Top NFL free agents at every position
With the NFL's March 10 negotiating window and free agency around the corner, here's a look at the best players hitting the market at each position:
Jump to:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | EDGE | DL | LB | CB | S
Quarterbacks
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Darnold | 27 | MIN | - |
| 2 | Aaron Rodgers* | 41 | NYJ | - |
| 3 | Justin Fields | 26 | PIT | - |
| 4 | Russell Wilson | 36 | PIT | - |
| 5 | Daniel Jones | 27 | MIN | - |
| 6 | Jameis Winston | 31 | CLE | - |
| 7 | Jacoby Brissett | 32 | NE | - |
| 8 | Marcus Mariota | 31 | WAS | - |
| 9 | Jimmy Garoppolo | 33 | LAR | - |
| 10 | Mac Jones | 26 | JAX | - |
*Rodgers has yet to be released, but the Jets have already announced that they plan to part ways with the four-time NFL MVP.
This is a very interesting quarterback group, featuring at least three potential starters for 2025. Our top QBs - Darnold and Rodgers - are in very different stages in their careers. Darnold is hitting free agency after a breakout year in Minnesota, while Rodgers is trying to prove he still has something left in the tank after a disappointing stint with the Jets.
Running backs
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aaron Jones | 30 | MIN | MIN |
| 2 | J.K. Dobbins | 26 | LAC | - |
| 3 | Najee Harris | 26 | PIT | - |
| 4 | Nick Chubb | 29 | CLE | - |
| 5 | Rico Dowdle | 26 | DAL | - |
| 6 | Javonte Williams | 24 | DEN | - |
| 7 | Kenneth Gainwell | 25 | PHI | - |
| 8 | Cam Akers | 25 | MIN | - |
| 9 | Kareem Hunt | 29 | KC | - |
| 10 | Ty Johnson | 27 | BUF | - |
This running back class isn't nearly as stacked as last year's, but the position is expected to be a hot topic again following Saquon Barkley's and Derrick Henry's monster 2024 seasons. Could a change of scenery help more tailbacks regain their forms in '25?
Wide receivers
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Godwin | 29 | TB | - |
| 2 | Davante Adams | 32 | NYJ | - |
| 3 | Stefon Diggs | 31 | HOU | - |
| 4 | Amari Cooper | 30 | BUF | - |
| 5 | Darius Slayton | 28 | NYG | - |
| 6 | Tyler Lockett | 32 | SEA | - |
| 7 | Keenan Allen | 32 | CHI | - |
| 8 | Josh Palmer | 25 | LAC | - |
| 9 | DeAndre Hopkins | 32 | KC | - |
| 10 | Elijah Moore | 24 | CLE | - |
| 11 | Dyami Brown | 25 | WAS | - |
| 12 | Diontae Johnson | 28 | BAL | - |
| 13 | Mike Williams | 30 | PIT | - |
| 14 | Demarcus Robinson | 30 | LAR | - |
| 15 | Brandin Cooks | 31 | DAL | - |
Wide receiver might be the deepest position group in 2025 free agency, with several high-profile pass-catchers available. Coming off an injury-plagued season, Godwin headlines this group after previously being tagged by the Buccaneers twice.
Tight ends
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Juwan Johnson | 28 | NO | - |
| 2 | Evan Engram | 30 | JAX | - |
| 3 | Tyler Conklin | 29 | NYJ | - |
| 4 | Austin Hooper | 30 | NE | - |
| 5 | John Bates | 27 | WAS | - |
| 6 | Kylen Granson | 26 | IND | - |
| 7 | Mo Alie-Cox | 31 | IND | - |
| 8 | Gerald Everett | 30 | CHI | - |
| 9 | Jordan Akins | 32 | CLE | - |
| 10 | Harrison Bryant | 26 | LV | - |
There's a lack of star power among free-agent tight ends. That said, Johnson did post a 50-548-3 stat line in 2024 despite the New Orleans Saints playing part of the season with their backup QBs.
Offensive linemen
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cam Robinson (LT) | 29 | MIN | - |
| 2 | Drew Dalman (C) | 26 | ATL | - |
| 3 | Will Fries (G) | 26 | IND | - |
| 4 | Mekhi Becton (G) | 25 | PHI | - |
| 5 | Kevin Zeitler (G) | 34 | DET | - |
| 6 | Ryan Kelly (C) | 31 | IND | - |
| 7 | Josh Myers (C) | 26 | GB | - |
| 8 | Dan Moore Jr. (LT) | 26 | PIT | - |
| 9 | Teven Jenkins (G) | 27 | CHI | - |
| 10 | Shaq Mason (G) | 31 | HOU | - |
Most of these free-agent linemen come with questions, including injuries, age, or inconsistent play. That might explain why the Chicago Bears traded for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to add much-needed O-line help.
