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The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, but the NFL offseason is far from over.
Dozens of NFL veteran free agents still remain unsigned as the calendar flips to May. After the conclusion of the draft, team needs have become even clearer, and free agents will find their opportunities filling the roster holes that remain.
Among the top free agents still on the market is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom the New York Jets released shortly after the start of the new league year last month. Most signs point to Rodgers playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers after other quarterback-needy teams addressed the position early in the draft, though the veteran has said retirement is still an option.
Outside of Rodgers, there are plenty of other quality free agents at valuable positions – wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback – still searching for their next team. Those quality free agents are expected to sign new deals in the coming weeks in the aftermath of the NFL draft.
Here are 10 of the best players available:
AARON RODGERS: Veteran QB details Jets exit, frustrating meeting with Aaron Glenn, Darren Mougey
Here's how the top remaining NFL free agents rank, according to USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon:
Last season was a down year for Cooper in terms of his production. The 30-year-old receiver struggled to get going amid shaky quarterback play in Cleveland, and after the Browns traded him to Buffalo, he couldn't cement a role in his new offense. Given that he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five of his six seasons prior, there's reason to believe he's still got more in the tank, even if it's not as a No. 1 option.
Rodgers is still on the market, even after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Most of the momentum seems to be behind a possible deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he has said retirement is also on the table. He had 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 63% completion rate in 2024 and will celebrate his 42nd birthday in December.
There were signs of a decline from Allen in his age-32 season, but some of that could be attributed to the difficulties of catching passes from a rookie quarterback. He still caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, so there's definitely something there for teams seeking a secondary or tertiary pass-catching option and a veteran presence in the locker room.
Any possibility of a reunion with Los Angeles was put in doubt with the team's signing of Najee Harris in free agency, then completely crushed when the Chargers drafted North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of this year's draft. Still, Dobbins' 905 rushing yards in 2024 were a career-high, and his nine touchdowns matched his single-season best from his 2020 rookie season. The former Charger is an effective rusher, but injuries are a concern with multiple lower-body issues.
Simmons had just put together three straight years of second-team All-Pro recognition when he hit free agency last offseason. He has 32 career interceptions (including two last year) and could fit in nicely alongside a younger safety on a team that needs help in its defensive backfield.
POST-DRAFT ANALYSIS: Five NFL teams that still have major roster holes after 2025 draft
Blackmon has been a stalwart defender in the Indianapolis secondary for the last five years. Coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles, he enters free agency at 27 years old and is still waiting to cash in with his recent production.
Samuel racked up two interceptions in each of his first three years to go with 10+ passes defensed every year. But in 2024, the former second-round pick played just four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
Teams looking for a consistent tackler at linebacker need look no further than White, who surpassed 110 tackles in three of his last four seasons. In 2024, White had 137 tackles and set a new career-high with 2.5 sacks, adding an interception and fumble recovery for good measure.
Any worries that Smith was slowing down at this point in his career after a 5.5-sack 2023 were quelled with the 9.0 sacks he had between two teams in 2024. He'll turn 33 right around Week 1 of the 2025 season, but there's gas left in the tank for the edge rusher, even if it's in a diminished role.
Douglas had something of a "down year" in 2024. After three straight seasons with at least four interceptions, Douglas came away with zero last year. He's still physical in coverage and a willing tackler against the run, so teams needing cornerback help should be willing to bet on a bounce back in 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best NFL free agents remaining after NFL draft: Rodgers, Cooper lead
Continue reading...
Dozens of NFL veteran free agents still remain unsigned as the calendar flips to May. After the conclusion of the draft, team needs have become even clearer, and free agents will find their opportunities filling the roster holes that remain.
Among the top free agents still on the market is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whom the New York Jets released shortly after the start of the new league year last month. Most signs point to Rodgers playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers after other quarterback-needy teams addressed the position early in the draft, though the veteran has said retirement is still an option.
Outside of Rodgers, there are plenty of other quality free agents at valuable positions – wide receiver, edge rusher, cornerback – still searching for their next team. Those quality free agents are expected to sign new deals in the coming weeks in the aftermath of the NFL draft.
Here are 10 of the best players available:
AARON RODGERS: Veteran QB details Jets exit, frustrating meeting with Aaron Glenn, Darren Mougey
Top 10 NFL free agents still available
Here's how the top remaining NFL free agents rank, according to USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon:
1. Amari Cooper, wide receiver (2024 teams: Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills)
Last season was a down year for Cooper in terms of his production. The 30-year-old receiver struggled to get going amid shaky quarterback play in Cleveland, and after the Browns traded him to Buffalo, he couldn't cement a role in his new offense. Given that he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in five of his six seasons prior, there's reason to believe he's still got more in the tank, even if it's not as a No. 1 option.
2. Aaron Rodgers, quarterback (2024 team: New York Jets)
Rodgers is still on the market, even after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Most of the momentum seems to be behind a possible deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he has said retirement is also on the table. He had 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 63% completion rate in 2024 and will celebrate his 42nd birthday in December.
3. Keenan Allen, wide receiver (2024 team: Chicago Bears)
There were signs of a decline from Allen in his age-32 season, but some of that could be attributed to the difficulties of catching passes from a rookie quarterback. He still caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, so there's definitely something there for teams seeking a secondary or tertiary pass-catching option and a veteran presence in the locker room.
4. J.K. Dobbins, running back (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Any possibility of a reunion with Los Angeles was put in doubt with the team's signing of Najee Harris in free agency, then completely crushed when the Chargers drafted North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of this year's draft. Still, Dobbins' 905 rushing yards in 2024 were a career-high, and his nine touchdowns matched his single-season best from his 2020 rookie season. The former Charger is an effective rusher, but injuries are a concern with multiple lower-body issues.
5. Justin Simmons, safety (2024 team: Atlanta Falcons)
Simmons had just put together three straight years of second-team All-Pro recognition when he hit free agency last offseason. He has 32 career interceptions (including two last year) and could fit in nicely alongside a younger safety on a team that needs help in its defensive backfield.
POST-DRAFT ANALYSIS: Five NFL teams that still have major roster holes after 2025 draft
6. Julian Blackmon, safety (2024 team: Indianapolis Colts)
Blackmon has been a stalwart defender in the Indianapolis secondary for the last five years. Coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles, he enters free agency at 27 years old and is still waiting to cash in with his recent production.
7. Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback (2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers)
Samuel racked up two interceptions in each of his first three years to go with 10+ passes defensed every year. But in 2024, the former second-round pick played just four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
8. Kyzir White, linebacker (2024 team: Arizona Cardinals)
Teams looking for a consistent tackler at linebacker need look no further than White, who surpassed 110 tackles in three of his last four seasons. In 2024, White had 137 tackles and set a new career-high with 2.5 sacks, adding an interception and fumble recovery for good measure.
9. Za'Darius Smith, edge rusher (2024 teams: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions)
Any worries that Smith was slowing down at this point in his career after a 5.5-sack 2023 were quelled with the 9.0 sacks he had between two teams in 2024. He'll turn 33 right around Week 1 of the 2025 season, but there's gas left in the tank for the edge rusher, even if it's in a diminished role.
10. Rasul Douglas, cornerback (2024 team: Buffalo Bills)
Douglas had something of a "down year" in 2024. After three straight seasons with at least four interceptions, Douglas came away with zero last year. He's still physical in coverage and a willing tackler against the run, so teams needing cornerback help should be willing to bet on a bounce back in 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best NFL free agents remaining after NFL draft: Rodgers, Cooper lead
Continue reading...
