| TEDDY BRIDGEWATERDan Pompei of The Athletic explains how QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER won a state championship in his first year as a coach. Pompei has some good stuff on Bridgewater after he returned to active duty with the Lions later in the season, but we are focusing on his amazing job at Miami Northwestern: (after detailing his horrible knee injury) Now, eight-and-a-half years, six NFL teams, 37 starts and two sons later, Bridgewater is approaching the twilight of one career and the dawn of another. In December 2023, Bridgewater announced he’d retire from the NFL at the end of that season. He returned to the high school he attended, Miami Northwestern, as head football coach. A little more than a month ago, the day after Christmas, he came out of retirement and signed with the Lions.– – –The Florida Dairy Farmer’s Coach of the Year held up a black jacket with leather sleeves. On the back of the coat, a yellow patch with blue letters read “STATE CHAMPIONS.” Miami Northwestern finished 4-6 the year before Bridgewater took over. In 2024, they started 2-2, then won their last 10 games and the 3A state championship. Bridgewater, meeting with his team in the school auditorium, needed players to determine what sizes they wanted. “If you are a young guy and you fit into a medium jacket, you might want to get a large,” he said in front of the group. “You are going to grow.” Their growth. It’s the reason he is here. Their Liberty City neighborhood was his neighborhood — it still is. Everyone there knows who he is, as you might expect. But he knows who everyone else is. Then, and now, he orders lunch from Miracle Fry Conchfritters, the walk-up restaurant in the middle of a parking lot that passes the taste test, if not the eye. He still hangs at his grandad’s place, which is not far away. Granddad is gone, but the memories live. “It’s a special place,” Bridgewater says. “I sit on the porch with my uncles and cousins and we laugh at the same old stories. It’s a place I could always go and have a good time even if you were kicked out of the house or were late on rent and got evicted.” He was always different from his three older siblings, who took paths that did not please their single mother, Rose. At the age of 8, Bridgewater learned to take a 40-minute bus ride by himself from Liberty City to Bunche Park to play football. When he was 15 and Rose was diagnosed with breast cancer, he tried to quit football to take care of her. She wouldn’t let him. On the field, the thought of giving her a better life inspired him; he became the sixth-highest-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country, according to Rivals. Off of it, he mowed lawns and washed cars to contribute to bills, and moved to the bedroom closest to hers so he could help her during the night. Bridgewater never had designs on coaching. He only started to think about it during the later stages of his playing career. For him, coaching wasn’t about staying connected to the game as much as staying connected to a place. Before this season, he drew interest as a backup QB from six NFL teams. He could have been making significant money — instead, he chose to spend it. Miami Northwestern pays the head football coach a $5,000 stipend, but Bridgewater agreed to give the stipend to a math teacher. He paid out of pocket to provide luxuries his players never experienced, including a cold tub, sauna and massages. He brought in barbers and a chef who cooked healthy pregame meals. Bridgewater began the season with an old-school NFL-style training camp. For five nights, the kids stayed at the school, isolated from the temptations of their worlds. They slept in sleeping bags on the gym floor while he slept on a small cot. He paid for three squares and a snack daily for more than 70 players (at a cost of $3,500 per day). With all the together time, he learned who they were, asking about their families and homes, competing against them in “EA Sports College Football 25” and “Madden,” joining their dodgeball and basketball games. It wasn’t all giggles, though. There were 6 a.m. lifts and demanding practices. And there were consequences. The first night, horseplay ended with hot sauce in one kid’s eye. When Bridgewater was told at 2:30 a.m., he woke everyone and had them run stairs and do elbow and toe crawls on a wet field. “Coach Teddy was not going to play,” says Keith Brown, his defensive coordinator. That was evident in their practices. There was no music. His players went 11-on-11 with pads and tackling every day through the playoffs. He expanded the coaching staff from seven to 24. “So now, the kids who usually stand on the sideline and kick rocks, play with each other’s helmets and throw water on each other are getting attention from coaches,” Bridgewater says. He installed an offense