It’s not too early to start thinking about next year.
After all, there are only four teams left standing in the NFL. The other 28 clubs are already thinking about the 2025 season.
Even with Super Bowl 59 in the way, one of the most NFL’s most exciting periods is around the corner: free agency. The NFL’s legal tampering period starts March 10, and the new league year kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.
There are several big-name free agents and impact players available that can help teams make the conference championship next year. Tee Higgins, Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Keenan Allen are among some of the most intriguing names that may hit the open market.
There are a lot of others who could start or provide depth for needy NFL rosters in just a few months. USA TODAY Sports ranks the top 25 free agents entering the 2025 season.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
NFL free agency: Top 25 players, ranked
1. Tee Higgins, wide receiver (2024 team: Bengals)
Higgins would be a No. 1 wide receiver on most teams outside of Cincinnati. He’s an X receiver with good hands and a nice catch radius. He’s 26 years old, so he’s likely just entering his prime.
2. Trey Smith, guard (2024 team: Chiefs)
One of the best guards in the NFL, Smith had a 75% run block win rate during the regular season, via ESPN. Smith didn’t allow a sack in the regular season in 1,115 snaps.
3.Chris Godwin, wide receiver (2024 team: Buccaneers)
Godwin was one of the leading receivers in the NFL before he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 7. Godwin’s produced four 1,000-yard seasons. He can be a No. 1 wideout or a high-end No. 2 option. He’ll be 29 years old when next season kicks off.
4. Jevon Holland, safety (2024 team: Dolphins)
Holland has a lot of range as a safety and is an anchor in the defensive backfield. He had somewhat of a down year in 2024 but many players wearing a Dolphins uniform did. The safety has 301 tackles, 25 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and five interceptions in 60 career regular-season games.
5. D.J. Reed, cornerback (2024 team: Jets)
Reed allowed a 57% completion percentage and two touchdowns when targeted this season. At 5-9 he’s a little undersized but has good coverage skills.
6. Ronnie Stanley, tackle (2024 team: Ravens)
Stanley is the top left tackle on the open market. He allowed two sacks and 35 pressures in 1,062 snaps at left tackle. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2019. He’s battled injuries in recent years, but started every game for Baltimore this year.
7. Stefon Diggs, wide receiver (2024 team: Texans)
Diggs’ first year in Houston was cut short because of a torn ACL. He had 47 catches, 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns in eight games. He’s primarily been a No. 1 receiver but could be better suited as a No. 2 receiver at this point of his career.
8. Khalil Mack, edge (2024 team: Chargers)
Mack told reporters that he’s contemplating retirement. The only reason he falls at No. 8 is because he turns 34 years old in February. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still a disruptive edge rusher. The nine-time Pro Bowler has been the Chargers’ best and most consistent pass rusher since his arrival in 2022.
9. Amari Cooper, wide receiver (2024 team: Bills)
The Browns traded Cooper to Buffalo in October. He hasn’t really established a connection on the field with Josh Allen. He had 20 catches, 297 receiving yards and two touchdowns in eight games with the Bills. He only has two catches for eight yards in Buffalo’s first two playoff games. He’s still a very good route runner despite being unproductive in Buffalo.
10. Zack Baun, linebacker (2024 team: Eagles)
Is Baun’s breakout 2024 season a blip or a trend? Baun enjoyed a career-best 151 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2024. His performance awarded him his first ever Pro Bowl honor and he was named a first-team All-Pro. He had never had a year with above 30 tackles prior to this year. His next contract will likely be based off he upward trajectory in the aftermath of a banner year.
11. Sam Darnold, quarterback (2024 team: Vikings)
Sam Darnold posted career-highs in every major statistical quarterback category, including yards (4,319), touchdowns (35) and passer rating (102.5). However, he reverted back to his journeyman QB form in his final two games of the season. He had season-lows in completion percentage and passing yards in Week 18 and his first playoff game was a disaster.
12. Josh Sweat, edge (2024 team: Eagles)
Sweat produced a team-high eight sacks and tallied 54 pressures during the regular season. The edge rusher will turn 28 years old in March. He could climb up this list if he finishes the postseason strong.
13. Haason Reddick, edge (2024 team: Jets)
Unfortunately for Reddick, the most news he made during the season was because of his lengthy holdout. Reddick’s holdout didn’t result in an extension. Reddick made the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons in Philadelphia before he was traded to New York. He had his streak of four straight seasons of at least 11 sacks snapped this year.
14. Nick Bolton, linebacker (2024 team: Chiefs)
Bolton wears the green dot for the Chiefs defense. The inside linebacker logged a team-best 106 tackles during the regular season. He’s registered at least 100 tackles in three of the last four seasons.
15. Justin Reid, safety (2024 team: Chiefs)
Reid is an anchor in the defensive backfield for the Chiefs. He led the team in tackles in 2023. He’s a reliable safety and a sure tackler. He’s tallied over 80 tackles in all three seasons in Kansas City.
16. Talanoa Hufanga, safety (2024 team: 49ers)
Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in 2023 and battled injuries this year. He’s a playmaker at safety when healthy. In 2022, he was named first-team All-Pro after tallying a career-best 97 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks.
17. DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver (2024 team: Chiefs)
Hopkins turned into Kansas City’s top wide receiver in 10 regular-season games. If Hopkins wasn’t 32 years old, he’d be much higher on this list. He’s not the prolific receiver he once was but is still a productive X receiver with sure hands.
18. Charvarius Ward, cornerback (2024 team: 49ers)
Ward was a 2023 Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro. He had his worst year in three seasons with the 49ers, but it was a down year all around in San Francisco. The 28-year-old corner allowed a 61% completion percentage and five touchdowns in 2024.
19. Cam Robinson, tackle (2024 team: Vikings)
The Vikings traded for Robinson to help stabilize their left tackle position after Christian Darrisaw went down. Robinson filled in nicely in Minnesota. He started in 10 games for the Vikings. At 29 years old, he still has plenty of productive years left.
20. Aaron Jones, running back (2024 team: Vikings)
Jones produced a career-high 1,138 rushing yards in his first season in Minnesota. He also added 51 catches for 408 yards. The 30-year-old running back still has plenty left in the tank.
21. Keenan Allen, wide receiver (2024 team: Bears)
Allen’s numbers declined after a career 2023 year with the Chargers. Allen will be 33 years old at the start of next season. Is he on the decline or was his 2024 performance a byproduct of a rookie quarterback in Chicago? The answer is probably a combination of both. But he’s still a savvy route runner.
22. Byron Murphy, cornerback (2024 team: Vikings)
Murphy registered career-bests in tackles (81) and interceptions (6). His interceptions were tied for third most in the NFL this season. His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl invitation.
23. Carlton Davis, cornerback (2024 team: Lions)
Davis could be a No. 1 corner on a lot of teams. Unfortunately for the Lions, Davis was part of the slew of defensive injuries Detroit endured. He ended the year on injured reserve due to a fractured jaw. He started in 13 games for Detroit and allowed a 55% completion percentage.
24. Drew Dalman, center (2024 team: Falcons)
Dalman allowed two sacks and 10 pressures in 554 snaps at center. He missed time because of an ankle injury but finished the year with six straight starts.
25. Russell Wilson, quarterback (2024 team: Steelers)
Wilson helped the Steelers get into the playoffs, but the team’s passing offense never really got going. Wilson averaged 225 passing yards per game. He still throws a pretty deep ball but has a propensity to turn down intermediate passes. Wilson can still be a capable starter in the right situation.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.