The Perfect Free-Agent Signing for Every NFL Team
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine may be next on the league calendar, but there's another event many fans are looking forward to even more.
In just over two weeks, free agency will open—and the annual frenzy of player signings will begin.
Now, teams most assuredly do not enter free agency on equal footing. Per Over the Cap, a staggering $175 million separates the team with the most cap space (New England Patriots) from the team with the least (New Orleans Saints).
However, every team shares three things in common: All have players of their own they wish to obtain, all have needs to fill, and potentially they have other requirements that free agency could create.
And all have a free-agent target who would be a perfect fit to fill a need for a cost the team can afford.
That's one of the rules of this little exercise: Signings have to be feasible fiscally. None of the signings listed here are of in-house free agents, although keeping key players can be just as important as adding them. And there no duplicates—11 teams can't all have Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.
But there's a perfect suitor for him. And for every other free agent, from high-end stars to bargain-basement veterans.
AFC East
1 of 8
Buffalo Bills: S Tre'Von Moehrig
The Bills are over $10 million over the salary cap for 2025, but they still have needs that must be addressed. Buffalo's only safeties under contract for 2025 are veteran journeyman Taylor Rapp and second-year pro Cole Bishop.
Moehrig isn't a big name, but the fifth-year pro tallied a career-high 104 total tackles last year and is a top-15 safety in interceptions, forced incompletion rate, tackles for loss or no gain and defensive stops since 2023.
Miami Dolphins: OG Brandon Scherff
The Dolphins are another AFC East team that will have to be somewhat frugal in free agency. They have multiple needs on both sides of the ball and less than $2 million in cap space.
The offensive line has been an issue for some time now, and while Brandon Scherff isn't the player he was in his heyday, he hasn't missed a game in three seasons and didn't allow a sack in over 1,000 snaps last year, per PFF.
New England Patriots: WR Tee Higgins
The Cincinnati Bengals could muck this one up by slapping the franchise tag on Higgins, but that hasn't happened yet. If he does hit the open market, a Patriots team with more cap space than any club in the NFL should take a hard run at him.
The math is simple enough: New England is as desperate for passing-game weapons as any team in the league, and the 26-year-old is viewed by many as the top free agent overall this season.
New York Jets: QB Kirk Cousins
Cousins is technically still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, but it's widely expected (despite the team's protestations to the contrary) that he will be released ahead of free agency. Assuming that happens, a Jets team moving on from Aaron Rodgers should pick up the phone.
Yes, Cousins didn't play especially well in 2024. But he played hurt and was coming off a torn Achilles from the season before.
The best part? With Atlanta picking up most of his salary for 2025, the 36-year-old could be available for a relatively modest cost.
NFC East
2 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: OG Aaron Banks
The Cowboys have a number of needs, but the retirement of Zack Martin shot the interior of the offensive line up the list. The problem is that with less than $3 million in cap space, the top free agents up front could be too costly for Dallas.
Banks isn't the player that elite free-agent guards such as Trey Smith are, but he surrendered just one sack in 775 snaps last year while with the San Francisco 49ers. At 27, he is also entering the prime of his career.
New York Giants: QB Russell Wilson
The Giants slammed the door on the Daniel Jones era last year, but if the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns take quarterbacks at No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft, the G-Men will be frozen out of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
If that's the case, they may look to add a developmental prospect on Day 2. Wilson's best days may be behind him, but the veteran would be a solid stopgap option after winning six of 11 starts and posting a passer rating over 95 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles: LB Ernest Jones IV
Zack Baun was a revelation for the Eagles in 2024, including a pivotal interception in Super Bowl LIX. But his career year could lead to a big contract, and the team has a number of important decisions to make on in-house free agents.
Jones, 25, was quite the wanderer last year, being traded from Los Angeles to Tennessee and then to Seattle. But the fifth-year pro is a capable linebacker with over 135 tackles each of the last two years and could be available for a reasonable annual salary.
Washington Commanders: Edge Khalil Mack
Fresh off a surprise run to the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders are in win-now mode and have the third-most cap space in the league: over $82 million.
