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Matt Bowen, ESPN Staff Writer
Sure, 2024 NFL free agency isn’t even over yet — players like Xavien Howard are still out there looking for new deals — but we’re already taking an early look at the potential of the 2025 class. If you didn’t land the playmaker you wanted this year, the good news is there should be plenty of options next March.
I say “should” because a lot can change before we reach 2025. The majority of the top players currently primed for free agency will sign contract extensions well before next March. Another handful will end up with the franchise tag. Consider that guys like Jalen Hurts (extension), Nick Bosa (extension), L’Jarius Sneed (tag), Mike Evans (new deal before free agency) and even Lamar Jackson (new deal after getting tagged last March) were all on my early 2024 list at this time last year. So take this with a grain of salt because the free agent class will look very different next spring.
Even so, we broke down the best of the best currently slated to hit the open market across a few different categories, including big-name quarterbacks and impact players on both sides of the ball. Each player’s age, positional value, expected future production and scheme versatility are factored in here, and restricted and exclusive free agents are not included. And one more important note: Players who are eligible for a fifth-year option for 2025 — first-round picks from the 2021 draft class — are not included. That includes quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and cornerback Pat Surtain II, among others.
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Best quarterbacks on expiring contracts
The postseason wins are missing from Prescott’s résumé, but I fully expect the Cowboys to re-sign him to a deal that resets the quarterback market. So he shouldn’t be on this list for long. Prescott, who will turn 31 this summer, posted big-time numbers in 2023, including a Total QBR of 72.7 (second in the NFL), 4,516 passing yards (third) and 36 touchdown throws (first). Dallas recently restructured his contract to reduce his 2024 salary cap hit, and the team is reportedly still working toward an extension.