NFL free agency: Sam Darnold, Stefon Diggs and ranking the top 10 free agents in 2025

Sam Darnold is set to hit the open market with the Vikings not expected to use the franchise tag on the 27-year-old quarterback, who has emerged as the most coveted free-agent signal-caller after a breakout 2024 campaign where everything finally clicked. His resurgence, however, came under unexpected circumstances—he was never meant to be the Vikings' long-term solution under center when he inked a one-year, $10 million deal last offseason.

However, fate had other plans. A preseason meniscus tear sidelined rookie J.J. McCarthy, clearing the path for Darnold to take the reins as Minnesota's starting quarterback for the entire campaign. The veteran passer delivered a career-best season, completing 66.2% of his throws for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while guiding the Vikings to a stellar 14-3 record. But when it mattered most, he faltered—struggling in a pivotal Week 18 showdown against the Detroit Lions, a 31-9 defeat that cost Minnesota the NFC North crown, followed by a 27-9 wild-card exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams.

With a weak quarterback market , Darnold is set to attract serious interest. Most evaluators anticipate he'll land a multi-year deal exceeding $100 million, making him one of the offseason's hottest commodities. At 27 years old, Darnold could follow a Geno Smith-like career arc, proving he can be a viable starter after years of inconsistency.

While teams may hesitate due to his late-season struggles, a thin quarterback market in both free agency and the draft ensures he’ll have suitors. It's no sure bet, but whoever signs him will hope his 2024 form—minus those final two outings—is more of a trend than an anomaly.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office has made it clear—they want Chris Godwin to stay put. However, while they’re focused on securing his signature for another stint, plenty of other teams are eager to capitalize on his playmaking ability.

Godwin was off to a strong start last season, racking up 576 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games before a left ankle injury cut his campaign short. Had he stayed on the field for a full 17-game slate, he was on track to haul in 121 receptions for 1,399 yards and 12 touchdowns.

A proven playmaker with four 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, Godwin will be 29 when the next campaign kicks off. Depending on the setup, he can serve as a true No. 1 target or an elite secondary option in a high-powered offense.

Jevon Holland may not be coming off a career-best campaign, but he still stands as the premier safety set to hit the NFL free-agent market.

The 2024 season didn't go as planned for Holland or the Miami Dolphins, with the team missing the playoffs and the young safety posting career-low numbers—just 62 tackles, no interceptions, and only four passes defensed. Despite the dip in production, the 24-year-old remains one of the league’s most well-rounded safeties, capable of locking down the deep middle or stepping into the box when needed.

With defensive versatility at a premium in today's NFL, Holland is tailor-made for teams looking to shore up their secondary. Given the lack of high-end safety prospects in this year's draft, he's poised to cash in on a lucrative deal.

Stefon Diggs is another seasoned wideout whose 2024 campaign was derailed by injury. The ex-Vikings and Bills star suffered a torn ACL in a Week 8 clash against Indianapolis, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

Houston acquired Diggs via trade last offseason and agreed to void the final three years of the four-year extension he had inked with Buffalo in 2022. The restructure was designed to give him a shot at securing another lucrative deal if he delivered in 2024. Instead, injuries robbed him of that opportunity.

That said, in the seven full games he did suit up for, Diggs showcased that he still has plenty left in the tank. He formed a strong connection with second-year signal-caller C.J. Stroud, serving as a reliable secondary option behind lead receiver Nico Collins. Before his injury, Diggs was on pace for his seventh straight 1,000-yard season—further proof that, when healthy, he remains a top-tier playmaker.

For the first time in his decorated NFL career, Khalil Mack is set to hit free agency when the new league year kicks off on March 12.

Though the five-time All-Pro is no longer in his prime, Mack remains a disruptive force off the edge. He notched six sacks for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, following a dominant 2023 campaign in which he tallied a career-best 17 quarterback takedowns.

Even at 34, the veteran pass rusher will be in high demand once the market opens, with plenty of teams eager to add his experience and playmaking ability to their defensive front.

Amari Cooper suited up for all but three games in 2024—two due to a wrist injury and another as a precaution in a meaningless Week 18 contest. Midway through the season, he was traded to a squad led by the eventual league MVP at quarterback. Yet, despite that, he endured the least productive campaign of his career across nearly every statistical category.

His 44 catches, 547 receiving yards, and four touchdowns were all career lows. However, there’s crucial context behind those numbers.