unlike any being run at a Florida high school, influenced by Bridgewater’s time with NFL coaches Campbell, Ben Johnson, Sean Payton, Joe Brady, Norv Turner and others. He wanted to be more than a coach — he wanted to be an example. Bridgewater was first in and last out. He carried a notebook and pencil everywhere and made sure each player did the same. When he took over the Bulls, Bridgewater saw so much athleticism and speed on his team. But he also saw desperation and hopelessness. A good coach, he knew, could change that. “These players think, ‘He made it out of Miami Northwestern, and so can I,’” says Brown, who played youth football with Bridgewater and left a rival high school to work on his staff. Bridgewater’s coaching style, centered around encouragement, resonated with players like defensive end Deangelo Thompson Jr., who transferred to Miami Northwestern last summer shortly after losing both of his parents. “Mentally, I was not good,” Thompson says. “I was ready to stop playing football. Coach Teddy took me in and showed me genuine love. Those were dark times and he showed me light. He made me a part of his family and changed my life. I’ll love Coach Teddy forever.” Thompson had 14 sacks last season and earned a scholarship to Syracuse. Bridgewater, who believes his athletic ability is the same as before his knee injury, played scout-team quarterback every practice. “That helped the defense a lot because he’s making throws high school quarterbacks can’t make and seeing reads much faster,” Brown says. Having Bridgewater play quarterback in practice was also beneficial to Leon Strawder. It was Strawder’s first year as the starting quarterback and before spring practices, “nobody believed he could get the job done,” according to receivers coach Craig Wilkins. Bridgewater made Strawder his project, working at Bunche Park, where the football field was named Bridgewater Field in 2023. Wilkins says by the end of the season, Strawder was making reads and throws much faster. The proof was in his 41 passing touchdowns. “It was a blessing to have Coach Teddy as my coach,” says Strawder, a junior. “He saw something in me and wanted to bring it out.”– – –Bridgewater the coach and Bridgewater the quarterback aren’t very different. “Teddy is the type of person who uplifts everyone around him,” Campbell says. “He elevates the human being, player and coach in all of us.” “I was placed here to serve,” he says. “Serve God, but also be a humble servant to others. I have a giving spirit and always want to pour into people.” Bridgewater’s time with the Lions is over — for now. He plans to coach Miami Northwestern in the fall. But he says he will not announce his retirement from the NFL, as he did a year ago. He’s keeping open the possibility of playing again. Bridgewater loves to dance. He was known for busting moves in locker rooms after big wins. Before he became Miami Northwestern’s coach, he attended one of their games and joined a routine with the cheerleaders. “When you dance and smile, you give off vibrations and energy and can brighten someone’s day,” he says. “That’s just me.” His mother, now 62 and healthy, always gave him hope. He wants to pass it on. “There’s so much negativity, sadness, depression, so many things that keep a person down,” said Bridgewater, who has “Neighborhood Hope Dealer” in his Instagram bio. “So for me, it’s just like, how can we bring a breath of fresh air to people I encounter on a daily basis?” |
| TOP 50 FREE AGENTSAs the Eagles and Chiefs focus on the Super Bowl, the remaining 30 teams (and their fan bases) turn their attention to free agency. Matt Bowen of ESPN.com lines the top 50 available free agents for us. With the help of national reporter Jeremy Fowler, I looked at the group of players primed to hit unrestricted free agency — because of either expiring contracts or deals in line to void — and ranked the top 50 who might end up available, starting with an elite offensive playmaker. Factors in building the list include age, positional value, expected future production, scheme versatility and what we’re hearing around the league. In fact, Fowler included his latest buzz for a bunch of the free agents listed below. This ranking could change a lot before we actually reach free agency, with teams extending their stars or applying the franchise tag. We will have an updated top 100 in March to cover us there. But for now, here are the top 50 pending free agents — including three quarterbacks. Let’s stack the free agent class. 1. Tee Higgins, WR2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2025 season: 26Higgins is just entering his prime playing years and is our top free agent for the 2025 class. