Predicting the Landing Spot for the Top 2025 NFL Free Agent at Every Position

The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Super Bowl LIX, which means there's just one game remaining in the 2024 NFL season. Soon, the football world will turn its full attention to the offseason and free agency.

Several high-profile players are projected to become unrestricted free agents when the new league year officially begins on March 12. Of course, some will receive extensions or the franchise tag before then.

March 4 is the deadline for applying franchise and transition tags.

While the free-agency landscape will shift in the coming weeks, we have a good idea of who should be available. But where they'll land is another matter.

Here, we'll take a look at the top impending free agent at each key position and make a few predictions based on factors such as past production, player upside, team needs, scheme fit and cap space.

Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Sam Darnold ended his 2024 campaign with back-to-back bad games. However, he remains the top quarterback headed to market because of his age (27), arm talent, mobility and recent Pro Bowl-level production.

A return to Minnesota could make sense, as 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery. If the Vikings aren't prepared to hand the keys to the Michigan product, they may want to keep Darnold around via a new contract or the franchise tag.

Either option would be expensive, though. The 2025 tag value for quarterbacks is projected to be $39.6 million. Darnold's projected market value sits at $40.1 million. Minnesota may balk at that price point for what is likely to be a one-year bridge.

If Darnold departs for a QB-needy team with cap flexibility, the Las Vegas Raiders would make a ton of sense. They need a long-term answer behind center, might not find one with the sixth pick in the draft and have $93 million in projected cap space.

Only the New England Patriots, who have their quarterback in Drake Maye, have more projected cap space than Las Vegas.

"At Pick 6, [the Raiders] are out of range for a quarterback unless they move up, which wouldn't be smart based on the amount of holes they have," an unnamed NFL personnel executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Darnold would also mesh with the blueprint of new head coach Pete Carroll, assuming he looks to replicate his Seattle Seahawks formula. The 2018 No. 3 pick has the physical tools to be a high-end game manager and an occasional playmaker, one who can complement a strong running game and defense.

Carroll could look to reunite with Russell Wilson, though there's no guarantee he won't re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Darnold is also much younger than Wilson (36) and performed better in 2024. He's a stronger long-term option, and the Raiders can't bank on drafting their QB of the future this year or next.

Prediction: Las Vegas Raiders

The 2025 running back market pales in comparison to the 2024 market, which was headlined by Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs. That was before Chuba Hubbard and James Conner received extensions late in the season.

Aaron Jones turned 30 in December and probably won't be considered a long-term option for rebuilding franchises. Yet, he's the top RB headed to market, due to his proven production and dual-threat ability.

The UTEP product was fantastic in his first season with the Vikings, starting all 17 games and finishing with 1,138 rushing yards, 408 receiving yards and seven combined touchdowns. The former Green Bay Packers star is a true every-down back and should be a top target of teams with realistic playoff aspirations.

However, that's assuming the Vikings allow Jones to get away. The prediction here is they don't. If Minnesota is prepared to hand the keys to McCarthy, it will want to surround him with a strong rushing attack. Its chances of finding a new starter in the draft are slim.

Minnesota is projected to have only four draft selections because of previous trades, and no picks in the second or fourth rounds. It also traded away its third-round selection but is expected to receive a third-round compensatory pick for Kirk Cousins' 2024 departure.

The Vikings are projected to have $61.4 million in cap space. Using some of that to re-sign Jones and ensure they have a quality starting back in 2025 would be logical.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings

Aside from minor injury concerns—he missed time in both 2023 and 2024 with soft-tissue injuries—there isn't much not to like about Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.

The Clemson product has logged two 1,000-yard campaigns as Cincinnati's No. 2 receiver and tallied 4,595 yards and three touchdowns in 70 regular-season games.

At just 26 years old, he is unquestionably the top wideout scheduled to be available this offseason. However, he, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase reportedly hope to continue their partnership in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future.

"Sources say the three have discussed playing together again for years to come," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported on January 4. "It's their goal, and privately they have made no secret about it."

The problem for those three—and for Bengals fans who have enjoyed one of the league's best passing attacks—is that Cincinnati doesn't have a track record of overpaying to retain players.

For example, the Bengals franchise-tagged safety Jessie Bates III but allowed him to depart in 2023 free agency. Higgins could face a similar fate after playing under the tag last season. He has a projected market value of $25.1 million annually, and Cincinnati still needs to work out an extension with Chase.

If Higgins hits the market, the New England Patriots should be at the front of the line with an open checkbook.

Drake Maye flashed franchise-quarterback potential as a rookie but was saddled with arguably the league's worst receiving corps. New head coach Mike Vrabel should hope to change things quickly, and adding Higgins would be a tremendous first step.

Equipped with a league-high $125 million in projected cap space, New England can win any potential bidding war for Higgins' services.

Prediction: New England Patriots

The 2025 tight-end market isn't filled with superstars, and the "top" option may differ from team to team. A lot will depend on how heavily a team or coach values in-line blocking.