Defensive linemen
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milton Williams | 25 | PHI | - |
| 2 | Jonathan Allen | 30 | WAS | - |
| 3 | Levi Onwuzurike | 27 | DET | - |
| 4 | Javon Hargrave | 32 | SF | - |
| 5 | Poona Ford | 29 | LAC | - |
| 6 | Tershawn Wharton | 26 | KC | - |
| 7 | D.J. Jones | 30 | DEN | - |
| 8 | B.J. Hill | 29 | CIN | - |
| 9 | Jarran Reed | 32 | SEA | SEA |
| 10 | Calais Campbell | 38 | MIA | - |
Williams is the main event for this year's class of free-agent defensive linemen after a monster Super Bowl performance. This group also features a blend of youth, such as Onwuzurike and Wharton, while veterans like Allen, Hargrave, and Campbell round out the best of the bunch.
Edge rushers
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Sweat | 27 | PHI | - |
| 2 | Khalil Mack | 34 | LAC | - |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | 29 | LAC | - |
| 4 | Haason Reddick | 30 | NYJ | - |
| 5 | Malcolm Koonce | 26 | LV | - |
| 6 | Dayo Odeyingbo | 25 | IND | - |
| 7 | Azeez Ojulari | 24 | NYG | - |
| 8 | Chase Young | 25 | NO | - |
| 9 | Dante Fowler | 30 | WAS | - |
| 10 | DeMarcus Lawrence | 32 | DAL | - |
There's a lot of edge-rushing talent available in this free-agency class. Want to bet on a potential star like Sweat or Koonce? Be prepared to open the checkbook. How about a short-term veteran? There's plenty of those too with Mack, Fowler, and even Bosa, who was released last week. There are also younger options in Ojulari and Young, who have shown a knack for getting after the quarterback.
Linebacker
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Bolton | 24 | KC | KC |
| 2 | Dre Greenlaw | 27 | SF | - |
| 3 | Jamien Sherwood | 25 | NYJ | - |
| 4 | Ernest Jones | 25 | SEA | - |
| 5 | Kyzir White | 28 | ARI | - |
| 6 | Robert Spillane | 29 | LV | - |
| 7 | Tyrel Dodson | 26 | MIA | - |
| 8 | Divine Deablo | 26 | LV | - |
| 9 | Elandon Roberts | 30 | PIT | - |
| 10 | Eric Kendricks | 33 | DAL | - |
The linebacker class is very top-heavy. Bolton and Greenlaw are sure bets, while Sherwood is coming off a breakout year. There are a lot of players who can excel if their weaknesses are covered.
Cornerbacks
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.J. Reed | 28 | NYJ | - |
| 2 | Charvarius Ward | 28 | SF | - |
| 3 | Byron Murphy Jr. | 27 | MIN | - |
| 4 | Darius Slay | 34 | PHI | - |
| 5 | Rasul Douglas | 30 | BUF | - |
| 6 | Carlton Davis | 28 | DET | - |
| 7 | Asante Samuel Jr. | 25 | LAC | - |
| 8 | Stephon Gilmore | 34 | MIN | - |
| 9 | Nate Hobbs | 25 | LV | - |
| 10 | Jourdan Lewis | 29 | DAL | - |
Reed is one of the top defensive players available. Ward has also been a solid starter in the San Francisco 49ers' secondary, while Murphy grabbed a career-high six picks in 2024. There's also a blend of youth, veteran, boundary, and slot talent to pick from after moving past the headliners.
Safeties
| Rank | Player | Age | '24 team | '25 team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jevon Holland | 25 | MIA | - |
| 2 | Tre’von Moehrig | 25 | LV | - |
| 3 | Talanoa Hufanga | 25 | SF | - |
| 4 | Justin Reid | 28 | KC | - |
| 5 | Camryn Bynum | 26 | MIN | - |
| 6 | Jeremy Chinn | 27 | WAS | - |
| 7 | Julian Blackmon | 26 | IND | - |
| 8 | Andre Cisco | 24 | JAX | - |
| 9 | Justin Simmons | 31 | ATL | - |
| 10 | Marcus Williams | 28 | BAL | - |
Holland is the big fish, but he wouldn't be the only major catch from this safety group. Moehrig has five interceptions over the last two seasons, while Hufanga is only two seasons removed from an All-Pro year. Reid is as proven as they come, while Bynum, Chinn, Blackmon, and Cisco would surely improve any secondary, too.