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, he can win on the boundary or create matchups from inside alignments. And despite playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati, Higgins is the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver in this year’s group. Injuries limited him to 12 games in 2024, yet he still finished with 73 receptions for 911 yards. His 10 touchdown catches tied for sixth most in the league. Fowler’s latest: Some executives are skeptical that Cincinnati can pay both Higgins and Chase. “It’s possible, but would require some significant trade-offs,” an AFC exec said. “They will have close to $70 million a year tied up in receivers, plus the quarterback cost. I think it makes more sense to go the cheap route, especially given the improvements they need to make on defense.” 2. Trey Smith, G2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2025 season: 26Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranks sixth among guards. In pass protection, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6, 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes. Given his traits and age, Smith should reset the market at the position. Fowler’s latest: Some inside the league are watching Chicago here. General manager Ryan Poles, who needs to drastically improve his interior offensive line for new coach Ben Johnson, was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Smith. Several teams have him as the top overall free agent. 3. Ronnie Stanley, OT2024 team: Baltimore Ravens | Age entering 2025 season: 31At 6-6 and 310 pounds, Stanley can use his long frame to build a wall on the edge. He played the entire regular season, answering some questions on his durability, and also has the high-end tape to get paid. Stanley tied for 11th among offensive tackles with a 92.5% pass block win rate in 2024. 4. D.J. Reed, CB2024 team: New York Jets | Age entering 2025 season: 28Reed is a highly competitive coverage corner with press-man traits and the transition speed to break on the throw. More of a ball disruptor than playmaker, over his career he has 40 pass breakups, compared with six interceptions. Reed should be viewed as a scheme-versatile corner who can fit in multiple NFL systems. Fowler’s latest: Several teams we’ve polled agree Reed is the top corner in free agency. Roughly 10 teams have a glaring need at the position. 5. Chris Godwin, WR2024 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age entering 2025 season: 29Godwin suffered a season-ending left ankle injury in Week 7, but there’s no denying his production level. His 50 receptions over the first seven games were the most in the NFL up to that point, and he caught 30 of them out of the slot. A savvy route runner with the toughness to work the heavy-traffic areas of the field, Godwin has the veteran traits to upgrade any wide receiver room. Fowler’s latest: Multiple execs expect the Bucs to try to re-sign Godwin, who has that Buc-for-life feel similar to Mike Evans. 6. Sam Darnold, QB2024 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2025 season: 28Darnold had a bounce-back year under Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, as his 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws both ranked fifth in the league. His decision-making late in the down is still questionable, and he had a 14.8 QBR over the Vikings’ two losses to end the season. But with his arm strength and mobility, Darnold will have options on the market given the need for the position across the league. Fowler’s latest: Several execs have Darnold in that Baker Mayfield range of contracts, which is around three years and $100 million with strong guarantees. The Raiders and Giants — both picking outside the top two spots in the draft — might need to pay a quarterback. 7. Khalil Mack, Edge2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2025 season: 34Mack’s game has aged gracefully after 11 pro seasons. He had six sacks and 41 pressures this season, and he can heat up the pocket. With 107.5 career sacks and steady play speed, Mack is still a three-down force based on the tape. Fowler’s latest: The sense is Los Angeles will make efforts to re-sign Mack, who will play in 2025 after he said he needed to take time to mull his future following the season. The Chargers believe he embodies the spirit of the team’s toughness. But many teams will be lurking for potential pass-rush help, including — but not limited to — Atlanta and Carolina. 8. Charvarius Ward, CB2024 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2025 season: 29Ward has the man coverage ability to press or pedal off the ball, along with the backfield vision to make plays in zone coverage. He posted career-best numbers in 2023, with five interceptions and 14 pass breakups. And while he didn’t create the same on-the-ball production this season — zero picks and five pass breakups in 12 games played — Ward’s experience and technique could upgrade any secondary. 