Free agency is a very exciting time of year for one obvious reason: It's a major opportunity for teams to upgrade multiple positions, whether it be an All-Pro player or an up-and-comer that's ready to breakout after steady improvement.

The latter scenario, along with under-the-radar names that have quietly excelled, is the preferred route when it comes to sustainable additions. Sure, adding the established, big name is always exciting, but a lot of times the best additions are the ones that provide the most value. 

With that, we decided to put together a list of the most valuable free agent at each position heading into this year's edition. Each player selected features a blend of youth, potential, production, and projected price tag. Among other traits, of course.

So, which guy represents the best bang for each team's buck? Let's dive in and take a look.

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Quarterback

Justin Fields' free agency prospects could pull him from the Steelers

Fields is free agency's best QB value for two main reasons. For starters, he's projected to receive a deal within the range of $6.4-$8.5 million, which is a steal, even for an experienced backup. Gardner Minshew signed a $12.5 million per year deal during the 2024 offseason and he's far less talented than Fields. He also had 37 career starts compared to Fields' 38 coming into the 2024 season and was benched later in the year. Sure, Fields was replaced by Russell Wilson, but that was strictly a result of design, not performance. Meaning, the above price range, or even Pro Football Focus' projection of $11 million per year, is a value that's nearly impossible to pass up.

Fields is as dynamic as they come and will only be 26-years-old when the 2025 season starts. Starting potential remains, as well, which is rare for a QB prospect mostly projected to make less than $10 million per year and that's why he's on this list.

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Running back

J.K. Dobbins' resurgence with the Chargers rebuilt his value

After three consecutive seasons handling severe injuries when he was with the Baltimore Ravens, J.K. Dobbins had a renaissance year with the Chargers. While he still had to overcome a knee injury and missed four games, Dobbins finished the season with 195 carries, 32 receptions, 1,058 scrimmage yards, and nine touchdowns.

While Aaron Jones is still probably the better player, Dobbins is younger and offers more long-term potential and upside.

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Wide receiver

Darius Slayton can finally reach his true potential by leaving the dysfunctional Giants offense

Slayton is one of the NFL's most explosive, yet underrated, wideouts. He's managed to produce some OK numbers despite some very poor surrounding circumstances, but is still in his prime at 28-years-old and hasn't taken a step back in terms of skillset.

If (or when) he joins a team with even just an average quarterback and a good offense, at minimum, he'll finally be able to showcase his talents in full. Largely expected to earn less than $10 million per year, his ability to break big plays at any moment makes him an even bigger value than he already is heading into 2025 free agency. 

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Tight end

Austin Hooper's reliability is his biggest weapon as an all-around piece

The tight end position is complicated. He has to pass block, run block, run routes, catch passes. Outside of a quarterback, no other offensive position demands a broader knowledge of the system. It's truly hard to be a competent all-around player. And this is the definition of Austin Hooper.

He's not exactly a great or explosive pass-catcher, but he does everything right. As the second tight end on the New England Patriots' depth chart, you would expect a low volume for Hooper on the Patriots. Yet, he was still able to have 45 catches for 476 yards, and three touchdowns.

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Tackle

Alaric Jackson is on track to be the best free agency value at any position

The top projections for Jackson have him making somewhere between $10-$16 million per year, whether it's with Los Angeles or somewhere else. Any number on either end or in-between those projections would place him at 26th-33rd among all tackles when it comes to annual average value (AAV).

That kind of price tag for a guy who was ranked as Pro Football Focus' 20th-best tackle among all tackles (both left and right), is clearly a great value for a player who is not only coming off the best season of his career, but is also entering his prime.

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Guard

Patrick Mekari's flexibility across the offensive line makes him a bargain in free agency

Patrick Mekari is a former undrafted player, and he is about to get his third NFL contract. Still, he's undervalued, underrated, and less known than he should be. All those factors make him the best value at guard in free agency this offseason—and probably one of the best values in the entire process. Throughout his NFL career, versatility and ability to play five positions (and act as the sixth offensive lineman sometimes) are his calling card. He had 672 snaps at LT, 832 at LG, 683 at C, 272 at RG, 1,206 at RT, and 37 as the sixth offensive lineman.

