While the 2025 NFL free agent market won’t open for another six months or so, it’s never too early to preview what next year’s crop of available players will look like — and where they might sign.
We’ve picked out 20 of the best NFL players scheduled for free agency next March and identified their most logical 2025 landing spot. While some of these players will be extended or franchise-tagged before free agency begins, most should be looking for contracts on the open market.
Where will the NFL’s top free agents sign in 2025? Here’s how we predict free agency will play out next year.
2025 NFL Free Agent Predictions
QB Sam Darnold | Tennessee Titans
Current team: Minnesota Vikings
What will the Vikings do with pending free agent Sam Darnold if he keeps playing like this? The former No. 3 overall pick leads the NFL with eight touchdown passes and a 10.3% TD rate. Playing in the best offensive environment of his career, Darnold ranks eighth in expected points added (EPA) per drop back (0.06).
Minnesota traded up in April’s draft to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, who looked NFL-ready in his lone preseason start before suffering a season-ending meniscus injury. Unless Darnold wins MVP, it’s hard to imagine the Vikings’ brain trust moving away from the plan to roll with a rookie quarterback on an artificially-reduced contract.
Darnold could walk in free agency, or Minnesota could try to franchise-tag and trade him. Either way, the 27-year-old seems likely to play elsewhere in 2025.
The Titans’ offensive line is hardly giving Will Levis time to operate, but the 2023 second-round pick isn’t doing himself any favors. Levis ranks 29th in QBR and has lost more EPA off of turnovers than any quarterback in the NFL through three weeks.
Darnold could be a souped-up version of Jake Browning for Titans HC Brian Callahan, who coached Browning to 2023 success with the Bengals.
QB Justin Fields | Pittsburgh Steelers
Current team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Now that the Cowboys have extended Dak Prescott, both Darnold and Justin Fields project as the top free agent quarterbacks in 2025.
While we won’t predict any other pending free agents to re-sign with their incumbent teams (we’re trying to have fun here!), Fields’ fit with the Steelers has been too perfect to ignore.
Remember, he wasn’t even supposed to be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback. Head coach Mike Tomlin had already announced Russell Wilson as the Steelers’ QB1 before a calf injury prevented the veteran from playing in the club’s season opener.
Fields and the Steelers moved to 3-0 on Sunday after he threw for 245 yards and one touchdown while running for another in Pittsburgh’s 20-10 win against the Chargers. He avoided mistakes for the third straight week. Fields took just two sacks, while his lone interception came on a tipped pass.
Fields’ skill set, combined with the Steelers’ elite defense (which has allowed 10 or fewer points in every game this season), represents a winning formula and might be the idealized version of how head coach Mike Tomlin and first-year OC Arthur Smith want to play.
RB Najee Harris | Dallas Cowboys
Current team: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cowboys allowed RB Tony Pollard to walk in free agency, but they failed to augment their backfield, aside from a reunion with old friend Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas has split work between Zeke and Rico Dowdle through three weeks; neither running back has averaged more than 3.8 yards per carry.
Najee Harris hasn’t lit the world on fire for the Steelers this season, as he ranks just 41st in running back success rate. But you could see the fit for the Cowboys. Harris is a former first-round pick from Alabama with name value — that alone could be enough for Jerry Jones to sign him next offseason.
Harris’ skill set as a downhill runner with receiving ability could work with Dak Prescott. Pittsburgh declined Harris’ fifth-year option for 2025, making him a free agent next year. He shouldn’t be overly expensive if the Cowboys want to pursue him on the open market.
RB James Conner | Kansas City Chiefs
Current team: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals selected Florida State RB Trey Benson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially signaling that they don’t plan to re-sign veteran James Conner next offseason.
Conner turns 30 next May but is still playing at a high level. Last season, he ranked first among all running backs with 3.93 yards after contact, finished fifth in first downs per rush, and added 27 catches and two TDs as a receiver.
The Chiefs could use insurance behind Isiah Pacheco, who broke his fibula in Week 2 and is facing an extended absence. Pacheco should be fully recovered by next season, but if Carson Steele doesn’t pan out, Conner could make sense as Kansas City’s RB2 in 2025.
