6 Bargain-Bin NFL Free Agents Who Can Still Help NFL Teams In 2025

NFL free agency at this point of the year is somewhat like running a household budget at the end of the month. All of the primary bills are paid and you'd like to purchase a luxury item, but you're more likely to be looking for deals at your local big box store to address any remaining necessities. Big expenses need to be out the way before anything else can be acquired, and then consideration begins regarding any disposable income.

At this juncture, 22 different franchises have $20 million in available salary-cap space, according to Spotrac. Those numbers are misleading, though. In actuality, only five teams are in the black regarding this year's salary-cap figure. Many are benefiting from rollover cap, which will need to be applied next year as well.

The thought of splurging on a well-established free agent at this juncture isn't feasible for many organizations. The likes of Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Von Miller, Brandon Scherff, etc., are going to demand a significant financial investment, even if they operate under one-year deals in 2025.

Instead, these six remaining free agents can significantly help a team during the upcoming season on a bargain contract. Each made $5 million or less last season, and they're all currently under 30 years old.

QB Tyler Huntley

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

After Aaron Rodgers finally committed to playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall, no other starting-caliber quarterback remains on the market. However, depth at the game's most important position can be instrumental to survive a season.

As a member of the Baltimore Ravens, Tyler Huntley was never going to dethrone Lamar Jackson. He didn't receive a fair shot with the Cleveland Browns because their investment in Deshaun Watson crippled their decision-making process. He joined the Miami Dolphins as QB3 last season before being thrust into the lineup. The team finished 2-3 with Huntley as the starter.

A team can bring in another young free-agent option in Desmond Ridder. But Huntley provides better dual-threat capabilities that can become part of the designed run game. If a starting quarterback suffers a short-term injury, he can keep the ship afloat.

OT Jedrick Wills Jr.

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

A 26-year-old, five-year starting left tackle tends to be signed on the first or second day of the NFL's new league year. Jedrick Wills Jr. remains available, though.

The Cleveland Browns selected Wills with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He immediately converted from right to left tackle and took over the team's blindside duties, where he started 57 games in five seasons.

Wills' availability is due to three factors.

First, Wills never played to the level of a top-10 pick. Second, nagging injuries have slowed the Alabama product throughout his career, causing him to miss 21 games over the last two seasons. Finally, Wills' on-field effort has been questioned on more than one occasion.

His health has come to define his current status.

"Free agent OT Jedrick Wills, who dealt with a lingering knee injury last season, is planning to sit out most—or possibly all—of the upcoming season to fully recover and get back to 100 percent," Jordan Schultz tweeted.

The report can be taken in one of two ways. Either Willis is genuine about getting healthy and trying to do what's best for his career, or he hasn't received the level of interest that's been expected at the onset of free agency.

If it's the latter, an organization can still swoop in and get him on the roster. Even if Wills does miss a large portion of the 2025 campaign, he can be in the building, learning a new system, getting used to a different organization and readying himself once he's cleared medically. Furthermore, a franchise with a need at left tackle can get him in the building on a potential two-year deal to help its depth while continuing his development.

Left tackles aren't readily available at this time of year. Signing Wills would be a perfect example of buying low.

OG Will Hernandez

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Like Jedrick Wills, an injury is likely holding up a Will Hernandez signing.

Hernandez suffered a torn ACL during a Week 5 contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Prior to that point, he had started at least 13 games in six of his seven professional seasons.

The 29-year-old blocker has been a bruiser in the trenches since being drafted in the second round by the New York Giants during the 2018 class. His game is predicated on being physical, but his movement skills are marginal. He had played relatively well to start the 2024 campaign.

Experience is valuable. Hernandez has 91 career starts. Once cleared, he can immediately step in at guard if necessary.

Today's NFL is always searching for reliable blockers. Teams are desperate to piece together a quality starting five, let alone to build the type of depth that can survive multiple injuries. A Hernandez signing won't be viewed as a major move by any means, but he's exactly the type of addition to help stabilize the most overlooked yet important aspect of the game.

LB Kyzir White

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

All Kyzir White does is make tackles. Even so, he'll likely join his fourth team in five seasons upon signing a new free-agent contract.

In White's last four seasons between the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, he has averaged 120 tackles, including 110 or more during three of those years.

The 2018 fourth-round draft pick has never found a long-term home, though, which may be a byproduct of how he came into the league as a 218-pound safety convert. He's never going to be viewed as a downhill option. He does have the production numbers as a run-and-chase linebacker to warrant strong consideration by those teams still in need of help along the second line of defense.

The 29-year-old veteran is reliable. The league's physicality hasn't worn him down. In fact, he's played in all 17 regular-season games during three of the last four campaigns.

Due to White's production and consistency, the free agent's asking price may be higher than the current market dictates. Or, potential suitors see that he's struggled more in coverage the longer he's been in the league. Whatever the case may be, White can enter the lineup and still deliver when it comes to bringing down ball-carriers.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Injuries tend to play a part when quality free agents remain unsigned, especially those entering the prime of their careers. The offensive linemen on this list are dealing with knee issues from last season. Asante Samuel Jr.'s situation is a little more dicey.

"Samuel, one of the top free agent corners in this year’s class, is waiting to sign with a new team after undergoing neck surgery in April," sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "Samuel, who visited the [New Orleans] Saints [in May], has a check-up in early July, after which he will reconvene with several interested teams."

A previous neck injury and subsequent surgery will scare off plenty of suitors, particularly for a cornerback with a slender frame. Still, Samuel has every intention of playing this season, according to Fowler.

From an on-field perspective, the 25-year-old Samuel is a former second-round pick who has already started 47 games. His game has never been predicated on physicality or being a cornerback who consistently flies up to make big tackles. He's a pure cover corner, and he played well in that particular area during the previous two seasons.

As long as his next team understands who he is as a player, coupled with clearance from its medical staff, Samuel can step in and contribute as a top-three option in a new cornerback room.

S Julian Blackmon

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The safety market has been slow developing in recent years. High-profile names such as Justin Simmons and Marcus Williams remain available. Julian Blackmon's availability is somewhat perplexing.

At 26 years old, with 62 career starts in his first five seasons, the 2020 third-round pick is the type of free agent that's usually signed sooner rather than later.

A case can be made that Blackmon didn't play as well in 2024 compared to the '23 season. He may have been slightly better in coverage, but the glaring missed tackles dominate the conversation.

The Indianapolis Colts were counting on Blackmon to be their steady hand along the back line, particularly as Nick Cross developed. Ironically, Cross became that player, while Blackmon experienced his share of struggles. The Colts chose not to bring Blackmon back for another season. Instead, the organization splurged in free agency with the signing of Camryn Bynum, who inked the offseason's biggest safety contract (in total value).

Blackmon can play either safety spot, but, again, he needs to clean up some sloppy play from last season. If that happens, a new team will land an impressive starting safety on the cheap.