Estimated studying time: 5 minutes
NFL free company is among the most fun occasions of the yr, as groups look to reshape their rosters with a few of the league’s finest expertise hitting the open market.
From game-changing superstars to under-the-radar contributors, each signing could possibly be the transfer that shifts the stability of energy for the 2025 season. On this article, I am going to break down a few of the high gamers obtainable and spotlight my favourite free brokers who may make the most important affect of their new houses.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
PFF Free Agent Rank: 1
If the Bengals don’t discover a method to maneuver their cap state of affairs earlier than the 2025 season, Tee Higgins may turn into probably the most sought-after free brokers this offseason.
Whereas accidents have induced Higgins to overlook a while over the previous two years, he has been excellent when wholesome, averaging 2.05 yards per route run and incomes a career-high 88.3 receiving grade in 2024.
Higgins is probably not an elite separator, however his measurement and physicality enable him to excel on the catch level. In 2024, he caught 92.4% of his catchable passes, with simply two drops, and he has showcased outstanding consistency since getting into the league in 2020.
G Trey Smith, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
PFF Free Agent Rank: 2
Smith set profession highs throughout the board in 2024, incomes an 80.1 total grade, an 80.8 run-blocking grade, and a 70.6 pass-blocking grade. A sixth-round choose in 2021, Smith has been probably the most dependable gamers from that draft class, along with his lowest single-season grade being a strong 71.5 in 2022.
Whereas he fell within the NFL draft on account of considerations about blood clots in his lungs, Smith has overcome these challenges to turn into a standout participant within the NFL. Over the previous two seasons, his 80.1 run-blocking grade ranks fourth amongst guards.
CB D.J. Reed, New York Jets
PFF Free Agent Rank: 6
Reed’s 70.1 protection grade in 2024 marked his lowest since his rookie season, underscoring the persistently excessive stage of play he’s delivered all through his profession.
A midseason teaching change appeared to affect his efficiency, as he earned only a 54.0 grade after Week 5. Regardless of the dip in his total PFF grade, Reed demonstrated his elite expertise by ending the common season because the Tenth-ranked cornerback in superior protection grade, showcasing his capacity to persistently stop separation on all performs.
CB Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 13
Ward handled accidents all through the 2024 season, leading to a career-low 58.2 protection grade. Regardless of turning 29 in 2025, Ward is simply two seasons faraway from profession highs in 2022 and 2023, with spectacular protection grades of 76.6 and 86.5, respectively.
Assuming a return to full well being, he’s poised to regain his standing as one of many NFL’s high cornerbacks.
LB Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 18
Assuming Greenlaw totally recovers from his devastating Achilles damage within the Tremendous Bowl, a return to kind in 2025 appears possible. In his restricted 34 snaps in the course of the 2024 season, he earned a powerful 82.0 grade. Since turning into a full-time starter in 2022, Greenlaw has posted a 79.8 total grade, rating eleventh amongst linebackers over that span.
QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 19
Whereas Fields’ play thus far has been removed from stellar, it’s truthful to say he hasn’t been dealt the most effective hand throughout his time within the NFL.
Fields possesses the bodily instruments to make any throw on the sector and stays a big menace as a runner, evidenced by his 92.3 dashing grade over the previous three seasons.
Enchancment as a passer continues to be vital, however we noticed progress throughout his time with Pittsburgh in 2024. After posting an inaccurate throw fee of 23.4% throughout his remaining two seasons in Chicago, he lower that right down to 19% in 2024. His passing grade rose from 61.1 to 66.3, and his anticipated factors added (EPA) per go improved from -0.070 to 0.047.
Whereas these aren’t huge leaps, with a top quality roster round him, who’s to say Fields can’t develop right into a strong NFL quarterback? We’ve seen late-career breakouts from gamers like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold—why not Fields?
C Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
PFF Free Agent Rank: 22
Any outdoors zone scheme offense trying to improve on the heart place ought to look no additional than signing Dalman this offseason.
Over the previous two seasons, he has earned a powerful 94.3 run-blocking grade on outdoors zone ideas, the second-best mark within the NFL. Whereas go safety hasn’t been his strongest space, he made strides in 2024, attaining a career-high 66.6 pass-blocking grade and permitting a career-low 3.7% stress fee.
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
PFF Free Agent Rank: 37
Johnson’s dependable presence within the receiving sport makes him a invaluable asset for any crew on the lookout for a reliable tight finish. Discovering high quality tight ends within the draft may be difficult, and so they usually take years to develop, however Johnson is already a confirmed contributor. In 2024, he earned a career-high 71.3 receiving grade, and his 29 explosive receptions over the previous two seasons rank eighth amongst tight ends within the NFL. Whereas he received’t dominate as a run blocker or neutralize elite go rushers, Johnson excels as a middle-of-the-field weapon for quarterbacks.
G/T Patrick Mekari, Baltimore Ravens
PFF Free Agent Rank: 64
A crew needing a flexible offensive lineman ought to look to Mekari. Over the course of his profession, Mekari has performed a big variety of snaps at every place on the offensive line, along with his strongest spot being proper deal with (71.7 profession grade) and left deal with (71.4). Heading into the 2025 season at age 28, Mekari is coming off his first season as a full-time starter, throughout which he allowed only one sack and 0 quarterback hits.
- Tee Higgins can be a sought-after possibility: Whereas accidents have induced Higgins to overlook a while over the previous two years, he has been excellent when wholesome, averaging 2.05 yards per route run and incomes a career-high 88.3 receiving grade in 2024.