9. Josh Sweat, Edge2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2025 season: 28A productive rusher in Vic Fangio’s front in Philadelphia, Sweat had eight sacks and 33 pressures this season. He’s a long, angular mover who can win with speed-to-power, and he has built-in counters to disengage from offensive tackles. Given his age, positional value and the ability to hit the quarterback, Sweat makes our top 10. Fowler’s latest: Sweat will enter free agency with the flexibility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. He has ties to Arizona, where his former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is running the show. Washington, New England, Tampa Bay and Tennessee could be on the radar, too. 10. Osa Odighizuwa, DT2024 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2025 season: 27A disruptive defender who can bring energy and impact-play ability to the defensive front, Odighizuwa had 4.5 sacks this season. His 30 pressures were tied with the Jets’ Quinnen Williams for the second most among defensive tackles. Odighizuwa fits best as a 3-technique and can be a pass-rushing threat in nickel fronts. Fowler’s latest: Teams we’ve talked to think Odighizuwa is the top defensive tackle because of his versatility, durability and pass-rush traits. Washington is a team to potentially watch — coach Dan Quinn has been big fan of Odighizuwa from their Dallas days together. 11. Jevon Holland, S2024 team: Miami Dolphins | Age entering 2025 season: 25Holland has the multidimensional traits that pro coaches look for at safety. He can play from depth, cover in the slot or mix it up as a box defender. The splash plays were missing from Holland’s tape this season, as he failed to record an interception. But he does have 5 interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles and 5 sacks over his four years with Miami. 12. Zack Baun, LB2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2025 season: 28Baun had a breakout season in Philadelphia under Fangio, recording 150 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 1 interception. He is a versatile off-ball linebacker with three-down ability, and he can set an edge due to his physical style. Baun should cash in after signing a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason. 13. Tre’von Moehrig, S2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders | Age entering 2025 season: 26An ascending player, Moehrig notched five interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. He had five tackles for loss in 2024. He has the range to play from depth, and he is a tone-setter on contact when he spins down into the front. Fowler’s latest: Multiple personnel evaluators we’ve spoken to believe Moehrig’s 2024 film was the best of any free agent safety. The Raiders will have a hard time keeping him. 14. Cam Robinson, OT2024 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2025 season: 29At 6-6 and 335 pounds, Robinson has the ideal size, length and traits for the tackle position. Technical lapses have prevented him from playing at a consistent level, and his 88.2% pass block win rate was below average. But with the ability to engulf rushers at the point of attack and the foot speed to redirect, Robinson has the desired tools at the tackle position. Fowler’s latest: Robinson quite possibly played his way above the $20-million-per-year threshold, with the recent precedent of Garett Bolles’ four-year, $82 million deal in Denver as a comp. The Rams and Chiefs are among teams that could be looking for left tackle help. And a return to Minnesota isn’t totally off the table, after the Vikings traded for Robinson at midseason. 15. Dre Greenlaw, LB2024 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2025 season: 28Greenlaw played in only two games this season (Weeks 15-16) after tearing an Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII. At full strength — which he is expected to be in 2025 — he has the traits to make an impact in any defensive scheme as an off-ball defender. Greenlaw is a rangy linebacker with the pursuit speed to track ball carriers and the coverage awareness to close throwing windows. He had back-to-back seasons of 120-plus tackles in 2022-23, and he added 1.5 sacks last year. 16. Milton Williams, DT2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2025 season: 26Williams has the strength to displace blockers at the point of attack, with the light feet and short-area burst to slip interior offensive linemen as a pass rusher. He had five sacks and 18 pressures in 2024 with the Eagles. The arrow is pointing up. 17. Haason Reddick, Edge2024 team: New York Jets | Age entering 2025 season: 30At 6-1 and 240 pounds, Reddick is a scheme-specific pass rusher with a quick first step and the ability to bend on the edge. After being traded to the Jets and holding out to start the season, Reddick had one sack and 15 pressures in 10 games. However, he has a history of impact plays, with 59 sacks and 18 forced fumbles over his career. And before this season, he put together three straight campaigns with a pass rush win rate over 20%. Fowler’s latest: Jets sources swear that Reddick can still be a double-digit-sack guy, and that the turbulent offseason with the team contributed mightily to his uneven 2024 campaign. 