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Center

Drew Dalman’s run-blocking and steady growth are calling cards

Just like most of the Falcons' offensive line, he is a better run-blocker than pass-blocker. And in Arthur Smith's offensive system, that became obvious. In 2023, he had an elite season as a run-blocker, with a 90.0 PFF grade, while having a 53.0 pass block grade.

However, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson did a good job of putting Dalman in better positions as a pass-blocker in 2024, and he had his best season in that regard.

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Defensive end

Chauncey Golston's career year has him on track for a solid payday

The Cowboys defensive end saw his playing time double in 2024 due to injuries around him and he took full advantage of it, logging career-highs in sacks (5.5), QB hits (8), tackles for loss (5), and total tackles (56). He even picked off Jayden Daniels, which most NFL defense couldn't do.

Golston is a versatile defensive lineman who can provide quality snaps on the outside, as well as on the inside when he gets moved inward on obvious passing downs. He's entering his age-27 season and still has his best football ahead of him. He'd be a great chess piece and supplemental pass rusher for a defensive line needing a boost. The best part is he won't break the bank, either.

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EDGE 

Azeez Ojulari's raw production, youth, and market projection make him a worthwhile gamble

Ojulari is a tough player to figure out. He's had respectable sack totals in each of his first four years in the NFL, averaging eight sacks per 17 games played. However, he's played only one full season and the high sack total isn't backed up by more detailed pass rushing metrics, including pressure rate. Six sacks in 2024 tied him for 56th in the NFL, but his pass rush win rate ranked 96th, per PFF.

He finished the 2024 season with only 22 pressures, good for 81st in the NFL. His explosiveness is there, though, and playing on a better defense should help make that evident.

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Defensive tackle

Levi Onwuzurike's a disruptor that is entering his prime but his injury history makes him a valuable risk worth taking

It looked like Onwuzurike's football career was over at one point after he had spinal fusion surgery in 2022 and now, he's on the precipice of landing a life-changing contract.

That probably won't come in 2025, however, as he needs to add another fully healthy year to his resume. That's what makes Onwuzurike the most valuable defensive tackle, though. Getting this kind of player on a modest, one-year prove-it deal that includes incentives is a major bargain and if he has the same success this year, it will set him up for a life-changing payday in 2026. It's a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

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Off-ball linebacker

Tyrel Dodson provides a specific skillset that is very valuable in today's NFL and his price tag only makes things better

Dodson is good in coverage and he can get after the quarterback when needed. Those two traits are highly-valued in today's NFL, as offenses are throwing over the field more than ever and quarterbacks are as athletic as they've ever been.

Dodson is a burden in run defense, but his price tag will take that into account. The team that signs him should get him for under $6.5 million per year, which is a great price for what he provides.

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Cornerback

Paulson Adebo's highs with the Saints overcome injury concerns

Paulson Adebo has been one of the most unique players at his position in recent years. At his peak, he's played at a Pro Bowl level. At other times, he's been a liability due to penalties. There seemed to be very little in between for the cornerback. A great characteristic is that he had a knack for somehow coming up with an interception in clutch moments.

The cornerback played only seven games in 2024, but that's a freaky injury, more than a lingering issue, and the contract projection makes him an intriguing option.

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Safety

Andre Cisco is a ballhawk and it's made him free agency's best value at safety

Cisco had a down year in 2024, but so did the Jags, as a whole.

The soon-to-be fifth-year player logged seven interceptions and 15 pass deflections over the 2022-2023 seasons, ranking fourth and 10th among all safeties, respectively. He's clearly a ballhawk who can effectively roam centerfield and make plays – a necessity for defenses in today's NFL. 

Cisco should land anywhere in the $5.25-$9 million per year range, which isn't a lot of money for a guy with his potential. Betting on previous seasons and eschewing 2024 would be the right strategy, here, but either way, Cisco's down year could actually be a springboard to better things in 2025 and beyond.

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There are plenty of other values at these positions, but these guys take the cake when placing everyone in a hierarchy, so to speak. Each one of them should garner plenty of interest in free agency and subsequently live up to their deals once the season kicks off in September.

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