The off-season is an important time for NFL teams. It’s when they can start planning their strategies for the next season, draft in the rookies who they hope will become the future mainstays of their teams and generally get their houses in order.
It’s also when plenty of free agents appear, floating around with the option of signing for a new franchise. While the very best are snapped up fairly quickly, plenty remain on the market.
There have been some good choices, and some not so good ones, in the past. But any of these ten could prove to be well worth snapping up.
Brandon Scherff
Even though he’s 34 now there may still be plenty left in the tank for Scherff. Last season he had a very respectable 93.8% pass block win rate for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the second highest of his decade-long career. He has managed to remain relatively injury free over the years – and let’s not forget that back in 2015 he was a top five pick in the draft.
Tyler Lockett
For many seasons Lockett has been a dependable, if unspectacular, part of the Seattle Seahawks set-up. But over the ten seasons he has played in at least 15 games a year. That said, his lightning speed of old may have dissipated slightly although he can still move round the field effectively enough to make himself available to the QB.
Mike Hilton
If you’re looking for a player who’s going to hang on in there and could even improve a team’s odds in the sports betting, you’ve found him in Mike Hilton. He’s a cornerback who always carries himself with a real sense of urgency. So while he may not be the biggest on the field, he’s always one of the hardest working. Last season he made 12 tackles for loss and eight pressures while his career record is 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass break-ups.
Kyzir White
Linebackers who may be slightly past their prime aren’t always top of the shopping list but Kyzir White should be an exception. He’s long been an unsung hero for the Arizona Cardinals where coach Jonathan Gannon has certainly brought out the best in him after their relationship started back with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season saw him notching up nine tackles and 2.5 sacks, more than enough to catch the eye of a prospective new coach.
J K Dobbins
With stats like 27 carries of ten yards or more and a 2024 season that saw him achieving 907 rushing yards Dobbins looks like a free agent who won’t be free for very long. The one question hanging over him is how long he can go without injury striking him down. His 2023 season started with a torn achilles and since then a knee problem sidelined him for four games. But when he’s fit he’s explosive, it’s just a question staying that way.
Rasul Douglas
Over his career Douglas has put in the hard yards for both the Green Bay Packers and his current team, the Buffalo Bills. He’s never been the fastest cornerback in the sport and 2024 saw him slowing down still further. But his skills as a major disrupter remain as many pass catchers have discovered to their cost. So there’s definitely a role for him as a perimeter player in a team.
Justin Simmons
In many ways Simmons typifies the journeyman player. He’s solid without ever being spectacular and that’s just how he’s spent his time with the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll be hoping to revive the sort of playing standard that has seen him making multiple interceptions over his nine-season career to date.
Asante Samuel Jr.
Here’s another free agent who might be wishing he had a better medical history. He was only good for four games last season thanks to a shoulder injury. But when he’s fit he’s fast and got great game awareness. He’s also hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps as a playmaker who makes a difference.
Amari Cooper
His stats alone make Cooper well worthy of consideration. Last season he caught 44 passes for 547 yards and made four touchdowns. He’s also made over the 1000-yard receiving mark in seven of his nine seasons.
Aaron Rodgers
He might never make MVP again and he has undoubtedly had a turbulent couple of seasons at the New York Jets. But once a great QB, always one worth watching. He might not even want to play, he is 42, after all. If he does, there are sure to be several teams who would be proud to have him on the roster.
So there they are. Ten great free agents – and as to where they could be heading we’ll just have to wait and see.