- QB Justin Fields has one thing to supply: Enchancment as a passer continues to be vital, however we noticed progress throughout his time with Pittsburgh in 2024. After posting an inaccurate throw fee of 23.4% throughout his remaining two seasons in Chicago, he lower that right down to 19% in 2024.
- 2025 NFL Draft season is right here: Attempt PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and find out about 2025’s high prospects whereas buying and selling and drafting to your favourite NFL crew.
Estimated studying time: 5 minutes
NFL free company is among the most fun occasions of the yr, as groups look to reshape their rosters with a few of the league’s finest expertise hitting the open market.
From game-changing superstars to under-the-radar contributors, each signing could possibly be the transfer that shifts the stability of energy for the 2025 season. On this article, I am going to break down a few of the high gamers obtainable and spotlight my favourite free brokers who may make the most important affect of their new houses.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
PFF Free Agent Rank: 1
If the Bengals don’t discover a method to maneuver their cap state of affairs earlier than the 2025 season, Tee Higgins may turn into probably the most sought-after free brokers this offseason.
Whereas accidents have induced Higgins to overlook a while over the previous two years, he has been excellent when wholesome, averaging 2.05 yards per route run and incomes a career-high 88.3 receiving grade in 2024.
Higgins is probably not an elite separator, however his measurement and physicality enable him to excel on the catch level. In 2024, he caught 92.4% of his catchable passes, with simply two drops, and he has showcased outstanding consistency since getting into the league in 2020.
G Trey Smith, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
PFF Free Agent Rank: 2
Smith set profession highs throughout the board in 2024, incomes an 80.1 total grade, an 80.8 run-blocking grade, and a 70.6 pass-blocking grade. A sixth-round choose in 2021, Smith has been probably the most dependable gamers from that draft class, along with his lowest single-season grade being a strong 71.5 in 2022.
Whereas he fell within the NFL draft on account of considerations about blood clots in his lungs, Smith has overcome these challenges to turn into a standout participant within the NFL. Over the previous two seasons, his 80.1 run-blocking grade ranks fourth amongst guards.
CB D.J. Reed, New York Jets
PFF Free Agent Rank: 6
Reed’s 70.1 protection grade in 2024 marked his lowest since his rookie season, underscoring the persistently excessive stage of play he’s delivered all through his profession.
A midseason teaching change appeared to affect his efficiency, as he earned only a 54.0 grade after Week 5. Regardless of the dip in his total PFF grade, Reed demonstrated his elite expertise by ending the common season because the Tenth-ranked cornerback in superior protection grade, showcasing his capacity to persistently stop separation on all performs.
CB Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 13
Ward handled accidents all through the 2024 season, leading to a career-low 58.2 protection grade. Regardless of turning 29 in 2025, Ward is simply two seasons faraway from profession highs in 2022 and 2023, with spectacular protection grades of 76.6 and 86.5, respectively.
Assuming a return to full well being, he’s poised to regain his standing as one of many NFL’s high cornerbacks.
LB Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 18
Assuming Greenlaw totally recovers from his devastating Achilles damage within the Tremendous Bowl, a return to kind in 2025 appears possible. In his restricted 34 snaps in the course of the 2024 season, he earned a powerful 82.0 grade. Since turning into a full-time starter in 2022, Greenlaw has posted a 79.8 total grade, rating eleventh amongst linebackers over that span.
QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
PFF Free Agent Rank: 19
Whereas Fields’ play thus far has been removed from stellar, it’s truthful to say he hasn’t been dealt the most effective hand throughout his time within the NFL.
Fields possesses the bodily instruments to make any throw on the sector and stays a big menace as a runner, evidenced by his 92.3 dashing grade over the previous three seasons.
Enchancment as a passer continues to be vital, however we noticed progress throughout his time with Pittsburgh in 2024. After posting an inaccurate throw fee of 23.4% throughout his remaining two seasons in Chicago, he lower that right down to 19% in 2024. His passing grade rose from 61.1 to 66.3, and his anticipated factors added (EPA) per go improved from -0.070 to 0.047.
Whereas these aren’t huge leaps, with a top quality roster round him, who’s to say Fields can’t develop right into a strong NFL quarterback? We’ve seen late-career breakouts from gamers like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold—why not Fields?
C Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
PFF Free Agent Rank: 22
Any outdoors zone scheme offense trying to improve on the heart place ought to look no additional than signing Dalman this offseason.
Over the previous two seasons, he has earned a powerful 94.3 run-blocking grade on outdoors zone ideas, the second-best mark within the NFL. Whereas go safety hasn’t been his strongest space, he made strides in 2024, attaining a career-high 66.6 pass-blocking grade and permitting a career-low 3.7% stress fee.
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
PFF Free Agent Rank: 37
Johnson’s dependable presence within the receiving sport makes him a invaluable asset for any crew on the lookout for a reliable tight finish. Discovering high quality tight ends within the draft may be difficult, and so they usually take years to develop, however Johnson is already a confirmed contributor. In 2024, he earned a career-high 71.3 receiving grade, and his 29 explosive receptions over the previous two seasons rank eighth amongst tight ends within the NFL. Whereas he received’t dominate as a run blocker or neutralize elite go rushers, Johnson excels as a middle-of-the-field weapon for quarterbacks.
G/T Patrick Mekari, Baltimore Ravens
PFF Free Agent Rank: 64
A crew needing a flexible offensive lineman ought to look to Mekari. Over the course of his profession, Mekari has performed a big variety of snaps at every place on the offensive line, along with his strongest spot being proper deal with (71.7 profession grade) and left deal with (71.4). Heading into the 2025 season at age 28, Mekari is coming off his first season as a full-time starter, throughout which he allowed only one sack and 0 quarterback hits.