Cincinnati's Mike Gesicki offers little as a blocker, but he's a tremendously versatile pass-catcher. He can serve as a traditional receiving tight end or as a big slot receiver, and he excelled in both roles for the Bengals this past season.

The Penn State product, who won't turn 30 until October, recorded 65 receptions, 665 yards and two touchdowns while serving as Cincinnati's third option in 2024. He also topped 700 receiving yards in both 2020 and 2021 for the Miami Dolphins.

Any team looking for a capable receiving tight end with downfield and after-the-catch ability should be interested in Gesicki. However, the prediction here is that the Bengals won't let him get away.

While Cincinnati may not be willing to pay both Chase and Higgins, it should be open to signing Gesicki to a one- or two-year deal. That would help give the Bengals time to develop Jermaine Burton or Andrei Iosivas as Higgins' replacement.

It would also ensure Cincinnati has a receiving tight end while 2024 fourth-round pick Erick All Jr. recovers from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 9.

Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

A strong and healthy 2024 campaign has rocketed Ronnie Stanley to the top of the tackle market.

The Baltimore Ravens standout has dealt with significant injuries in the recent past—an ankle issue caused him to miss most of 2020 and 2021, plus part of 2022—but he was back to protecting Lamar Jackson's blind side at a high level in 2024.

He started all 17 games for Baltimore and allowed just two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

While Stanley will turn 31 in March, offensive linemen frequently play well into their 30s. He should be the top target for any team in need of a starting left tackle.

The prediction here is that Baltimore finds a way to re-sign the Notre Dame product, though it could take some salary-cap gymnastics. The Ravens are projected to have just $7.6 million in cap space, which isn't nearly enough to sign a player of his caliber.

However, they will want to build on what they accomplished offensively in 2024, specifically the balanced offense they found with Jackson and Henry at its center. Retaining Stanley should be a top priority.

That could lead to tough contract decisions involving tight end Mark Andrews and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. Dumping the final year of Andrews' contract before March 16 would save $11 million in cap space, while releasing Humphrey with a post-June 1 designation would save $14.3 million in cap space.

Restructured contracts for Andrews and Humphrey could also free up valuable cap space, money that could be used to re-sign or franchise-tag Stanley.

General manager Eric DeCosta plans to have talks with Stanley, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. Given the importance of protecting Jackson and fueling the ground game, expect Baltimore to find a way to keep its left tackle for 2025.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

While Stanley may play a position that is traditionally more valued, Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith might be the most coveted offensive lineman scheduled for free agency.

He's been one of the biggest catalysts of Kansas City's Super Bowl-bound rushing attack this season and could hit free agency amid a boom in the interior-line market.

Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson recently reset that market with a $21 million-per-season contract.

Smith is an elite run-blocker and didn't allow a single sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, while starting all 17 games. He won't turn 26 until June and has a legitimate chance to top Dickerson's deal in free agency. If he doesn't, he should come close.

The Chiefs should be eager to retain Smith, though that may not be feasible financially. Kansas City is projected to have just $16.3 million in cap space, while he carries a projected market value of $19.7 million annually.

The projected tag value for offensive linemen is $23 million.

The prediction here is Smith reaches the open market and finds a new deal with a cap-rich team. The Tennessee Titans figure to be a prime landing spot for a few reasons.

For one, Tennessee has $50.3 million in projected cap space and recently hired Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi to be its general manager.

Secondly, the Titans are expected to find a new quarterback in 2025 and need to protect him. Pairing Smith with 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski at guard would give Tennessee a strong foundation along its offensive interior.

It's also worth noting Smith played his college ball with the Tennessee Volunteers, making a partnership with the Titans a homecoming of sorts for the 2024 Pro Bowler.

Prediction: Tennessee Titans

As is the case with interior offensive linemen, interior defenders have become more coveted in recent years. While quarterbacks have become adept at stepping up to avoid edge pressure, they often struggle when it comes up the middle.

Expect the value of versatile interior defenders to continue rising after the 2024 running back resurgence.

Cincinnati defensive tackle B.J. Hill will turn 30 in April and battled hamstring and rib injuries this past season. However, he remains one of the league's most disruptive defensive tackles when healthy. In 15 games this past season, he recorded 56 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits.

The NC State product started all 17 games for Cincinnati in 2023 and finished with 51 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures. He's proved throughout his career that he can be a disruptor against both the run and the pass.

The prediction here is Hill finds a new home with the Detroit Lions. They battled numerous defensive injuries in 2024 and lost star defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a torn ACL in Week 15. Adding Hill would provide insurance during his recovery, and the Lions could use additional depth along their defensive front anyway.

Hill is unlikely to be a true bargain, even at his age, but Detroit is projected to have $58 million in available 2025 cap space.

Prediction: Detroit Lions

Edge-rusher figures to be one of the deeper positions in 2025 free agency, with well-known veterans such as Khalil Mack, Haason Reddick and DeMarcus Lawrence scheduled to hit the market.

