NFL Free Agency 2025: Ranking the 10 Best Unsigned Players Under 30
After months of rumors, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally signed the NFL's oldest notable free agent, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, last week. It's now time to direct our attention to the younger veterans.
For a variety of reasons, teams have overlooked several players still in the midst of or at the end of their primes. In some cases, clubs should be concerned about players' injury history, though a few of the top available up-and-coming players have shown flashes of potential but not enough consistency.
Looking at the remaining free agents, we narrowed down the pool to 10 players under the age of 30, ranked them and projected their possible landing spots. This ranking is based on recent production and upside.
We excluded veterans who will turn 30 this year.
10. WR DJ Chark Jr.
1 of 10
Age: 28
Since DJ Chark Jr.'s 2019 Pro Bowl season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he battled injuries and settled into a role player with three different clubs. The eighth-year wideout has missed at least six games in three of the previous four terms but still cracks the top 10.
Chark, when healthy, has been a decent vertical threat, stretching defenses with his deep speed and ball-tracking ability. He averaged at least 15 yards per catch in three consecutive campaigns between 2021 and 2023.
Last year, Chark only suited up for seven games with the Los Angeles Chargers because he started the season on injured reserve due to a hip injury.
If Chark has a clean bill of health, he can fill a void as a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver for a team that wants more explosive plays in its aerial attack.
The Arizona Cardinals can fit a deep-threat into their wide receiver rotation. In 2024, Marvin Harrison Jr. was the only player on their roster to average more than 11.7 yards per catch. In Arizona, Chark can line up alongside Harrison and Michael Wilson for a well-rounded trio of wideouts all 6'2" or taller.
Potential landing spots: Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans
9. S Julian Blackmon
2 of 10
Age: 26
Over the last two years, Julian Blackmon has made his presence felt with seven interceptions. At 26, he may still be on the ascent, which earns him a spot at No. 9.
With that said, Blackmon has struggled to provide consistent quality pass coverage. In four out of five seasons, he's allowed a passer rating of 103.2 or higher.
Despite his ability to track the ball, Blackmon may not be the most reliable last-line defender in deep coverage. He's better suited for a split safety scheme, where the coaching staff can position him closer to the line of scrimmage.
The Carolina Panthers could pair Blackmon with Tre'von Moehrig, who can also play both safety positions. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero could use them interchangeably, depending on the opponent and situation.
Last year, the Panthers were tied for 24th in interceptions. In free agency, they lost safety Xavier Woods, who led the team in that category last year.
Along with Moehrig, Blackmon could transform Carolina's secondary into a more aggressive unit on passing downs.
Potential landing spots: Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles
8. CB Jack Jones
3 of 10
Age: 27
Jack Jones has showcased his best and worst with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, though he's shown a little more consistency than safety Julian Blackmon at his position in coverage.
In New England, Jones worked his way into a starting role. As a rookie, he recorded six pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing a 64.8 passer rating in 13 games (two starts). However, the Patriots waived him in the middle of the 2023 campaign. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, he broke team curfew rules that year.
The Raiders claimed Jones off waivers and reunited him with his high school head coach, Antonio Pierce. Initially, Pierce's gamble on Jones paid off. The feisty cornerback helped boost the swagger of Las Vegas' defense and played a significant role in the team's Christmas Day victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, Jones had an up-and-down 2024 season that included a disciplinary first-quarter benching following a lackluster effort in Week 3. He led the team in pass breakups (16) and interceptions (three) for the campaign but also gave up eight touchdowns in coverage. The Raiders released him in April.
If Jones focuses on making simple plays rather than spectacular ones, he can be a solid starting cornerback. However, his departure and benching at his previous spots are red flags. Still, Jones can be a serviceable veteran starter for a team that needs an experienced cover defender on the boundary.
The Minnesota Vikings haven't re-signed Shaquill Griffin or Stephon Gilmore. They added Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, but over the last two years, Jones has started more games than both of those players combined.
Jones could be a veteran upgrade and spot starter in case cornerback Mekhi Blackmon needs extended time to bounce back from a torn ACL.
Potential landing spots: Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers
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7. LB Ja'Whaun Bentley
4 of 10
Age: 28
Ja'Whaun Bentley tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2 of this past season, and the New England Patriots placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the campaign. Before that, he led the Patriots in tackles for three consecutive years, logging five tackles for loss in each season.
Since Bentley earned a starting job in 2020, he's also contributed to the pass rush, recording 10 sacks. Though he has minimal production in coverage, he's a proven asset against the run and has the skill set to be an effective blitzer.
Far more consistent than the first three free agents on this list, Bentley can immediately strengthen the defense of a playoff contender.
The Los Angeles Rams could look to him to fill a void at linebacker after they allowed Christian Rozeboom to walk in free agency. Omar Speights started in 10 out of 17 contests as an undrafted rookie last year, but he made few impact plays, logging two pass breakups.
Bentley could beat out Speights for the lead linebacker spot and become the best player within that position group on the Rams roster.
Potential landing spots: Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans
6. S Jordan Whitehead
5 of 10
Age: 28
Since 2019, Jordan Whitehead has started in all 90 of his appearances. He's a starting-caliber safety who will compete for a prominent role at his next destination.
Whitehead missed five games late last year, but potential suitors wouldn't have to worry about rust as much as they would with Ja'Whaun Bentley, who missed nearly the entire 2024 campaign.
Just two years ago, Whitehead logged a career-high four interceptions and tied a personal-best nine pass breakups with the New York Jets. He didn't force any turnovers with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, but a reunion with Robert Saleh could lead to another highly productive year.
