NFL Analysis
12/11/24
6 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: Ideal Landing Spots for Top Cornerbacks
The 2025 free agent cornerback class is loaded with talent, and there are some ideal spots for each of the top players available at the position.
Last year's free agent class was the year of the running back. The 2025 class will include star wide receivers like Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin, and Stefon Diggs, but don't sleep on the cornerback group, which features some seasoned veterans who have excelled at shutting down WRs in recent years.
Let's take a look at the top cornerbacks in this FA class, along with the best fit for each of them.
Best Landing Spots for Top Free Agent CBs
Rasul Douglas, Buffalo Bills 
Rasul Douglas is one of the best stories in the NFL in recent years. He looked like a future star at the position after a strong start in Philadelphia but bounced around the league and on practice squads until the Green Bay Packers picked him up in the middle of the 2021 season.
That move revived Douglas' career, hauling in a career-high five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in just 12 games. He earned a long-term extension in Green Bay before being traded to the Buffalo Bills, where he's continued to have success.
Douglas is having a down year in 2024 but allowed just a 73.1 passer rating when targeted in 2023. He'll turn 30 years old in 2025 and could be near the tail end of his prime, but he could be a great veteran addition for a CB-needy team with some promising young talent in need of a mentor.
The Indianapolis Colts could be a great fit there. Jaylon Jones has emerged as a starting-caliber cornerback, while JuJu Brents will return after a season-ending injury this season. They're both young, however, and could use a player like Douglas, with his up-and-down career, to provide perspective and help them develop into long-term starters.
Best Fit: Indianapolis Colts
Kirk Cousins ➡️ Byron Murphy Jr. pic.twitter.com/N7hR52JQ7X
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) December 8, 2024
Byron Murphy, Minnesota Vikings
Along with being the best player in the league at celebrations this season, Byron Murphy is quickly becoming one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the league.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has helped Murphy have the best season of his six-year career. Along with a career-high six interceptions, he's allowed just two touchdowns when targeted for a career-best passer rating allowed of only 69.4.
Murphy could be looking at top-of-market cornerback money after such a dominant 2024 season. He'll likely need to go to a team with the cap space to afford him, a need for a No. 1-caliber cornerback, but also the culture to embrace the way he loves to play the game.
The Los Angeles Chargers have an emerging corner in Tarheeb Still, but he could have some pressure taken off of him if Jim Harbaugh and his staff wanted to take a swing on a free agent like Murphy. His play style feels like a great fit for what the Chargers are looking for to bolster their secondary this offseason.
Best Fit: Los Angeles Chargers
D.J. Reed, New York Jets
Sauce Gardner has been the star cornerback for the New York Jets, but D.J. Reed has been a reliable No. 2 cornerback for them during the last few seasons.
While he hasn't logged an interception this season, Reed has only allowed a single touchdown when targeted. In fact, throughout his seven-year career, Reed has never allowed more than two touchdowns in one season.
Because of the lack of turnovers, Reed may not be a top cornerback in free agency. However, a team could still give him solid money on a three- or four-year deal to get an established and reliable CB2.
The Green Bay Packers are severely lacking cornerback depth when Jaire Alexander isn't healthy. Eric Stokes doesn't look like a starting-caliber player, while Carrington Valentine is a former seventh-round pick trying to hold his own. The depth has become such an issue that Keisean Nixon has played outside despite primarily being a slot corner throughout his career.
Reed would be an instant depth piece for the Packers, but also a great CB2 pairing with Alexander. Combine that with a safety room that features a soon-to-be All-Pro in Xavier McKinney and two promising rookies, and suddenly, Green Bay has a loaded group of defensive backs.
Best Fit: Green Bay Packers
Dan Campbell says that he needs a takeaway and Carlton Davis delivers for the Lions defense! pic.twitter.com/gn7qpavIpH
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) November 11, 2024
Carlton Davis III, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions went all in this offseason by trading for Carlton Davis III in the final year of his deal. Now, the veteran cornerback will have the chance to help take the Lions to the Super Bowl while earning himself a big payday this offseason.
Davis has been a solid cornerback throughout his career. He has 11 interceptions, 84 pass breakups, 310 solo tackles, and four forced fumbles.
Despite the ball-hawking production, Davis can also get beat. His feast-or-famine play style has had him allow a 93.7 passer rating during his career, with 34 touchdowns allowed.
That feast-or-famine play style would fit best with a team that has safety help over the top, much like he's had in Detroit. The Rams have some solid safety play with Kamren Curl and Kamren Kinchens, with the potential to bring John Johnson III back. Plus, they still need a cornerback.
That, combined with a dominant young front seven to pressure quarterbacks, could make life a whole lot easier for Davis in 2025.
Best Fit: Los Angeles Rams
Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers
There isn't another cornerback in this free agent class who has Charvarius Ward's resume.
An undrafted success story, Ward has a Super Bowl ring along with first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2023. On top of being a good coverage corner with length, he's also a legitimate asset in the run game, generating 68 defensive stops during the last three seasons.
It's been a down year for Ward, but that's been the case for just about anyone on this year's San Francisco 49ers team. It's hard to hold that against Ward when there have been so many other issues with the team.
A fresh start with a new team will be a great opportunity for Ward, who is already ready to get paid on a long-term deal. The New England Patriots have more cap space than anyone, and although they could take Travis Hunter depending on their draft position, they could focus on building around Drake Maye through the draft and using their free agent money on the defense.
Pairing ascending young cornerback Christian Gonzalez with Ward could quickly address any concerns about cornerback while the front office focuses on building out elsewhere.
Best Fit: New England Patriots
