2025 NFL Free Agents: Which Available Players Can Still Be Key Contributors?

In the third week of the NFL's new year, teams can still find starting-caliber talent in the free-agent pool.

Of course, most of these players aren't stars, but they can contribute to contending teams and help clubs rebuild in the short term.

Aside from a high-profile quarterback set to make a major career decision, a few available receivers can still move the needle in featured positions.

Also, a running back in his prime showed his ability to carry a significant workload while healthy for most of last season.

Lastly, teams such as the Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals should be in contact with quality defenders who have extensive starting experience.

Here are the top free agents available and the best potential team fits for them based on roster needs and schematics.

Wide Receiver Keenan Allen

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WR Keenan Allen

Turning 33 in April, Keenan Allen has more left in the tank. Last season with the Chicago Bears, he caught 70 passes for 744 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns. 

The six-time Pro Bowler only averaged 10.6 yards per catch last season, though he's never been a consistent big-play receiver. He's a chain-mover who can be a reliable red-zone threat, though.

As a rookie, Caleb Williams relied on Allen in a directionless offense that finished with the second-fewest passing yards and 28th in scoring for the 2024 campaign. The veteran receiver converted first downs on 43 out of his 70 catches.

He can do the same for a team with a young quarterback in the upcoming term. Perhaps the Tennessee Titans will reach out to him, though he could be looking for offers from playoff-contending squads after a frustrating year in Chicago. 

Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans

Wide Receiver Amari Cooper

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WR Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper showed signs of decline last season, in part because he dealt with injuries, recording single-season career lows in catches (44), receiving yards (547) and touchdown receptions (four). He hauled in six out of eight targets for 41 scoreless yards in three playoff games.

Though, if healthy, the 30-year-old can be a solid No. 2 wide receiver. He's still a sharp route-runner with reliable hands. In eight games with the Bills, the veteran wideout recorded a 62.5 percent catch rate.

Cooper has been traded three times, so he's going through his first experience as a free agent. He fits with a team that won't be heavily reliant on him posting Pro Bowl numbers but needs a savvy pass-catcher to fill a void on the perimeter.

Teams looking for a safety blanket to help a young quarterback may be interested in Cooper, though he should be willing to take less from a contender for a chance to win a Super Bowl.

Potential Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals

Running Back J.K. Dobbins

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RB J.K. Dobbins

On a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers last year, J.K. Dobbins proved he could handle the lion's share of a team's rushing workload, recording 195 carries for a career-high 905 yards and nine touchdowns.

The 26-year-old missed four games because of a knee injury, but he suited up for more outings last season than he did between 2021 and 2023 (nine contests).

Dobbins has yet to play through an entire season. He missed one game during his 2020 rookie year while on the COVID-19 list. That said, his mostly healthy and productive 2024 campaign should help him garner suitors.

In 37 games, he has averaged 5.2 yards per carry. He has the efficiency to take on a featured role, though teams should pair him with a running back who can make big plays in the short passing game. The sixth-year veteran has 59 receptions for 330 yards and a touchdown.

Still in his mid-20s, Dobbins could perform optimally for the next few years if he stays healthy. 

Potential Fits: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos

Cornerback Rasul Douglas

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CB Rasul Douglas

Rasul Douglas has been a ball-hawking cornerback and a defender who's prone to give up big plays over the top.

The 30-year-old has recorded at least three interceptions in four out of eight seasons. On the other hand, he's allowed a passer rating over 108.5 or six touchdowns in four of his last seven campaigns.

Last year, Douglas didn't log an interception, the first time that's happened in a season since 2020. He also allowed an alarming 122 passer rating.

He may need a change of scenery. He's still capable of forcing turnovers and that will help him get a decent salary. He's a prime candidate for a bounce-back year in 2025. 

Potential Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks

Cornerback Mike Hilton

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CB Mike Hilton

Over the last eight seasons, Mike Hilton has been one of the league's most consistent slot cornerbacks.

He's logged at least five pass breakups, four tackles for loss and an interception every year. Additionally, he has allowed a passer rating of 92 or below in coverage for seven out of eight campaigns.

In consecutive terms, Hilton has logged 12 tackles for loss. So, even just into his 30s, he hasn't lost a step in playing downhill to stop ball-carriers in the backfield.

