With the 2024 season in the books, it is of course time to look forward to 2025, and the first on each GM’s agenda will be aimed through the available free agents to find the guys they want to help them redo their team.
What is the common theme? Youth. Only one of the top 10 available free agents has met 30 years of age. The average age of this group is 27.2. And the four best players on our list are even younger, with an average age of 25.5.
Yes, teams want to be better. But they also want to get value, and the younger they go, the less chance they end up with a guy who will hit a wall before the end of his contract.
With that in mind, here are our 10 best NFL -free agents for spring 2025.
1. WR TEE Higgins, Bengals
The Bengals, which went 9-8 2024, were a much better 8-4 with Higgins in uniform, and emphasize the type of impact the large body wide receiver has had over five seasons in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old would have been a hot property last season even if he had not been franchise-tagged.
2. G Trey Smith, Chiefs
Smith is only 25; He has a winning pedigree with two Super Bowl titles, and he has only missed one game in his first four NFL seasons with Chiefs. In addition, one can argue that Smith is currently meeting his step and was whistled for a career-low two penalties during Chief’s AFC Championship-winning driving in 2024.
3. QB Sam Darnold, Vikings
13 Jan 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts when he gets off the field after losing to Los Angeles Rams during an NFC Wild Card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn images Objectively, 27-year-old Darnold is probably not a top-three player. This ranking reflects more the importance of the position he plays and the relative lack of other appealing alternatives. Darnold had a career year 2024 with 4,319 meters and 35 touchdowns for the 14-3 Vikings, and now he is set to raise money.
4. S Yevon Holland, Dolphins
September 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Buffalo bills running back James Cook (4) Run for a touchdown past Miami Dolphin’s security Jevon Holland (8) during the first half of Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Pictures Holland is young (24) but still achieved, with four good seasons in Miami under his belt. With 25 passports that are defended, five interceptions and 301 tackles, Holland has shown equal tendency to patrol the middle of the field and come up to attack the driving.
5. T Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
The oldest player on this list (30), Stanley stood out with a Pro Bowl turn in 2024, and recovered from a series of injuries that cost him time in previous seasons. The missed time may actually work for the 2019 All-Pro’s advantage a bit, because there is now less wear on the tires.
6. CB DJ REED, JETS
December 18, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets Cornerback DJ Reed (4) celebrates a defensive stop against Detroit Lions during the second half at Metlife Stadium. Credits: Ed Mulholland-USA Today Sports Reed has traditionally rated very well among the services, including PFF, which gave him a coverage of 70.1 2024 (31 in the league). The 28-year-old is rarely talked about in the company of the best corners of the league, but Jets fans would be sure to miss him and his 32 passport divisions (over three seasons) if he were to resign.
7. WR Chris Godwin, buccaneers
October 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) is mapped from the field following an obvious damage to Baltimore Raven’s during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn images Higgins is the most sought after price at broad recipients, but Godwin, 28, should not be ranked far behind on most of the law’s boards. Last year’s injured campaign broke a row in three straight 1000-farm seasons, but Godwin has been a consistent artist who drove opposite Mike Evans and he can do it elsewhere.
8. Edge Josh Sweat, Eagles
December 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive ending Josh Sweat (94) in action against Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Credits: Bill Streicher-USA Today Sports For the victories, the change goes, and for all Eagles players who will meet the market, this is good news. Super Bowl winners always tend to be rewarded, and the 27-year-old sweat, who had 2 1/2 bags in Super Bowl after an eight-sack regular season, is very well positioned now.
9. T Cam Robinson, Vikings
![Jacksonville Jaguar's offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) responds to a catch that is confirmed in favor of Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a matchup for the preseason on Saturday August 26, 2023 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FLA. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Credits: Corey Perrine / USA Today Network](https://www.theplayerlounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1739632724_987_2025-NFL-Free-Agency-Top-10-Players-Available-This-Season.jpeg)
Jacksonville Jaguar’s offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) responds to a catch that is confirmed in favor of Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a matchup for the preseason on Saturday August 26, 2023 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, FLA. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Credits: Corey Perrine / USA Today Network Like Stanley, Robinson plays a main position, so a little extra mileage (29 years) will not hurt him as much as any other guys. Robinson was a mid -season acquisition for the Vikings from Jaguars and is known for his passport -blocking skill. He did not miss a competition ’24.
10. LB Zack Baun, Eagles
February 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Zack Baun (53) talks to media during the Super Bowl Lix opening night at Ceasar’s SuperDome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Iimagn Pictures A number of Eagles are set to take advantage of their Super Bowl victory with big offers. For the 28-year-old Baun, freshened by a critical interception of Patrick Mahomes in that game to meet a fantastic 2024 season (151 tackles), it can be especially true.
Honorable mentions:
Lb nick bolton, chiefs
S Justin Reid, Managers
WR Amari Cooper, Bills
Edge Khalil Mack, charger
Dt osa ızuwua, cowboys
DT Milton Williams, Eagles
C Drew Dalman, Falcons
CB Carlton Davis, Lions
RB AARON Jones, Vikings
WR Stefon Diggs, Texans
