Only two players received the tag as the NFL franchise tag deadline came and went. It just happens to be the Kansas City Chiefs Guard, a top two free agent, Cincinnati Bengal’s wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs Guard Trae Smith.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Rams extended left tackle Alaric Jackson (No. 11 on the first list) in a three-year $57 million deal, while the Dallas Cowboys reached a four-year $80 million contract extension with Osao Digwa, No. 6 on the first list.
Close to the beginning of the free agency “tampering” period on March 10th, there are the top 25 overall free agents this offseason.
twenty five. Detroit Lions CB Carlton Davis
Davis was one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL early in his career, finishing 21st among NFL cornerbacks with the Lions last season in the Pro Football Focus grade. He will turn 29 on December 31st, but he should still be a strong starter.
twenty four. Justin Reed of the Kansas City Chiefs
The lead will be a very good veteran worthy of many defenses. He is a very good playmaking game for Steve Spanulo’s Chiefs defense, and at the age of 28 there should still be some major seasons left.
twenty three. Seattle Seahawks LB Ernest Jones
Jones traded twice last season from the Rams to the Titans, after which the Titans traded him for the Seahawks. In Seattle, Jones took off. He was very suited to the Seahawks scheme, posting 94 tackles in 10 games. He is a linebacker playmaker and is only 25 years old.
twenty two. RaidersS Tre’von Moehrig
Former second round draft pick, Moehrig was the durable four-year starter for the Raiders. He had 104 tackles last season and added some interceptions.
21.49erslb dre greenlaw
Greenlow tore Achilles in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, then made a memorable return with eight tackles with the Rams later in the season. He suffered a calf injury in the next game, and that was due to his season. Greenlow was a great linebacker, but now we need to explain the history of his injuries.
20. Jetsde Haason Reddick
It was an interesting year for Reddick. After the Jets made a deal with him, he refused to report, and played with the team on a restructured contract, only having bags. If the team can ignore that drama, Reddick has double-digit bags this season for each season from 2020 to 23. This includes two Pro Bowl selections, 2022 and 2023.
19. TexansWR Stefon Diggs
Houston oddly restructured Diggs’ deal shortly after trading him, allowing him to become a free agent this year. Unfortunately for Diggs, he tore the ACL in week 8.
18. Chargersde Khalil Mack
Mac reportedly considered resigning as he was about to turn 34, but decided to return. He gets another nice payday. Former NFL defensive player of the year, Mac had six sacks last season and made his ninth Pro Bowl.
17. BillsWRAmari Cooper
Cooper was injured in the bill, so perhaps the reason he wasn’t the majority of the offense, he was 297 yards in eight games. He will be on June 31, but he spent a 1,250-yard season in 2023 and was consistently productive. Teams need to know if 2024 is the first sign of a major slide.
16. Jets QB Aaron Rogers
We definitely haven’t heard whether Rodgers wants to play. If so, there will be interest from the team even if he is due to turn 42 in December. Rodgers played pretty well late last season and although he’s no longer at MVP level, he’ll be better than some of the other starting QBs in the league in week one.
15. 49ersCB Charvarius Ward
Ward had already cashed in big and free agency when he moved from the Chiefs to the 49ers in 2022. He will not replicate the $40.5 million deal over the three years of that time. He is still on his 30-year-old right side and there should be a productive season left.
14. Colts G is French fries
French fries have evolved into a great guard as a strong run blocker and excellent pass protector. In the fifth week of last season, he suffered a terrible fracture of his tibia. He should still be coveted at a free agency, but injuries can prevent the team from overpayment.
13. Eagles G Mekibekton
Becton blossomed last season. The former Jets’ first round draft pick spent a strong season with the Super Bowl champion Eagles guard, starting all the games and helping Saquon Barkley get 2,000 yards rushing. The 363 pound Becton ranked 20th among the grade security guards in Pro Football Focus last season.
12. BuccaneersWR Chris Godwin
Godwin had a great career, but his 2024 season ended with a dislocated ankle in week 7. In 2021 he tore the ACL. He’s only 29 this season, but the history of his injuries is a concern. He is a productive, versatile receiver and is in demand.
11. New York Jets WR Davante Adams
After being traded, Adams played 14 games in two flounder franchises, the Raiders and Jets franchises, but earned 1,000 yards along with eight touchdowns. He may want to re-team Aaron Rodgers wherever he goes, but he can still be productive.
10. Chiefs LB Nick Bolton
Bolton is young (2025 Season 25), rarely out of the field, is productive, with over 100 tackles in three of the four NFL seasons. Off-ball linebackers like Bolton are in higher demand as the teams return to run the ball in 2024.
9. Raidersde Malcolm Koonce
Koonce will be an interesting case of free agency. In 2023 he broke out with eight bags in his third NFL season. He then suffered from an ACL that was actually torn apart just before the 2024 opener. It puts him in danger. He is still a promising pass rusher in a major era, and some teams gamble about it.
8. Eagles LB Zach Boun
Boun may have been the biggest surprise of the NFL season. He went from a special team with the Saints to the All-Pro for the first team with the Eagles. His playmaking was outstanding. He had been trading $3.5 million for a year, and now it’s time for him to get paid.
7. Jets CB DJ lead
The lead was the “other” cornerback for the Jets alongside Source Gardner. He has become a solid player in its own right. He will turn 29 during the 2025 season, which is not ideal at cornerback, but can help in a valuable position.
6. Viking CB Byron Murphy Jr.
Murphy made his first Pro Bowl of last season after getting six intercepts to defend the Vikings. He’s just 27 years old and should be one of the top defenders in the free agent class.
5. Dolphins S Jevon Holland
Dolphins probably won’t be able to afford to regain the Netherlands. This is good news for teams looking for young safety who have playmaking abilities and have excellent run support. The Netherlands will be just 25 years old this season and he will become a major target for free agency.
4. Eagles de Josh Sweat
Sweat was chosen for the best time to make a big Super Bowl. Sweat was a good player even before that, but in 2021 he had the Pro Bowl season and in 2022 he had the 11 sack season. He played seven seasons, but next season he is 28 years old. Considering Edge Rush’s premium, sweat is in high demand.
3. Ravens Ottronie Stanley
When Stanley plays, he is a very good left tackle. And he played all 17 games last season and made the Pro Bowl. In the previous eight seasons, he never played a full season. The long injury list was just as much a part of his story as he did great plays.
2. Eagles DT Milton Williams
Williams was a bit over the good tackles of his team, but maybe he was a secret. Then the Super Bowl happened. Williams had two bags and was dominant. He will be just 26 years old next season and the team was already interested in him. The Super Bowl raised the price of his next contract.
1. Viking QB Sam Darnold
It didn’t end with high notes, but Darnold excelled for most of the 2024 season. And there’s a lot of despair around the NFL at quarterbacks. In Darnold’s case, it’s his draft, and the result he showed when he was finally in a good situation. The lawsuit against him is that it was a small sample of success and that the last two games were ughs. He gets paid and comes with risk.