18. Amari Cooper, WR2024 team: Buffalo Bills | Age entering 2025 season: 31Cooper’s tape is beginning to show signs of decline, but he is still a detailed route runner who can uncover at multiple levels of the field. In 14 games with both the Browns and Bills this season, Cooper caught 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns. In nine full seasons, Cooper has topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark seven times and has 64 career touchdown catches. Fowler’s latest: The Bills have been happy with Cooper, despite low production compared with past seasons. He has been a good team player in Buffalo, and the Bills are intrigued by getting him into a full offseason program with quarterback Josh Allen. Though his free agency future is uncertain, a return to Buffalo does not appear off the table. 19. Will Fries, G2024 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2025 season: 27Before a right tibia injury ended his season in Week 5, Fries had posted career bests in both pass block win rate (92.4%) and run block win rate (74.3%). He might lack high-end traits, but the tape tells us he can upgrade the interior of an offensive front. He has a fundamentally sound play style, the lower-body mobility to handle power rushers and an ability to sustain blocks on contact. Fowler’s latest: Fries expects to be fully cleared by the beginning of free agency, and he’ll attract serious interest. 20. Byron Murphy Jr., CB2024 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2025 season: 27urphy’s six interceptions tied for the third most in the league, and he has 14 over his six-year career. With the ability to play on the perimeter or in the slot (259 snaps in 2024), Murphy has the backfield vision and short-area speed to close on the ball. Fowler’s latest: Sources say Murphy will be looking for a rather large raise from the two-year, $17.5 million deal he just played out in Minnesota. He has played his way into bigger money. 21. Zack Martin, G2024 team: Dallas Cowboys | Age entering 2025 season: 34If Martin returns for a 12th season, he’ll still bring the blend of size (6-4, 315 pounds) and mobility coaches want at the guard position. But he’s not as springy as he used to be, and he can be attacked on his edges. This season, Martin played in only 10 games due to a right ankle injury, and his pass block win rate of 93.7% ranked 15th among guards. 22. Talanoa Hufanga, S2024 team: San Francisco 49ers | Age entering 2025 season: 25Injuries have limited Hufanga to 17 games over the past two seasons. However, the former All-Pro is a natural disruptor when he’s healthy. In 49 career games, Hufanga has 7 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 defensive touchdown. He is at his best in a defined coverage scheme that allows him to play in split-field alignments and spin down to roam the front. 23. Carlton Davis III, CB2024 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2025 season: 28Davis started 13 games for the Lions this season before a broken jaw landed him on injured reserve. The veteran corner has man and zone traits, which will give him options on the market; plus, he is a willing tackler on the edges. In seven seasons, he has 11 interceptions and 68 pass breakups. He can create on-ball disruption. Fowler’s latest: Some teams have Davis as the No. 2 corner in the class. Watch for Jacksonville to potentially make a move here. The Jaguars likely won’t be huge spenders in free agency, but they want to fortify their secondary. 24. Nick Bolton, LB2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2025 season: 25Bolton’s demeanor and quick play recognition fit well in Kansas City, where he has averaged eight tackles per game over four seasons. He’s a downhill thumper against the run, with 11 tackles for loss this season. In coverage, Bolton lacks elite second-level range, but he can get to depth in zone looks or match up inside. He has four career interceptions. Fowler’s latest: The Chiefs and Bolton are expected to discuss a potential extension after the season, but the team has many players to pay and might not prioritize linebacker. Bolton is a Steve Spagnuolo favorite and one of the leaders of the defense. 