NFL Free Agency 2025: Top Players, Predictions & Team Needs

NFL Free Agency Frenzy: A Team-by-Team Look at Key 2025 Free Agents

The NFL offseason is a whirlwind of activity, and 2024 has been no exception. Franchise tags have been handed out, contract extensions inked, trades executed, and star players released. The stage is set for another exciting free agency period, where teams will scramble to bolster their rosters and fill critical needs.

This year’s free agency window officially opens with the legal tampering period, allowing teams to negotiate with impending free agents, and then the new league year begins, marking the official start of free agency.

Last year saw some big names change scenery, with stars like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry finding new homes. As we look ahead to 2025, the anticipation is building to see which players will be the most sought-after free agents and which teams will make the biggest splashes.

To provide a comprehensive overview of the free agency landscape, we’re breaking down one key potential free agent from each of the 32 NFL teams, highlighting their strengths, potential impact, and what their departure could mean for their current team.

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills: Taron Johnson (CB) – The Bills’ secondary has been a cornerstone of their defense, and Johnson has been a vital cog since arriving at the 2023 trade deadline. An impactful player, his departure would be a significant loss for a defense that consistently faces some of the league’s top quarterbacks in the postseason.

• Miami Dolphins: Jevon Holland (S) – With a league-high number of unrestricted free agents, the Dolphins face some tough decisions. Holland, a former second-round pick, has proven to be a productive safety when utilized effectively in blitz packages. He’s entering his prime and should be a hot commodity on the open market.

• New England Patriots: Jonathan Jones (CB) – The Patriots, armed with ample cap space, are expected to be active in free agency. Jones, a versatile corner capable of playing both inside and outside, has been a reliable presence for the team. However, with the potential addition of Travis Hunter in the draft, Jones’ future in New England could be in question.

• New York Jets: D.J. Reed (CB) – Reed is considered one of the top free agents overall. He’s excelled playing opposite Sauce Gardner and has demonstrated excellent coverage skills. Reed is arguably the top cornerback in free agency.

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens: Justin Madubuike (DT) – Johnson bounced around four teams in 2024 and finished the year with the Ravens, who claimed him off of waivers after the Texans waived him. He showed during his seven games in Carolina that he could still produce at a high level.

• Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Hilton (CB) – With Tee Higgins franchise tagged again, Hilton, a veteran corner, has established himself as one of the best slot corners in the league. With the rise of elite slot receivers, many contenders will be eager to acquire his services.

• Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb (RB) – The Browns may draft a quarterback early, but with Deshaun Watson’s uncertain status, Chubb remains a face of the franchise alongside Myles Garrett. Coming off a knee injury, a healthy offseason could see him return to his elite form.

• Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris (RB) – The Steelers have multiple free agents, but with quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson available, running back Najee Harris becomes a key. He’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons.

AFC South

• Houston Texans: Stefon Diggs (WR) – The veteran receiver, Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 and will turn 32 next season. Before 2024, Diggs had finished with over 1,000 receiving yards in six straight seasons.

• Indianapolis Colts: Will Fries (G) – The Colts have had a strong offensive line, and Fries has been a part of that. He was approaching elite status before fracturing his tibia. He will be healthy entering 2025 and can boost any team looking to improve their hog mollies.

• Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff (G) – The Jaguars have limited free agents. Scherff, a former top-five pick, is in the latter stage of his career but remains a capable starter in the trenches.

• Tennessee Titans: Teair Tart-Joseph-Day (DT) – With cap space and a focus on the No. 1 overall pick, the Titans have decisions to make. Tart-Joseph-Day, a veteran run-stuffer, complements the team’s defensive front. Losing him could impact their ability to spell key players like T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons.

AFC West

• Denver Broncos: D.J. Jones (DT) – Jones is a veteran interior defensive lineman and was a significant piece of Denver’s finish as the third-best run defense in terms of yards per game allowed in 2024. He can also be disruptive in pass-rush situations.

• Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman (WR) – Hopkins could be a viable option for many contenders on a team-friendly "prove it" deal, with Rice still facing a possible suspension for his involvement in a multi-vehicle accident.

• Las Vegas Raiders: Robert Spillane (LB) – While Malcolm Koonce is a consideration, Spillane is a consistent linebacker who excels in run defense. His tenacity and every-down ability would be missed.

• Los Angeles Chargers: Khalil Mack (LB) – Mack is the best pass rusher available. He is still a force. He had 88 QB pressures in 2023, his highest mark since 2016.

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys: Demarcus Lawrence (DE) – With Osa Odighizuwa franchise tagged, Lawrence, a veteran edge rusher, becomes a key free agent. Despite being in his 30s, he remains a disruptive force.

• New York Giants: Darius Slayton (WR) – Slayton has been mentioned in trade rumors and has posted over 700 receiving yards in four of his first five seasons. His ability to stretch the field is a valuable asset.

• Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Sweat (DE) – Baun graded as the top overall linebacker in the NFL per PFF in 2024 and earned first-team All-Pro honors. With Baun’s future secured, next up is Sweat who fit perfectly in Vic Fangio’s system. Sweat led the Eagles with eight sacks and capped it off with 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl 59 victory.

• Washington Commanders: Montez Sweat (DE) – The Commanders have cap space to improve the offense, but bringing back defensive contributors is crucial. Fowler led Washington with 10.5 sacks in 2024. The wheels are already turning with the return of Bobby Wagner to prop up a defense that struggled immensely.

NFC North

• Chicago Bears: Cody Whitehair (G) – Jenkins has been terrific when he’s on the field, but he’s struggled to stay healthy throughout his first four seasons in the NFL. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson will be keen on developing the big boys up front, which has been already exhibited with two trades this offseason with the acquisitions of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney from the Chiefs and Jonah Jackson from the Rams.

• Detroit Lions: Emmanuel Moseley (CB) – Davis was acquired via trade before the 2024 season to boost Detroit’s secondary and delivered much-needed stability.

• Green Bay Packers: Josh Myers (C) – Myers, a former second-round pick, suffered a leg injury but is expected to avoid serious damage. He’s arguably the second-best center in free agency behind Dalman.

• Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold (QB) – With Darnold not slapped with the franchise tag, he becomes the top free-agent quarterback on the market. He had a career year before Minnesota’s wild-card loss.

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons: Drew Dalman (C) – Staying in the trenches, you won’t find many better than center Drew Dallman. Center has been an overlooked position, but the connection to the quarterback is undeniable.

• Carolina Panthers: D.J. Johnson (WR) – Johnson bounced around four teams in 2024 and finished the year with the Ravens, who claimed him off of waivers after the Texans waived him.

• New Orleans Saints: Paulson Adebo (CB) – The Saints face a cap dilemma. While Chase Young is a consideration, Adebo was playing like a lockdown corner before his season-ending injury. With Marshon Lattimore potentially traded, the Saints have a hole in the secondary.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin (WR) – Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle dislocation in late October, but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals: D.J. Humphries (T) – Hernandez has found a home in the desert and has been a solid performer recently. It took some time but hes lived up to his second-round pedigree.

• Los Angeles Rams: Allen Robinson (WR) – The Rams extended Alaric Jackson earlier, making Robinson a key free agent. With the team open to trading Cooper Kupp, finding a replacement receiver becomes a priority.

• San Francisco 49ers: Charvarius Ward (CB) – The 49ers are focused on extending Brock Purdy, potentially leading to other departures. Ward, an elite corner and All-Pro, took time away after a personal tragedy but is not far removed from elite play.

• Seattle Seahawks: Damien Lewis (G) – Jones was traded twice in 2024. First, it was from the Rams to the Titans before the regular season and then he was shipped off to Seattle before the trade deadline.