Best Team Fit, Projected Contract for the Top 2025 NFL Free Agent at Every Position

With the official start of the 2025 NFL offseason only a few weeks away, now is the perfect time to start making predictions on how free agency will play out.

Plenty of big names are set to hit the open market. While some of them will likely get franchise-tagged, many will ink new long-term contracts shortly after the new league year begins on March 12.

With that in mind, here are some projections on where the top stars will land and what kind of deals they will score this offseason.

QB: Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold revitalized his career with an outstanding 2024 season. It's now time for the 2018 first-round pick turned journeyman to cash in.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell recently told reporters that Darnold has "earned the right to be a free agent," so it seems unlikely that the Vikings will use the franchise tag on him. That doesn't rule out Darnold returning to the Twin Cities, but a more desperate and cash-flush team will likely price the Vikes out.

The Las Vegas Raiders have both the money to burn and a renewed desire to win after some organizational changes. With Tom Brady joining forces with a new group of deep-pocketed owners, the Raiders have the financial means to make a splash in free agency. The team also brought aboard a 73-year-old head coach in Pete Carroll, which suggests Vegas isn't planning on an extended rebuild.

Given the weak crop of quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class—the Bleacher Report Scouting Department put only one signal-caller in the top 15 of their latest big board—Darnold makes perfect sense for a Raiders squad looking to win now.

It doesn't hurt that Las Vegas also courted Chip Kelly to run the offense. SI.com's Albert Breer called the potential Darnold-Kelly combination a "really good fit," a pairing that could see the 27-year-old quarterback improve upon his 66.2 percent completion rating, 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns he put up in 2024.

Although it would likely cost the Raiders somewhere in the $40 million per year range to get Darnold's signature, that's a price worth paying if he instantly turned around a downtrodden squad that has suffered since Derek Carr's departure.

Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

Projected Contract: Three years, $120 million

RB: Aaron Jones

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The Minnesota Vikings were one of the many teams that benefited from landing a veteran running back on the open market last year. Aaron Jones was a natural fit in the purple, gold and white, rushing a career-high 255 times for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns while also adding 408 yards and two scores on 51 receptions.

The Vikings received a great return on their one-year, $7 million investment. They can now look to shore up their backfield for the next few years knowing Jones still has plenty left in the tank.

The writing is on the wall for Jones to return to Minnesota in 2025.

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, both parties agreed to push back the void date on Jones’ current deal, which avoided a $3.2 million dead money hit to the Vikings’ books had the running back not been extended by Monday. The two sides now have until March 11 to work out an extension.

Expect Jones to net a similarly priced extension from the Vikings before then. Although a three-year deal would take him through his age-33 campaign, Minnesota’s brass can give itself outs in the contract while keeping the door open for Jones to stay if he continues to play at a high level.

Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings

Projected Contract: Three years, $21 million

WR: Tee Higgins

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Tee Higgins is the biggest prize of the 2025 free-agent class. After spending the first five years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, the No. 1-ranked player on B/R’s big board is hitting the open market for the first time and is poised to sign a blockbuster contract.

While Higgins hasn’t earned any major accolades yet, he’s put up impressive numbers for a No. 2 wideout who has largely played in the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase. He’s coming off a 73-reception, 911-yard, 10-touchdown campaign and could become a perennial Pro Bowler if he catches on with a team that will feature him as its top receiver.

The New England Patriots are an ideal fit for Higgins, especially after landing a franchise quarterback in the 2024 draft. With Drake Maye already earning the first of potentially many Pro Bowl nods as a rookie despite being saddled with one of the league’s weakest receiving corps, pairing him with Higgins would significantly raise the ceiling on New England’s offense.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Higgins' market price is currently pegged around $30 million per year. While that's a hefty value for a player who has yet to receive a Pro Bowl nod, the Patriots can afford to make a much-needed splash this offseason.

New England is projected to have a league-high $123.6 million in cap space this offseason, per Spotrac, and has long had a hole at the receiver position.

Even if it takes an overpay to get the deal done, the Maye-Higgins duo could dominate the league for the better part of the next decade.