WR Tee Higgins | New England Patriots
Current team: Cincinnati Bengals
No team projects to boast more salary cap space ($137 million) in 2025 than the Patriots — so let’s get future New England starting QB Drake Maye some receiving help.
It’s been a trying season-plus for Tee Higgins, who missed five games with injuries in 2023 and managed just a 42-656-5 line. The Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins this offseason; he subsequently missed the first two games of the 2024 campaign with a hamstring issue before catching three passes for 39 yards in Week 3.
Still, we know Higgins is a talented receiver when healthy. From 2020 to 2022, he joined Justin Jefferson and Mike Evans as the only wide receivers to post 15 touchdowns, 14+ yards per reception, and an average receiving success rate above 55%. Higgins can be a WR1 in the right offense.
WR Chris Godwin | New York Jets
Current team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even if the Jets continue to thrive with a rejuvenated Aaron Rodgers under center, they’ll need additional weapons moving into 2025.
Garrett Wilson is a superstar who won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 and topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two pro campaigns while dealing with atrocious quarterback play. But veteran Mike Williams is on a one-year deal, and Gang Green doesn’t have much else at receiver (unless you’re buying Allen Lazard stock).
Chris Godwin has returned to the slot in 2024, playing inside on nearly 60% of his snaps — and the results have been tremendous. He’s averaged seven catches for 81 yards through three weeks while scoring in every game. Godwin ranks fourth in team target share (30.9%) and ninth in yards per route run (2.91).
WR Stefon Diggs | Baltimore Ravens
Current team: Houston Texans
Stefon Diggs reworked his contract after being traded to the Texans in March, so he’ll have another chance at free agency in 2025.
Diggs’ 2023 statistics were undoubtedly concerning. He posted his fewest yards (1,183) and yards per reception (11.1) since 2018, his second-to-last season with the Vikings. Diggs went from seventh to 31st in yards per route run from 2022 to 2023; he slipped from fourth to 67th in ESPN’s tracking metrics.
Still, he caught two touchdowns from C.J. Stroud in Week 1 and hauled in 10 catches for 94 yards in Week 3. Diggs’ high-end ceiling should grant him an active market even as he enters his age-31 campaign in 2025.
Diggs could fit as the Ravens’ WR2 opposite Zay Flowers going into next season. Baltimore might still need a receiver to stretch the field in that scenario, but Diggs could become a reliable option for Lamar Jackson as the Ravens’ offense continues to evolve.
WR Amari Cooper | Los Angeles Chargers
Current team: Cleveland Browns
The Browns reportedly almost traded Amari Cooper this offseason. He was included in Cleveland’s trade discussions for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk but ultimately returned to the AFC North as the Browns’ clear WR1. While Cleveland didn’t deal Cooper, the club could be ready to move on this offseason, especially after giving fellow WR Jerry Jeudy an extension earlier this year.
Cooper, who’s topped 1,000 receiving yards in eight of his 10 pro seasons, posted a career-high 1,250 yards and 2.31 yards per route run in 2023. Nagging injuries have always been an issue for Cooper, who missed last season’s final two games with a heel injury and parts of two other contests with a rib issue and a concussion. Still, the 30-year-old should find a healthy market if he doesn’t re-up with the Browns.
Let’s send Cooper to Los Angeles, where his elite route running will play with Justin Herbert’s accuracy. If Quentin Johnston continues to overcome his disastrous rookie campaign, second-rounder Ladd McConkey develops, and Cooper joins the Chargers, Herbert’s WR corps would look significantly improved.
WR Diontae Johnson | Buffalo Bills
Current team: Carolina Panthers
In Week 3, Diontae Johnson gave the Panthers the performance they’d been hoping for when they acquired their veteran receiver from the Steelers this offseason. Catching passes from new Carolina starter Andy Dalton on Sunday, Johnson hauled in eight of 14 targets for a career-high 122 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 36-22 victory against the Raiders.
This was the player we’ve come to know. While Johnson’s 51-717-5 line last season marked his worst production since his rookie year, he was still effective on a per-snap basis. He ranked seventh in ESPN’s WR tracking metrics, primarily due to his ability to create consistent separation.
