NFL free agency: Everything you need to know for 2025
Enjoy all the information you need to be prepared for the 2025 NFL free agency period.
Outside of the NFL Draft, there’s nothing quite like the excitement and chaos that comes with the league’s free agency period. It’s a whirlwind of breaking news and signings that sucks in just about everyone with a pulse who cares about this beautiful game.
Before the new league years arrives, you’ll want to make sure you’re up to speed on the basics regarding this year’s free agency period, the legal tampering window, and who the current top players are on the market. Luckily for you, we’ve got it all right here.
When does NFL free agency start?
Free agency begins the moment the NFL’s new league year begins on March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET. By that deadline, all 32 teams must be under the league’s official salary cap.
What is legal tampering in the NFL, and when does it start?
The legal tampering period for the NFL will begin on March 10th at 12:00 p.m. ET and run until March 12 at 4:00 p.m. ET. During this window, teams can begin legally communicating with free agents and commence discussions on contracts with their representatives. If both sides come to an agreement, they must wait until the start of the new league year to make it official.
Who are the top NFL players in this free agency class?
Here are our best remaining available players at every position:
- Quarterback: Sam Darnold
- Running Back: Najee Harris
- Fullback: Patrick Ricard
- Wide Receiver: Chris Godwin
- Tight End: Mike Gesicki
- Offensive Tackle: Ronnie Stanley
- Offensive Guard: Teven Jenkins
- Center: Drew Dalman
- Defensive Tackle: B.J. Hill
- Edge Rusher: Khalil Mack
- Linebacker: Zack Baun
- Cornerback: D.J. Reed
- Safety: Jevon Holland
- Kicker: Nick Folk
- Punter: Bryan Anger
My personal top 10:
- S Jevon Holland
- WR Chris Godwin
- EDGE Khalil Mack
- CB D.J. Reed
- EDGE Josh Sweat
- OT Ronnie Stanley
- QB Sam Darnold
- WR Amari Cooper
- LB Zack Baun
- EDGE Hassan Reddick
NFL free agency rankings for every position
We wrote up consensus rankings for free agents at every position. Check them out here!
Notable free agents who have received the franchise tag
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins ($26.2 million)
- Chiefs OG Trey Smith ($23.4 million)