For the first half of the year, Cooper was part of a Browns offense plagued by quarterback instability. Deshaun Watson struggled mightily, failing to eclipse 200 passing yards in any of his seven outings before a season-ending Achilles tear. Then, at 30 years old, Cooper was shipped to Buffalo midseason, where he had to quickly grasp a brand-new playbook and offensive scheme. To make matters worse, he missed two of his first four games with the Bills due to his wrist issue.

Looking ahead to 2025, there's still a strong chance Cooper can reclaim his status as a dependable No. 2 receiver. While he may not be the automatic 1,000-yard threat he once was, he remains a polished route-runner with the ability to make an impact.

A fourth-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Sweat defied his modest draft status to establish himself as a high-level starter on one of the most stacked rosters in the league. Suiting up for 16 games last season, Sweat capped off the final year of his contract in style, racking up eight sacks, 41 tackles, nine stops behind the line of scrimmage, and 15 quarterback hits—all while playing a pivotal role in securing his team’s second Lombardi Trophy.

This impressive production has made Sweat one of the most sought-after names on the free agent market, positioning him for a lucrative payday elsewhere. League insiders widely anticipate that his time with the Eagles has come to an end. Quality pass rushers are always in high demand, and every team in the league will at least explore the possibility of signing him. However, these five franchises stand out as the most probable landing spots for the Super Bowl-winning edge rusher.

Zack Baun had a career-defining 2024 campaign, piling up a personal-best 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks while forcing five fumbles.

The big question now—is this a one-off surge or the beginning of sustained dominance?

At 28 years old, Baun is stepping into the prime years of his career, and after earning first-team All-Pro honors, he's set to cash in on a deal that reflects his rising stock.

Justin Fields remains one of the more polarizing names on the free-agent market after an up-and-down stint as the Pittsburgh Steelers' signal-caller. Posting a 4-2 record in six starts, he showed flashes of progress, particularly with his decision-making and ability to make plays with his legs. However, lingering concerns about his consistency as a passer keep him in the "boom-or-bust" category.

This year's free-agent quarterback pool isn't brimming with safe, reliable choices—it's all about taking a gamble on upside. That's exactly why Fields ranks on this list, as his raw talent and untapped potential could make him a high-reward acquisition.

Many will compare him to Sam Darnold and Geno Smith, quarterbacks who revived their careers after being written off. Whether the former Ohio State standout can follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen.

There’s no questioning Fields’ mobility, but his passing ability still raises eyebrows. He showed signs of improvement in that area last season, despite making only six starts before Russell Wilson reclaimed the job.

At just 25, Fields has the tools to make a franchise look brilliant if he lands in the right system and continues trending in the right direction. While a return to Pittsburgh is on the table, Mike Tomlin's preference for Wilson last season could open the door for Fields to test the waters elsewhere.

The 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers isn't technically a free agent yet, but with the Jets publicly declaring their intent to move on, he qualifies for this list. Whether the veteran quarterback actually suits up in 2025 remains to be seen, though expectations lean toward him playing another season.

Looking ahead, Rodgers finds himself in an intriguing situation. His potential landing spots appear limited, particularly if he's aiming to contend for the postseason and beyond. On the field, his 2024 campaign wasn't quite as impressive as the numbers suggest. Factor in his injury history and the inevitable media frenzy that follows him, and the number of teams willing to embrace the full Rodgers experience dwindles even further.

That said, he's still Aaron Rodgers, and that name alone carries weight. For the right team, he could serve as a short-term bridge while they groom their next franchise quarterback. Off the field, he brings jersey sales, national attention, and a media buzz few can replicate. That might be enough for a franchise to take the plunge.

11. Nick Bolton | linebacker | 2024 franchise: Chiefs

12. Russell Wilson | quarterback | 2024 franchise: Steelers

13. Justin Reid | safety | 2024 franchise | Chiefs

14. Talanoa Hufanga | safety | 2024 franchise: 49ers

15. DeAndre Hopkins | wide receiver | 2024 franchise: Chiefs

16. D.J. Reed | cornerback | 2024 franchise: Jets

17. Cam Robinson | tackle | 2024 franchise: Vikings

18. Aaron Jones | running back | 2024 franchise: Vikings

19. Byron Murphy | cornerback | 2024 franchise: Vikings

20. Ronnie Stanley | offensive tackle | 2024 franchise: Ravens