Best Free agents Available in the 2025 NFL Offseason
by Tyler Doty
The 2025 NFL free agency class has Pro Bowlers, potential future Hall of Famers, and some big-name cap casualties. There’s not a player as impactful as Saquon Barkley was for the Philadelphia Eagles, but Philly’s signing of Zack Baun shows it’s not always the headline-grabbing moves that are the biggest successes in free agency.
Not only did the Eagles win the Super Bowl a few weeks ago, they are also the favorite for the Lombardi Trophy in 2026 and will be tipped by many when it comes to preseason NFL predictions thanks to the work Howie Roseman did during the 2024 offseason.
Per Over The Cap, the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington Commanders are the three teams with the most cap space this offseason. This is part of the reason the Commanders were a team to consider in opening Super Bowl odds.
Let’s take a look at the best free agents, split into three tiers:
Top Tier
- Tee Higgins
- Zack Baun
- Khalil Mack
- Jevon Holland
- Chris Godwin
Tee Higgins would be the number one receiver on most teams. It seems likely the Cincinnati Bengals will franchise tag the Robin to Ja’Marr Chase’s Batman if they don’t agree to a long-term extension, but Higgins could still be available via a tag-and-trade.
After spending most of his time in New Orleans as a backup, Baun had a spectacular breakout in 2024, earning First Team All-Pro honors. The Eagles will be desperate to keep hold of him, but it’s going to take a massive deal. Currently, as long as +1500 to win the Super Bowl at Caesars, the San Francisco 49ers have been rumored as a landing spot for Baun.
Jevon Holland had a down year in 2024 amid a disappointing season for the Miami Dolphins. The former second-round pick has ranked among the top five safeties in the league in two of his four seasons, however, and has a sufficient track record to earn a spot in the elite group of this free agency class.
Khalil Mack isn’t the Defensive Player of the Year caliber pass rusher he was in the 2010s. He’s played 50 games in the last three regular seasons, though, and has made the Pro Bowl in each of those campaigns. The veteran would make sense with a raft of teams, including the Arizona Cardinals and Bengals.
A left ankle dislocation adds some jeopardy to any team pursuing Chris Godwin in free agency. Prior to his injury, there were no signs of decline, however, with no drops in over 50 catchable targets. If he ends his long-running, successful partnership with Mike Evans in Florida, Godwin would be a fit on the Kansas City Chiefs or Denver Broncos.
Above-Average Starters
- Josh Sweat
- Carlton Davis
- Milton Williams
- Ronnie Stanley
- Osa Odighizuwa
- Charvarius Ward
Milton Williams was destructive for the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. Josh Sweat notched eight sacks in the regular season in the same stifling Eagles defense. Philadelphia is likely to lose the core of the defense which took them to the Super Bowl, and it will be fascinating to see which of their starters they prioritize.
Carlton Davis – one of the best man coverage corners in the league – is set for an interesting few months.
The league has generally moved away from man coverage in the last few seasons, reducing the number of suitable landing spots for Davis.
Charvarius Ward wasn’t at his best in 2024 following the passing of his daughter. He’s spoken publicly about needing to turn a new leaf away from the San Francisco 49ers. Despite a poor year, Ward has been an elite cornerback for several seasons and will attract plenty of interest in free agency. The Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers would be a great fit (look for the Pats’ +12500 Super Bowl odds to tumble if they spend wisely).
In a string of misjudged roster decisions, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t extend Osa Odighizuwa. The defensive tackle then had a breakout in 2024, with career highs of 33 pressures and 47 tackles. A great fit on a 3-4 defense with his physicality and energy, the languishing Cowboys are going to find it hard to keep Odighizuwa.
Elsewhere, Ronnie Stanley had the healthiest season of his career and posted a 92.5% pass block win rate for the Baltimore Ravens. It makes sense for Stanley to stay in Baltimore.
The Wild Cards
- Sam Darnold
- D.J. Reed
- Davante Adams
- Amari Cooper
- Haason Reddick
This group features two veteran wide receivers, a pair of New York Jets defenders, and Sam Darnold.
Darnold was on course for a multi-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings before crumbling in Week 18 and the NFC Wild-Card Round. Earning his first Pro Bowl nod, Darnold had excelled in Minnesota, performing at a high enough level for the Vikings to consider trading J.J. McCarthy. Instead, McCarthy is the 2025 starter and Darnold faces an uncertain trek into free agency after taking nine sacks in the wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
D.J. Reed had a 51.28% lockdown percentage, according to PFF. He was only 31st among cornerbacks in coverage grade, but we are happy to be lenient with any player on the calamitous 2024 Jets. Reddick gets the same leeway, particularly after a contract dispute hampered his preparation for last season.
It might seem a bit harsh to include Reed as a wild-card. He’s been available and consistent. This is more a question of whether he can reach a higher level in a new situation. Some teams might be wary of Reddick after his holdout, but his playmaking ability makes him a tantalizing signing for any team needing to improve their pressure rate.
Amari Cooper saw his snap count drop dramatically at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. Several front offices will talk themselves into a one-year deal for Cooper to see what he’s got left in the tank.
Who knows what the futures hold for Davante Adams. There’s a good chance the Jets cut him with Aaron Rodgers also moving on. Adams isn’t elite at his position anymore, but he can certainly help a team as a very effective second receiver. Does he follow Rodgers’ next move (if he doesn’t retire)? Does he team up with an elite quarterback elsewhere? Time will tell.
