NFL Analysis
1/22/25
9 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Best Team FIts for Top Player at Each Position
The top free agents are going to get paid with massive contracts this offseason, but there are still ideal fits for both the player and the team to unlock their full potential.
Last year's running back class of free agents was a perfect example of players finding dream fits with teams. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs all thrived with changes in scenery, and the 2025 free agent class is hoping for similar landing spots.
There are intriguing players at the top of this free agent class, so let's break down what would be the best fit for the top free agent at each position.
Best Fits for Top Free Agents
Quarterback: Sam Darnold
Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings 
There isn't another place that Sam Darnold would rather play in 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell unlocked Darnold's full potential this season. He posted career-high numbers just about everywhere, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for a 102.5 passer rating.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97 YARD TUDDY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0PJs9mheCK
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
While Darnold may have struggled in the postseason, his ability to push the ball vertically and trust in the Vikings' top targets makes him such a great fit in O'Connell's system. The Vikings may not have to give Darnold top-of-market money to convince him to stay in Minnesota, at least for another year or two.
Running Back: Aaron Jones
Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys
Aaron Jones willingly took a one-year "prove it" deal with the Vikings last year to show he still had something left in the tank. That decision should pay off with a longer-term deal this offseason.
Jones rushed the ball 255 times for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns this past season, catching 51 passes for another 408 yards and two scores. He's 30 years old with a heavy workload during his career, but he could benefit by joining a rotation with a new team.
The Dallas Cowboys have a massive hole to fill at running back. They could sign Jones to a two- or three-year deal while drafting a Day 2 running back prospect to completely overhaul the position in 2025 and beyond.
Wide Receiver: Tee Higgins
Best Fit: New England Patriots
Tee Higgins has thrived playing second fiddle to Ja'Marr Chase, but the opportunity to be the No. 1 target could have him putting up All-Pro numbers in 2025.
There isn't a more logical fit for Higgins than the New England Patriots. On top of having a ton of money to spend in cap space, the Patriots also have an established young quarterback in Drake Maye, who is starving for a reliable No. 1 target to throw to when he needs to make a play.
Other teams will be heavily pursuing Higgins, but the fit in New England, while allowing them to focus on other positions in the draft, makes him and Maye such a fun QB-WR duo to think about.
Tight end: Juwan Johnson
Best Fit: Denver Broncos
Bo Nix is looking like the long-term answer at quarterback for the Denver Broncos. However, they need another safety blanket for the young QB besides No. 1 receiver Courtland Sutton.
Juwan Johnson brings an over-the-middle target for Nix. The 28-year-old has been a consistent option in the New Orleans Saints offense in the last few years, catching 18 touchdown passes during the last four seasons.
Juwan Johnson with the saucy Choice route win pic.twitter.com/xnYP8C3xUC
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 12, 2023
Johnson is on the smaller end as a 231-pound tight end but could be utilized in Sean Payton's offense to scheme open another pass-catching option for NIx.
Offensive Line: Trey Smith
Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs need to do whatever it takes to keep Trey Smith in the building.
The 25-year-old guard had his best year as a pro this past season. Despite all of the other issues on Kansas City's offensive line, Smith allowed zero sacks and 26 pressures in the regular season, his first time without allowing a sack in a season.
If the Chiefs want to keep being contenders, then they need to focus on protecting Patrick Mahomes by any means necessary. Smith has yet to reach the prime of his career as such a young offensive lineman but could be a franchise player for the Chiefs as long as they're willing to pay up for him.
Defensive Line: Milton Williams
Best Fit: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have a couple of issues up front defensively despite a strong year from defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. They finished 26th in pass rush win rate, and they are still looking for a breakout playmaker on their defensive line.
At the very least, Milton Williams could be a candidate to help with both of those issues. The former third-round pick was a menace in the trenches this year, generating five sacks and 46 pressures despite playing a rotational role for the Philadelphia Eagles.
That kind of rotational pass rusher up front could be a real value add for Green Bay's defense and could allow Williams to go into a situation where he can show off in a more expanded role.
EDGE: Khalil Mack
Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams
He may be 34 years old next season, but Khalil Mack continues to play at a level that will get him into the Hall of Fame one day. Mack finished the 2024 season with 52 pressures and six sacks while continuing to play at a high level against the run.
Khalil Mack exploding Zeke pic.twitter.com/g17xWRCcXd
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) December 5, 2023
While the Los Angeles Rams don't have a glaring need for another EDGE given their youth at the position, an aging mentor willing to take a short-term deal could help with the long-term development of players like Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young.
Meanwhile, he could stay fresh in a rotation instead of having to be leaned on heavily as a full-time starter at his age.
Linebacker: Zack Baun
Best Fit: Philadelphia Eagles
After years of trying to figure out his fit in the NFL, Zack Baun was unlocked by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Baun deservedly earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors after racking up 151 total tackles, five forced fumbles, and 3.5 sacks. He was everywhere on the field and has even stepped up in big moments in the postseason, including a crucial interception in the wild card against the Packers.
There will be plenty of teams wanting Baun's services, but why would he leave the best situation of his career? As long as Howie Roseman is willing to give Baun a fair contract, he could stay in Philadelphia and continue hauling in national accolades as the perfect linebacker fit for Fangio's defensive scheme.
Cornerback: D.J. Reed
Best Fit: Detroit Lions
Sauce Gardner may get all of the attention with the New York Jets, but D.J. Reed has been a solid starting cornerback in his own right.
While he didn't have any interceptions last season, he held quarterbacks to a 58.3 completion rate when targeting him in 2024. In fact, he hadn't allowed a completion percentage higher than 61.4 over the last four seasons.
Reed has real No. 1 lockdown potential, which makes him an ideal replacement for the Detroit Lions, who are losing Carlton Davis and Khalil Dorsey to free agency. They have the cap space to swing on a free agent somewhere, and Reed could be a great pairing with rookie Terrion Arnold for a one-two punch at the position.
Safety: Jevon Holland
Best Fit: Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins could be in line to shake up some things on their roster this offseason. However, keeping a talented young player like Jevon Holland in the building should still be an option despite his underwhelming season.
Holland had his worst year as a pro in 2024, recording career-low numbers in multiple categories with 62 tackles, four pass breakups, and zero interceptions. He had the worst missed tackle rate of his career at 17.1 percent and gave up a 111.3 passer rating when targeted.
That being said. Holland has proven in previous years that he can be a top-tier safety. He's only 24 years old and has made some crucial players for the Dolphins defense in previous years.
Instead of testing the free-agent market, Holland could take a short-term deal to stay in Miami to recoup some of his market value before testing free agency again in the near future.
