Cousins could be moved out of Atlanta.
- Pat FitzmauriceSleeper Calls · Tee HigginsHit · 100Fitzmaurice ranks Darren Waller around TE40, touts T.J. Higgins as a low-end WR1 value, Kenneth Walker as a top-12 back if healthy, Stefon Diggs in the ninth round, Drake Maye as a QB1 finisher with big rushing upside, Luther Burden as an ADP-beater, and Javonte Williams as Dallas's lead back.
- Pat FitzmauricePositional Finishes · Tee HigginsMiss · 0Fitzmorris laid out his Week 3 wide receiver ranks: Jefferson sixth, Brian Thomas Jr. tenth, AJ Brown 11th, Tee Higgins 24th, George Pickens 22nd, Rome Odunze 27th, Jaylen Waddle 32nd, plus Piersall 34, Ridley 35 and Jennings 37.
- Andrew EricksonPositional Finishes · Tee HigginsMiss · 0Erickson gave his own Week 3 wide receiver ranks, notably putting Justin Jefferson sixth, AJ Brown ninth, Rome Odunze 17th, George Pickens 24th and Tee Higgins way down at 35th, while calling Odunze a full breakout.
- Pat FitzmauricePositional Finishes · Tee HigginsClose · 42Fitzmorris gave his Week 9 wide receiver rankings, going higher than consensus on Rashee Rice, Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, Wan'Dale Robinson and Jameson Williams while ranking both Jaguars receivers below consensus. He also said Travis Hunter overtaking Brian Thomas as Jacksonville's No. 1 receiver is fiction and ranked with the expectation Kyler Murray plays.
- Patrick ClaybonDepth Chart Calls · Tee HigginsHit · 100Claybon's ten picks in the best-wide-receivers draft (overall picks 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29), led by Justin Jefferson at No. 2 and Puka Nacua at No. 5, with a notably aggressive Tyreek Hill selection at No. 8. He also framed DeVonta Smith and Tee Higgins as No. 2 receivers on their teams.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Named several players as candidates to be traded before Sunday's cut deadline, including Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy, Cardinals edge Josh Sweat and Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
- Bryan DeArdoTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100A CBS Sports piece lists veterans it expects could be traded before the 53-man roster deadline, including quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (with Buffalo floated as a landing spot), J.J. McCarthy and Will Howard, plus Jerry Jeudy, Joey Porter Jr., Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Josh Sweat, Kristian Fulton and Marist Liufau. It also says Mason Rudolph's and Drew Allar's roster spots in Pittsburgh are secure.
- Matthew CollerTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Coller argues J.J. McCarthy's development is far behind schedule and that he will likely end up needing a fresh start with another team rather than developing into the Vikings' answer at quarterback.