They are well-positioned to be aggressive in free agency, and the team has some holes to fill on both sides of the ball.
Edge-rusher is arguably the biggest of those needs, and while Mack is on the downslope of his career at 34, he has shown he can still be an effective pass-rusher after logging a career-best 17 sacks in 2023.
AFC North
3 of 8
Baltimore Ravens: WR Keenan Allen
The Ravens could have a massive need at offensive tackle if Ronnie Stanley leaves; but if Baltimore retains the 30-year-old, the team will have to go with less expensive options to address other needs.
Lamar Jackson was great as a passer last year, but he could benefit from improved pass-catchers behind Zay Flowers.
Allen will be 33 when the season starts and had modest numbers last year in Chicago, but he topped 100 catches and 1,200 yards with the Los Angeles Chargers as recently as 2023.
Cincinnati Bengals: OT Alaric Jackson
The Bengals have almost $62 million in cap space. But they also have wideout Tee Higgins set to hit free agency and are staring at massive extensions for wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson.
They also need to do something about an offensive line that has been an issue in Cincinnati for years.
Jackson is a quality tackle who allowed just three sacks in almost 900 snaps with the Rams in 2024, and at 26, his best football is ahead of him.
Cleveland Browns: Edge Malcolm Koonce
The Browns are a mess—no team in the AFC is in worse position relative to the salary cap, and Cleveland has needs galore on both sides of the ball.
If the Browns acquiesce to Myles Garrett's trade request, edge-rusher will shoot to the top of the list defensively.
Koonce looked to be an ascending young player, logging eight sacks in 2023 before a knee injury wiped out his 2024 season. That could knock his asking price down to the point where Cleveland could wrangle enough cap space to sign the 26-year-old.
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Aaron Rodgers
Frankly, the most likely outcome to Pittsburgh's quarterback situation is that the team retains either youngster Justin Fields or veteran Russell Wilson. But it's possible the Steelers will go with a full reset.
Some may view Rodgers as a questionable fit in Pittsburgh, from both a schematic and cultural standpoint. But he is, arguably, the best veteran QB available this year.
And if the 41-year-old wants a chance at a playoff run in 2025, the Steelers offer him the best chance to make one.
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NFC North
4 of 8
Chicago Bears: OG Trey Smith
The Bears have almost $80 million in cap space, enough to be among the NFL's most aggressive teams in free agency. They also desperately need to overhaul an offensive line that surrendered a league-high 68 sacks in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith won't come cheaply. Spotrac estimates his annual salary on a new deal will check in at just under $20 million a season.
However, he is just 25 years old and widely considered to be the top offensive lineman available this year.
Detroit Lions: CB D.J. Reed
The Lions have needs at all three levels of the defense—there's a reason why they are mentioned a lot should Myles Garrett or Trey Hendrickson become available via trade.
However, the Lions also have issues on the back end. No team in the NFC allowed more passing yards than Detroit last year.
With almost $52 million in cap space, the Lions have the cash to take a run at one of this year's top free-agent corners. And Reed, 28, may well be the best of the lot, with a passer rating against of less than 90 each of the past five seasons.
Green Bay Packers: CB Byron Murphy Jr.
If there's a theme in the NFC North where free agency is concerned, it's a need in the secondary. And the Green Bay Packers are no different.
Eric Stokes is headed toward free agency, and veteran Jaire Alexander isn't the shutdown option he once was.
With well over $60 million in cap space, the Packers can afford to take a run at the higher-end cornerbacks available in free agency. Murphy's six interceptions in 2024 tied for the league lead among cornerbacks, and the 27-year-old posted a rock-solid passer rating against of 76.7 with the rival Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings: CB Paulson Adebo
The Lions and Packers aren't the only NFC North team that needs help in the secondary. Minnesota was 28th in the NFL in pass defense last year and has a number of corners, including Murphy, about to hit the open market.
The Vikings have cash to play with in free agency: over $63 million. But the team also needs quantity almost as much as quality.
