Free agency in the NFL is a year-round process, with teams looking for contending players to beat during the year and potentially sign them in the offseason.
Now that the 2024-25 NFL season is coming to a close, the free agency landscape is coming into focus as teams begin to identify potential targets to address their roster weaknesses.
Here are the top safeties slated to become free agents in 2025. Click here to view the complete list of PFF’s top 100 free agents..
1. C Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins
Second round draft pick Oregon In 2021, Holland was a top-five defenseman in two of his first three seasons in the league. He earned a career-low overall PFF grade of 63.0 in 2024, but his work more than speaks for itself.
Comparison of the best free agents: Jessie Bates III2023
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Jevon Holland | 76.1 | 75.0 | 11.3% | 82.8 | ? |
| Jessie Bates III | 65.7 | 80.3 | 5.7% | 78.1 | 7.1% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
2. C Discuss content, San Francisco 49ers
A fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, Hufanga earned a PFF grade above 65.0 in both 2022 and 2023. He played just 308 snaps in 2024 due to injury and earned a career-low overall PFF grade of 57.8.
Comparison of the best free agents: Jabrill Peppers2023
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Discuss content | 54.8 | 62.3 | 0.0% | 80.5 | ? |
| Jabrill Peppers | 59.3 | 51.5 | 2.3% | 81.1 | 4.0% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
3. C Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings
Bynum has made his share of game-tying plays over three and a half NFL seasons, with a career-best eight interceptions and a career-best three in 2024. Add in the fact that Bynum’s 104 solo tackles in 2023 led all safeties, and you have a credible backcourt player who will keep the offense in front of him and limit big plays.
Top Free Agents Comparison: Nate Allen, 2015
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Camryn Bynum | 61.9 | 72.0 | 9.8% | 78.0 | ? |
| Nate Allen | 57.6 | 71.1 | 3.5% | 74.6 | 4.0% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
4. C Justin Reed, Kansas City Chiefs
Reed and his camp were probably glad to see the veteran safe. Buddha Baker be rewarded with a three-year, $54 million extension before testing free agency, with Reid set to hit the open market for the second time after joining the Kansas City Chiefs back in 2022. Reed is one of the best safeties in the NFL, but as we saw time and time again in Kansas City, the Chiefs are never afraid to switch backs and find the next man up.
Comparison of the best free agents: Kyle Dugger2024
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Justin Reed | 54.0 | 67.7 | 6.1% | 71.6 | ? |
| Kyle Dugger | 58.5 | 55.1 | 5.1% | 82.9 | 5.7% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
5. C Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Smith’s 35-year-old season saw him reach or approach several statistical milestones of his remarkable career, surpassing 35 interceptions and 20 sacks while also being within reach of 100 passes defensed and 50 tackles for loss. Smith certainly looked like he was at least considering retirement this offseason when interviewed following the Vikings’ round-robin exit, but if not, he’ll likely make one last run with the team that drafted him in Minnesota.
Comparison of the best free agents: Eric Weddle2019
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Harrison Smith | 81.9 | 75.8 | 5.9% | 73.4 | ? |
| Eric Weddle | 78.7 | 81.4 | 7.3% | 76.9 | 2.8% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
6. C Trevon Moehrig, Las Vegas Raiders
Moehrig has five interceptions and 18 passes defensed over the last two seasons, but he’s also shown significant growth in the forward game with three sacks and five quarterback hits over that span. As of 2023, Moehrig ranks in the top 15 of defensemen in interceptions, forced incompletions, tackles for no gain or no gain and defensive stops.
Comparison of the best free agents: Tony Jefferson2017
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Trevon Moehrig | 62.0 | 63.5 | 8.5% | 86.9 | ? |
| Tony Jefferson | 64.3 | 64.9 | 10.3% | 90.3 | 5.1% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
7. C Justin Simmons, Atlanta Falcons
One of the best players of the last decade, Simmons continued his streak of multiple interceptions in each season of his nine-year NFL career after signing with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. The free agent market for older defensive backs may be unkind, but Simmons is still one of the more instinctive and reliable defensive backs entering his 10th year.
Top Free Agents Comparison: Reggie Nelson, 2016
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Justin Simmons | 63.9 | 81.1 | 15.7% | 66.9 | ? |
| Reggie Nelson | 68.9 | 73.2 | 10.0% | 72.2 | 2.7% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
8. C Jeremy Chinn, Washington commanders
Chinn found refuge in Dan Quinn’s defense after Carolina Panthers essentially took him out of the game at the end of his rookie contract, and he is still a fireball of fury coming forward when playing near the line of scrimmage. Teenage players like it Frankie Luvu and Chinn are the backbone of Quinn’s defense in several different drills, but many other teams are also better at weaponizing defensive Swiss Army Knife types. There is an effective way to utilize Chinn and highlight his strengths.
Comparison of the best free agents: DJ Swearinger Junior, 2017
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Jeremy Chinn | 61.4 | 64.1 | 7.7% | 73.5 | ? |
| DJ Swearinger | 64.2 | 86.0 | 25.0% | 70.1 | 2.7% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
9. C Elijah Molden, Los Angeles Chargers
Malden had a great season in his new home with the Los Angeles Chargers as new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter seemed to get the best out of almost every player on the roster. Malden Security Trio, Derwin James And Shining Gilman worked well together, with different skill sets that allowed them to be creative. Molden still has coverage skills as a slot defender with experience at cornerback and has been a consistent ball-handler in 2024. He will have to work against him in free agency due to a broken leg suffered in Week 17, so hopefully he can recover before the matchup. free agency period.
Top Free Agents Comparison: Chris Conte, 2016
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Elijah Molden | 67.3 | 64.1 | 8.2% | 71.2 | ? |
| Tavon Wilson | 67.5 | 73.0 | 7.7% | 78.7 | 1.9% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
10. C Andre Cisco, Jacksonville Jaguars
Cisco had a reputation as a rising young playmaker with a knack for turning the field over after seven interceptions in 2023-24, but his contract year was a little rocky as the Jacksonville Jaguars took a step back in their own direction. Cisco appeared to be removed from the starting lineup in Weeks 13 and 14, instead being traded after typically playing nearly every snap and posting career-low grades almost across the board. However, we’ve seen time and time again what a bad situation can do to talented players, so perhaps a change of scenery could get Cisco’s career back on track.
Comparison of the best free agents: Juan Thornhill2023
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Andre Cisco | 62.1 | 67.5 | 9.7% | 66.1 | ? |
| Juan Thornhill | 67.0 | 73.6 | 15.9% | 66.3 | 3.1% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
11. C Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
Blackmon has returned to an almost exclusively deep guard role after playing much more in the box and slot in 2023. His three interceptions in 2024 give him seven over the last two seasons. However, a year after ranking sixth among defensive backs with 30 defensive stops, Blackmon fell outside the top 50 with just 12 in 2024, largely due to his orientation. Blackmon may be a jack of all trades and a master of none, but he is a good football player.
Comparison of the best free agents: Bradley McDougald2018
| Player | Coverage level without pressure | Cove. score for throws in ≤ 3 s | Forced non-completion level | Running protection level | APY as a % of the limit upon signing |
| Julian Blackmon | 70.7 | 72.5 | 4.5% | 56.7 | ? |
| Bradley McDougald | 67.3 | 79.4 | 12.2% | 64.9 | 2.5% |
*All data in the tables reflects two years prior to signing the contract with UFA.
Contract forecast: Available in PFF free agency rankings.
Leave a comment