Free agency is here, and the money is flying around like a Mahomes sidearm pass. Some of these deals make perfect sense. Others? Well, let’s just say NFL GMs have a knack for making our eyebrows do gymnastics. Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, and—wait for it—Sam Darnold are all cashing in. Yes, that Sam Darnold. If there’s one thing the NFL loves, it’s a quarterback mystery wrapped in a signing bonus.
The big money moves!
First up, Stefon Diggs. The veteran receiver remains a game-changer, but his market is murky. Houston wants to keep him, but after a torn ACL forcing him to miss the rest of the season, do they want to break the bank? Meanwhile, Tee Higgins is about to get franchise-tagged again by Cincinnati. Joe Burrow wants his guy back, but with Ja’Marr Chase also due for a payday, the Bengals have a financial jigsaw puzzle on their hands. Will they actually pay both, or will Higgins be sent packing? That’s the million (or $20 million) dollar question.
The sneaky steals (or future regrets?)
Every year, a few signings make you do a double take. Brandin Cooks at nearly $20 million? Khalil Mack still landing massive deals at his age? And let’s not forget the “What Year Is It?” club—DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, and Lavonte David all getting paid like they’ve discovered the fountain of youth. The NFL cap is a myth, but some of these deals feel like teams are just testing the boundaries of logic.
S. No.
Player Name
Previous Team
Previous Annual Value
1
Stefon Diggs
HOU
$22,520,000
2
Tee Higgins
CIN
$21,816,000
3
Keenan Allen
CCHI
$20,025,000
4
Amari Cooper
BUF
$20,000,000
5
Chris Godwin
TB
$20,000,000
6
Brandin Cooks
DAL
$19,882,000
7
Khalil Mack
LAC
$19,200,000
8
Zack Martin
DAL
$18,425,000
9
Diontae Johnson
BAL
$18,355,000
10
Cam Robinson
MIN
$18,000,000
11
Brandon Scherff
JAX
$16,500,000
12
Haason Reddick
NYJ
$15,000,000
13
Carlton Davis
DET
$14,500,000
14
Matt Judon
ATL
$13,625,000
15
Charvarius Ward
SF
$13,500,000
16
Joseph Noteboom
LAR
$13,333,333
17
DeMarcus Lawrence
DAL
$13,333,333
18
Preston Smith
PIT
$13,000,000
19
DeAndre Hopkins
KC
$13,000,000
20
Ryan Kelly
IND
$12,500,000
21
Sheldon Rankins
CIN
$12,250,000
22
D.J. Reed
NYJ
$11,000,000
23
Justin Reid
KC
$10,500,000
24
Josh Sweat
PHI
$10,000,000
25
B.J. Hill
CIN
$10,000,000
26
D.J. Jones
DEN
$10,000,000
27
Sam Darnold
MIN
$10,000,000
28
Mike Williams
PIT
$10,000,000
29
Jonathan Jones
NE
$9,500,000
30
James Daniels
PIT
$8,833,333
31
Zach Wilson
DEN
$8,787,670
32
Austin Corbett
CAR
$8,750,000
33
Byron Murphy
MIN
$8,750,000
34
Chase Young
NO
$8,640,899
35
Trey Lance
DAL
$8,526,319
36
Lavonte David
TB
$8,500,000
37
Jeff Okudah
SHOU
$8,382,136
38
Dre Greenlaw
SF
$8,200,000
39
Charles Omenihu
KC
$8,000,000
40
Jacoby Brissett
NE
$8,000,000
41
Robert Woods
HOU
$7,625,000
42
Ronnie Stanley
BAL
$7,500,000
43
Kendall Fuller
MIA
$7,500,000
44
Justin Simmons
ATL
$7,500,000
45
Rasul Douglas
BUF
$7,000,000
46
DeMarcus Walker
CCHI
$7,000,000
47
Taylor Heinicke
LAC
$7,000,000
48
Aaron Jones
MIN
$7,000,000
49
Marquise Brown
KC
$7,000,000
50
Jerome Baker
TEN
$7,000,000
Tee Higgins: Stay or Go?
