Three veteran free-agent WRs who could provide value for needy teams

With the 2025 NFL season set to kick off next Thursday, most teams already have their offensive depth charts set in stone. 

While the league continues to be loaded with wide receiver talent, not every team possesses respectable depth at the position. As a result, a handful of franchises could be looking to add reinforcements before the season begins. 

Most of the NFL's free-agency pool has mostly dried up, but there are still several veteran receivers who are looking for one last opportunity to salvage their careers.

Once reliable second options earlier in their respective careers, none of these three receivers will be setting any records, but they can provide an experienced presence should they prove to have enough gas left in the tank. 

Robert Woods

Robert Woods was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday as the team made its final roster cuts. Despite a disappointing preseason showing, though, the Super Bowl champion could still return to the team, ESPN's Ian Rapoport announced.

Even if a stint in Pittsburgh isn't in the cards for Woods, though, he still plans on playing in 2025. 

After posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and 2019, Woods hasn't been nearly as effective. But he's shown to be a reliable third or fourth receiver even after his 2021 ACL tear.

Woods won't be at the top of any team's depth chart at this stage of his career. But the 33-year-old is still capable of making an impact for a receiver-needy squad.

Diontae Johnson

Diontae Johnson isn't far removed from being a coveted receiver, but following his release from the Cleveland Browns, the former Pro Bowler will be fighting for his career at just 29.

Johnson's production in the first half of the 2024 campaign went under the radar considering his role on a putrid Carolina Panthers team. Once Johnson did receive a chance on a contending squad, though, he did nothing with it.

After posting 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven contests in Carolina, Johnson made just three catches over his next two stops with the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

Still unsigned in August, Johnson seems to be a headache who teams aren't eager to deal with. But as the most talented remaining receiver on the market, he may have one last chance to turn his once-promising career around.

Gabe Davis

Following an uninspiring year with the Jacksonville Jaguars in which he had just 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns, Gabe Davis still carries serious injury risk. Davis recently left the Steelers concerned following a team visit that included a medical check-up, leaving his professional future in doubt after just five seasons in the league. 

While there have still been rumblings about a return to the Buffalo Bills, Davis should have no problem latching on to a team once his health is cleared.  That time may not come until midseason, though, which would give teams little incentive to sign him before the season begins. 

Davis can't be trusted to suit up for every game anymore. But at just 26 years old, it's far too early to call his career a goner.