Throughout the playoffs, Sam Wallace, Mark Drumheller, and Jonathan Fuller will be highlighting the biggest NFL free agents heading into the 2025 offseason. We'll be breaking down the best and worst landing spots as well as projecting where key players will eventually sign.

Today's subject? 2024 Kansas City Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown.

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Best Landing Spots For Hollywood Brown in 2025 NFL Free Agency

Jonathan Fuller: Every WR should dream of catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. Unfortunately for Hollywood Brown, his opportunity playing alongside the best QB in the league was minimized due to a shoulder injury that cost him the first 15 weeks of the season. That didn't end up mattering much to the Chiefs, who rolled to the No. 1 seed and will now make their third straight Super Bowl appearance. 

However, it does matter for Brown's ability to command a significant free agent contract this offseason. Another year older, coming off an injury with just five games under his belt, he is unlikely to do better than the one-year $11 million deal he got from the Chiefs this season. If he isn't going to get a big payday then there is no reason to leave the setup he has with the Chiefs.

From a fantasy perspective, Brown, Worthy, and Rashee Rice are a pretty nice trio of receivers for Mahomes to throw to. With Rice returning from a significant injury and facing a possible suspension, Brown provides competent depth in the passing game and should be a serviceable fantasy option, especially in games that Rice misses. 

Whether or not Kansas City successfully completes the three-peat, they should bring Hollywood back on another one-year deal (maybe even two years if they're feeling generous). 

Mark Drumheller: Imagine having Patrick Mahomes as your quarterback and thinking there is actually something better out there. In the world of fantasy football, Hollywood Brown’s first season with the Kansas City Chiefs was an enormous bust after suffering a preseason shoulder injury that sidelined him until late December. 

However, Brown still has an opportunity to make a lasting impression on the biggest stage next Sunday. After seeing five targets in the AFC Championship, I expect Brown’s speed to be a big part of the Chiefs’ game plan against the Eagles. 

Brown is a 5-foot-9, 180-pound vertical threat who requires a creative offensive mind to truly unlock his fantasy potential. That’s not a knock on Hollywood, who left Baltimore after racking up over 1,000 yards on 146 targets, because he felt the Ravens’ offense was holding him back. 

If anyone is going to design play concepts to maximize the potential of Hollywood Brown, it’s Andy Reid. 

Reid remains one of the greatest coaches of all-time, and he hasn’t lost his fastball as one of most creative play-callers in the game. When Patrick Mahomes is the second-best reason to be in a situation, you do everything you possibly can to stay there for as long as possible. 

Sam Wallace: Initially expected to play a significant role for the Kansas City Chiefs this season, Brown (shoulder) didn't make his debut until Week 16. Now primed to help his new team make a push for the coveted three-peat, it'll be interesting to see where Brown lands this offseason.

Throughout his career, Brown has demonstrated a nose for the end zone. In his first three years, all with the Ravens, he scored 21 total TDs. He took a bit of a step back in Years 4 and 5 (with the Cardinals), but he was in prime position to take on a big role for the Chiefs offense before a preseason shoulder injury cost him essentially the entire regular season.

Now 27 years old, what type of market will Brown have?

I'd argue he'll have a strong market. After Tee Higgins, you can make a strong case that Brown is the second-best wideout available. He's still squarely in his prime and, assuming he finishes the season healthy, he'll have an entire offseason to work himself back into shape.

The Chiefs aren't necessarily flush with cap space and have demonstrated an uncanny ability to win with whoever they can throw the ball to. They may not feel a strong need to ink Brown to a long-term deal unless there's concern over a potential suspension coming for Rashee Rice.

If that's the case, then certainly the best outlook for Brown from a fantasy perspective would be staying right where he is. However, we'll see what the Chiefs do in the coming weeks and months.

If Brown's market is as strong as I think it will be, teams like the Commanders (third-most cap space) and Chargers (fifth-most cap space) could really use another passing weapon. Both teams have strong QB play, a stable coaching staff, and an opportunity for a veteran like Brown to come in and command a fantasy-worthy target share.

Worst Landing Spots For Hollywood Brown in 2025 NFL Free Agency

Jonathan Fuller: The only reason for Brown to leave the Chiefs is if some team is willing to give him a multi-year deal that he can't get anywhere else. The two teams most likely to do that are the Raiders and Patriots, as they have the most cap space and need to add talent at the WR position. As usual, the Raiders are the worst of the two options unless they find a way to massively upgrade their QB situation.

The Patriots would be slightly better because they have their QB of the future in Drake Maye, but I don't think Brown is good enough to help lift this passing game on his own. If New England were able to land Tee Higgins and then Brown as a secondary option that would be fine, but if he is their marquee WR signing this offseason, I would not be all that excited for his outlook in 2025. 

Mark Drumheller: We have collectively been throwing shade at the Silver and Black throughout this entire series. Prior to now, there has always been a slight caveat based on the head coaching vacancy. 

Well now, I don’t have to do that anymore. I can clearly say that a Hollywood-Las Vegas collaboration would put a huge dent in Brown’s fantasy stock. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Pete Carroll turned out to be an excellent hire. His leadership and ability to build a winning culture can be invaluable to an organization. It’s also much less appealing to fantasy managers who need to see him in a dynamic offense. 

Carroll’s desire to re-hire Darrell Bevell as his offensive coordinator is a red flag in terms of fit. If Brown wasn’t comfortable in Greg Roman’s offense, I don’t see how Bevell can bring out the best version of Hollywood.

Sam Wallace: You already know where this is headed. Despite having a ton of cap space, both the Patriots and the Raiders would represent fantasy downgrades for Brown. While I like Drake Maye more than whoever the Raiders end up going with next season, I would rather see Brown go elsewhere.

Looking at other teams who could benefit from additional WR help, the Giants and Steelers both lack a WR2 but have question marks at QB. The Panthers should continue adding help for Bryce Young, and even the Cardinals could use another pass catcher (which would make for an ironic reunion).

Where Will Hollywood Brown Play in 2025?

Jonathan Fuller: It just makes too much sense for Hollywood Brown to run it back in Kansas City in 2025. The Chiefs will be Super Bowl contenders yet again, and they have enough of a need at the WR position that he can play a prominent role for them. I don't see a better situation for his career or fantasy production emerging. If he has a great year in 2025, it will make sense for him to chase a big payday in 2026, but for now it makes sense to stay in KC if they want him back.

Mark Drumheller: The Hollywood Brown debate is going to be an intriguing one this summer because I do believe Kansas City brings him back into the fold. 

Andy Reid never stops re-inventing the Chiefs offense. Having the speed of both Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy on the field at the same time is just enough fuel to keep Reid’s creative juices flowing this offseason. 

Brown might have to be flexible, but having a full year in a Reid-Mahomes offense will be worth every penny. 

Sam Wallace: Staying in KC would be the best possible outcome for fantasy purposes. However, if the team isn't willing to spend up at the position, I think it makes sense for Brown to chase the bag AND join a stable organization with competent QB play. I think Brown makes the trip to the East Coast and links up with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin.

With Dyami Brown set to hit free agency and Zach Ertz not getting any younger, Washington would be a great spot for Hollywood to spend his remaining peak years.

For all the latest NFL free agency news and fantasy analysis, subscribe to the Fantasy Life Newsletter to have it delivered directly to your inbox, for free, every day!