Josh Allen would become the best quarterback Johnson has played with since Ben Roethlisberger. A Bills wide receiver core comprised of Johnson, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman could work wonders.
OT Alaric Jackson | Jacksonville Jaguars
Current team: Los Angeles Rams
We don’t know if GM Trent Baalke or head coach Doug Pederson will still be making decisions for the Jaguars next offseason, but Jacksonville will need offensive line help anyway.
Both of the Jags’ offensive tackles have had trouble pass-blocking through three weeks. Left tackle Cam Robinson’s 11.6% pressure rate allowed is the third-worst rate among all offensive linemen; right tackle Anton Harrison (9.6%) is 15th-worst. Robinson and swing tackle Walker Little are scheduled to reach free agency next offseason.
Alaric Jackson could be a solution for the Jaguars. A 2021 undrafted free agent, started 15 games for the Rams in 2023 before being assigned a second-round restricted free agent tender this offseason.
Jackson returned from a two-game suspension to start at left tackle for Los Angeles in Week 3. Starting-caliber left tackles in their age-26 campaigns don’t grow on trees.
G Trey Smith | Chicago Bears
Current team: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs extended center Creed Humphrey this summer and have already invested significant money in left guard Joe Thuney and right tackle Jawaan Taylor. Kansas City surely wants to keep Smith, who became a Day 1 starter as a 2021 sixth-round pick. However, GM Brett Veach might not have the cap space to extend the Chiefs’ right guard.
Smith will have a laundry list of suitors if he hits the open market. Robert Hunt got $20 million annually from the Panthers as a 2024 free agent guard, and Smith is a better overall player.
The Bears, who are trying to keep No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams upright, might have the most pressing need. Chicago’s interior offensive line has been disastrous through three games, while 2023 free agent signing Nate Davis looks like a clear whiff. The Bears rank 30th in pass-block win rate.
EDGE Khalil Mack | Detroit Lions
Current team: Los Angeles Chargers
The Lions already have Aidan Hutchinson, who entered rarified air with a 100+ pressure season in 2023 and leads the NFL with 6.5 sacks in 2024. But Hutchinson was the only productive EDGE on Detroit’s roster last year. While the Lions added free agent pass rusher Marcus Davenport this offseason, he went down with a season-ending elbow injury in Week 3.
Khalil Mack turned back the clock for the Chargers in 2023, putting up 17 sacks while playing solid run defense. His production wasn’t a fluke, as he ranked ninth in pass-rush win rate. While Mack will be 34 years old next year, you’d never know it based on his recent putout. He already has 2.5 sacks and nine pressures in 2024.
Let’s send Mack to Detroit and see if he can win a Super Bowl to cap a borderline Hall-of-Fame career.
DT Alim McNeill | Cincinnati Bengals
Current team: Detroit Lions
The Lions stole free agent defensive tackle DJ Reader from the Bengals during the 2024 NFL offseason. Now, it’s time for Cincinnati to return the favor.
Although Alim McNeill dealt with injury issues last season, he also broke out for a career-high five sacks in 13 games, ranked 27th among defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate, and consistently made splash plays against the run.
Interior pressure has never been more critical in the NFL, and McNeill is still ascending.
LB Nick Bolton | Carolina Panthers
Current team: Kansas City Chiefs
The Panthers’ most pressing 2025 concern will be finding a long-term quarterback. But Carolina also has questions on defense, where longtime linebacker Shaq Thompson is heading for free agency (or could conceivably retire).
Nick Bolton got unlucky with injuries in 2023, missing three games due to a sprained ankle and four because of a dislocated wrist. He returned for the Chiefs’ playoff run and made a game-high 13 tackles in Super Bowl 58.
When healthy, he’s one of Kansas City’s best defensive players. Bolton is a natural-born playmaker against the run, but he also provides value in the passing game because of his coverage intelligence. In an offseason survey conducted with ESPN, NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, he ranked as the league’s fifth-best linebacker.
