The NFL’s free agency period is less than two months away, so what better time to look ahead at the upcoming free-agent class?
Who are the best 2025 NFL free agents? Let’s run through every position group and highlight the top players hitting the open market this offseason.
2025 NFL Free Agents by Position | Offense
Quarterback
Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, and Tua Tagovailoa were extended, removing them from 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 drawn significant interest on the open market. However, a $60 million AAV and $231 million in full guarantees convinced Dak to stick in Dallas.
Sam Darnold revitalized his career with the Minnesota Vikings and will be the most attractive QB in this class. The Vikings will likely roll with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy next season, leaving Darnold to land with the highest bidder.
Darnold threw for over 4,300 yards, 35 touchdowns, and had a PFN QB+ rating of B during the regular season (ranking 12th overall). PFN’s QB+ metric assigns a letter grade to every quarterback performance and factors in a number of stats such as success rate when pressured, third-down conversion rate, pocket production, and clutch performance.
Interestingly, Darnold may be the only free agent signal-caller worthy of a multi-year deal.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could decide to re-sign Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, but that’s no guarantee. Wilson ranked 17th this season in QB+, with a grade of 75.3 (C). Meanwhile, Fields didn’t play enough games to qualify but would have ranked 14th in the NFL with a QB+ of 78.1 (C+). Otherwise, next offseason’s QB class will mainly consist of backups.
1) Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
2) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
3) Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
5) Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
6) Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
7) Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
8) Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
9) Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
10) Daniel Jones, Minnesota Vikings
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 initially looked like he would be the gem of this class, but he inked an extension toward the end of the regular season.
J.K. Dobbins has looked reborn with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he’s rarely been able to stay healthy during his NFL career. How will franchises evaluate the 26-year-old given his injury issues?
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.
Aaron Jones has been the most productive of the bunch, but he’s now 30 years old. While he rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards and scored seven total touchdowns, it remains to be seen what kind of market he will have at this stage of his career.
It’s worth noting that Jordan Mason and Jaylen Warren are both restricted free agents. Mason shined in Christian McCaffrey’s absence this year, but was his success a product of Kyle Shanahan’s system? Warren has flashed in the past (just like Javonte Williams), but they are both coming off of down years.
Rico Dowdle made the most of their opportunities this year and looked solid in the process.
1) J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
2) Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
3) Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
5) Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
6) Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
7) Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
8) Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
9) Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
10) Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
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 this class after signing lucrative extensions.
Now, Tee Higgins will be the best available receiver. After a terrific season with a career-high 10 touchdowns, his price has gone up. Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have put pressure on Cincinnati’s front office to re-sign Higgins.
Chris Godwin was in the midst of a career year when he suffered a season-ending dislocated ankle. He turns 29 years old in February and is coming off a severe injury, so it remains to be seen how teams will value him.
Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and DeAndre Hopkins are all veterans who changed teams in recent years.
Stefon Diggs being ranked so low may be a bit of a surprise, but he’s 31 years old, coming off a serious injury, and was already showing signs of decline prior to tearing his ACL. Diggs also has a bit of a reputation, which could scare some teams off as well.
1) Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
2) Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3) Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
4) Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills
5) Darius Slayton, New York Giants
6) Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
7) Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans
8) Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
9) DeAndre Hopkins, Kansas City Chiefs
10) Mike Williams, New York Jets
Tight End
Tight end presents — without question — the weakest free agent group in 2025 NFL free agency.
Zach Ertz has turned back the clock with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, as the 34-year-old has caught 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns.
Mike Gesicki had a very productive year 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 responded by catching 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Tyler Conklin is a three-down tight end — that alone should land him a two-year deal in 2025. Juwan Johnson has flashed at times but still isn’t considered a needle-mover.
Perhaps an untested tight end like Hunter Long or Stone Smarrt 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) Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
2) Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
3) Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
4) Austin Hooper, New England Patriots
5) Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
6) Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
7) Jordan Akins, Cleveland Browns
8) John Bates, Washington Commanders
9) Hunter Long, Los Angeles Rams
10) Stone Smarrt, Los Angeles Chargers
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?
Morgan Moses will certainly draw plenty of interest this offseason, and Alaric Jackson could be in line for a significant payday as well.
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 started 17 games and he’s an elite left tackle when he’s fully healthy.
Tyron Smith is aging and has injury concerns, but he’s still a talented blocker. Smith’s one-year deal with the New York Jets contained $13.5 million in incentives, signaling his questionable health.
1) Morgan Moses, New York Jets
2) Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
3) Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
4) Dan Moore Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
5) Tyron Smith, New York Jets
6) Kelvin Beachum, Arizona Cardinals
7) Cornelius Lucas, Washington Commanders
8) Cam Robinson, Minnesota Vikings
9) Jedrick Wills Jr., Cleveland Browns
10) Kendall Lamm, Miami Dolphins
Interior Offensive Line
The interior offensive line market exploded last spring, and that salary rise should continue this offseason.