Best Fit: New England Patriots

Projected Contract: Three years, $103 million

OG: Trey Smith

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Trey Smith has been an integral part of a Kansas City Chiefs offensive line that reached the Super Bowl in three of the guard’s first four seasons. The interior combination of Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey and Smith have largely dominated since 2021, although the trio could finally break up this offseason.

Smith is set to become one of the most coveted offensive guards to hit the open market in years. He’s on the cusp of garnering massive offers—potentially even breaking Landon Dickerson’s record of $21 million annually for the position—that the cash-strapped Chiefs will struggle to match in wake of their crushing Super Bowl LIX defeat.

It’s easy to see why Smith will have plenty of suitors this spring. He’s proven to be reliable—starting 67 of a possible 68 games—and extremely talented. He just earned his first Pro Bowl appearance after giving up zero sacks across 1,115 offensive snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus.

Smith could be exactly who the Chicago Bears need to shore up the offensive trenches.

The Bears went all-in by selecting Caleb Williams at the top of the 2024 draft. They now need to focus on better protecting their young quarterback. Williams took an NFL-high 68 sacks as a rookie, which the Bears need to reduce under new head coach Ben Johnson.

If Smith does end up in the Windy City, he’ll be reunited with stalwart right tackle Darnell Wright. Smith played next to Wright for two years at Tennessee, and the two could jump-start a flailing Bears offensive line together in 2025.

Best Fit: Chicago Bears

Projected Contract: Five years, $105 million

OT: Ronnie Stanley

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It wasn’t long ago that there were real concerns regarding Ronnie Stanley’s ability to continue his NFL career. The elite offensive tackle was named an All-Pro for his standout work in 2019 but a litany of injuries limited him to only 18 games in the three seasons that followed.

It seems that Stanley has finally put those health woes in the past at the perfect time. After playing 13 games in 2023, the 30-year-old went on to start every game for the first time in his career this past season. Stanley played at a high level too, earning a second Pro Bowl nod for his work protecting Lamar Jackson.

Sticking with the Baltimore Ravens is an option for Stanley. The team would likely love to have him back after he allowed only two sacks across his 1,089 offensive snaps this past year, per PFF, but it may be priced out after he rebuilt his market value back into the $20-plus million range.

Stanley could instead end up making a short move to the nation’s capital. The Washington Commanders are in the market for a reliable left tackle, one who could protect Jayden Daniels after his incredible Rookie of the Year-winning campaign ended with a trip to the NFC Championship Game.

The nine-year veteran would be an instant upgrade over Brandon Coleman, who struggled as a rookie and allowed nine sacks across 787 offensive snaps, according to PFF.

With the Commanders’ contention window surprisingly open right now, they can’t afford to squander Daniels’ cheap rookie contract. They need to use their financial flexibility to land a tackle of Stanley’s caliber.

Best Fit: Washington Commanders

Projected Contract: Two years, $45 million

LB: Nick Bolton

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The Kansas City Chiefs hit a home run with their selection of Nick Bolton at the tail end of Round 2 in the 2021 draft. Bolton instantly rejuvenated a Chiefs defense that had become desperate for a top-tier linebacker, going on to play a major role in two Super Bowl championships.

While Bolton didn’t have the best performance in Super Bowl LIX, Kansas City’s defense struggled across the board in that blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had a far better showing in Super Bowl LVII, helping his team beat the Eagles with a scoop-and-score fumble recovery in the 38-35 victory.

Bolton’s knack for coming up with big plays and racking up tackles should net him a big payday this offseason. With impressive career numbers of 458 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles, Bolton is in line to earn upward of $15 million per year on his next deal.

That may be a tough contract to fit on Kansas City’s loaded books, but it’s one general manager Brett Veach should prioritize. Bolton has been a leader and playmaker on one of the NFL’s top defenses for four years straight and can continue in that role for years to come.

Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs

Projected Contract: Four years, $54 million

DT: Milton Williams

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Milton Williams has been a regular contributor in the Philadelphia Eagles’ deep defensive line rotation for four consecutive years. While he started only 19 games since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2021, he’s coming off a career-best campaign and sterling postseason run that will make him a popular target for teams looking to beef up the defensive trenches.

