NFL FREE AGENCY PAIRINGS 2025 PART 1

TREY SMITH OFFENSIVE LINE

CHICAGO BEARS 

Trey Smith is arguably the biggest name this free agency cycle and should command a huge contract from a team like the Chicago Bears. The Bears plan to build around former #1 overall pick QB Caleb Williams and with the hiring of HC Ben Johnson they need all the help they can get on the OL. After allowing close to 70 sacks in 2024, Chicago has no choice but to overspend for help and should have Smith circled on their list as #1 priority this offseason. 

TEE HIGGINS WIDE RECEIVER

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

The Patriots will have over $100 million in cap space and a chunk of it should go to adding a #1 WR target for QB Drake Maye and Tee Higgins surely fits that bill. The Bengals WR has all the talent in the world to be a team’s go-to target but behind teammate Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins could look elsewhere to earn both WR1 status as well as the giant contract he deserves. If the Partiots want to maximize Maye’s potential, add Higgins to the WR room would be a heck of a way to start. 

SAM DARNOLD QUARTERBACK

TENNESSEE TITANS 

Tennessee tried to develop QB Will Levis as a long term starter but unfortunately couldn’t make enough plays to warrant the team investing in him beyond 2025. While they could look in the draft for their signal caller, the other option is to pursue the top QB on the market in Sam Darnold. The former first round pick had a rejuvenated career in 2024 with Minnesota and some think they could look to bring him back but with JJ McCarthy waiting to take over, Darnold could cash out this offseason and land with the Titans. 

JOSH SWEAT EDGE

ATLANTA FALCONS 

No team has had worse luck with pass rush over the last few year than the Atlanta Falcons. They tried to make it work with veteran additions like Matthew Judon but they need a legit edge rusher who can bring play every down and set the edge the defense. Enter Eagles pass rusher Josh Sweat. The versatile defender had a good 2024 and capped it off with a top notch Superbowl performance that had some thinking he could’ve been the game’s MVP. If the Falcons want to invest serious capital in their defense, their list should start with Sweat. 

JEVON HOLLAND SAFETY

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 

The Raiders are revamping their culture with new HC Pete Carroll and could use some juice in the secondary like Jevon Holland. Holland is one of the more complete S in the league and could be a nice upgrade for the Las Vegas defense especially with both of their S set to hit the open market as well. Not only is Holland a highly productive defender but is only 24 years old which gives the team plenty of time to get the best out of Holland as they can for 2025 and beyond.

MILTON WILLIAMS DEFENSIVE LINE

ARIZONA CARDINALS 

Arizona HC Jonathan Gannon has plenty experience working with high level defenses including his time with the Eagles headlined by one of the best DL in the league. The Cardinals are looking to build their own DL so why not let Gannon get himself an Eagle of his own in Milton Williams. The once small school prospect has blossomed into a premier interior defender and being part of the 2024 Eagles DL which dominated pretty much every team including the Chiefs in the Superbowl. Arizona needs more power and pass rush in their interior DL which could be a great spot for Williams. 

CHRIS GODWIN WIDE RECEIVER

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 

Tampa Bay has one of the best WRs in the last decade in Mike Evans but the future HOF playmaker only has so much time left before he retires which is why they should look to re-sign fellow teammate Chris Godwin. Godwin has a firm hold on the WR2 role behind Evans and has been a security blanket for QB Baker Mayfield over the last couple years which should be enough convincing for his return. Once Evans eventually steps away, Godwin should be in the driver seat to take over as the teams go-to WR for the foreseeable future.