With the 2024 NFL season being the book season, it’s no surprise that we’re looking forward to 2025. The first thing on every GM agenda is to sift through the free agents available and find someone who wants to rebuild their team.
What are the common themes? Young people. Only one of the top 10 free agents available has reached 30 years old. The average age for this group is 27.2. And the top four players on our list are even younger, with an average age of 25.5.
Yes, the team wants to get better. But they also want to gain value, and the younger they are, the less likely they are to become the man who will hit the wall before the end of their contract.
With that in mind, here are the top 10 NFL free agents for Spring 2025.
1. WR Tee Higgins, Bengals
The Bengals, who went 9-8 in 2024, are 8-4 with Higgins in uniform, and the big-bodied wide receiver highlights the impact of more than five seasons in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old would have been a hot property if he hadn’t been tagged with the franchise last season.
2. G Tray Smith, Chiefs
Smith is only 25 years old. He has a winning pedigree with two Super Bowl titles and has only missed one game in his first four NFL seasons with the Chiefs. Furthermore, it can be argued that Smith is now striking his journey.
3. QB Sam Darnold, Viking
January 13th, 2025. Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) responds to the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC wildcard game at State Farm Stadium. Required Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Immagn Image Objectively, the 27-year-old Darnold is probably not a top three player. This ranking more reflects the importance of the position he plays and the relative lack of other attractive options. Darnold spent his career year with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns for 14-3 Vikings in 2024, but now he’s earning cash.
4. SJevon Holland, Dolphins
September 12, 2024; Miami Garden, Florida, USA. The Buffalo Bills will receive a touchdown at Hard Rock Stadium after Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8). Required Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Immagn Image The Netherlands are younger (24), but there are four good seasons in Miami under his belt. With 25 passes defended, five intercepts and 301 tackles, the Netherlands show the same trend as they appear to patrol the middle of the field and attack the run.
5. T Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
The oldest player on this list (30), yet Stanley stood out Pro Bowl turns In 2024, he recovered from a series of injuries he spent time in past seasons. The time you missed could actually work a bit with the benefits of the 2019 All-Pro.
6. CBDJ Reed, Jets
December 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. New York Jets cornerback DJ Reid (4) celebrates a defensive halt against the Detroit Lions in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Ed Mulholland-Usa Today Sports Reed has traditionally been highly regarded among services including PFF, which gave them a 70.1 coverage grade in 2024 (31 days in the league). The 28-year-old is rarely spoken in the league’s best corner company, but Jets fans will miss him and his 32-pass breakup (over three seasons) if he leaves.
7. WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
October 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is being driven out of the field after an obvious injury to the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Required Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Immagn Image Higgins is the most coveted award for wide receivers, but the 28-year-old Godwin should not be too late on most teams’ boards. last year Injury campaign Though he beat three consecutive 1,000-yard season wins, Godwin is a consistent performer on the other side of Mike Evans and can do that elsewhere.
8. Edge Josh Sweatshirt, Eagles
December 31, 2023; Philadelphia, PA, USA. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweatt (94) Action against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports For winners, it’s going to loot and for those who are about to get the Eagles player on the market, that’s great news. Super Bowl winners tend to be rewarded all the time, and the 27-year-old sweat, who went into two bags in the Super Bowl after the regular season of eight sacks, is now very well positioned.
9. T-Cam Robinson, Viking
![Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) took a catch in favour of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of a preseason game at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, August 26, 2023. It will respond. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Credit: Corey Perrine / USA Today Network](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/1739630256915)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) took a catch in favour of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of a preseason game at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, August 26, 2023. It will respond. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Credit: Corey Perrine / USA Today Network Like Stanley, Robinson plays the best position, so a little extra mileage (age 29) won’t hurt him as much as the others. Robinson was the Vikings midseason trade acquisition from the Jaguars and is known for his pass-blocking insights. He didn’t miss the contest in 2024.
10. LB Zach Bounn, Eagles
February 3rd, 2025. New Orleans, LA, USA. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) speaks with the media during the Super Bowl LIX opening night at Caesar Superdome. Required Credit: Stephen Lew-Immagn Image Many Eagles are set to leverage their Super Bowl victory in large deals. For the 28-year-old Boun, that might be especially true, holding back the 2024 season (151 tackles) fresh from Patrick Mahomes’ critical interception in that game.
Honorable mention:
LB Nick Bolton, Chiefs
S Justin Reed, Chiefs
WR Amali Cooper, Bills
Edge Halil Mac, Chargers
dt osa odighizuwa, cowboys
DT Milton Williams, Eagles
C Drew Dalman, Falcon
CB Carlton Davis, Lions
RB Aaron Jones, Viking
WR Steffon Diggs, Texans
