NFL Free Agents 2025: Predictions for Top Players Expected to Hit Open Market

The 2025 NFL offseason is unofficially officially here.

Nearly half the league has already learned it won't be participating in these playoffs, so their front offices can already focus on moves to make to ensure this doesn't happen again.

Some long-term builders might be laser-locked on the draft, but those aiming to compete sooner than later could be plotting their free agency moves. We'll focus on that portion of the offseason here by highlighting a few of the top players on the market and predicting where they'll end up.

Tee Higgins is wrapping up yet another head-turning season in Cincinnati. Will this be the one that convinces the Bengals to give him a long-term deal?

That's tough to tell. On the one hand, he's encountered some injury trouble again (five games missed), and the amount of money he'll command might be better spent on the bigger problem areas with this roster. On the other, his elite talent (69 receptions for 858 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games) makes life easier on Joe Burrow and makes opposing defenses think twice about selling out on stopping Ja'Marr Chase.

Perhaps the Bengals franchise tag Higgins again with an eye on trading him. He'd have no shortage of suitors. There isn't another pass-catcher on the market who can match his combination of age (25) and ability. Essentially all of the bottom-feeders with young quarterbacks on their roster or headed their way at the draft would presumably love to have a safety blanket like Higgins in the offense.

Higgins should have major money coming his way soon, even if he gets tagged again.

Prediction: Bengals franchise tag Higgins then trade him to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Chris Godwin's contract year came at almost the perfect time.

He looked like he might be delivering his strongest season to date before a season-ending ankle dislocation torpedoed that plan. Still, he greatly impressed before the injury, catching 50 of 62 targets for 576 yards and five touchdowns in seven outings.

He is skilled, physically gifted and able to thrive both inside and out. His hands are top-notch, he can physically overwhelm opponents and he has enough speed to get behind the defense. There aren't a lot of receivers who are as consistently productive as he is.

Tampa Bay will surely have interest in keeping him, though franchise-tagging him for the third time would be too cost-prohibitive. The Buccaneers will look for ways to make this work, but some team with a greater need at receiver will ultimately lure him away.

Prediction: Godwin signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who saw this kind of campaign coming together for Sam Darnold? Maybe not even the quarterback himself.

He was a draft bust for the New York Jets, then a failed reclamation project for the Carolina Panthers. He backed up Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season, then headed to the Gopher State to handle bridge-quarterback duties for however long rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy needed to develop.

Yet, something clicked for Darnold in Minnesota, to the point the Vikings are legitimate title contenders and he's at least a down-ballot MVP candidate. His stat line is a seemingly endless string of personal-bests, including his 4,153 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns and 68.1 completion percentage.

The question for would-be suitors, of course, is whether this success is sustainable. And do the Vikings think this is sustainable and therefore consider already rethinking their future with McCarthy? If the market is skeptical of Darnold—i.e., unwilling to hand him a blank check—there might be a middle ground where Minnesota gives him a sizable contract but leaves itself enough wiggle room that McCarthy isn't immediately forced out of the plans.

Prediction: Darnold re-signs in Minnesota.