25. Rasul Douglas, CB2024 team: Buffalo Bills | Age entering 2025 season: 30Douglas is a physical corner with the length to disrupt the ball and the willingness to set an edge against the run (five tackles for loss this season). He’s an easy fit in a zone system that allows him to reroute underneath and attack the ball from the outside third of the field. Douglas returned one of his five interceptions for a touchdown in 2023, and he had five pass breakups this past season. Fowler’s latest: Douglas is certainly open to staying in Buffalo, but the Bills, who have a penchant for paying in-house talent, could choose to prioritize young cornerback Christian Benford. Douglas will have a strong market among zone-heavy teams. 26. Stefon Diggs, WR2024 team: Houston Texans | Age entering 2025 season: 31An ACL injury limited Diggs to eight games this season, which is why he’s lower on this list. His play speed is also starting to slip. However, Diggs is a quality route runner who, once heathy and cleared to play next season, can create separation and produce after the catch. Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards this season, and he has 70 touchdowns over his 10 years in the NFL. 27. Drew Dalman, C2024 team: Atlanta Falcons | Age entering 2025 season: 26Dalman, who had an ankle injury, played in nine games for Atlanta this season. He wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). Dalman is a technician on the tape, best suited for the zone run game, and his pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps. Fowler’s latest: As the main guy at the position in a soft market, Dalman has a chance to receive top-three money among centers, surpassing Lloyd Cushenberry III’s four-year, $50 million deal with the Titans in 2024. Chicago needs to address its interior offensive line, and New England also could be among teams looking for center help. 28. Malcolm Koonce, Edge2024 team: Las Vegas Raiders | Age entering 2025 season: 27A knee injury in early September erased Koonce’s 2024 season before it even started. But he posted eight sacks and 29 pressures in 2023. If the knee checks out, Koonce should be viewed as a three-down defensive end with the pass-rush juice to disrupt the pocket. 29. Camryn Bynum, S2024 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2025 season: 27He’s a glider over the top who can also fill alleys against the run. Bynum saw his value rise in Brian Flores’ defensive system in Minnesota. Over the past two seasons, he has 233 tackles, 5 interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He’s an interchangeable safety who can produce in multiple systems. Fowler’s latest: The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March. 30. Mekhi Becton, G2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles | Age entering 2025 season: 26The 2020 first-round offensive tackle bumped inside to guard this season after signing a one-year contract with the Eagles. He uses his massive 6-7, 363-pound frame to overwhelm and move defenders in the run game. He has the physical tools and footwork to also win as a pass protector, though. Just entering his prime years, Becton should see interest as a guard or tackle. 31. Asante Samuel Jr., CB2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2025 season: 25Samuel has a playmaking mentality at the cornerback position, with the foot quickness and sudden closing speed to break on the ball. A shoulder injury limited Samuel to four games this season, but he has six interceptions and 26 pass breakups in his four years with the Chargers. 32. Justin Fields, QB2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2025 season: 26In six starts with the Steelers, Fields displayed improved footwork and vision in the pocket, completing 66.3% of his throws with five touchdown passes and one interception. He also rushed for 289 yards and five more scores on 62 carries. If Fields lands in a system that maximizes his dual-threat traits, he could be viewed as a lower-level starter. 33. Aaron Jones, RB2024 team: Minnesota Vikings | Age entering 2025 season: 30Jones is a slasher in the run game and has the dual-threat traits to catch the ball out of the backfield, with 51 receptions and 1,546 total yards for the Vikings in 2024. He is at his best in a zone run scheme that will highlight his receiving skills. Fowler’s latest: Expect Denver to look for a versatile back to bolster Sean Payton’s offense. Could Jones fit the mold despite his age? He’s the kind of runner/pass catcher who just might. 34. Mike Hilton, CB2024 team: Cincinnati Bengals | Age entering 2025 season: 31A slot corner who plays with a sense of urgency, Hilton had 12 tackles for loss and eight pressures this season. He has a natural feel for playing in space as a coverage defender with the aggressive mentality to tackle and blitz on the edges. In eight seasons, Hilton has 13 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and 34 pass breakups. 