- Tee Higgins is about to interrupt the financial institution: The Bengals star will lastly be compensated appropriately, presumably reaching $30 million per yr.
- Alaric Jackson is underrated, not undervalued: Jackson is likely one of the finest accessible tackles after a stellar 2024.
- 2025 NFL Draft season is right here: Strive PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and study 2025’s high prospects whereas buying and selling and drafting in your favourite NFL workforce.
Estimated Studying Time: 7 minutes
NFL free company affords fireworks yearly, with a few of that leisure actually coming from previously underpaid stars reaping the rewards of their stellar play over the previous few seasons.
The 2025 free-agent class affords a number of names that match the invoice. From a number of the recreation’s finest at their positions lastly hitting the market to breakout gamers cashing in, listed below are 10 offensive free brokers whose contracts will likely be gaudy come March.
WR Tee Higgins
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
In the end, Higgins will get his mega-deal. Whereas taking part in on the franchise tag in 2024, Higgins was sensational, recording a career-high 88.3 PFF receiving grade to rank seventh amongst certified receivers. Higgins was additionally a top-25 receiver in yards per route run (2.05), first downs gained (48) and passer score when focused (125.1).
Nonetheless solely 26, Higgins ought to simply develop into a top-10 receiver in common annual worth and will even fetch greater than $30 million per yr, becoming a member of the likes of Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and A.J. Brown. The Clemson product might not have been a real WR1 throughout his time in Cincinnati, however he virtually assuredly will likely be if he lands elsewhere.
QB Sam Darnold
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
It may be simple to scale back Darnold’s worth based mostly on his ultimate two outings in 2024, however that might ignore a season that typically was extremely encouraging. The USC product completed tied for eleventh amongst qualifiers in PFF passing grade (77.5) and tied for sixth in big-time throw price (5.4%) whereas ending seventh in PFF’s wins above alternative.
It ought to be famous that Darnold had an ideal storm this previous yr, contemplating his elite receiving corps and terrific play calling, and that any kind of mega-deal may include purchaser’s regret. However Darnold’s uncooked expertise — absolutely on show this previous season — is simple and will result in him remaining an above-average quarterback for the subsequent few years in the suitable ecosystem.
WR Chris Godwin
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
If Godwin didn’t undergo a season-ending dislocated ankle in Week 7, his contract projection probably would’ve been that a lot greater — and he in all probability would’ve been a first-team All-Professional. Godwin’s 85.7 PFF receiving grade completed 10th amongst certified wideouts, as he dropped zero of his 60 catchable targets. Weighing Godwin’s 90th-percentile separation grade and 97th-percentile mark in opposition to single protection renders his yr that rather more unbelievable.
Accidents have restricted the 28-year-old Godwin prior to now, as he’s performed greater than 1,000 snaps solely as soon as in his profession. Even then, Godwin had eclipsed 830 snaps in every of the earlier 5 years moreover 2024. He may very nicely exceed his earlier deal.
G Trey Smith
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
If Higgins is the pièce de résistance of the free-agent class, Smith is greater than only a background part. It’s not typically {that a} 25-year-old, potential three-time Tremendous Bowl champion is up for grabs, particularly one this good. Smith has earned a 72.3 PFF general grade or higher in every of his 4 professional seasons, and his 80.3 PFF run-blocking grade is the fourth-best mark amongst certified guards in that span.
Solely 4 guards — Landon Dickerson, Chris Lindstrom, Quenton Nelson and Robert Hunt — have at present reached the $20 million AAV threshold. Smith’s superior PFF metrics are largely on par with every, and he’s more likely to develop into the fifth member of that membership.
QB Russell Wilson
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
Wilson’s new deal will probably replicate how inflated the quarterback market is, however the larger story is his normal resurgence with the Steelers. At 36, Wilson posted his finest PFF passing grade (77.5) and big-time throw price (6.3%) since 2020, and his 1.6% turnover-worthy play price tied for second-lowest amongst qualifiers.
Sure, there could also be uncertainty about Wilson’s long-term future and consistency underneath strain. However the actuality is that the Tremendous Bowl champion performed like a top-14 quarterback for a lot of 2024 and continues to be able to serving as a floor-raising participant, courtesy of a deadly deep ball.
C Drew Dalman
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
A top-tier heart hitting free company isn’t as widespread as one would count on, however Dalman actually qualifies — and can get rewarded. Amongst facilities with 500 or extra snaps this yr, the previous Falcon ranked fourth in PFF general grade (78.8), rounding that out with top-10 grades as each a go blocker and a run blocker. Over the previous two seasons, solely 4 facilities have produced the next PFF general grade than Dalman (84.8).
Simply 26, Dalman may simply develop into one of many three highest-paid facilities within the NFL, leapfrogging Lloyd Cushenberry III ($12.5 million AAV) final offseason.
G Kevin Zeitler
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
Even at 34, Zeitler was one of many league’s premier guards. On a one-year trial with Detroit, Zeitler turned again the clock to rank third in PFF general grade (86.8) and second in PFF run-blocking grade (87.2) amongst certified guards whereas permitting solely 18 pressures on 577 pass-blocking snaps.
Age will limit Zeitler’s market, therefore the diminished projection for his deal. However with demand for a high-quality guard all the time current, there’ll probably be some cash-laden groups keen to offer Zeitler even $15 million or extra yearly on a short-term deal.
T Ronnie Stanley
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
Few tackles have confirmed to be a extra constant go protector than Stanley over his nine-year profession. Since he broke into the league in 2016, Stanley boasts an 89.7 PFF pass-blocking grade, rating seventh amongst certified tackles. Whereas the 30-year-old hasn’t been as efficient as a run blocker, failing to achieve even a 70.0 PFF run-blocking grade since 2019, his pass-protection chops will probably outweigh that.
Regardless of some lingering accidents and being on the mistaken aspect of 30, Stanley will probably nonetheless be considered as a flashy improve for any workforce searching for an offensive line cornerstone. He ought to be capable of be a part of the 12 others at his place making $20 million or extra per yr.
G Will Fries
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
Earlier than struggling a leg damage that restricted him to solely 268 snaps, Fries was pacing to be one of many foremost guards within the NFL. He recorded profession highs in PFF general grade (86.9), PFF run-blocking grade (84.9) and PFF pass-blocking grade (74.9). Possibly most spectacular is that Fries acquired a 75.6 PFF general grade or higher in 4 of his 5 contests this yr.
Apart from well being, the large query with Fries will likely be whether or not his 2024 tape stacks as much as his prior profession play, which was rather more middling (62.6 PFF general grade). However NFL groups are inclined to put extra inventory into each recency and breakouts, that means that the 26-year-old ought to obtain a robust elevate.
T Alaric Jackson
PFF Contract Projection: Accessible in PFF’s free company rankings
In a category suffering from strong offensive linemen, Jackson feels just like the sleeping large. His 78.4 PFF general grade ranks fifth amongst all offensive gamers set to develop into free brokers, and Jackson was one in all solely 13 certified tackles with a 75.0-plus PFF grade in each go blocking and run blocking this season.
Simply 26, Jackson has performed 1,000 or extra snaps in every of the previous two years however given up solely 4 sacks. The previous Iowa Hawkeye looks like the right instance of a participant destined to receives a commission greater than most anticipate.