Williams appeared in all 17 regular-season games this year and tallied 24 tackles and five sacks while solidifying the teeth of an Eagles defense that ranked No. 1 in yards allowed and No. 2 in scoring. The big defensive tackle went on record two sacks and a forced fumble in Super Bowl LIX, which should boost his value at the negotiating table this spring.

It’s hard to imagine the Eagles finding a way to meet Williams' market value, which could rise to as high as $15 million per year. While he’s been important to their success, he’s a bit of a luxury for a team that has more pressing holes to fill and extensions to dole out in wake of lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

The Detroit Lions would be an ideal landing place for Williams. Not only would he reinforce a defensive line that cratered last season after a string of injuries, but he’d be in an ideal position to dominate and contend for more Super Bowls by working next to an elite edge defender in Aiden Hutchinson.

Best Fit: Detroit Lions

Projected Contract: Four years, $50 million

Edge: Josh Sweat

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Josh Sweat is another member of the Super Bowl LIX-winning Philadelphia Eagles who boosted his value with a phenomenal stretch of playoff performances. The edge-rusher was a legitimate candidate to be named Super Bowl MVP after obliterating the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line. He finished the game with two tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

While Sweat hasn’t been the most consistent player during his seven seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, he’s played some of his best football in recent years. He followed up a Pro Bowl 2021 season with a career-high 11 sacks in 2022. He immediately took to new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system in 2024, recording eight sacks in 16 regular-season appearances before exploding in the Super Bowl.

That should make Sweat the most coveted edge-rusher on the open market, which could net him more than $20 million annually. The Eagles will be hard-pressed to meet that price, especially after paying him just $10 million this past season.

A younger, up-and-coming squad that has far less defensive line depth like the Arizona Cardinals should be eager to capitalize. While he figures to be costly, Sweat will provide a massive boost to a defense that could vault into the top five next season by making this move.

Best Fit: Arizona Cardinals

Projected Contract: Four years, $81 million

CB: D.J. Reed

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The cornerback market looks a bit saturated this year, but a top-end talent like D.J. Reed shouldn’t have have much trouble scoring a big contract.

Reed has been one of the bright spots for the downtrodden New York Jets over the last three seasons. He’s started 46 games for the club, recording 220 tackles, 32 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in that span.

Reed’s Pro Football Focus scores highlight how well-rounded his contributions are. In 2024, the corner earned a respectable 70.7 overall grade with a 71.8 pass-rush grade, 71.8 run-defense grade and 70.1 coverage grade. Despite being targeted 228 times since 2022, Reed has allowed only six touchdowns.

The Green Bay Packers should be in the market for a steady corner like Reed. The organization could split with top outside option Jaire Alexander this offseason, which would leave a major hole in Green Bay’s secondary.

Reed could adequately fill that on a contract in the $15 million per year range that will look quite a bit more palatable in comparison to Alexander’s four-year, $84 million deal.  

Best Fit: Green Bay Packers

Projected Contract: Four years, $56 million

S: Jevon Holland

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Jevon Holland is the premier safety in the 2025 free-agent class. He’s been stellar for the Miami Dolphins—more than living up to his second-round billing—over the last four seasons and now gets a chance to be rewarded financially for his efforts.

Holland hits the open market after amassing 301 tackles, 25 pass breakups, five sacks, five forced fumbles and five interceptions over his first 60 career games. He’s been a centerpiece in the Dolphins’ secondary, even with injuries slightly limiting his production over the last two seasons and costing him a handful of games.

Several teams would benefit from Holland’s presence, including a fellow AFC East contender that has a hole to patch at safety.

The Buffalo Bills shouldn’t hesitate to make a run at Holland, who's turning 25 next month and could shore up their secondary for the foreseeable future. Aging veteran Taylor Rapp and rotational rookie Cole Bishop are the Bills' only safeties under contract for next season, so they figure to address this position with a marquee free-agent pickup.

The Bills failed in their quest to win the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl yet again this past season. They must bolster their defense to finally topple the powerhouse offenses they keep coming up short against in the playoffs.

Even though the Bills don’t have much cap room to work with, Holland’s playmaking and coverage abilities will make him well worth the cost.

Best Fit: Buffalo Bills

Projected Contract: Four years, $75 million