LB Ernest Jones IV | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current team: Tennessee Titans
The Titans acquired Ernest Jones IV from the Rams just before the start of the regular season, taking advantage of L.A.’s devaluation of the off-ball linebacker position to locate a talented starter at pennies on the dollar.
Jones, a former third-round pick, wore the green dot and was a captain for the Rams. The 24-year-old is an excellent blitzer and led all linebackers with 37 pressures last season.
He could keep playing that role for Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, who likes to blitz as much as any NFL play-caller. Jones could rush from the second level like former Tampa Bay LB Devin White, but he’s a more complete ‘backer than the ex-first-round choice.
CB Charvarius Ward | Indianapolis Colts
Current team: San Francisco 49ers
One of the more physical corners in the game, Charvarius Ward landed a free agent payday with the 49ers in 2022 and has continued his feisty play in San Francisco. His 37 pass breakups are the second-most in the NFL over the past two-plus seasons.
A second-team All-Pro in 2023, Ward could land another significant deal if he hits the market again next spring.
The Colts lost former second-round CB JuJu Brents to a season-ending knee injury earlier this month. While Kenny Moore II is a stalwart in the slot, Indy has struggled to find competent outside cornerbacks in recent seasons. General manager Chris Ballard tends to avoid free agency, but Ward could be a fit for the Colts.
CB Paulson Adebo | Washington Commanders
Current team: New Orleans Saints
The Commanders should have more than $120 million in salary cap space to spend next offseason. General manager Adam Peters can address myriad areas of Washington’s roster, but let’s start with a defense that ranked dead last in scoring in 2023 and has been the NFL’s worst unit against the pass in 2024.
Former third-round pick Paulson Adebo has developed into a high-end cornerback over his three-plus seasons with the Saints. In 2023, he allowed just a 62.7 passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage, the seventh-best mark among CBs. New Orleans, already projected to be $80+ million over the 2024 salary cap, probably won’t be able to re-sign Adebo.
CB Asante Samuel Jr. | Arizona Cardinals
Current team: Los Angeles Chargers
While Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Co. have Arizona’s offense pushing full steam ahead, the club’s defense remains a work in progress. Jonathan Gannon’s secondary is a genuine question mark. Offseason addition Sean Murphy-Bunting probably tops out as a league-average corner, while Starling Thomas V and Garrett Williams are still developing.
Asante Samuel Jr.’s coverage metrics stayed relatively stable in 2023 despite the Chargers’ defense crumbling around him. He’ll only be 25 years old when he reaches free agency next offseason, so Samuel could become a long-term piece for the Cardinals.
S Talanoa Hufanga | Houston Texans
Current team: San Francisco 49ers
We already know that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans — a former 49ers defensive coordinator — likes to bring his ex-San Francisco players to Houston. Safety Jimmie Ward followed Ryans to the AFC South in 2023, while linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair joined this year after a one-season layover with the Titans.
Talanoa Hufanga could be the next name on that list. An absolute missile as a pursuer and tackler, Hufanga’s aggressive play is symbolic of the 49ers’ defense. He grabbed All-Pro honors in 2022, his first season as a starter, and was playing well before tearing his ACL in Nov. 2023.
Drop Hufanga into this defense alongside young defensive backs like Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, and Jalen Pitre, and Ryans will have plenty of playmakers on the back end.
S Jevón Holland | New York Giants
Current team: Miami Dolphins
As Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley wrote last month, the Dolphins don’t want Jevón Holland turning into the next Christian Wilkins — a defensive free agent that eventually became too expensive for Miami to afford.
Still, the Dolphins project to have just $4 million in cap space in 2025. GM Chris Grier can always create more room via restructures and extensions, but Miami might have to make a few tough choices.
If Holland walks, the Giants could be one of the teams that comes calling. While New York used a second-round pick on safety Tyler Nubin in this year’s draft, Jason Pinnock — who’s played 125 snaps at free safety for the Giants this season — will be a free agent next year.
Pinnock has been a solid defensive back for New York, but Holland has All-Pro potential as a center-field safety. He could be New York’s year-later replacement for safety Xavier McKinney, who signed with the Packers earlier this year.