NEW ORLEANS – For 31 NFL teams and their players (current and soon-to-be former), Super Bowl 59 is already a fading memory. That’s because the machinery of the league remains in near-constant motion.
Next week, the 14-day window for teams to issue franchise tags opens. The scouting combine commences at the end of the month, and full-on free agency officially starts March 12 following a 52-hour window for players with expiring contracts to enter into negotiations with teams other than their own.
While free agency and the draft effectively unfold in parallel anymore for a 24/7/365 operation, it’s the veterans who will take precedence first – and it’s already on their minds and those of established teammates with secured futures (by NFL standards anyway).
For instance, take Sam Darnold. After a breakout 2024 campaign, Viking All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson wants his quarterback to return.
“I would love to have Sam back and try to do it again,” Jefferson told USA TODAY Sports during Super Bowl week. “It would be phenomenal to have him back as the quarterback.
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“Having 14 wins in this league is not easy, and really only losing to two teams throughout the whole entire year – Detroit and Los Angeles (Rams),” he continued. “To bring us to a playoff game, to win 14 games and only to lose three, that’s something that’s difficult to do. So I wouldn’t mind having him back in that building.”
And while signals have already gone up that some superstars who are still under contract could be on the move – Myles Garrett, Aaron Rodgers, Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp at the head of what’s sure to be a longer list – Darnold will be near the top of what’s shaping up as a decent class of free agents, albeit one likely to be altered once tags have been dispensed and trade proposals broached.
But as matters currently stand, this group of 25 projects as the top 25 (currently scheduled to be) unrestricted free agents available in 2025:
1. WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
He’s never had to really produce like a No. 1 receiver – Ja’Marr Chase’s sidekick for most of his career – and has only played a full season twice in his five seasons. But the talent is more than evident when Higgins is on the field, and he’s a beloved figure in Cincy’s locker room – all reasons why Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Chase desperately want him back. (And Higgins has hired the agent who represents Chase, who’s also seeking the massive contract extension he didn’t get last year.) But barring a second franchise tag – and that might be a precursor to a trade – Higgins, 26, is likely to command a pact averaging $30 million or more based on his ability, a position that’s warranted top dollar in recent years and a draft that won’t be nearly as strong at wideout as it was in 2024.
2. QB Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
The 2024 season had a suboptimal ending with convincing losses to the Lions and Rams in Week 18 and the playoffs, respectively. Prior to that, Darnold, 27, was something of a belated revelation six years after he was drafted third overall by the Jets – driving the Vikes to the cusp of the NFC’s No. 1 seed during a 14-3 campaign that earned him Pro Bowl recognition for the first time as he passed for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and a 102.5 rating, all easily career bests. And now, like Higgins at his respective position, Darnold could be the financial beneficiary of a thin class of quarterbacks in the draft at a time when at least a half-dozen teams seem solidly in the market for an answer behind center … assuming Minnesota lets him walk.
3. OLB Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
At 6-5, 265 pounds, he’s built to man the edge, whether as a base end or stand-up linebacker. Just 27, Sweat has averaged better than eight sacks and 26 pressures over the four seasons since he was named a Pro Bowler in 2021. And, unlike Darnold, Sweat, who already mans a highly coveted post, should get a postseason premium attached to his negotiations as a guy who’s played in two Super Bowls over the past three seasons. All he did in Sunday’s rollover of the Chiefs was generate 2½ sacks and seven pressures (per Pro Football Focus) of QB Patrick Mahomes – the kind of numbers that could especially make prospective contenders salivate.
4. CB Byron Murphy Jr., Vikings
He erupted in 2024, named a Pro Bowler for the first time after recording career highs for interceptions (6), passes defensed (14) and tackles (81) – all while often working on an island given Minnesota’s propensity to blitz. Quarterbacks only managed an 80.5 rating when targeting him. Murphy, 27, should be especially valuable given he’s comfortable lining up wide or playing in the slot.
