Biggest Bargain-Bin Steals in Early 2025 NFL Free Agency

The New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings made NFL headlines early in free agency with big-time deals for notable players. Yet the biggest winners can also be bargain-bin market shoppers who found great value.

Which teams potentially found the next San Darnold or Zack Baun? Last offseason, they signed low-scale or prove-it deals and made the 2025 Pro Bowl roster, with the latter also earning first-team All-Pro honors.

One team made two shrewd moves, while a couple of clubs can develop homegrown talents into absolute steals in the upcoming season.

Let's look at six of the best bargain-bin signings from free agency.

LB, Tyrel Dodson, Miami Dolphins

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LB Tyrel Dodson

Contract Terms: 2 years, $8.25 million (via Spotrac)

Tyrel Dodson showcased more of his playmaking ability with the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins last year than in four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

Still, the Seahawks waived him midway through the 2024 campaign, though he continued to make game-changing plays in Miami.

Dodson led the Seahawks in tackles (71) before they cut him. He registered all three career interceptions in eight games with the Dolphins, tacking on four pass breakups while allowing a career-best 66.7 passer rating in coverage.

After playing mostly a backup role in Buffalo, starting in 15 out of 59 contests, the 26-year-old could be on the verge of blossoming into one of the league's top off-ball linebackers.

The Dolphins didn't let Dodson walk away in free agency for good reason. They signed him to a modest two-year deal, which will look like a steal in hindsight.

Despite coming off his most productive campaign, his contract ranks outside the top 40 at his position in average annual value.

RB, Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

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Chargers RB Najee Harris

Contract Terms: 1 year, $5.25 million

As the top four running backs on the free-agent market last offseason, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Derrick Henry and D'Andre Swift all signed deals worth $8 million or more annually with at least $9 million in total guaranteed money. 

Najee Harris isn't on the same tier as those ball-carriers, but he was the best player at the position in this year's free-agent class. Yet, the former Pittsburgh Steelers tailback inked a contract that doesn't come close to last year's top running back deals.

The 27-year-old can earn up to $9.25 million if he meets incentives. Still, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him at a team-friendly rate. They're only giving him $1.5 million in guarantees, which is surprising for a ball-carrier who has rushed for 1,034-plus yards in four consecutive seasons and suited up for every game.

Harris isn't a dynamic playmaker who routinely generates big plays or turns short completions into long gains in the passing game. Nonetheless, he's reliable and consistent. 

Los Angeles finished the 2024 term 11th in rushing attempts. Even if Harris shares the workload with a rookie, he could have his best season running toward the right side of the line behind guard Mekhi Becton and tackle Joe Alt.

Edge, Patrick Jones II, Carolina Panthers

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Panthers Edge Patrick Jones II

Contract Terms: 2 years, $15 million

While on the field for 46 percent of the defensive snaps with the Minnesota Vikings, Patrick Jones II broke out in a rotational role behind Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, logging seven sacks and 17 pressures.

Minnesota also had 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner on the edge, so Jones needed to go elsewhere for more opportunities. He will have a chance to earn a starting role with the Carolina Panthers.

Edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney is past his prime at 32, and he hasn't played more than 64 percent of his team's defensive snaps since the 2021 season.

Turning 27 in September, Jones could push Clowney for snaps, and he could form a solid pass-rushing tandem with another former Vikings edge-rusher, D.J. Wonnum.

On a contract that pays $7.5 million annually, the Pittsburgh product could be Carolina's sack leader in 2025.

Edge, Joseph Ossai, Cincinnati Bengals

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Edge Joseph Ossai

Contract Terms: 1 year, $6.5 million

The Cincinnati Bengals have question marks on the edge. Sam Hubbard has retired, and Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract and has requested a trade.

Following a year in which the Bengals ranked 25th in total yards and points allowed, they cannot go into the upcoming season with a lackluster pass rush. Logically, they didn't wait long to re-sign Joseph Ossai.

The 24-year-old had a rough career start, tearing his meniscus in Cincinnati's 2021 preseason opener. Between 2022 and 2023, he appeared in 30 contests as a backup but saw an increase in time on the field last season.

With more opportunities, Ossai flashed in an expanded role, registering 46 tackles, four for loss, 23 pressures and five sacks. 

Even if the Bengals resolve Hendrickson's contract situation and he stays in Cincinnati, Ossai could see another bump in snap count. Myles Murphy, a 2023 first-rounder, hasn't earned the nod for a more prominent role.

Cincinnati has invested $6.5 million in an upstart player who addresses one of its biggest needs.

CB Donte Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

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Chargers CB Donte Jackson

Contract Terms: 2 years, $13 million

Typically, a cornerback in his prime with a track record of forcing turnovers gets a massive deal on the open market. But Donte Jackson didn't reap that benefit.

In 2024, the 29-year-old registered a career-high five interceptions and eight pass breakups while allowing a 69.9 passer rating in coverage. He only allowed three touchdowns. He didn't have a fluky season in terms of takeaways. The eighth-year veteran has 19 career interceptions.

Yet Jackson signed a deal that ranks him outside the top 30 in average annual salary among cornerbacks.

The Los Angeles Chargers didn't re-sign Kristian Fulton, who inked a two-year, $20 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs after allowing a 103.6 passer rating in coverage last season.

With the addition of Jackson on a low-end cornerback salary, the Chargers have a value signing and position upgrade.

DT, Levi Onwuzurike, Detroit Lions

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DT Levi Onwuzurike

Contract Terms: 1 year, $4 million

Levi Onwuzurike's 2024 sack numbers don't paint a complete picture of his impact on the Detroit Lions pass rush. He only recorded 1.5 sacks, but the 6'3", 304-pounder finished second on the team in pressures with 22.

Last season, Pro Bowl edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson missed 12 games because of a fractured fibula and tibia. Consequently, the Lions needed reinforcements for their pass rush. So, they acquired Za'Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns. 

While Smith filled a void on the edge, Onwuzurike deserves some recognition for collapsing the pocket on the interior. Detroit didn't re-sign Smith, so the front office may expect Onwuzurike to translate more pressures into sacks going forward.

Onwuzurike, 27, may have been able to earn more if he signed elsewhere. The Lions retained him at a bargain-bin rate. The 2021 second-rounder's best years may be ahead after two seasons in a backup role and sitting out a full term because of a back injury in 2022.

Player contract details are provided by Over the Cap, unless otherwise noted.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.