Following my Top 10 Offensive Free Agent articles (1-5, 6-10), this article will be the first of two parts where I dive into the top 10 defensive free agents for the 2025 offseason. It will follow the same format as the aforementioned articles, diving deeply into who these players are, how they can provide value, and potential destinations for each of them. Be sure to check my profile HERE for more similar offseason content, including more free agency predictions, mock drafts, and season grades for all 32 NFL teams.
Top 10 NFL Defensive Free Agents in 2025 NFL Offseason (1-5)
Free Agent 1. Jevon Holland – Safety, Miami Dolphins
Potential Destinations: Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Washington
In one of the weaker defensive free agency classes of recent memory, Jevon Holland secures the top spot. After getting drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, he’s developed into one of the top safeties in the game, able to play at both free and strong positions. His impact has no bounds – since 2021, Holland has 24 pass breakups and created 10 turnovers over that span. He’s also a complete sideline-to-sideline tackling machine, racking up 193 solo tackles in nearly four seasons.
At 24 years old, Holland still has plenty of room to grow and develop into becoming an elite safety one day. For any team in dire need of secondary playmaking with money to spend, Holland should be a strong consideration among the top free agents.
Free Agent 2. D.J. Reed – Cornerback, New York Jets
Potential Destinations: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Philadelphia
Topping the cornerback group in this 2025’s free agency class is D.J. Reed. While many are familiar with his New York Jets running mate Sauce Gardner, not many know that Reed has been more consistent and dependable than Gardner. While he hasn’t had the best 2024 along with any of his Jets teammates, 2023 was a career year for Reed. He graded out as PFF’s top cornerback, making the Jets’ secondary one of the league’s best. Although not known for creating turnovers, he furthers his impact in other ways, most notably in run defense.
At 28, he’s still in his prime and can be the CB1 for most contenders. He’ll be a great fit for top-tier teams looking for help locking down opposing WR1s.
Free Agent 3. Khalil Mack – Edge, Los Angeles Chargers
Potential Destinations: Cincinnati, Washington, Tampa Bay
Although now 33 years old, Khalil Mack has been a massive asset again for the Los Angeles Chargers defense. Although he only has six sacks with a game left to go compared to 17 sacks last year, his impact goes way beyond the stat sheet. PFF has him graded as the fourth-best defensive end this season, only behind Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, and T.J. Watt and ahead of younger superstars Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa.
His 88.1 rush defense grade ranks him third in the entire league, clear evidence he impacts the game at in an elite way outside of pass rushing. At this rate for the next couple years, he can provide extra juice for any contending defenses with a pass rush need.
Free Agent 4. Haason Reddick – Edge, New York Jets
Potential Destinations: Atlanta, Arizona, Philadelphia
Haason Reddick is still a high-quality pass-rusher, though his 2023 offseason actions greatly hindered what he was able to do on the field. After the Jets acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason, Reddick stated he was going to sit out unless he received a long-term deal with guaranteed. The sides did end up working out an agreement, but not until week eight, when the vast majority of hype for the Jets had been long gone. Reddick ended up skipping the entire offseason, including mandatory mini-camp and training camp.
It’s a shame since Reddick has real talent and could’ve changed the defense’s outlook if he’d been there. From 2020-23, he didn’t have one season with a sack total under 11. He’s only 30 with plenty of good play ahead of him. For any 3-4 defense with a pass-rushing need and money to spend on free agents, Reddick could be a huge difference-maker in 2025.
Free Agent 5. Josh Sweat – Edge, Philadelphia Eagles
Potential Destinations: New England, Las Vegas, Chicago
Another above-average starting pass rusher will be on the market for 2025’s free agency class. After a slow start to his career coming off a broken leg, Josh Sweat worked extremely hard to get back to his original career trajectory. Since 2020, Sweat has racked up 39 sacks and has played an integral role in what’s been considered one of, if not the best pass-rushing group in the entire league.
While it definitely helps that he can rely on dominant interior play, there’s no question he’s been a great asset for the Philadelphia defense. At 27, he should be just entering his prime. He’s scheme versatile and won’t require a massive contract like other top free agents.
Main Image: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