5. G Trey Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
One of Mahomes’ most reliable bodyguards, Smith, 25, has missed one game in his four-year career and rarely takes a snap off. Given how much trouble K.C. had protecting its legendary quarterback in 2024, the Chiefs will surely try to keep Smith in house. But given the likelihood he’ll reset a guard market in which the best players average more than $20 million annually, a team that currently has about $11 million available for free agency (per Over The Cap) and a fair amount of cash already tied up in fellow G Joe Thuney has financial work to do to make that happen.
6. LB Zack Baun, Eagles
Relegated to special teams and spot defensive duty during four seasons with New Orleans, he found a home at off-ball linebacker with Philadelphia in 2024 and absolutely flourished. Rated No. 1 by PFF at his position – if merely the underappreciated defensive version of running back – Baun, 28, nevertheless blossomed not only into an All-Pro but a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. A tackling machine who managed 3½ sacks for a unit that rarely blitzed while forcing five fumbles in the regular season, Baun was truly dastardly in coverage – his interception of Mahomes right before halftime of the Super Bowl arguably the final nail in Kansas City’s coffin. Not every team is willing to invest in Baun’s position – even the Eagles had no idea what they were truly getting on a one-year deal that hit the lottery for them – but he could score something in the $20 million-per-year range from those that value his skill set.
7. LT Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
A starter the past two seasons, a span during which he’s allowed four sacks and committed just one holding penalty, he should cash in nicely since trustworthy left tackles don’t grow on trees – and are rarely available in the draft or free agency … especially when they’re 26.
8. S Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
On the plus side, he’ll be 25 at the start of next season and – when on top of his game – he’s an impact player, whether as a pass rusher or for finding the ball, Holland responsible for nine takeaways in his four seasons to go along with five forced fumbles. But consistency has been an issue at times, and he’s missed seven games over the past two seasons. Regardless, good bet Holland lands financially at the summit of the safety market currently topped by Antoine Winfield ($21 million per season).
9. DT Milton Williams, Eagles
Yet another Philly player in line for a Lombardi bump, Williams excelled in 2024, when he played a career-high 501 snaps and responded with a personal best five sacks to go along with 28 hurries (per PFF). Williams, 25, a third-round pick in 2021, has started 17 times over the past two seasons but appears to be in line for a starter’s snap count. And a starter’s money.
10. CB D.J. Reed, New York Jets
Still only 28, he also mans a position where demand always outstrips supply. Reed has averaged double-digit passes defensed over the past four seasons even if he’s not necessarily a ball hawk (four total INTs over that stretch). But he’s durable and a willing tackler, a trait that distinguishes him from many of his peers. However penalties have been an issue in recent years, and he has had the benefit of playing opposite of Sauce Gardner the past three seasons.
11. S Justin Reid, Chiefs
He posted one of his best seasons in years in 2024. Reid, who turns 28 on Saturday, is an extremely bright player, a reliable tackler and the last line of defense coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can count on with confidence. Yet he generally doesn’t make a ton of splash plays – i.e. generating turnovers or as a blitzer – and it would stand to reason K.C. would prioritize Smith.
12. C Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
Looking for a highly reliable snapper to anchor your line who’s only 26 and has Stanford smarts? Then Dalman might be your guy, though he did miss eight games last season with an ankle injury. Doesn’t mean he won’t get a deal that pays him at least $15 million annually.
13. LT Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
He’s the most talented blind side protector on the market and just played a full season for the first time in his nine-year career, attributes that should fetch him a fat bag. He is also almost 31 … and just played a full season for the first time in his nine-year career, attributes that may give many teams pause.
14. LT Cam Robinson, Vikings
Stanley is more gifted when it comes to safeguarding quarterbacks. But Robinson, 29, is slightly younger and generally more likely to remain in the lineup – though he was suspended four games at the start of the 2024 campaign, while in Jacksonville, for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy.
15. CB Carlton Davis, Detroit Lions
A solid player who’s just 28 and has 17 takeaways in seven NFL years. However Davis tends to get banged up, having never played a full season – a broken jaw cutting his first year in Motown short.
16. WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He was having a monster season in 2024 – and on pace for a career year – with 50 catches for 576 yards and five TDs in seven games. But Godwin, who’s about to turn 29, suffered a dislocated ankle in October that obviously required surgery and put him on the shelf. Such an injury is especially concerning for a middle-aged (by NFL standards) wideout. But maybe it will be offset by the fact Godwin can line up anywhere and is tough as nails.
17. QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
He was named a Pro Bowler for the 10th time this season … though only after enough AFC quarterbacks declined the invitation. Overall, Wilson’s passing numbers in 2024 (63.7% completion rate, 2,482 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs, 95.6 rating), his first in the Steel City, were generally in line with his career norms. But the 36-year-old’s late-season decline also mirrored the Steelers, who lost their final five games and weren’t competitive in most of those. He’s basically no longer a threat with his legs, either, which can amplify his tendency to struggle from the pocket. Still, Wilson might still find an opportunity to start – a reunion with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas? – even if those days appear decidedly numbered … and the possibility that Steelers backup Justin Fields, 25, might be a more attractive option in Pittsburgh if not elsewhere.
18. S Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
Two years ago, he looked (literally) like the next Troy Polamalu, earning All-Pro honors while wreaking havoc all over the field. Hufanga has yet to regain that form since suffering a torn ACL late in the 2023 season, but this might be the right time to invest in a guy who recently turned 25.
19. CB Charvarius Ward, 49ers
Like Hufanga, Ward, 28, is coming off a disappointing season with San Francisco. However given he was dealing with a knee injury and, more importantly, the death of his 1-year-old daughter, Ward’s struggles were more than understandable. He was a dominant player in previous seasons and very well could be again.
20. DE Chase Young, New Orleans Saints
Despite the outlandish pre-draft comparisons in 2020, he’ll never become the next Lawrence Taylor. But the Saints may have hit on something, solely using Young as a situational pass rusher in 2024. He responded with 5½ sacks and a career-best (by far) 34 pressures. Young, still only 25, may not break the bank, but he should do better than having to settle for another one-year deal.
21. RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Is he the next Saquon Barkley? Hardly. But Dowdle, 26, did explode for a career-best 1,328 yards from scrimmage (on 274 touches) when finally given a chance to play in 2024 – and the Cowboys almost certainly would have been better off had they given him more reps rather than force Ezekiel Elliott into the rotation early in the season. Newly promoted head coach Brian Schottenheimer has already expressed his hope that Dowdle, who ran with maximum effort after finally getting his NFL opportunity, returns to Dallas. But he might fetch more money – whether as a starter or change-of-pace back – elsewhere … and might be especially attractive given his relative lack of usage (387 career touches) since the Cowboys signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
22. RB Najee Harris, Steelers
23. LB Nick Bolton, Chiefs
He’s unlikely to sniff whatever Baun rakes in. But Bolton has been a staple in K.C. the past four seasons, his touchdown in Super Bowl 57 the turning point of that contest. And for anyone looking to steal a little Chiefs magic, why not poach a productive backer who turns 25 next month?
24. WR Amari Cooper, Buffalo Bills
He’s coming off the least productive season of his 10-year career, a campaign split between a team with quarterback issues (Cleveland) before Cooper tried to learn a new system on the fly after being traded to Buffalo, where injuries also hindered him. He is 30 but could be a better option for teams searching for a trusty WR2 given he’s younger and seems generally fresher than fellow vet wideouts like Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins and Keenan Allen, who are also on expiring contracts.
25. OLB Haason Reddick, Jets
Between 2020 and ’23, he averaged better than 12½ sacks and nearly 36 pressures per season, eye-popping numbers for teams looking for pass-rush enhancement – and precisely why the Jets traded for Reddick last year. However his obstinate holdout in 2024 didn’t shed him in the best light, and that was exacerbated by his complete lack of production (1 sack and 7 pressures in 10 games after he reported to the team). Reddick will be 31 in September, and his relative age might create a better market for him than, say, soon-to-be 34-year-old free agent Khalil Mack. But hard to believe there won’t be a buyer-beware label Reddick will have to overcome.
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