Notable 2025 NFL Free Agents

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertAugust 14, 2024
© USA TODAY Sports

With the 2024 regular season just a few weeks out, teams are taking one last crack at locking in notable expiring contracts before the threat of free agency creeps in.

While a few extensions are sure to get done, we’ll take an extra early look at which players from each position group could be headed to the open market when the 2025 league year begins next March 12th.

RELATED: 2025 NFL Free Agents

QUARTERBACKS

Quite a few moving targets here, none bigger than Prescott and his potentially historic looming extension in Dallas, but the (year long?) QB1 battle in Pittsburgh will certainly have ramifications on this free agent class next March. J.J. McCarthy’s knee surgery should pave the way for Sam Darnold to showcase himself for a potential 2025 starting role elsewhere.

Dak Prescott (DAL, 31)

Justin Fields  (PIT, 25)

Russell Wilson (PIT, 36)

Mac Jones (JAX, 26)

Jameis Winston (CLE, 30)

Sam Darnold (MIN, 27)

Zach Wilson (DEN, 25)

Trey Lance (DAL, 24)

RUNNING BACKS

This list currently offers much less to be desired than the 2023 class presented, but there’s no question that it will be bolstered by a few likely cap casualties next March. Dobbins, Harris, & Williams all have legitimate chances to reset their free agent values this winter with productive, healthy campaigns.

James Conner (ARI, 29)

Nick Chubb (CLE, 29)

Najee Harris (PIT, 26)

A.J. Dillon (GB, 26)

Javonte Williams (DEN, 24)

JK Dobbins (LAC, 26)

Aaron Jones (MIN, 30)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Higgins & Cooper seem highly likely to find themselves on the open market next March, while long-term questions surrounding Lamb & Aiyuk continue to dominate the news streams. Newcomers Allen (Chicago) & Johnson (Carolina) could play themselves into multi-year extensions if the fit is right.

CeeDee Lamb (DAL, 25)

Brandon Aiyuk (SF, 26)

Stefon Diggs (HOU, 31)

Tee Higgins (CIN, 25)

Keenan Allen (CHI, 32)

Amari Cooper (CLE, 30)

Brandin Cooks (DAL, 31)

Diontae Johnson (CAR, 28)

DeAndre Hopkins (TEN, 32)

Mike Williams (NYJ, 30)

Marquise Brown (KC, 27)

Chris Godwin (TB, 28)

TIGHT ENDS

Freiermuth & Johnson are looking for bounce-back walk years in Pittsburgh & New Orleans respectively, while Noah Gray’s stock could rise internally if Travis Kelce decides to hang up the cleats after 2024.

Pat Freiermuth (PIT, 26)

Tyler Conklin (NYJ, 29)

Noah Gray (KC, 25)

Mo Alie-Cox (IND, 31)

Juwan Johnson (NO, 28)

Brevin Jordan (HOU, 24)

Harrison Bryant (LV, 26)

Austin Hooper (NE, 30)

Mike Gesicki (CIN, 29)

Zach Ertz (WAS, 34)

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

The Jags are likely banking on Walker Little to spell Robinson in 2025 & Bolles could be on the move out of Denver if the wheels continue to fall off there. Stanley needs a healthy 2024 to recoup some of his All-Pro value, but Mekari could very well be the benefactor if he becomes Baltimore’s focal point going forward.

Cam Robinson (JAX, 29)

Garett Bolles (DEN, 32)

Ronnie Stanley (BAL, 30)

Tyron Smith (NYJ, 34)

Patrick Mekari (BAL, 27)

Jedrick Wills (CLE, 25)

Morgan Moses (NYJ, 33)

Chukwuma Okorafor (NE, 27)

Trenton Brown (CIN, 31)

Spencer Brown (BUF, 26)

GUARDS

Massive contracts for Joe Thuney & Robert Hunt in recent free agencies have to have players like Trey Smith & Teven Jenkins smiling but all of these players (maybe sans Martin, who could be eyeing retirement) should be headed for strong pay days in the coming months.