However, teams looking for a long-term answer on the edge might favor Azeez Ojulari of the New York Giants over more established stars. He's flashed tremendous upside when given the opportunity—he recorded six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits in 11 games this past season—and won't turn 25 until June.

The Georgia product started 13 games as a rookie in 2021 and recorded eight sacks, eight tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits that season. He's now entering his playing prime and should be valued as a young defender on the upswing—as 2024 sack leader Trey Hendrickson was when he hit the market in 2021.

The Giants received calls on Ojulari prior to the trade deadline but asked for "too much" in return, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler. While New York may try to retain him, it likely won't overpay after investing in both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.

If Ojulari does hit the market, the Patriots loom as potential suitors. They traded pass-rushers Matthew Judon and Josh Uche this past season and need to significantly bolster a pass rush that produced a mere 28 sacks in 2024.

New England, as mentioned, leads the NFL in projected cap space. It can afford to bid high on Ojulari, who would fit perfectly with the early stages of the Patriots' latest rebuild.

Prediction: New England Patriots

Several high-end linebackers are scheduled to reach free agency, but we're giving the top spot to Chiefs free agent Nick Bolton.

He has been a full-time starter in Kansas City pretty much since he arrived as a second-round pick out of Missouri in 2021. He missed half of the 2023 season after undergoing wrist surgery but returned to play an integral role during that season's playoff run—with 40 tackles in four postseason games

This past season, Bolton started all 16 meaningful games and recorded 106 tackles, three sacks, 11 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. He'll turn just 25 years old in March.

The prediction here is Kansas City will find a way to retain one of its best defenders. While the Chiefs can't afford to keep everyone, re-signing Bolton will be much more feasible than footing the bill for Smith.

"There's a path for Bolton to remain in Kansas City," Fowler wrote in November. "The Chiefs linebacker is a team leader with great intangibles. Assuming the Chiefs can't front the bill on Trey Smith, they could instead allocate resources to retain Bolton, who is more affordable as an off-ball linebacker."

The Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl, in large part, because they've been able to field a top-five scoring defense. Expect them to try keeping that defense intact and to view Bolton as a top offseason priority.

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs

Cornerback has long been a premium position, and demand should land to a very lucrative contract for D.J. Reed of the New York Jets.

While Reed has largely been overshadowed by Sauce Gardner, he's been a high-level starter for the franchise since arriving in 2022. A 2018 fifth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, he also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks before establishing himself in New York.

The 28-year-old has started every game in which he's appeared for the Jets, and he started 14 games this past season. He finished the year with 64 tackles and 11 passes defended while allowing an opposing of just 87.1 in coverage.

Keeping Reed would make plenty of sense for the Jets, though the cornerback appears more interested in testing the open market.

"I'm ready to go to free agency, bro," he said in December, per Tyler Dunne of Go Long. "I'm ready to see what's next for me."

The prediction here is Reed returns to the 49ers, who could use additional cornerback depth even if they retain impending free agent Charvarius Ward. San Francisco's defense disappointed in 2024, and the unit finished 19th in net yards per pass attempt allowed.

It's also worth noting former Jets head coach Robert Saleh has returned to San Francisco and his old role as the 49ers' defensive coordinator. While things didn't work out for Saleh in New York, he may be interested in taking a few familiar faces with him to the Bay Area.

Retaining Ward and adding Reed could be difficult financially, but it isn't impossible. The 49ers have $45.1 million in projected cap space.

Prediction: San Francisco 49ers

Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland figures to be the top safety on the 2025 market because of a combination of past production and age.

Holland, who will turn 25 in March, missed time with a broken hand in 2024 but still had an impressive campaign in his contract year.

The Oregon product started 15 games and finished with 62 tackles, four passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble. He allowed an opposing passer rating of only 89.0 in coverage.

Miami will probably be interested in retaining the 2021 second-round pick, but doing so could be difficult. The Dolphins are projected to be $14.2 million over the salary cap and will need to generate space just to become cap-compliant.

Holland, meanwhile, could command a deal that approaches Antoine Winfield Jr.'s market-leading contract, which is worth $21 million annually. The projected tag value for safeties is $18.3 million.

There's a good chance Holland reaches the open market, and if he does, he would be a prime target for the Chicago Bears.

While the focus for new head coach Ben Johnson will be developing quarterback Caleb Williams, Chicago needs to improve a defense that ranked 31st in net yards per pass attempt this past season.

The Bears signed Kevin Byard III to fill the free-safety spot last offseason, but he'll turn 32 in August and allowed an opposing passer rating of 116.8 in coverage in 2024. Releasing him before March 14 would save $7 million in cap space.

While Holland would be far more expensive than Byard, he's much younger and should be a better fit for Chicago's long-term plans. He should also be financially obtainable, as the Bears have $67.4 million in projected cap space.

Prediction: Chicago Bears

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.