Sometimes you don’t catch the first wave.
Plenty of NFL players are experiencing that reality after the official start of free agency. Many players agreed to deals when the legal tampering period began at noon ET on Monday. By the time the new league year rolled around at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, countless players were putting pen to paper – or finger to tablet.
The best available players usually are off the board by this time, since the first wave is usually the most frantic.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality players still available looking for jobs in 2025. It’s at this stage of free agency that some bargains can be had, making for some interesting days and weeks ahead.
There will eventually be a sense of urgency with the draft approaching in April, however. For now, teams will try to round out their rosters without necessarily having to break the bank.
Here’s a look at where we predict the best of the rest might land:
NFL free agent predictions
These are the top 10 best-available free agents, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon and Jack McKessy:
1. Stefon Diggs, WR (2024 team: Texans)
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
It seemed like Diggs would return to Houston, but the Texans ended up having other ideas. Now, Diggs will almost certainly wear a new jersey next season, but the landing spots are starting to dry up. The Cowboys make perfect sense from a location standpoint, making the trek from Houston to Dallas, in addition to being the team where his brother, Trevon Diggs, plays. Dallas can’t go into the 2025 season without another receiving threat next to CeeDee Lamb.
Diggs shouldn’t be too pricey after the ACL injury that ended his season. The Cowboys should utilize some of that additional cap space to secure the position ahead of the draft.
2. Amari Cooper, WR (2024 teams: Browns, Bills)
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks
It’s unclear what exactly the Seahawks’ plan is this offseason. They traded away their 34-year-old quarterback, Geno Smith, to sign one that hasn’t performed well under pressure, Sam Darnold. They released Tyler Lockett and traded away DK Metcalf. At best, this is a team that resembles a construction site.
Every move they’ve made is just another indication of a team attempting a rebuild on the fly, which typically never works. Cooper might not be at the height of his powers, but he could fill a spot for the Seahawks before they potentially address the receiver issue more in the draft.
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB (2024 team: Jets)
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers or retirement
While the New York Giants are still rumored to be an option, this is beginning to feel like Pittsburgh-or-retirement for Rodgers if the Minnesota Vikings don’t come calling. The Steelers can offer Rodgers a chance to win in 2025.
While he’s notoriously someone that enjoys being in the spotlight, this offseason feels different.
Rodgers looked like someone playing his final NFL game in Week 18 for the Jets. He finished it off with a win and some good friends by his side. The last two years didn’t go according to plan and everything seems to point towards retirement being a real possibility. Remember, he was 90% retired before the famous darkness retreat. For a guy that has essentially seen and done it all at the NFL level, it wouldn’t be shocking if that was it.
The Steelers have the chance to potentially do something special thanks to their defense and the reinforcements coming on offense. Rodgers might be the final piece. If his heart isn’t into it, Canton, not Pittsburgh, will be the future Hall of Famer’s next stop.
4. Cam Robinson, OT (2024 teams: Jaguars, Vikings)
Prediction: Houston Texans
The Texans aren’t armed with enough cap space to make a move like this at the moment, but restructures can free up some spending power. They have been wheeling-and-dealing all week long, notably trading away Laremy Tunsil to Washington. Robinson likely won’t cost as much and the Texans are in desperate need of some help along the offensive line. It wasn’t good enough last year and trading their best player on the line won’t help fix the problem. Keeping C.J. Stroud on his feet should be priority No. 1 and maneuvering the salary cap to fit Robinson could help begin to fix that issue.
5. Keenan Allen, WR (2024 team: Bears)
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers entered the offseason with a need at receiver and they’ve done just about nothing to address it. Los Angeles went from being talked about as a landing spot for Metcalf and Tee Higgins to bringing back Mike Williams, who the Chargers cut last offseason. With the well running dry, why not bring back another former Chargers star?
Allen didn’t have the best season in his first away from the Bolts, experiencing life on a bad Chicago Bears team that featured a rookie quarterback. He still proved to be mostly reliable when called upon, but could help solidify a receiver room that desperately needs more than just Ladd McConkey and Williams.
6. Russell Wilson, QB (2024 team: Steelers)
Prediction: New York Giants
Assuming Rodgers goes to the Steelers, Wilson would almost certainly end up playing for ‘Big Blue’ in 2025. Options are no longer aplenty for the 36-year-old quarterback, who isn’t the star he once was. It was a fairly pedestrian season for Wilson with the Steelers, who might end up bringing him back if Rodgers heads elsewhere.
‘Mr. Unlimited’ is now anything but, meaning Wilson is now at the mercy of the open market. If it’s the Giants, New York could opt to pair him with a rookie quarterback while trying to compete for a playoff spot in 2025. The 13-year veteran will land somewhere, and the Giants might just be the leader in the clubhouse right now.
7. J.K. Dobbins, RB (2024 team: Chargers)
Prediction: Denver Broncos
The Broncos running game was abysmal in 2024, so it’s only up from here. Javonte Williams found a new home in Dallas, opening the door for a new running back to emerge in the Mile High City. Dobbins might not be the Alvin Kamara-type player that Sean Payton loves, but a signing like this could allow Denver to be flexible in the draft. Despite coming with plenty of injury concerns, Dobbins is still just 26 and proved to be a nice piece for the Chargers last season.
8. Justin Simmons, S (2024 team: Falcons)
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles find themselves potentially in the safety market after dealing away C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Simmons profiles as a perfect fit. Already with experience playing under Vic Fangio, Simmons is the type of safety that could slot right in and not miss a beat for the defending champions. Better yet, he shouldn’t be costly and wouldn’t prevent the Eagles from drafting another player at the position in April.
9. Julian Blackmon, S (2024 team: Colts)
Prediction: Washington Commanders
The safety carousel continues to spin, as Tre’von Moehrig departed Vegas for Carolina and Jeremy Chinn departed Washington for Vegas. That leaves a safety opening in Dan Quinn’s defense, a position he is always looking to add to. Blackmon played through a shoulder injury last season, forcing him to change positions. With an offseason to heal, the safety figures to be a versatile option who should boost whatever defense gets to pencil his name in. Given the need for the Commanders and their desire to spend, this feels like a great match.
10. Teven Jenkins, OL (2024 team: Bears)
Prediction: New England Patriots
Speaking of teams that aren’t shy with the checkbook this offseason, the Patriots are certainly in position to keep adding to their roster. With an offensive line in need of upgrades, expect New England to dive into the market for someone like Jenkins, who has played both tackle and guard at the pro level. While he moved off tackle after some notable struggles, every team has their own vision for each player and that versatility could be of significant interest to the Patriots. Jenkins is only 27 and could become a key piece to protect Drake Maye in his second season and beyond.
Honorable mention. Cooper Kupp, WR (2024 team: Rams)
Prediction: New England Patriots
Kupp didn’t crack the top-10 list, but he is still a notable name in NFL circles. A Super Bowl MVP, Kupp has been a solid contributor for the Rams through the years. However, Father Time has caught up to Kupp and so did the injury bug. He hasn’t played a full season since posting a dominant campaign in 2021 and could be costly given those previous accolades. Regardless, the Patriots are in need of a receiver. With no great options on the market, Kupp is a great fit in New England. A quarterback-friendly receiver could be exactly what Maye needs in 2025.