With the spotlight on running backs last year, Hilton should be in demand because of his tackling ability. Teams need reinforcements in the run defense against star ball-carriers like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson and Josh Jacobs.

At 31, Hilton can be a valuable asset for a defense on all three downs. Any team with a need in the slot can use him.

Potential Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys

Wide Receiver Elijah Moore

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WR Elijah Moore

Elijah Moore is one of the few free agents in his prime with room for growth. He's played two seasons with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, teams with suboptimal quarterback situations over the last few years.

Yet every year in the league, the 25-year-old has racked up at least 538 receiving yards as a secondary or tertiary option in passing attacks that ranked 15th or worse in total yards.

On a team with a stable quarterback situation, Moore could see a significant spike in production. He can line up out wide or in the slot and make plays out of the backfield. 

He has 20 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. In his first year with the Jets, he converted first downs or scored a touchdown on four of his five carries.

Because of Moore's age and versatility, he should be atop the free-agent list for receiver-needy teams looking to capitalize on a player's upside.

Potential Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.

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CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Asante Samuel Jr. is the best boundary cornerback available. When you consider his age, he has the potential to be a long-term starter.

The 25-year-old registered at least two interceptions and 11 breakups in each of his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Last year, though, he missed 13 games because of a shoulder injury.

Nonetheless, Samuel allowed a passer rating under 90 without giving up a touchdown in four outings. Still in his prime, he has room for growth.

At 5'10", 180 pounds, the Florida State product isn't a fit for every defensive unit, especially teams that prefer cornerbacks who disrupt receiver routes by jamming them at the line of scrimmage.

However, Samuel's ball production will help him land in a starting spot at a decent pay rate.

Potential Fits: New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Edge-Rusher Za'Darius Smith

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EDGE Za'Darius Smith

Teams have evidence that Za'Darius Smith can be a productive pass-rusher at this stage of his career. Last season, in his age-32 term, he recorded 35 tackles, nine for loss, nine sacks and 25 pressures.

Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Detroit Lions acquired Smith from the Cleveland Browns. After logging five sacks with the Browns, he helped fill a pass-rushing void with the Lions, who lost Aidan Hutchinson after he fractured his fibula and tibia.

Detroit released Smith before the beginning of the legal tampering period, and several teams should be interested in him.

In 10 seasons, he has been productive in even- and odd-man defensive fronts. So, he's a potential fit in different systems. The 11th-year veteran can find a new home with a playoff contender that needs a boost on the edge, like the Lions did last season.

Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers

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QB Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has a big decision on whether or where to continue his career.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 41-year-old had a "positive visit" with the Pittsburgh Steelers that lasted "about six hours."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said Rodgers could make his decision in a few days.

Yet ESPN's Jeremy Fowler's sources (h/t Bleacher Report's Andrew Peters), believe he could take his time with his next move.

"I was speaking with another decision-maker who looms large in this whole process as well and made very clear that he does not, nor do other teams believe that Rodgers has come close to making up his mind," Fowler said.

Pelissero also reported the Minnesota Vikings aren't interested in pursuing Rodgers. 

With the Giants signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the four-time NFL MVP's market seems limited based on the buzz around him. 

Pittsburgh would be a good landing spot for Rodgers. The club has made the playoffs in four of the last five years, and the Steelers have an explosive receiver tandem with D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens. The franchise also has an established culture.

Even in the twilight of his career, Rodgers is a serviceable quarterback. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the New York Jets last season.

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio believes it is a "safe bet" that the 10-time Pro Bowler signs with the Steelers.

Potential Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers or retirement

Linebacker Kyzir White

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LB Kyzir White

The free-agent linebacker pool dried up quickly after Robert Spillane signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the New England Patriots on the first day of the legal tampering period.

Kyzir White is arguably the best linebacker available after the early waves of free agency. He's an eight-year veteran who has started in 73 out of 92 career games and has played his best football in recent years.

Between 2022 and 2024, the 29-year-old played under Jonathan Gannon, who was the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator and is currently the Arizona Cardinals head coach.

In 2022, White allowed a 74.4 passer rating in coverage. Over the last three terms, he's surrendered just two touchdowns. The veteran linebacker has nine tackles for loss in back-to-back campaigns.

White has blossomed into an impactful three-down defender who can line up in the middle, on the strong side or the weak side at his position.

Potential Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys

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