2025 NFL Free Agency: Best Fits for Aaron Rodgers, Top Remaining Players

As we approach the third week of NFL free agency, most of their year's big names have already found homes for the 2025 season. In fact, only nine players from the top 50 of Bleacher Report's free agency big board remain unsigned.

That list didn't include quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was released after the start of the new league year and now headlines the QB market.

There are reasons why these starting-caliber players are still available well into the second wave of free agency. However, that doesn't mean that each of them cannot be a high-level contributor in 2025.

Here, we'll examine the top free agents left on the market, why they may remain unsigned, what they can offer this coming season and the best fits for each based on team needs, roster makeup and scheme fit.

Rasul Douglas, CB, Buffalo Bills

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Cornerback Rasul Douglas is the highest-ranked player from B/R's original board who is still available. A deep cornerback pool and an underwhelming statistical season in 2024 have likely led to his availability.

While Douglas started 15 games for the Buffalo Bills last season, he allowed an opposing passer rating of 122.0 in coverage. Yet, he's a long (6'2", 209 lb) cover corner with terrific ball skill and a history of making big plays.

Between 2021 and 2023, Douglas snagged 14 interceptions. With the Bills in 2023, he allowed an opposing passer rating of only 58.6.

The 29-year-old also has a history of quickly adapting to new defensive environments. He latched on with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 and immediately made a difference. He did the same after being traded to Buffalo in 2023.

Douglas would be a strong fit for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, should be interested.

The Detroit Lions should also give Douglas a look. Detroit has added the likes of D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin to its cornerback room this offseason, but it lost Carlton Davis and dealt with defensive depth issues a season ago.

Best Fits: Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Los Angeles Chargers

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Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. likely remains available because of health concerns. According to The Athletic's Daniel Popper, the stinger injuries that Samuel dealt with in 2024 have been a persistent ailment that the cornerback was "born with."

Samuel appeared in only four games last season because of the condition.

When healthy, though, the 25-year-old has showcased the coverage skills of a high-level NFL starter. He recorded 37 passes defended and six interceptions over his first three seasons and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 87.4 in 2023.

The health factor can't be ignored, but Samuel possesses a combination of talent and youth that make him a fit for most cornerback-needy teams.

The Cincinnati Bengals should take a long look at Samuel as they continue revamping a defense that ranked 21st against the pass and 25th overall last season.

After locking up wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals have a solid young offensive core in place. It would make sense to add a few potential building blocks to the defense as well.

Samuel would also fit well with the Washington Commanders. Washington doesn't have a dire need for defensive backs after ranking third in passing yards allowed last season. However, defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell was Samuels' secondary coach in L.A. for his first three seasons.

Best Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders

Justin Simmons, S, Atlanta Falcons

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Safety Justin Simmons will turn 32 in November and spent most of last offseason unsigned. He eventually joined the Atlanta Falcons as a one-year rental in August, but there appears to be no rush to sign the two-time Pro Bowler for the second straight offseason.

However, Simmons proved last year that he can still play at a high level. He started 16 games for the Falcons and was one of their few defensive bright spots. He allowed an opposing passer rating of only 81.9 in coverage and logged 62 tackles, seven passes defended and two interceptions.

Simmons can likely expect another short-term contract, but he can add a playmaking presence to the back end of a defense.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who traded away safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, are the most obvious fit for Simmons. The safety told the Talkin' Ball podcast with Pat Leonard (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Wells) that the Eagles are "high on the list" of his preferred destinations.

In addition to being a title contender, the Eagles employ defensive backs coach Christian Parker, who coached Simmons for three seasons with the Denver Broncos.

While the Cleveland Browns certainly aren't contenders on Philadelphia's level, they could provide a good fit for the 31-year-old. The system of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can benefit from having a strong coverage safety on the back end, and the Browns parted with Juan Thornhill early this offseason.

Best Fits: Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles

Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets

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Rodgers is 41 years old, has a prolific personality that won't mesh with every franchise and is coming off of a disappointing two-year stretch. He suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and rarely appeared healthy last season while trying to navigate the New York Jets' dysfunction.

Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024.

Yet, Rodgers is easily the biggest name still available on the quarterback market. While one can debate whether he'd be an upgrade over Russell Wilson for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Steelers are interested in employing him for a 2025 run.

Rodgers visited Pittsburgh on Friday, and , according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, has had contract parameters in place with the Steelers "for weeks."

Pittsburgh is the most logical landing spot for Rodgers because, aside from the quarterback position, it has a playoff-ready roster in place. The New York Giants remain in the mix for Rodgers, according to Pelissero, though they aren't expected to be Super Bowl-relevant in 2025.

New York also signed veteran quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year deal on Friday.

With the Minnesota Vikings reportedly uninterested this offseason, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, it's looking like Pittsburgh, New York or retirement for Rodgers.

Best Fits: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers

Russell Wilson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Wilson played well enough for the Steelers last season to make the Pro Bowl as an alternate. However, he slumped late in the season—along with the rest of Pittsburgh's offense—and it's clear that he's viewed as a Plan B by his last team.

Yet, a return to Pittsburgh would probably be the best possible outcome for the 36-year-old. He did go 6-1 as a starter before the Steelers' four-game losing streak to end the season. Pittsburgh also recently traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who played with Wilson for the Seattle Seahawks.

A lack of reliable receiving options—George Pickens missed three of his final five games—likely played a role in Wilson's late-season slide. If the Steelers don't reach an agreement with Rodgers, Pittsburgh should be Wilson's first choice.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on SportsCenter (h/t B/R's Adam Wells) that Wilson is still viewed as a "viable option" for the Giants, even after they added Winston.

Winston's two-year, $8 million contract certainly isn't the sort of deal that would guarantee a starting spot.

The Browns have also met with Wilson this offseason and could provide a landing spot if he strikes out in Pittsburgh and New York. However, Cleveland traded for former Steelers starter Kenny Pickett and could take a quarterback with the second overall pick in next month's draft.

If Wilson wants anything close to a guaranteed starting opportunity, the Giants and Steelers might be his only remaining options.

Best Fits: New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers

Amari Cooper, WR, Buffalo Bills

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Amari Cooper will turn 31 in June and had a very disappointing season with the Browns and Bills in 2024. He appeared in 14 combined games for the two clubs but finished with only 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns.

It would appear that Cooper is no longer the regular 1,000-yard receiver that he once was.

Yet, the five-time Pro Bowler is still an elite route-runner with reliable hands and enough savvy to create separation. He also dealt with an awful quarterback situation in Cleveland last year and landed with Buffalo mid-season.

In 2023, Cooper amassed 1,250 receiving yards while having an aging Joe Flacco as his best signal-caller. He may never replicate those numbers again, but he can add a dependable veteran presence to a receiver room.

Cooper would be a great addition to the Los Angeles Chargers. L.A. brought back Mike Williams after he spent the 2024 season elsewhere, but it still lacks depth behind 2024 rookie star Ladd McConkey. Cooper could be a great ancillary target for Justin Herbert, even if he's no longer a breakaway threat.

The Arizona Cardinals could also use a receiver of Cooper's caliber. Marvin Harrison Jr. led Cardinals wideouts with just 855 receiving yards last season, and he was the only wide receiver to reach 550 yards.

Cooper could give Kyler Murray another strong possession target to go with Harrison and star tight end Trey McBride in Drew Petzing's offense.

Petzing spent the 2022 season alongside Cooper as Cleveland's quarterbacks coach.

Best Fits: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers

E.J. Speed, LB, Indianapolis Colts

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We saw an early run on off-ball linebackers in free agency, but Indianapolis Colts standout E.J. Speed wasn't among the initial signings.

This could be due to the fact that Speed was only a two-year defensive starter in Indy and will turn 30 in June. He can also be a bit inconsistent in the tackling department and was credited with 31 missed tackles over the last two seasons.

However, Speed is still a starting-caliber linebacker with adequate coverage skill and an ability to position himself around the football. He recorded 142 tackles and 93 solo stops last year and logged 244 tackles over his last two seasons.

