With the NFL trade deadline in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead to next offseason and preview 2025 NFL free agency.
Many of the players listed below may not be available by the time free agency begins next spring. Contract extensions will deplete the upcoming free agent pool, but talent will still be left on the table.
Who are the best 2025 NFL free agents? Let’s run through every position group and highlight the top players scheduled to reach the open market.
2025 NFL Free Agents by Position | Offense
Quarterback
Summer contract extensions took Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Tua Tagovailoa off the 2025 free agent market.
While the latter three quarterbacks were never truly expected to reach free agency, Prescott had a no-franchise tag clause with the Dallas Cowboys and would have found an inviting list of suitors next spring. However, a $60 million AAV and $231 million in full guarantees convinced Dak to stick in Dallas.
Sam Darnold has revitalized his career with the Minnesota Vikings and will be the most attractive QB on next’s year market. The Vikings will likely roll with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy next season, leaving Darnold to land with the highest bidder.
Darnold may be the only free agent signal-caller worthy of a multi-year deal. The Pittsburgh Steelers could extend whichever passer — Russell Wilson or Justin Fields — ends the 2024 campaign as their star. Jameis Winston could finish strong with the Cleveland Browns and score a two-year commitment. Otherwise, next offseason’s QB class will mainly consist of backups.
1) Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
2) Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
3) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
5) Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
6) Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
7) Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
8) Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
9) Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
10) Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back
While the 2024 free agent running back market was flush with potential starters, the 2025 RB crop isn’t quite as inspiring.
Chuba Hubbard wrested the Carolina Panthers’ starting RB job from free agent signing Miles Sanders in 2023 and hasn’t looked back. Hubbard has held off Sanders this season, while Panthers second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks hasn’t made his NFL debut. While he might not be a household name, Hubbard ranks in the top 10 in rushing yards, efficiency, and success rate.
Najee Harris is a former first-round pick, but he’s only a pending free agent because the Pittsburgh Steelers declined his fifth-year option. His draft capital could help him earn a solid deal on the open market, but he’s not the type of game-changing back who will get genuinely paid.
J.K. Dobbins has looked reborn with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he’s rarely been able to stay healthy during his NFL career. Even if he doesn’t go down during the 2024 campaign, clubs will always be wary of his injury issues.
Health concerns abound in the 2024 running back class. Older players such as Aaron Jones and James Conner need to stay upright throughout the season to get another bite at the contract apple next spring. Nick Chubb has returned from his devastating 2023 knee injury but will need to produce over the rest of the year to land another significant deal.
Even more youthful FA backs come with question marks. Javonte Williams has flashed but also dealt with plenty of injury issues of his own. Khalil Herbert has always been used in a rotation and was traded at the deadline.
1) Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
2) Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
3) James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
4) Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
5) Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
6) Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
7) J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
8) Khalil Herbert, Cincinnati Bengals
9) Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
10) Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver
Although it was unrealistic that their teams would have let them hit free agency, wide receivers such as Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk are no longer in contract years after signing lucrative extensions.
Now, Tee Higgins will be the best available WR next spring — but even the Cincinnati Bengals’ WR2 isn’t a perfect free agent prospect. He’s missed multiple games in 2024 with injuries, while the Bengals could assign him a franchise tag for the second consecutive season. If he hits the market, though, Higgins will have myriad suitors.
Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, and Diontae Johnson each got moved at the trade deadline. They’re all in better situations post-trade, but while Cooper and Hopkins are WR1s for their new teams, Johnson will have to fight Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman for targets with the Baltimore Ravens.
Chris Godwin (dislocated ankle) and Stefon Diggs (ACL) will each be age 29+ and coming off severe injuries when they hit the market in 2025. Their health concerns will affect their bottom line next offseason, but Godwin and Diggs will still get paid.
1) Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
2) Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills
3) Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4) Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
5) DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs
6) Diontae Johnson, Baltimore Ravens
7) Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
8) Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
9) Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
10) Mike Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tight End
Tight end presents — without question — the weakest free agent group in 2025 NFL free agency.
Mike Gesicki is on pace for his best season since 2021 while catching passes from Joe Burrow. He didn’t receive much interest last offseason and collected less than $500,000 guaranteed on his Cincinnati Bengals contract, but Gesicki will easily be the best tight end available in 2025.
Tyler Conklin is a three-down tight end — that alone should land him a two-year deal in 2025. Juwan Johnson inked an extension with the New Orleans Saints last March but managed only 368 receiving yards in 2023. He’s rebounded this season but still isn’t considered a needle-mover.
Perhaps an untested tight end like John Bates or Kylen Granson could post better production with an expanded role. However, teams searching for tight ends next offseason may need to consider draft or trade alternatives.
1) Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
2) Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
3) Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
4) Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
5) John Bates, Washington Commanders
6) Kylen Granson, Indianapolis Colts
7) Austin Hooper, New England Patriots
8) Johnny Mundt, Minnesota Vikings
9) Pharaoh Brown, Seattle Seahawks
10) Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
Offensive Tackle
Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell reset the NFL’s offensive tackle market with $28+ million extensions in 2024. Which OTs will hit the market in 2025?
Ronnie Stanley has turned back the clock this season and, perhaps most importantly, stayed healthy. After dropping in and out of the Baltimore Ravens’ lineup due to injuries over the past few seasons, Stanley has barely missed a snap this year. He’s an elite left tackle when he’s fully healthy.
Tyron Smith and Garett Bolles are aging and have injury concerns, but they’re still talented blockers. Smith’s one-year deal with the New York Jets contains $13.5 million in incentives, signaling his questionable health.
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Alaric Jackson could be in line for a significant extension with the Los Angeles Rams. The former UDFA started 15 games for the Rams in 2023 before being assigned a second-round restricted free agent tender this offseason. Starting-caliber left tackles entering their age-27 campaign don’t grow on trees.
1) Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
2) Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
3) Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos
4) Tyron Smith, New York Jets
5) Cam Robinson, Minnesota Vikings
6) Dan Moore Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
7) Morgan Moses, New York Jets
8) Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns
9) Walker Little, Jacksonville Jaguars
10) Trent Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Interior Offensive Line
The interior offensive line market exploded this offseason, and that salary rise should continue into next spring.
Trey Smith will be one of the top overall free agents on the market next offseason. The Kansas City Chiefs are already paying left guard Joe Thuney and center Creed Humphrey at the top of the market, so re-signing Smith could be out of the question. If the former sixth-round pick hits free agency, he could be looking at a $21+ million annual salary.
It might be challenging to imagine Zack Martin playing anywhere other than Dallas — but we could’ve said the same thing about now-Jet Tyron Smith. Martin remains dominant on the interior and will command interest if he departs the Cowboys in 2025.
1) Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
2) Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
3) James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
5) Mekhi Becton, Philadelphia Eagles
6) Will Fries, Indianapolis Colts
7) Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears
8) Aaron Banks, San Francisco 49ers
9) Kevin Zeitler, Detroit Lions
10) Brady Christensen, Carolina Panthers
2025 NFL Free Agents by Position | Defense
EDGE
Hasson Reddick finally reported to the New York Jets in Week 8 after his contract dispute bled into the regular season. He’s barely contributed anything this year, but Reddick will be the most talented edge rusher hitting free agency in 2025. As long as he looks like himself over the remainder of the year, the 30-year-old should land the deal he wanted from Gang Green this summer.
Josh Sweat is a workmanlike pass rusher and still under the age of 30. He won’t break the bank, but the Philadelphia Eagles contributor could land a surprisingly expensive deal.
Khalil Mack, Matthew Judon, and DeMarcus Lawrence can still play, but teams will be wary of committing to aging pass rushers. Players like Azeez Ojulari and Baron Browning — who have lighter résumés but more potential — could end up as attractive options next offseason.
