With the NFL season soon to be ending, teams are already starting to look forward to the offseason and how to improve their rosters. A major step in that is free agency. This year’s free agent offensive class isn’t particularly special, though does hold some value at offensive line and wide receiver. In this piece, we’ll go through the top five options on the market, with the ladder five to follow shortly. As always, check back HERE for future offseason content including free agency predictions, mock drafts and season grades for all 32 NFL teams.
Top 10 Offensive Free Agents in 2025 NFL Offseason (1-5)
Free Agent 1. Tee Higgins – Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Potential destinations: New England, Carolina, Los Angeles Chargers
Headlining the offensive free agency class is possibly the best WR2 in the NFL. Although he has rarely been the featured guy in the passing game, Higgins has showcased that he’s more than capable of being that guy. He’s been the yin to Ja’Marr Chase’s yang, where Higgins is more of a jump ball specialist than a run-after-catch fanatic. He excels at working the middle of the field and has a 92.9 PFF grade when targeted in the immediate center of the field.
While he may not be an elite No. 1 receiver, he’s a quality option to build your passing game around. He’s perfect to further any young quarterback’s development or to provide immediate juice to an offense in need, like the Chargers.
Free Agent 2. Trey Smith – Guard, Kansas City Chiefs
Potential destinations: Tennessee, Jacksonville, Washington
For years now, the Kansas City Chiefs have had an elite interior offensive line. Much of that is due to their star left guard, Trey Smith. Originally a tackle in college at Tennessee, Smith was a top prospect who fell due to injury and positional concerns. Due to this, the Chiefs scooped him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft and he immediately stepped into the starting lineup as a rookie.
Since then, he’s done nothing but be a stalwart at the position, logging at least 1,230 snaps each season. He’s been reliable, consistent and a top reason why Patrick Mahomes has been able to rely on a complimentary run game in this dynastic run. He’ll be a fit for any team with blocking issues and money to spend.
Free Agent 3. Sam Darnold – Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
Potential Destinations: Tennessee, Las Vegas, Seattle
Sam Darnold, the same New York Jets quarterback who once admitted to seeing ghosts, is seeing real success for the Minnesota Vikings. He assumed the QB1 role in the preseason after it was announced that rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy was set to undergo season-ending surgery for a torn meniscus.
It makes sense Darnold would have a career renaissance in 2024, playing with the best roster he’s ever had around him and the first time he’s had a play-caller in Kevin O’Connell who can maximize his strengths. All he’s done is lead the Vikings to a 13-2 record, throwing for nearly 250 yards a game with a touchdown-interception ratio of almost 3-1. It’s unlikely he sticks in Minnesota with JJ McCarthy behind him but he could be a great fit for any quarterback-needy team not in a great draft position.
Free Agent 4. Ronnie Stanley – Left Tackle, Baltimore Ravens
Potential Destinations: New England, Chicago, New York Jets
Since being picked in the top 10 of the 2016 NFL draft, Stanley has consistently kept the blindsides of Joe Flacco and Lamar Jackson clear. While it’s hard to say that he’s in his prime, Stanley is still one of the top options at left tackle league-wide. Since his elite 2020 season, injuries have slowed him down a bit. He still plays at 85% of his potential, great enough to make a quarterback’s life much easier. That said, he is entering the wrong side of 30 and does still have some injury concerns. He should still see a relatively large payday, likely coming from a team desperate to keep their young quarterback upright.
Free Agent 5. Chris Godwin – Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Potential Destinations: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
Before Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin brutally dislocated his ankle, he was on pace for one the best seasons of his career. Through the first seven weeks, Godwin was averaging 82 yards and seven catches per game. Once again, he proved to be just as effective in the slot as on the outside. The veteran is able to read defensive zones, sitting down in soft spots, which Baker Mayfield took full advantage of while he could.
Although he’s only 28, Godwin has managed to play eight NFL seasons, though multiple have ended due to serious lower-body injuries. Though teams might approach him cautiously because of this, he can still be the quarterback’s best friend, as a sure-handed slot receiver. He could be a fit for any team looking to diversify their offense, taking pressure off notable stars.
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