Speed can slot in as a starting linebacker or a high-end rotational player and can also provide special-teams value.

The Buccaneers re-signed Lavonte David and added Anthony Walker Jr. in free agency. However, they could afford to take a chance on Speed, who would help bolster the inside-linebacker rotation.

The Chicago Bears should also have some interest in Speed. Chicago's defense struggled against the run in 2024, finishing the year ranked 29th in yards per carry allowed and 28th in rushing yards allowed.

New Bears linebackers coach Richard Smith held the same position in Indianapolis during both of Speed's campaigns as a full-time starter.

Best Fits: Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears

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After Cooper Kupp agreed to join the Seattle Seahawks, we've seen movement on the veteran receiver market. JuJu Smith-Schuster re-signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Brandin Cooks recently joined the New England Patriots.

Keenan Allen is still available, possibly for a few reasons. He'll turn 33 in April, and he's battled soft-tissue injuries in each of the past three seasons.

Allen's numbers (70 catches for 744 yards) were also underwhelming in 2024. Of course, Chicago's passing attack was an overall disappointment, and Allen did find the end zone seven times.

Even if Allen isn't the perennial Pro Bowler he once was, he's a smart, experienced receiver with terrific route skills and dependable hands. He also doesn't carry the significant injury concerns of Stefon Diggs, who is coming off of a torn ACL.

Allen would be a solid fit with the Los Angeles Rams, who replaced Kupp with Davante Adams but also lost Demarcus Robinson in free agency. Allen's ability to find space in the secondary would mesh extremely well with Sean McVay's offense, and he'd be a terrific red-zone target for Matthew Stafford.

The Las Vegas Raiders could also provide a great landing spot for Allen. They could use another receiver with inside-outside versatility to partner with Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers.

The Raiders got their quarterback by trading for Geno Smith. Providing him with a strong supporting cast should remain a goal.

Best Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams

Stephon Gilmore, CB, Minnesota Vikings

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It's not at all surprising to see Stephon Gilmore available entering the third week of free agency. After playing extremely well for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 (82.7 opposing passer rating), he was merely good for the Vikings in 2024.

Gilmore started 15 games for Minnesota last season and allowed an opposing passer rating of 94.1 in coverage. He'll also turn 35 in September, which is old for a cornerback.

That said, Gilmore can still play, and he carries fewer questions than other players left on the free-agent cornerback market. A team signing him might not be getting a Pro Bowl talent at this point in his career, but it would be getting a solid, starting-caliber perimeter defender.

The San Francisco 49ers should take a long look at Gilmore between now and the draft. The 49ers lost starter Charvarius Ward to the Colts in free agency and have done little to address the void that loss created.

The Commanders should also have interest in Gilmore, even if corner isn't their most glaring need—Washington added Marshon Lattimore at last year's trade deadline.

Gilmore played for Commanders head coach Dan Quinn in 2023 and could provide some much-needed depth for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Best Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

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If not for his significant injury history, J.K. Dobbins would have likely been signed at the onset of free agency. He's been an extremely productive running back when healthy, and he's still only 26 years old.

The problem is that Dobbins has struggled to stay on the field. He missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL, suffered a torn Achilles in 2023 and missed time with another knee injury last season.

Between 2021 and 2023, Dobbins only appeared in nine total games for the Baltimore Ravens.

However, Dobbins did appear in 13 games for the Chargers last season and played the role of high-volume back well. He rushed for 905 yards and 4.6 yards per carry and found the end zone nine times.

Dobbins certainly carries injury concerns, but he can provide value as a starter or a high-end complementary back.

The Steelers, who ironically lost starter Najee Harris to L.A. in free agency, should be interested. Dobbins can be the physical between-the-tackles runner that Pittsburgh needs to complement Jaylen Warren.

The Raiders could also provide Dobbins with a terrific opportunity. Las Vegas needs a starting-caliber running back to support new quarterback Geno Smith and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

Las Vegas' only backfield addition thus far is Raheem Mostert, who will turn 33 next month.

Best Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers