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The 2024 NFL free-agency class had several talented running backs. It also included multiple big-name defensive linemen like Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins. However, the 2025 free-agency class could be even better.
Several franchise-tag players from this offseason could hit the open market next year, including Josh Allen, Tee Higgins, and Antoine Winfield Jr. However, they could sign long-term deals over the next few months. Meanwhile, the 2021 NFL Draft class had several elite players who will have their fifth-year option picked up late this offseason.
Those players include Trevor Lawrence, Ja'Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, Micah Parsons, and others. While they are technically free agents next year, they won’t be once their team picks up their fifth-year option. Let’s look at the top-10 non-franchise tagged or fifth-year option free agents in 2025, starting with five honorable mentions.
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Honorable Mentions
- DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
- Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
- Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans
- Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers
No. 10 – Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
While Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert signed record-breaking long-term deals, fellow top-10 pick Tagovailoa didn’t receive an extension last offseason. The former Alabama star stayed healthy in 2023 and had a career year. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) while setting a career-high in passing touchdowns (29).
Miami wants Tagovailoa to be its franchise quarterback for the next decade. Reportedly, the team and Tagovailoa plan to get a long-term deal this offseason. The only question is, what will the contract look like? Will he reset the quarterback market or receive a Daniel Jones-like deal?
Report:
Tua Tagovailoa plans to sign a long-term extension in the offseason with the Miami Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/fPIpym3KTz— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 3, 2024
No. 9 – A.J. Terrell, Atlanta Falcons
Most fans wouldn’t consider Terrell among the top handful of cornerbacks in the NFL. However, he had been a superstar for the Falcons over the past few years. He hasn’t had an interception since 2021. Yet, Terrell has had double-digit passes defensed in two of the past three seasons, including last year.
The veteran has allowed a 56% or lower completion rate in three consecutive seasons. However, Terrell uncharacteristically struggled with tackling in 2023. He had a 16.7% missed tackle rate, the worst of his career. Terrell will need to clean that up in a contract year to get paid among the top cornerbacks in the NFL.
No. 8 – Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
After his time with the Los Angeles Rams ended, many wrote off Goff. However, the former No. 1 overall pick restarted his career in Detroit. He led the Lions to a 12-5 record in 2023, their best since 1991. Furthermore, they won the NFC North division for the first time in franchise history, with Goff leading the way.
Yet, the quarterback isn’t among the NFL’s top passers. Detroit could explore other options at quarterback after the 2025 season, including last year’s third-round pick Hendon Hooker. However, Goff is perfect for the Lions. He executes the offense perfectly and is excellent at throwing off of play action.
No. 7 – Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk has a massive fan club among those in the fantasy football community. The star receiver averaged 3.27 yards per route run in 2023, the third highest in the NFL among players with at least 100 routes (per Fantasy Points Data). Furthermore, he set career highs in receiving yards (1,342), receptions per game (4.7), and catch rate (71.4%) last season.
The former Arizona State star’s name has been popular in the rumor mill lately. Many speculate that the 49ers could trade Aiyuk during the 2024 NFL Draft. San Francisco might not be able to keep him around long term with its current roster construction. While no deal is imminent, it could happen over the next few weeks.
Will Buffalo try to acquire Tee Higgins or Brandon Aiyuk? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Vc2vEGR8Z3
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 3, 2024
No. 6 – Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Many wondered if the Buccaneers would regret moving Wirfs from right tackle to left tackle last season. The team moved on from Donovan Smith and needed the former Iowa star to take over protecting Baker Mayfield’s blindside. However, Wirfs was up to the task.
Despite flipping to the other side of the offensive line for the first time since 2019 at Iowa, the veteran remained one of the top blockers in the NFL. Wirfs posted an 84.3 PFF pass-blocking grade. By comparison, he had an 81-90.5 PFF pass-blocking grade every other year of his career.
No. 5 – Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
When the Lions used a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on St. Brown, no one thought he would become a superstar. Yet, the former USC receiver has been one of the top wide receivers in the league since the second half of his rookie season. St. Brown has made back-to-back Pro Bowl teams.
Furthermore, the superstar was an AP first-team All-Pro selection in 2023. He had a career-high 1,515 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last year. St. Brown has been the focal point of Detroit’s passing attack, totaling 106 or more receptions and 146 or more targets in back-to-back seasons.
No. 4 – Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The NFL world was excited to see Love in his first season as the starting quarterback. He started on fire, totaling six passing touchdowns and zero interceptions over the first two weeks. While the former Utah State star had a rough patch, Love ended the year on fire.
There might not have been a better quarterback than Love over the final eight weeks of the regular season. He averaged 2.3 passing touchdowns per game during the team’s 6-2 stretch over the final eight weeks. The Packers want to get a long-term deal with Love at some point over the next few months.
The Packers are reportedly looking to offer Jordan Love a long-term deal worth between $35M-$50M per year 👀
Will he be as successful as the last first-time starting QB in Green Bay? pic.twitter.com/8v06Km7q2w
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 2, 2024
No. 3 – Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
While Prescott isn’t among the top quarterbacks in the NFL, he is a franchise-caliber starter. The veteran had only nine picks last season after leading the NFL with 15 interceptions in 2022. Meanwhile, he led the league in completions (410) and passing touchdowns (36) last year, setting career highs in both categories.
Reportedly, the Cowboys are in no rush to get a long-term deal done with Prescott. The star quarterback has a massive cap hit this year and a no-tag clause in his contract. Therefore, Dallas can’t use the franchise tag on him next offseason. After finishing second in the NFL MVP voting in 2023, Prescott has all the leverage in the world with the Cowboys.
No. 2 – CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott was outstanding last year because Lamb was the top wide receiver in the NFL. The former Oklahoma star broke out in his first season as the No. 1 wide receiver in 2022 after the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. However, Lamb took his game to another level last year.
The superstar set career highs in receptions (135), targets (181), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12). Furthermore, he led the NFL in receptions and was second in receiving yards. Dallas can use the franchise tag on Lamb next offseason if needed. However, expect the two sides to get a long-term deal done this offseason.
No. 1 – Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, Jefferson struggled with injuries in 2023. The superstar missed a game for the first time in his professional career. Yet, he had over 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive year despite missing seven games and leaving two others early because of injuries.
Some believe Jefferson won’t be in Minnesota after the upcoming season because of the quarterback situation. The Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in free agency, leaving Sam Darnold as the current starter for the upcoming season. Yet, the team will likely trade up for a quarterback during the 2024 NFL Draft. Reportedly, Minnesota is prepared to make Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The #Vikings #1 objective this offseason “by far” is signing star WR Justin Jefferson to a long-term deal, says @DWolfsonKSTP
Minnesota understands the reality that they may have to make Jefferson the highest paid non-QB in the #NFL.
(H/T: @vikingzfanpage) pic.twitter.com/ikLravqIJl
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 27, 2024
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