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. He will certainly command interest if he departs the Cowboys in 2025.
1) Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
2) Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars
3) Coleman Shelton, Chicago Bears
4) Kevin Zeitler, Detroit Lions
5) Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts
6) Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
7) Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears
8) Ryan Neuzil, Atlanta Falcons
9) Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
10) Daniel Brunskill, Tennessee Titans
2025 NFL Free Agents by Position | Defense
EDGE
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 is weighing retirement, but he will also draw significant interest if he decides to return for his age-34 season.
Hasson Reddick finally reported to the New York Jets in Week 8 after his contract dispute bled into the regular season. He barely contributed anything this year, recording 14 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, two tackles for a loss, and three QB hits in 10 games. Still, he entered the year as the most talented EDGE on the market, and teams will still be intrigued.
Azeez Ojulari has a lighter résumé than some veterans available but more potential, so he could be an attractive option for teams.
1) Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
2) Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
3) Chase Young, New Orleans Saints
4) Dante Fowler Jr., Washington Commanders
5) Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
6) Dennis Gardeck, Arizona Cardinals
7) Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
8) Haason Reddick, New York Jets
9) Michael Hoecht, Los Angeles Rams
10) Dayo Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts
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 and has a third-round draft pedigree, so he’ll likely get a worthwhile deal on the open market.
Levi Onwuzurike is perhaps the most intriguing name on the DT list. The No. 41 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Onwuzurike had been held back by injuries but played well for the Detroit Lions in 16 games this season. He even dabbled at EDGE after Detroit lost Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport.
1) Teair Tart, Los Angeles Chargers
2) Jarran Reed, Seattle Seahawks
3) Calais Campbell, Miami Dolphins
4) B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
5) Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tennessee Titans
6) Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys
7) Milton Williams, Philadelphia Eagles
8) Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders
9) Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions
10) Poona Ford, Los Angeles Chargers
Linebacker
Zack Baun has done a little bit of everything this season for the Philadelphia Eagles, and he has elevated his game in the postseason.
Bobby Wagner has turned back the clock with the Washington Commanders. The 34-year-old is a veteran leader and a key contributor for Washington’s much-improved defense.
Ernest Jones was traded twice this year and ended the season with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was a perfect fit for Mike Macdonald’s scheme. He can produce as a blitzer and has shown improvement as a coverage defender, so he could be in line for a payday.
Jamien Sherwood overtook C.J. Mosley for a starting role with the New York Jets and just turned 25 years old. Robert Spillane has somehow morphed from journeyman backup to reliable starter over the past two years.
Lavonte David is one of the most underrated players in the NFL, but he’ll likely be deciding whether to continue his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or retire.
1) Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
2) Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders
3) Eric Kendricks, Dallas Cowboys
4) Ernest Jones, Seattle Seahawks
5) Jamien Sherwood, New York Jets
6) Robert Spillane, Las Vegas Raiders
7) Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
8) E.J. Speed, Indianapolis Colts
9) Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccanneers
10) Cody Barton, Denver Broncos
Cornerback
Byron Murphy helped his stock a ton this season, leading the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary. His teammate, Stephon Gilmore, is also a free agent.
D.J. Reed could earn an enormous payday this offseason. He’s only 28 years old and will be searching for his third NFL deal. He is a lockdown option that will bring a tenacious approach to his next team.
Carlton Davis is talented, but once again, injuries limited him or ended his season prematurely.
Paulson Adebo is three years younger than 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.
1) Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
2) D.J. Reed, New York Jets
3) Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions
4) Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints
5) Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys
6) Nate Hobbs, Las Vegas Raiders
7) Donte Jackson, Pittsburgh Steelers
8) Stephon Gilmore, Minnesota Vikings
9) Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
10) Mike Hilton, Cincinnati Bengals
Safety
Justin Reid has helped the Kansas City Chiefs win two Super Bowl titles and now he is once again producing at a high level as the club tries to become the first squad in NFL history to hoist the Lombardi Trophy three consecutive times.
Jeremy Chinn and Justin Simmons signed one-year deals with the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, and now they will be looking to cash in and sign larger contracts this offseason after playing well.
Chinn became one of the most important players on Washington’s defense and played a significant role in their deep postseason run. He finished the season with career-highs in tackles (117), tackles for a loss (seven), and sacks (two) while also recording one interception, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
1) Justin Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
2) Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
2) Tre’von Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders
4) Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
5) Will Harris, New Orleans Saints
6) Xavier Woods, Carolina Panthers
7) Jeremy Chinn, Washington Commanders
8) Justin Simmons, Atlanta Falcons
9) Quandre Diggs, Tennessee Titans
10) Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings
