NFL free agency has gone by in a blur, as many of the top free agents agreed to terms immediately when the legal tampering period began March 10. Once the new league year began March 12, pen was put to paper and the top free agents were immediately off the board.
Through three weeks of free agency, not much has changed.
This free agency class wasn’t great by any means, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good players available. Teams can still make good moves during the second wave of free agency and the third wave after the draft. There are still plenty of moves to be made, and good players can still be released and become available. Teams are waiting patiently this free agent cycle to make the right move.
Which free agents are the best remaining at every position? Are there still good players at certain positions to be had? Of course some positions have stronger players remaining than others, but that’s how free agency works. Plenty of offensive and defensive linemen were off the board quickly this offseason as teams heavily invested in the trenches.
These are the best free agents remaining at every position:
Quarterback
Even after coming off the worst season of his Hall of Fame career, the 41-year-old Rodgers is the best quarterback available. Rodgers is playing a holding game with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants before making a decision — which could be holding up the quarterback market. The Minnesota Vikings are proceding to go forward with J.J. McCarthy, so they may not be an option.
Rodgers had his lowest completion rate (63.0%) since 2019 and the lowest passer rating (90.5) in a full season in his career. He threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
Running back
Dobbins responded from his Achilles injury in a major way last season, rushing for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The 26-year-old Dobbins has played in just 22 of a possible 68 games over the past four seasons, yet is still incredibly productive when he’s on the field. Since the Los Angeles Chargers signed Najee Harris, it’s unlikely Dobbins returns to Los Angeles.
Wide receiver
Cooper has the best resume of the free agent wide receivers remaining. He has five Pro Bowl selections and is a four-time, 1,000-yard receiver yet had a career-low 44 catches for 547 yards at 30 years old. Cooper is a potential low-risk, high-reward signing despite having just 20 catches for 297 yards in eight games with the Bills last season (14.9 yards per catch).
Last year was the first season Cooper didn’t have a 100-yard receiving game (he had five in 2023).
Tight end
The tight end market was thin this year, and Conklin is the best free agent available after the top players were off the board early. Conklin, 29, is a starter in the league — recording 449 yards receiving and four touchdowns last season while averaging 8.8 yards per catch. Conklin’s market will certainly be interesting as free agency continues.
Conklin had a recent free agent visit with the Chargers.
Offensive tackle
A good offensive lineman when healthy, Noteboom played just four games last season due to an ankle injury. Injuries have gotten the better of Noteboom in his career, from a torn ACL and MCL to a calf injury followed by a torn Achillies. Noteboom allowed a pressure rate per dropback of 10.1% in his games, but he also wasn’t fully healthy, either.
Noteboom can play both guard and tackle, but may be better inside at this stage in his career. Still just 29, a team will get a good lineman if Noteboom can stay on the field.
Offensive guard
Once one of the top guards in the league, Scherff is a free agent once again at the age of 33. Scherff didn’t allow a sack last season, and just 14 pressures while playing all 17 games. His pressure rate allowed per dropback was just 2.4% and just 2.1% over the last two seasons.
There are some good guards left, and Sctarget=”_blank” hreff is one of them.
Center
The longtime Patriot has hit the free agent market. A starter at center for a decade (on two Super Bowl title teams), Andrews played just four games last season due to a shoulder injury. The 32-year-old Andrews allowed one sack and a pressure rate per dropback of 4.0% in his 187 snaps. Andrews should garner interest since he is still a reliable starter, especially with his experience in the league.
Edge rusher
Still productive at the age of 32, Smith had nine sacks and 63 pressures for both the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions last season. Not only did Smith finish with a 15.9% pressure rate but that number went up to 17.8% in Detroit after the Lions acquired him. Smith has a 16.3% pressure rate over the past four seasons with 24.5 sacks. He’s good at getting to the quarterback.
Interior defensive lineman
The defensive tackle market has some solid players left, but the best ones were signed early and often. Fotu was a solid rotational player in Arizona before signing with the New York Jets and playing just two games.
A hamstring injury in training camp followed by a knee injury ruined Fotu’s season, but he still is only 26 and doesn’t have a lot of miles in him. Fotu visited the Raiders and is set to visit the Bills.
Off-ball linebacker
Kendricks didn’t sign until July last season, but is the best off-ball linebacker left. The Cowboys were a disaster in 2024, but Kendricks finished with 138 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions at the MIKE backer spot. Kendricks can play both off-ball linebacker positions, which is valuable for defenses. There should be an opportunity for him in 2025 if he wants it.
Cornerback
A veteran who’s been with several teams, Douglas is one of the underrated cover corners in the league. Last year was a weird year for Douglas, as opposing quarterbacks targeting him had a 90.6 passer rating — a year in which Douglas had zero interceptions in 15 games. Douglas has allowed just a 58.2 passer rating in coverage over the past four seasons with 14 interceptions. He’s a strong veteran for any roster at this stage of his career.
Safety
Crazy at it seems, Williams is still only 28 years old. Last season was a disaster, as he failed to record an interception and allowed a 115.6 passer rating when targeted as the primary defender in coverage in 11 games. Teams could get a good player in Williams with the right scheme. Williams did allow just a 52.0 passer rating in coverage over his first six seasons.
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Author: Jeff Kerr
March 26, 2025 | 9:35 am