1) Haason Reddick, New York Jets
2) Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
3) Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
4) Chase Young, New Orleans Saints
5) Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
6) Matthew Judon, Atlanta Falcons
7) DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
8) Baron Browning, Arizona Cardinals
9) Josh Uche, Kansas City Chiefs
10) Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
Interior Defensive Line
Interior pressure has never been more coveted by NFL teams — that’s why clubs have taken the most talented defensive tackles off the market via long-term extensions.
With all due respect to Osa Odighizuwa, the Dallas Cowboys DT isn’t a true impact player. But he’s only 26, has a third-round draft pedigree, and has played 74.3% of his club’s defensive snaps this season (the second-highest rate among free agent interior defenders after Adam Butler) — he’ll get a worthwhile deal on the open market.
Levi Onwuzurike is the most intriguing name on the DT list. The 41st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Onwuzurike had been held back by injuries but has played well for the Detroit Lions this season, even dabbling at EDGE after his club lost Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.
1) Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
2) Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
3) Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions
4) B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
5) D.J. Jones, Denver Broncos
6) Tershawn Wharton, Kansas City Chiefs
7) Calais Campbell, Miami Dolphins
8) Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
9) Bobby Brown III, Los Angeles Rams
10) Tedarrell Slaton, Green Bay Packers
Linebacker
Ernest Jones has already been traded twice this year and is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks, where he’s a perfect fit for Mike Macdonald’s scheme. If he can keep producing as a blitzer while maintaining his improvement as a coverage defender, Jones could be in line for a payday in 2025.
Dre Greenlaw is still only 27 years old and would be the No. 1 free agent LB available in 2025 had he not torn his Achilles during the Super Bowl. He’s offered near All-Pro-level production during his stint in San Francisco but has now suffered two significant injuries — including a groin issue that cost him all but three regular-season games in 2021 — in five years.
Jamien Sherwood has overtaken C.J. Mosley for a starting role with the New York Jets and is only 24 years old. Robert Spillane has somehow morphed from journeyman backup to reliable starter over the past two years. Zack Baun is doing a little bit of everything for the Philadelphia Eagles.
1) Ernest Jones, Seattle Seahawks
2) Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
3) Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
4) Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets
5) Robert Spillane, Las Vegas Raiders
6) Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
7) Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccanneers
8) David Long Jr., Miami Dolphins
9) Kyzir White, Arizona Cardinals
10) Tyrel Dodson, Seattle Seahawks
Cornerback
Charvarius Ward and D.J. Reed will fight for the largest free agent cornerback contract in 2025. While they’ll both be 28 years old and searching for their third NFL deals next offseason, Ward and Reed are lockdown options that will bring a tenacious approach to their next teams.
Paulson Adebo is three years younger than Ward and Reed and may have had a case as next year’s free agent CB1 had he not broken his femur in Week 7. He’ll still land a substantial deal, but cornerback is a “what have you done for me lately?” position. Asante Samuel Jr., who also battled injuries this year, could face the same problem next offseason.
1) Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
2) D.J. Reed, New York Jets
3) Brandon Stephens, Baltimore Ravens
4) Deommodore Lenoir, San Francisco 49ers
5) Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
6) Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints
7) Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions
8) Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
9) Donte Jackson, Pittsburgh Steelers
10) Rasul Douglas, Buffalo Bills
Safety
Jevon Holland has more than lived up to his second-round draft billing with the Miami Dolphins. Despite playing in multiple defensive systems, Holland has always stood out on the back end of the club’s secondary. Injuries have always been a concern, but if Holland is healthy at the end of the 2024 campaign, he could grab $20 million annually on the open market.
The San Francisco 49ers’ Talanoa Hufanga would have rivaled Holland for the top spot in our free agent safety rankings, but the 25-year-old has barely played this year. He didn’t return until Week 3 after tearing his ACL in 2024 and may not suit up again this season after injuring his wrist in Week 5. Hufanga was a first-team All-Pro in 2022, but availability is the best ability.
1) Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
2) Tre’von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders
3) Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
4) Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
5) Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings
6) Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
7) Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars
8) Jeremy Chinn, Washington Commanders
9) Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills
10) Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts