2025 NFL Free Agency: Overlooked Veterans That Every Team Must Prioritize

With both the 2025 league year and NFL free agency rapidly approaching, many fans will be focused on the big names scheduled to be available. When the market officially opens on March 12, players like Tee Higgins, Josh Sweat, Trey Smith and Ronnie Stanley figure to dominate the headlines.

It's worth remembering, however, that finding value can be just as important as making a splash and that the biggest contracts don't always have the biggest impact.

Last offseason, for example, the Philadelphia Eagles signed linebacker Zack Baun to a modest one-year, $3 million contract. Baun went on to be a first-team All-Pro and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX.

While Baun won't fly under the radar this offseason, others will, and they loom as sensible targets for every team, even those with limited cap flexibility. Young ascending players, aging but talented veterans, players with untapped potential and those coming off of injury all fall into this category.

Here, we'll examine eight impending free agents who aren't generating a ton of buzz, who have projected market values of less than $7 million annually—according to Spotrac—and who could become massive bargains in 2025 free agency.

Baron Browning, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals

John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Injuries have hindered the career of 2021 third-round pick Baron Browning, who also converted from being an off-ball linebacker to an edge-defender in his second season.

Browning has never played more than 14 games in a single season and has just 11.5 sacks in 51 career games. With the Denver Broncos uncovering better pass-rushing options in Nick Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, Browning was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals at the 2024 trade deadline.

Yet, Browning may still be scratching the surface of his potential as a sack artist. While he had just two sacks in eight games with the Cardinals, he also had three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback pressures.

With a projected market value of $5.4 million annually, Browning is worth a flier for any team seeking depth along the edge.

The Eagles may want to take a look at Browning, as they could potentially lose both Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham in free agency. The Atlanta Falcons, who face a cap deficit of $10.3 million, should consider Browning as a budget addition to a defense that logged just 31 sacks in 2024.

Potential Fits: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles

Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

After years of declining value, the running back position took a drastic turn in the opposite direction last offseason. Backs like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs were targeted early in free agency and awarded sizeable contracts.

Though the aforementioned backs all helped their new teams reach the postseason—and Barkley won a Super Bowl while setting a new NFL rushing record—we're unlikely to see a repeat of last year's running back spending.

The 2025 market is relatively underwhelming at the position, though a few value players are waiting to be signed. Rico Dowdle of the Dallas Cowboys is among them.

Dowdle supplanted Ezekiel Elliott as Dallas' top running back this past season and finished the year with 1,328 scrimmage yards. The 26-year-old is one of the few potential long-term starters at his position set to be available, and he carries a projected market value of just $6.2 million annually—more than a fair price for a high-volume runner.

The Denver Broncos should be high on Dowdle for his starting potential. Denver struggled to pair Bo Nix with a consistent ground game in 2024 and is set to lose Javonte Williams in free agency.

With Najee Harris set to become a free agent, the Pittsburgh Steelers should view Dowdle as a budget alternative. Harris split time with Jaylen Warren over the past two years and has a projected market value of $9.2 million annually.

Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers

Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE, Washington Commanders

Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

Just about any NFL team could use additional pass-rushing help. Getting a potent sack artist at a bargain would be a bonus.

That's what the Washington Commanders got when they signed Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year, $3.3 million deal last offseason. Fowler appeared in all 17 games for the Commanders, logged 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures and helped Washington reach the NFC Championship Game.

While Fowler will turn 31 in August, he's still clearly capable of getting after opposing quarterbacks at a high level. With a projected market value of only $5.2 million annually, Fowler figures to be a terrific value for the second straight offseason.

A return to Dallas, where Fowler played in 2022 and 2023, would make plenty of sense. The Cowboys may part with DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency and are projected to be $5.7 million over the salary cap.

Price is less of an issue for the Detroit Lions, who are projected to have $55 million in cap space. However, Fowler would be a quality addition to a pass rush that features Aidan Hutchinson and added Za'Darius Smith at last year's trade deadline.

Considering Fowler's likely price point, the Lions could afford to add him and another pass-rusher to bolster their 30th-ranked pass defense in free agency.

Potential Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions

Will Hernandez, G, Arizona Cardinals

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

An NFL team can never have too much talent or depth along the offensive line. Kansas City's collapse in Super Bowl LIX should serve as proof that even great quarterbacks can struggle when their lines can't protect.

Unfortunately, quality offensive linemen—even backups—don't usually come cheaply.

This is why every team should have an eye on Cardinals guard Will Hernandez. He's coming off a season-ending ACL tear and will turn 30 in September but has 91 starts on his resume and played well for Arizona before the injury.

"He was playing really good ball for us," head coach Jonathan Gannon said, per Darren Urban of the team's official website. "He was an integral part of our toughness and our attitude."

Though his 2024 campaign was limited to five games, Hernandez was ranked 33rd overall among guards by Pro Football Focus. With a projected market value of only $4.3 million annually, he could be a veritable steal, if healthy, for just about any franchise.

With the future of guard Zack Martin—who is 34 and an impending free agent—in question, the Cowboys should already be kicking the tires on Hernandez.

The Chicago Bears have $64.9 million in projected cap space and won't be limited to under-the-radar free agents. However, their offensive interior could use a serious upgrade, and there's no way that throwing Hernandez into the competition could hurt.

Potential Fits: Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys

Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT, Tennessee Titans

Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

Fans can expect to see teams trying to emulate Philadelphia's plan for defensive success. They were able to finish the season strong and dominate the year's biggest game, largely because of a stout defensive front and an ability to generate pressure without blitzing.

Of course, building such a front isn't easy, and top-tier interior defenders are pricey. Christian Wilkins, for example, inked a four-year, $110 million deal in free agency last offseason.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day doesn't have Wilkins' physical upside, and he's set to turn 30 in March. However, he's a dependable starter who can stonewall ball-carriers and get after opposing quarterbacks.

Joseph-Day appeared in all 17 games, with 12 starts, this past season and finished with 44 tackles, 18 solo stops and 2.5 sacks. He was ranked eighth among 219 interior defenders in run defense by Pro Football Focus.

With a projected market value of $4.5 million, Joseph-Day could be one of the better values in free agency.

After ranking a middling 18th in rushing yards allowed last season, the San Francisco 49ers should consider bringing back Joseph-Day—he spent the 2023 postseason with San Francisco after being cut by the Los Angeles Chargers late that year.

The Buffalo Bills ranked just 19th in yards per carry allowed last season and are projected to be $19 million over the salary cap. Joseph-Day could be the perfect budget target for them.

Potential Fits: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

Elijah Molden, DB, Los Angeles Chargers

Melinda Meijer/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Safety Elijah Molden, a 2021 third-round pick of the Titans, was traded to the Chargers this past offseason. In L.A., he emerged as a very capable starter before suffering a broken fibula that ended his season.

Molden appeared in 15 games with 12 starts and tallied 75 total tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended. He allowed an opposing passer rating of only 62.6 in coverage. He was ranked 22nd overall among safeties by Pro Football Focus.

Along with some impressive 2024 production, most teams should be interested in Molden's positional versatility, He has played cornerback, nickel and safety during his time with the Titans and Chargers. Yet, Molden may not have a strong financial market, possibly due to the injury.

The 26-year-old has a projected value of only $6.2 million annually.

Molden's versatility would make him a terrific fit for the Baltimore Ravens, who benched Marcus Williams late in the 2024 season. He'd also be a strong fit for the Indianapolis Colts, who ranked 29th in net yards per pass attempt last season.

The Colts recently hired former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for the same position. In his best seasons with Cincinnati, Anarumo took full advantage of talented safeties like Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell. Adding Molden would be a great way to help Anarumo jump-start his new-look defense.

Potential Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts

Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Detroit Lions

Michael Owens/Getty Images

As previously noted, reliable interior defenders are likely to be a popular target in 2025 free agency. Levi Onwuzurike of the Lions figures to be a strong choice for any team seeking help along its defensive front, though he may come with some injury concerns.

Back injuries hindered Onwuzurike early in his career, and he missed the entire 2022 campaign following surgery. However, the 2021 second-round pick was mostly healthy in 2024 and appeared in 16 games with 10 starts.

Onwuzurike finished with 28 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an impressive 22 quarterback pressures. Pro Football Focus ranked him 33rd overall among interior defenders for the season.

Possibly due to his past injuries, Onwuzurike has a projected market value of only $4.5 million annually. He'll only turn 27 in March and could be a very valuable addition if his injury woes are behind him.

The New York Jets loom as a logical landing spot for Onwuzurike. Former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is now New York's head coach, and the Jets could potentially lose Solomon Thomas and Javon Kinlaw in free agency.

The Carolina Panthers should also have interest in Onwuzurike. Carolina lost star defensive tackle Derrick Brown to a meniscus injury early last season and finished the year ranked dead-last in both rushing yards and yards per carry allowed.

With $18.2 million in projected cap space, the Panthers may be looking to continue their rebuild on a budget.

Potential Fits: Carolina Panthers, New York Jets

Jedrick Wills Jr., OT, Cleveland Browns

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Look, there's no getting around the fact that Jedrick Wills Jr. had a rough five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The 2020 first-round pick never established himself as an above-average left tackle, and he was limited to just 13 games over the past two seasons by knee injuries.

Wills was ranked just 75 in pass blocking among offensive tackles in 2024 by Pro Football Focus.

However, Wills is still a former top-10 daft selection with 57 starts on his resume who will only turn 26 in May. If a team is willing to continue developing him, he could have a lot of value as a spot starter or backup. Financially, he should be a fit for teams with either need.

Wills has a projected market value of only $2.2 million annually.

The 25-year-old could be viewed as a potential placeholder for a team considering a left tackle early in the draft. The Miami Dolphins could be among them, as Terron Armstead will turn 34 in July and looms as a possible cap casualty—Miami could save $15 million by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation.

Wills could also be viewed as a high-end back, and Tennessee would be a sensible landing spot for him. Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan spent the first four years of Wills' career in the same role with Cleveland.

Potential Fits: Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans

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