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 way of the accessible free brokers to seek out the fellows they need to assist them remake their group.
What’s the frequent theme? Youth. Simply one of many prime 10 accessible free brokers has hit the age of 30. The common age of this group is 27.2. And the highest 4 gamers on our listing are even youthful, with a mean age of 25.5.
Sure, groups need to get higher. However additionally they need 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 here are our prime 10 NFL free brokers for the spring of 2025.
1. WR Tee Higgins, Bengals
The Bengals, who went 9-8 in 2024, had been a significantly better 8-4 with Higgins in uniform, underscoring the type of influence the big-bodied vast receiver has had over 5 seasons in Cincinnati. The 26-year-old would have been a scorching property final season, too, had he not been franchise tagged.
2. G Trey Smith, Chiefs
Smith is simply 25; he has a profitable 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 profitable 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 sphere after dropping to the Los Angeles Rams throughout an NFC wild card sport at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures Objectively, the 27-year-old Darnold in all probability 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 operating again James Cook dinner (4) runs for a landing previous Miami Dolphins security Jevon Holland (8) in the course of the first half at Arduous Rock Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Pictures Holland is younger (24) but achieved, 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 sphere and coming as much as assault the run.
5. T Ronnie Stanley, Ravens
The oldest participant on this listing (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 would possibly really work to the 2019 All-Professional’s benefit a little 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 towards 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 nicely among the many companies, together with PFF, who gave him a 70.1 protection grade in 2024 (thirty first within the league). The 28-year-old isn’t talked about within the firm of the perfect corners within the league, however Jets followers would be sure you miss him and his 32 go breakups (over three seasons) ought to he depart.
7. WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers vast receiver Chris Godwin (14) is carted off the sphere after an obvious harm towards the Baltimore Ravens in the course of the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Pictures Higgins is essentially the most coveted prize at vast 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 towards the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Monetary Area. 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, may be very nicely 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 little bit additional mileage (29 years outdated) received’t harm 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. Obligatory Credit score: Stephen Lew-Imagn Pictures Numerous Eagles are set to capitalize on their Tremendous Bowl victory with huge offers. For the 28-year-old Baun, recent off a crucial interception of Patrick Mahomes in that sport to cap a stellar 2024 season (151 tackles), which may 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