As the Jets head coach, Saleh saw Whitehead perform at his best with the help of his former defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich. The 49ers need a placeholder in one of their starting safety spots as Malik Mustapha recovers from a torn ACL.
Mustapha went down in January, so he's likely to miss several weeks in the upcoming season. Whitehead, who's already familiar with Saleh's system, could step in as a spot starter.
Potential landing spots: San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons
5. LB Kyzir White
6 of 10
Age: 29
After a slow start to his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kyzir White has become one of the league's most well-rounded linebackers. He's played inside linebacker in odd-man fronts and outside linebacker in even-man alignments, specifically with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022.
White battled injuries early in his career that cost him 18 games between 2018 and 2020. But in three of the last four years, he's suited up for every regular-season contest and has played at an optimal level.
In back-to-back campaigns, White has registered nine tackles for loss. He hasn't allowed multiple touchdowns in coverage since the 2021 campaign.
White could provide a major boost to the Las Vegas Raiders' linebacker group. This offseason, the Silver and Black signed Devin White and Elandon Roberts to one-year deals. They played less than 45 percent of their previous teams' defensive snaps last season.
The Raiders could address their weakest position group with one of the top free agents younger than 30.
Potential landing spots: Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts
4. LB Germaine Pratt
7 of 10
Age: 29
Germaine Pratt slots in front of Kyzir White because he's made more impactful plays in pass coverage over the past few years. Pratt has recorded 19 pass breakups and six interceptions since 2022, and he's allowed a passer rating of 88.1 or lower each season over the last three years.
Under former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Pratt quickly worked his way into a starting role and eventually became a team captain, illustrating the respect he garnered in the locker room.
The Bengals fired Anarumo this offseason, and the Indianapolis Colts proceeded to hire him as their new defensive coordinator.
The Colts lost linebacker E.J. Speed in free agency. They could replace him with Pratt to reunite the seventh-year pro with Anarumo.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pratt "was close" to Anarumo. So, Indianapolis figures to eventually host him for a visit with the intent to get a deal done.
Potential landing spots: Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders
3. CB Asante Samuel Jr.
8 of 10
Age: 25
Asante Samuel Jr. had a promising start to his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, logging 35 pass breakups and six interceptions through his first three seasons. In 2023, he led the team with 13 pass breakups.
However, Samuel suffered a neck injury that sidelined him for 13 games last year. Despite his solid production under the Chargers' previous regime, the team's current administration hasn't re-signed him.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Samuel underwent neck surgery in April and is scheduled for a checkup in July.
Samuel's medical status may scare off potential suitors, although Fowler noted that the fifth-year cornerback visited with the New Orleans Saints. The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reported that the Miami Dolphins have reached out to him as well.
As cornerback Jalen Ramsey prepares for a new chapter elsewhere, Miami makes the most sense for Samuel as a landing spot if he's fully cleared after his follow-up examination.
At 25, Samuel has far more upside than Germaine Pratt if healthy, which is why he's in the top three among free agents under 30.
Potential landing spots: Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints
2. WR Gabe Davis
9 of 10
Age: 26
Gabe Davis made early career highlights as a spark plug for the Buffalo Bills offense. In a 2021 divisional-round overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he hauled in eight out of 10 targets for 201 yards and four touchdowns.
From that point, Davis seemed primed to become one of the league's most electric big-play receivers. He carved out a consistent role as the No. 2 receiver and complement to Stefon Diggs in 2022 and 2023, but he hit a production ceiling in Buffalo.
Last offseason, Davis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His receiving numbers plummeted with a struggling offense. On top of that, he tore his meniscus, which sidelined him for December and January. The Jaguars released him with a failed physical designation in May.
Despite Davis' disastrous 2024 season in Jacksonville, he's No. 2 in our rankings over Asante Samuel Jr., who has a medical hurdle to clear this summer.
In a well-designed offense, Davis can return to form as one of the league's top No. 2 receivers. He would be an ideal fit with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who acquired wideout DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
With Aaron Rodgers in the fold, the Steelers should do whatever it takes to surround him with playmakers. Metcalf cannot move the needle alone in the passing game. Pittsburgh must find an upgrade over Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III at the No. 2 receiver spot.
Potential landing spots: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns
1. CB Jaire Alexander
10 of 10
Age: 28
Jaire Alexander is the most accomplished free agent in these rankings. He's made two Pro Bowl rosters, most recently in 2022.
Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy told Dave Schroeder of WBAY-TV in Green Bay why the team parted ways with Alexander on Monday (h/t Packers Wire's Zach Kruse).
"He's been a great player for us. Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot. That's, unfortunately, a big part of our game," Murphy said.
Alexander suited up for only seven games in both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. However, he can still perform at a Pro Bowl level when healthy, which separates him from the other veterans on this list. In his last healthy season in 2022, he logged 14 pass breakups and five interceptions in 16 games.
If Alexander stays on the field following two injury-riddled seasons, he can be a team's No. 1 cornerback with the ability to also man the slot.
The Dallas Cowboys should be interested in Alexander if he agrees to a one-year prove-it deal. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters "there's a good chance" that cornerback Trevon Diggs may be sidelined at the beginning of the upcoming season.
If healthy, Alexander could start alongside DaRon Bland while Diggs recovers from knee surgery.
Rookie third-rounder Shavon Revel Jr. is working his way back from a torn ACL. Kaiir Elam, a first-rounder from the 2022 draft, has been a massive disappointment. Alexander is a high-level cornerback who could shore up the Cowboys secondary.
Potential landing spots: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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