With the 2024 NFL season within the books, it’s naturally time to sit up for 2025, and the very first thing on each GM’s agenda goes to be sifting by the obtainable free brokers to seek out the fellows they wish to assist them remake their staff.
What’s the widespread theme? Youth. Simply one of many high 10 obtainable free brokers has hit the age of 30. The common age of this group is 27.2. And the highest 4 gamers on our checklist are even youthful, with a median age of 25.5.
Sure, groups wish to get higher. However additionally they wish to get worth, and the youthful they go, the much less probability they find yourself with a man who will hit a wall earlier than the tip of their contract.
With that in thoughts, listed below are our high 10 NFL free brokers for the spring of 2025.
1. WR Tee Higgins, Bengals
The Bengals, who went 9-8 in 2024, have been a significantly better 8-4 with Higgins in uniform, underscoring the form of affect the big-bodied extensive receiver has had over 5 seasons in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old would have been a sizzling property final season, too, had he not been franchise tagged.
2. G Trey Smith, Chiefs
Smith is simply 25; he has a successful pedigree with two Tremendous Bowl titles, and he has missed just one sport in his first 4 NFL seasons with the Chiefs. Plus, one may argue Smith is simply now hitting his stride, being whistled for a career-low two penalties in the course of the Chiefs’ AFC Championship successful run in 2024.
3. QB Sam Darnold, Vikings
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts as he walks off the sector after shedding to the Los Angeles Rams throughout an NFC wild card sport at State Farm Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures Objectively, the 27-year-old Darnold most likely isn’t a top-three participant. This rating is extra a mirrored image of the significance of the place he performs and the relative lack of different interesting choices. Darnold had a profession yr in 2024 with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns for the 14-3 Vikings, and now he’s set to money in.
4. S Jevon Holland, Dolphins
Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo Payments working again James Cook dinner (4) runs for a landing previous Miami Dolphins security Jevon Holland (8) in the course of the first half at Exhausting Rock Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Pictures Holland is younger (24) but completed, with 4 good seasons in Miami beneath his belt. With 25 passes defended, 5 interceptions and 301 tackles, Holland has proven equal propensity for patrolling the center of the sector and coming as much as assault the run.
5. T Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
The oldest participant on this checklist (30), Stanley nonetheless stood out with a Professional Bowl flip in 2024, rebounding from a collection of accidents that price him time in earlier seasons. The missed time may really work to the 2019 All-Professional’s benefit a bit, in that there’s now much less put on on the tires.
6. CB D.J. Reed, Jets
Dec 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) celebrates a defensive cease in opposition to the Detroit Lions in the course of the second half at MetLife Stadium. credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports activities Reed has historically graded out very properly among the many providers, together with PFF, who gave him a 70.1 protection grade in 2024 (thirty first within the league). The 28-year-old is never talked about within the firm of the most effective corners within the league, however Jets followers would remember to miss him and his 32 move breakups (over three seasons) ought to he depart.
7. WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers extensive receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off the sector after an obvious damage in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens in the course of the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Pictures Higgins is probably the most coveted prize at extensive receiver, however Godwin, 28, shouldn’t rank far behind on most groups’ boards. Final yr’s injury-plagued marketing campaign broke a streak of three straight 1,000-yard seasons, however Godwin has been a constant performer working reverse Mike Evans and he can accomplish that elsewhere.
8. EDGE Josh Sweat, Eagles
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive finish Josh Sweat (94) in motion in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Monetary Discipline. credit: Invoice Streicher-USA TODAY Sports activities To the victors go the spoils, and for any Eagles gamers set to hit the market, that’s nice information. Tremendous Bowl winners all the time are likely to get rewarded, and the 27-year-old Sweat, who had 2 1/2 sacks within the Tremendous Bowl after an eight-sack common season, could be very properly positioned now.
9. T Cam Robinson, Vikings
![Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) reacts to a catch being confirmed in favor of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a preseason matchup Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] credits: Corey Perrine / USA TODAY NETWORK](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/1739630256915)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive deal with Cam Robinson (74) reacts to a catch being confirmed in favor of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the course of the second quarter of a preseason matchup Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] credit: Corey Perrine / USA TODAY NETWORK Like Stanley, Robinson performs a premier place, so a bit further mileage (29 years outdated) received’t damage him as a lot as another guys. Robinson was a midseason commerce acquisition for the Vikings from the Jaguars and is understood for his pass-blocking acumen. He didn’t miss a contest in ‘24.
10. LB Zack Baun, Eagles
Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) talks to the media throughout Tremendous Bowl LIX Opening Evening at Ceasars Superdome. Necessary Credit score: Stephen Lew-Imagn Pictures Quite a lot of Eagles are set to capitalize on their Tremendous Bowl victory with huge offers. For the 28-year-old Baun, contemporary off a important interception of Patrick Mahomes in that sport to cap a stellar 2024 season (151 tackles), that could be very true.
Honorable Mentions:
LB Nick Bolton, Chiefs
S Justin Reid, Chiefs
WR Amari Cooper, Payments
Edge Khalil Mack, Chargers
DT Osa Odighizuwa, Cowboys
DT Milton Williams, Eagles
C Drew Dalman, Falcons
CB Carlton Davis, Lions
RB Aaron Jones, Vikings
WR Stefon Diggs, Texans
