NFL Free Agency 2025: Top 10 players still available ahead of mandatory minicamp feat. Odell Beckham Jr.

The last phase of the NFL's 2025 spring training is here: mandatory minicamp. And already there has been a late flurry of player moves. Aaron Rodgers has finally joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nick Chubb is linking up with former division rival Joe Mixon at Houston, and the Green Bay Packers have ended an era by releasing veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander.

But there are still a good number of players waiting to be salvaged out there, whether it be as dominators who can dictate the course of a game or support pieces who can provide a much-needed break when it matters the most. Here are 10 of the most valuable of that crop of free agents.

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Top 10 free agents ahead of 2025 NFL mandatory minicamp

10) K Zane Gonzalez

Washington Commanders v Dallas Cowboys - Source: Getty

Zane Gonzalez was among the unsung heroes of the Washington Commanders' 12-5 resurrection in 2024. Brought in to replace an injured Austin Seibert in November, he made five of his seven field goal attempts and was perfect on 19 extra points.

But the moment that eventually came to define him was a 37-yard buzzer-beater at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that gave the franchise its first playoff win since 2005. That is why it is a shame that he was ditched for Matt Gay just under two months after being extended.

One can excuse the Commanders' decision as a need to improve their Super Bowl prospects, but he deserves better.

9) OT Jedrick Wills

NFL: AUG 26 Browns at Chiefs - Source: Getty

Most of the offensive linemen still available are over 30 years of age, but then there is Jedrick Wills. He has been a very dependable starter for all but one of the 58 games he has played so far, though an MCL injury limited him to 13 games over the last two seasons.

8) WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Miami Dolphins v Buffalo Bills - Source: Getty

Odell Beckham Jr. has fallen off hard. When the Miami Dolphins signed him in 2024, he was thought by some to become the team's third primary passing target. Instead, he struggled with injuries and had career-worsts of nine receptions for 55 yards and zero touchdowns before leaving.

7) WR Amari Cooper

NFL: DEC 08 Bills at Rams - Source: Getty

Like OBJ, Amari Cooper hit career-worsts in the 2024 season. He started the season struggling to mesh with Deshaun Watson in Cleveland and had had only 24 catches for 250 yards and two touchdowns by the time he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in October.

He was only marginally better in Orchard Park, covering 297 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 20 catches. He was also largely invisible in the playoffs, with only 41 yards from six catches.

6) CB Rasul Douglas

NFL: DEC 08 Bills at Rams - Source: Getty

Speaking of the Bills, it is quite surprising that they did not retain Rasul Douglas after he helped them return to the AFC Championship Game. After all, he, fellow cornerbacks Christian Benford and Taron Johnson, and safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin constituted one of the best secondaries in the league.

5) CB Jaire Alexander

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears - Source: Getty

Over his seven seasons in Green Bay, Jaire Alexander proved himself to be arguably the best Packers corner since Charles Woodson. He was especially a man possessed when intercepting passes, covering as many yards as he could after stealing the ball.

However, injuries limited him to seven games each in 2023 and 2024. While he managed to recover well enough to play in the postseason in the former, he was not so fortunate in the latter, leading to his release. Now, Matt LaFleur, Jeff Hafley, and Ryan Downard are expected to move forward with Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, and Keisean Nixon.

4) DE Za'Darius Smith

Buffalo Bills v Detroit Lions - Source: Getty

Za'Darius Smith had a rather good 2024 season, having nine sacks combined with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. While Brad Holmes had traded for him mainly as a fill-in for a then-injured Aidan Hutchinson, one can only imagine the terror that these two would have spread on the field.

3) WR Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears v San Francisco 49ers - Source: Getty

Keenan Allen did reasonably well for the Chicago Bears in 2024, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and six touchdowns. While those are not obviously comparable to what he did during his prime as a Charger, he proved himself a bright spot for the NFC North's worst team.

2) CB Stephon Gilmore

San Francisco 49ers v Minnesota Vikings - Source: Getty

The Minnesota Vikings had low expectations entering the 2024 season. They had a rookie quarterback who would be unable to play because of a meniscal tear, and they had to field a presumed draft bust as a result.

But then they contended - thanks to a monstrous defense. Stephon Gilmore was among its linchpins, which may have helped to elevate his value even as he nears his late 30s.

1) RB JK Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers v Carolina Panthers - Source: Getty

JK Dobbins was not supposed to be a top-tier running back in 2024. He was locked in a competition with fellow ex-Raven Gus Edwards, who appeared to have the edge given Jim Harbaugh's love for the power run.

But then he exploded, making the most of his opportunities and ultimately accumulating over 1,000 scrimmage yards. And yet the entire league has been shockingly ignoring him, even those teams who could use an upgrade at his position.