NFL Analysis
1/30/25
7 min read
2025 NFL Free Agency: 5 Free Agents Who Could Shake-Up The NFL Next Season
The 2024 free agent class was one of the best in recent years, as players like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Zack Baun all had career years with their respective teams. While the 2025 free agent class doesn’t have the high-end talent of last year’s group, there are still some quality players that could make some noise in 2025. Here are five underrated free agents who could shake up the NFL next year and some optimal team fits:
Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Dallas Cowboys
You might not be impressed by the raw, counting stats from Osa Odighizuwa. Since being drafted in the third round by the Cowboys, he has not missed a single game due to injury. He’s started 63 games for Dallas but has only racked up 13.5 sacks in four seasons.
However, the more you watch, the easier it is to be impressed by Odighizuwa. According to Pro Football Reference, Odighizuwa led all defensive tackles in quarterback hits with 23, three more than Cam Heyward and Chris Jones, who were first-team All-Pro selections.
Odighizwua is a smaller defensive tackle, but his ability to create pressure and stay on the field will make him one of the most sought-after free agents in this cycle. And yet, most people probably have never even heard of him before. Look for Odighizuwa to land on a team that prioritizes pass rush from the defensive tackle spot and doesn’t mind smaller defensive tackles.
Optimal Team Fits: Bengals, Chargers, Colts
Tre’Von Moehrig, S, Las Vegas Raiders
Xavier McKinney and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson are just two of the many safeties that switched teams last offseason and went on to have success in 2024. While Tre’Von Moehrig isn’t quite of the same caliber of player, he could be a valuable addition to any secondary looking to add more versatility.
Moehrig was primarily a deep safety for the Raiders in the first two years of his career. But under Patrick Graham, they started to move him closer to the line of scrimmage and it resulted in more splash plays. Moehrig had a career-high 10 pass deflections and 104 tackles for the Raiders last season, as he was the most reliable player in their secondary.
Over the last two seasons, he’s racked up 187 tackles, five interceptions, and three sacks. He’s an ascending player who has started 64 games in the NFL but doesn’t turn 26 until the summer. We've seen him play against a bunch of great quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the division, and he routinely makes big-time plays in those contests.
Safeties usually don’t break the bank in free agency, and Moehrig won’t be the exception. But for teams looking to get better and more versatile in the secondary, Moehrig could be an awesome value in March. Expect him to be even better on his second contract.
Optimal Fits: Bills, Ravens, Broncos
Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
The big prize at the wide receiver position in free agency is, of course, Tee Higgins. The Bengals would be foolish to let him test the market, but that’s a topic for another day. After Higgins, there is a long list of veteran receivers who are looking to sign more significant deals. That list includes DeAndre Hopkins, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Chris Godwin, etc. While all those players were stars a few years ago, they are past their prime and are bigger names than players right now.
But one receiver who could outproduce his next contract is Darius Slayton, who has been stuck in New York over the last few years. Slayton was the third receiver with the Giants last year, earning just 71 targets behind Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Despite below-average quarterback play for most of his career, Slayton has averaged a whopping 15.0 yards per reception. Since 2019, only two receivers have averaged more yards per catch than Slayton on at least 200 receptions (A.J. Brown, Mike Williams). He is one of the better deep threats in the league and could be set for a nice payday this offseason.
We saw Darnell Mooney make a big impact for the Falcons last season as a true No. 2 receiver and Slayton could post similar numbers in 2025. Look for him to join a squad with a proven quarterback and No. 1 receiver this offseason.
Optimal Fits: Cowboys, Texans, Chargers, Commanders
Nate Hobbs, CB, Las Vegas Raiders
Another secondary player from the Raiders makes the list, and that defender is Nate Hobbs. Drafted on Day 3 by Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock, Hobbs has been a very good player during his time in the NFL. Hobbs started nine games as a rookie but played 76 percent of the defensive snaps. That number rose to 91 percent the following season, and he’s played over 2,800 defensive snaps in the last four seasons.
Injuries have started to pile up for Hobbs, as he’s missed time in each of the past three seasons. But when he is healthy, he is one of the league’s top slot cornerbacks. The Raiders were forced to move him to the outside due to injuries and lack of talent, but his best play comes from the slot, where he can be a force in the run game.
Hobbs is a physical cornerback who doesn’t shy away from contact. He has 200 solo tackles in his career to go along with 14 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Hobbs has fantastic size for a slot defender (6-1, 195 pounds) and can do a lot of different things for the right defense. Teams searching for versatility and physicality in their secondary will be like Hobbs.
Expect him to get a modest deal in free agency, especially considering he is only 25. But don’t be surprised if he is even better on his next team when surrounded by more talent.
Optimal Fits: Steelers, Rams, Broncos, Packers
Chauncey Golston, DE, Dallas Cowboys
Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler left the Cowboys in free agency last year, signing deals with the Washington Commanders. Together, they combined for 15.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits. Both players were outstanding and provided lots of value for Washington because Dallas couldn’t afford to keep them.
That could play out again this year with the aforementioned Osa Odigihziuwa and now Chauncey Golston. The latter was drafted in the third round by the Cowboys during the 2021 draft but didn’t become a full-time player until 2024. Golston played just 960 total defensive snaps over the first three years of his career, but he started 13 games in 2024 and played over 70 percent of the defensive snaps for Dallas.
Golston is a long defensive end that is known of his power and ability to move all around the defensive line. While he is improving as a run defender, he made significant leaps as a pass rusher in 2024. He finished the year with 5.5 sacks and was someone who improved nearly every week. He’s just now learning how to play within his frame (6-5, 270) and could be a steal for his next team.
Teams searching for long-armed defensive ends who can kick inside on pass-rushing downs should be interested in Golston. His best football is still ahead of him, and he is a four-down player after playing over 600 career snaps on special teams. He’s never going to lead the NFL in sacks, but he could be a really strong No. 2 EDGE rusher on the right team.
Optimal Fits: Falcons, Lions, Patriots