Adebo shouldn't break the bank, and the 25-year-old logged three interceptions in just seven games last year before a broken leg ended his season.
AFC South
5 of 8
Houston Texans: WR Amari Cooper
The Texans don't have a ton of wiggle room in free agency, but they need to add another pass-catcher. Once Stefon Diggs got hurt last year, the Houston offense took a clear step backward.
Bringing back Diggs is a possibility. But after a disappointing 2024 campaign split between Cleveland and Houston, Cooper might be willing to sign a "prove it" deal if it means remaining with a team that has a realistic shot at making a postseason run.
Indianapolis Colts: OC Coleman Shelton
The Colts have about $35.2 million in cap space, but they also have a fairly glaring need along the interior of the offensive line, especially if veteran center Ryan Kelly retires or leaves the team in free agency.
Shelton isn't the best center available in free agency this year, but the 29-year-old is a capable starter who would likely be available for an annual salary that could also allow the Colts to add a free-agent guard.
Jacksonville Jaguars: S Jevon Holland
Frankly, there aren't many areas where the Jacksonville Jaguars don't need help, but the back end of the defense is a particular need. Both cornerback and safety should be a priority for the new regime this offseason.
Holland is the No. 1 free-agent safety on most boards this spring despite something of a quiet 2024 campaign.
The 24-year-old isn't going to be an inexpensive addition, but the Jaguars can offer him something only a few teams can: the ability to remain in Florida, where none of that new deal is subject to state income tax.
Tennessee Titans: QB Justin Fields
The Titans are sitting over $50 million in cap space and own the first pick in the NFL draft—a selection that many expect them to use on a quarterback.
However, the new regime in Tennessee has also been clear that it won't be averse to trading the pick...if the price is right.
If the Titans do deal the pick, there's one quarterback available in free agency who at least has the potential to be more than just a one-year stopgap.
Fields showed flashes in his six starts for the Steelers last year, and at just 25 years old, there could be a lot of football ahead for the Ohio State product.
NFC South
6 of 8
Atlanta Falcons: Edge Dante Fowler Jr.
The Falcons are in lousy shape relative to the salary cap, and releasing quarterback Kirk Cousins is only going to make things worse.
However, the team has to do something about its anemic pass-rush; something more effective than last year's acquisition of Matthew Judon.
Rolling the dice on another aging pass-rusher might not seem the best move, but the Falcons need to find a player who is both productive and at least semi-reasonably priced.
The best-case scenario in that regard may well be a guy like Fowler, 30, who had 10.5 sacks for the Washington Commanders last year.
Carolina Panthers: Edge Chase Young
At first glance, Carolina's $29 million in cap space would appear a decent amount, but this is a team that needs a complete defensive overhaul.
The Panthers need quantity along the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary.
Young has never had eight sacks in a season. His 5.5 in New Orleans last season aren't blowing anyone's socks off, but he is a former Defensive Rookie of the Year who hasn't turned 26 yet.
His career hasn't gone according to plan, but there's still time to turn things around.
New Orleans Saints: Edge Matthew Judon
Noticing a theme here? The Saints could see Young walk in free agency, the team passed on Payton Turner's fifth-year option and Cameron Jordan will be 36 when the 2025 season begins. Like seemingly every team in the NFC South, New Orleans needs an edge-rusher.
The problem here is painfully familiar, though. The Saints are a ridiculous $47 million and change over the salary cap for 2025.
That likely limits them to a "prove it" deal or two with players like Judon, who has just 9.5 sacks the past two seasons but tallied 15.5 with the Patriots in 2022.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Azeez Ojulari
What the heck? A clean sweep.
How Tampa's needs stack up this offseason could largely depend on its ability to retain players such as wide receiver Chris Godwin and linebacker Lavonte David.
If the Buccaneers are successful in that regard, it's going to make going all-in on other high-end free agents problematic.
Ojulari has had some durability issues and hasn't played in more than 11 games since his rookie season. But the 24-year-old had half-a-dozen sacks in those 11 games last year with the Giants, more than any edge-rusher on the Tampa roster in 2024.
AFC West
7 of 8
Denver Broncos: WR Chris Godwin
The Broncos head into 2025 in a pretty good spot. They are coming off a playoff appearance and are in solid shape relative to the cap, good enough to swing for one high-end impact player in free agency.
That player should be another weapon for quarterback Bo Nix.
Godwin's 2024 campaign was cut short by injury, and it's not the first serious injury of his professional career. But we've seen him rebound from such an issue before, and he posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2021 to 2023.
Kansas City: WR Stefon Diggs
The Chiefs would love to bolster their offensive line in free agency, but they have just $8 million in cap space and may need the draft to fill holes at tackle and at guard if Trey Smith gets a bag elsewhere in free agency.
So, we'll go with something unlikely but fun. Diggs is, uh, mercurial. He's coming off a serious injury. And the Chiefs haven't had great success acquiring veteran receivers.
But there could be significant turnover at wideout in Kansas City this offseason, and Patrick Mahomes and a healthy Diggs on the same offense could be something to see.
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Sam Darnold
To be clear, it will likely take a trade for Darnold to wind up in Las Vegas. It makes too much sense for the Vikings to slap the franchise tag on him and then shop him (or J.J. McCarthy) than to let him hit the open market after last year's breakout season.
But if Darnold does somehow become available, the Raiders have a glaring need for a quarterback and over $99 million in cap space—more than enough to afford his salary.
It's a signing that would also allow Las Vegas to fill multiple needs in the draft rather than use a ton of capital for the trade up it's going to take to land Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Josh Sweat
It's going to an interesting offseason for the Chargers. Fresh off a postseason appearance, they have over $70 million in cap space.
L.A. also has needs on both sides of the ball, though, so signing multiple mid-range free agents makes more sense than throwing a wad at just one player.
However, should Khalil Mack move on in free agency, the edge could quickly become a priority, especially if Joey Bosa is a cap casualty.
Sweat showed how dominant he can be with 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl LIX, and the 27-year-old has been equal parts durable and consistent for the Philadelphia Eagles the past five years.
NFC West
8 of 8
Arizona Cardinals: DT Milton Williams
The Arizona Cardinals have over $75 million in cap space and a clear need to overhaul the front seven. The pass rush and run defense need to get better.
And with multiple free agents of their own up front, the Cardinals could be looking at a near-total overhaul.
Williams came into his own as a player with the Eagles in 2024, recording career highs in sacks and QB hits and an outstanding performance in Super Bowl LIX. He won't come cheaply, but at just 25 years old, his best football is likely still ahead of him.
Los Angeles Rams: OT Dan Moore
It's hard to get a true read on the Rams' offseason plans.
If they actually trade Matthew Stafford, their strategy is going to look much different than with the veteran quarterback still in L.A. For argument's sake here, let's say he stays at least one more year.
But even if the 37-year-old does stay, tackles Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom are both free agents. Losing either (or both) vaults that position to the top of the Rams' needs.
Then, it's either hope an aging star such as Tyron Smith has one good year left or sign a solid, albeit unspectacular tackle in Moore.
San Francisco 49ers: CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
More than any team in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers want to put last year's miserable season in the rearview mirror.
The first step in that regard could be remaking a secondary that struggled at times—both Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiadom are slated to hit the open market.
Like the Niners themselves, Samuel would love to put 2024 behind him after injuries limited the 25-year-old to four games. But he is a first-round talent, son of a former star corner and has the potential to anchor the secondary in San Francisco in the long term.
Seattle Seahawks: OG Will Hernandez
If the Seahawks are going to get back to the playoffs, most of the team's improvements will have to come through the draft, as they are one of five teams that sits upside down against the 2025 salary cap.
Most free-agent spending will be focused on player retention and the bargain bin.
There's a reason Hernandez is in said bargain bin—he'll turn 30 before the regular season starts and played in just five games last year. But that was the first time in seven professional seasons he played in less than 13 games. And over his first two seasons in Arizona, he was a solid starter inside for the Arizona Cardinals.
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