Meanwhile, the Bengals have a decision to make. They can tag Higgins and keep their offensive trio intact, but that would mean delaying Chase’s inevitable megadeal. If Higgins does leave, teams like the Chargers, Raiders, and Commanders are circling like vultures. Justin Herbert needs a WR1. Las Vegas has cash to burn. And Washington? Jayden Daniels wouldn’t mind another weapon. If Cincinnati plays this wrong, they could lose Higgins for nothing but regret.
And then there’s Sam Darnold. Minnesota took a flyer on him, and somehow, he led them to a 14-3 season. But when the playoffs arrived? The wheels fell off. Now the Vikings have a choice: commit big money to Darnold, or let J.J. McCarthy take the reins? Meanwhile, teams like the Raiders and Giants are lurking, possibly ready to overpay for the former USC star. Because if there’s one thing NFL teams can’t resist, it’s betting on potential—even if it’s been elusive for years.
Diggs watch: What’s next?
Texans GM Nick Caserio isn’t tipping his hand, but Diggs’ future is up in the air. At 31 and coming off an ACL tear, Houston has to decide if they’re willing to pay for past production. A healthy Diggs paired with Nico Collins could be lethal, but with a deep draft class at WR, will the Texans roll the dice elsewhere?
So, let’s cut to the chase: Some teams are making power moves. Others are throwing money at problems and hoping for the best. Free agency is part strategy, part poker game, and part desperation play. Will these deals age like fine wine or curdled milk? Only time—and a few bad contracts—will tell.
2025 NFL free agency: Some big star names worthy of mention
Free agency is where front offices play their own version of fourth-quarter heroics—big gambles, bold moves, and sometimes, total disasters. This year? No shortage of drama. Plenty of talent is hitting the market, but not all of it comes without risk. Some guys are teetering between franchise-changing stars and cap-space nightmares.
We saw how Stefon Diggs, Sam Darnold, and Tee Higgins are creating a weirdness in the market. But that’s not where the list of UFAs end.
Talk about a big-game player: Let’s not sleep on Amari Cooper… But he is heading towards that ‘A shadow of his own self’ territory. Buffalo scooped him up last year, hoping he’d fill the void left by Stefon Diggs. Instead, he gave them 547 yards and four TDs—barely a ripple in the Bills’ offense.
However, there’s something about him which still screams he’s still got some juice. Put him in the right system, and he’s a 1,000-yard guy again. Maybe Denver with Bo Nix? Houston with C.J. Stroud? If he lands in the wrong spot, we might be talking about another season lost in the shuffle.
Speaking of a gamble, Ronnie Stanley feels like one after a throwback 2024 season in Baltimore. Pro Bowl nod? Check. Only two sacks allowed in 1,089 snaps? Check. But here’s the concern: Before last season, he’d missed 35 games in four years. That’s a whole lot of “maybe” for a guy about to demand top-tier left tackle money. Baltimore would love to keep him, but cap space is tight. Teams like the Patriots, Bears, and Commanders—who just drafted young quarterbacks—might be willing to roll the dice. When he’s healthy, he’s elite. When he’s not, well… that’s a problem.
And how about Haason Reddick? Once a double-digit sack machine, now coming off a forgettable season with the Jets after a lengthy holdout. But edge rushers don’t grow on trees, and someone will bet on his past production over his recent struggles. Arizona, Atlanta, Washington? If he finds the right scheme, he could be back to wrecking QBs. If not, he’s an expensive lesson in buyer beware.
These are just a few of the names poised to shake up the league in 2025. Free agency always delivers surprises—some players will shine in new uniforms, others will fade. The only guarantee? Some GM is about to make a move that’ll either look genius or get them roasted for years. Let’s see who plays it right.
The post Top 50 Highest-Paid Free Agents: Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, Sam Darnold & More NFL UFAs appeared first on EssentiallySports.