Zack Martin (DAL, 34)

Kevin Zeitler (DET, 34)

Trey Smith (KC, 25)

Teven Jenkins (CHI, 26)

Will Hernandez (ARI, 29)

Will Fries (IND, 26)

James Daniels (PIT, 27)

CENTERS

Dalman & Humphrey were classified as Top 5 centers in 2023 according to PFF and should be eyeing a market reset for the position. Kelly is looking to stay in Indy for the right price, while Corbett’s move over from guard is one to watch this season.

Drew Dalman (ATL, 26)

Creed Humphrey (KC, 25)

Ryan Kelly (IND, 31)

Coleman Shelton (CHI, 29)

Hjalte Froholdt (ARI, 28)

Austin Corbett (CAR, 29)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

A rash of extensions leaves this crop with a little more to be desired, but McNeill had a breakout campaign in 2023 and might price out the now loaded Lions, while Odighizuwa might be left out of Dallas’ expensive future plans as well.

Alim McNeill (DET, 24)

Armon Watts (NE, 28)

Osa Odighizuwa (DAL, 26)

Cameron Heyward (PIT, 35)

B.J. Hill (CIN, 29)

Harrison Phillips (MIN, 28)

Jarran Reed (SEA, 32)

EDGE DEFENDERS

Reddick & Judon are deep into contract disputes with their respective teams, Mack took a haircut to remain in LA, and both Lawrence & Omenihu appear headed for the open market as their teams have plenty of other mouths to feed.

Khalil Mack (LAC, 33)

DeMarcus Lawrence (DAL, 32)

Chase Young (NO, 25)

Matt Judon (ATL, 32)

Haason Reddick (NYJ, 30)

Charles Omenihu (KC, 27)

LINEBACKERS

It’s been a tough go for off-ball linebackers on the open market & many of the names on the 2025 list were also on the 2024 free agency list as well. Greenlaw’s Super Bowl injury annexed what was looking like the next big LB contract, but there’s still time for him to regain some of that value back. Jones was the breakout star in LA last season, and could make himself a lot of money with a repeat campaign in 2024.

Dre Greenlaw (SF, 27)

Tyrel Dodson (SEA, 26)

Bobby Wagner (WAS, 34)

Ernest Jones (LAR, 25)

Robert Spillane (LV, 29)

Eric Kendricks (DAL, 32)

Lavonte David (TB, 34)

Elandon Roberts (PIT, 30)

CORNERBACKS

This might be the deepest list positionally speaking, headlined by three key cogs in the 49ers secondary, and a former first rounder in Terrell who along with Sameul Jr., are looking to maximize value heading toward free agency.

Charvarius Ward (SF, 29)

Isaac Yiadom (SF, 28)

Deommodore Lenoir (SF, 25)

A.J. Terrell (ATL, 26)

Asante Samuel Jr. (LAC, 25)

Rasul Douglas (BUF, 30)

Michael Carter (NYJ, 25)

Paulson Adebo (NO, 25)

D.J. Reed (NYJ, 28)

Mike Hilton (CIN, 30)

Jonathan Jones (NE, 31)

SAFETIES

A largely devalued position was financially reset this offseason by Antoine Winfield Jr. in Tampa Bay. Jevon Holland has a chance to position himself for that belt with another big year in Miami, while Justin Reid becomes yet another big member of the Chiefs in need of a new deal in the coming months.

Jevon Holland (MIA, 24)

Budda Baker (ARI, 28)

Justin Reid (KC, 27)

Tyrann Mathieu (NO, 32)

Camryn Bynum (MIN, 26)

Talanoa Hufanga (SF, 25)

Trevon Moehrig (LV, 25)

Julian Blackmon (IND, 26)



RELATED: 2025 NFL Free Agents

Who did we forget? Drop a note on X or Threads @spotrac to keep this list as fresh as possible through the 2024 season.


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