35. Kevin Zeitler, G2024 team: Detroit Lions | Age entering 2025 season: 35Zeitler is a physical inside presence with the power to displace defensive tackles and the movement ability to pull on gap schemes. He routinely wins in pass protection, using his strong base to hold off interior rushers. Zeitler had a pass block win rate of 94.4% with Detroit last season, his 13th year in the league. 36. Darius Slayton, WR2024 team: New York Giants | Age entering 2025 season: 28Slayton caught 39 passes and averaged 14.2 yards per reception in 2024 despite subpar QB play. He’s a vertical stretch target on the perimeter who can also work the in-breaking cuts in the route tree. And he has ability to make explosive plays, with 58 receptions of 20 or more yards over his six seasons with the Giants. Fowler’s latest: Don’t sleep on a robust free agency for Slayton. Several teams will be looking for top-end speed on the outside, and Slayton has that. He paid his dues in a bad offense and will likely be looking for a Darnell Mooney-type contract (three years, $39 million). Carolina would make some sense here. 37. Jamien Sherwood, LB2024 team: New York Jets | Age entering 2025 season: 25The tape is trending up on Sherwood after he posted 154 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3 pass breakups with the Jets this season. Sherwood can play downhill with speed, cutting off the ball and pursuing the edges. And I see coverage upside here, too. Sherwood is a three-down player with special teams coverage ability, and his best football is ahead of him. Fowler’s latest: Three different personnel evaluators brought up Sherwood to me unprompted when discussing the free agency class. Watch for Atlanta, which features a lot of former Jets staffing, or San Francisco, where former Jets coach Robert Saleh now runs the defense. 38. James Daniels, G2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2025 season: 27A torn Achilles suffered in Week 4 pushed Daniels down our ranks. But he provides run-blocking upside when healthy. From Weeks 1 to 4, Daniels’ run block win rate of 82.7% ranked second among guards behind the Colts’ Quenton Nelson. And over three seasons with the Steelers, Daniels had a pass block win rate of 93.1%. 39. Chase Young, Edge2024 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2025 season: 26Young notched 5.5 sacks with the Saints this season, and his 46 pressures tied for the 11th most in the league. The No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft is still in his prime years and can add depth to a defensive line room. Fowler’s latest: Young is open to a return to New Orleans, where he just played out a one-year deal — though a different defense could generate more sack opportunities for him. He might opt for stability over last year’s prove-it-deal status coming off a serious neck injury. 40. Alaric Jackson, OT2024 team: Los Angeles Rams | Age entering 2025 season: 27With his 6-7, 345-pound frame, Jackson has the play strength to anchor against power off the edge, and he understands how to win with positioning. He isn’t a natural displacer on contact, but with 35 career starts, he can upgrade a team in need of a left tackle. Fowler’s latest: Jackson might have priced himself out of Los Angeles, proving to be a reliable starting tackle with upside. He’s known in the Rams building as a hard worker, and with more consistency he can become a top-15, top-20 left tackle. New England, which needs improvements along the line, is a potential fit. 41. Teven Jenkins, G2024 team: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2025 season: 27Jenkins’ extensive injury history forced him down the rankings, as he has played in only 38 of a possible 68 career games. Drafted as a tackle, Jenkins has the tools to drive defenders off the ball in the run game. But he tends to be more segmented as a mover in pass protection. 42. Russell Wilson, QB2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2025 season: 36In 11 starts for the Steelers, Wilson completed 63.7% of his throws for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns, registering a QBR of 51.4 (22nd). He can still throw with pace and touch downfield, and he would benefit from a system that’s heavy in play-action. But with his reduced mobility, Wilson isn’t a creator outside of structure at this stage of his career. Fowler’s latest: Is a reunion with Pete Carroll, now Las Vegas’ head coach, really viable? Two ex-Carroll assistants believe they can co-exist, with one taking it as far as predicting that Wilson will sign there, adding that the two rekindled their relationship a little over a year ago after a rocky ending the Seattle. “I think both would be open to it, especially with this QB class the way it is,” another ex-Carroll coach said. The Raiders’ plans are uncertain, but this at least seems like a possibility. 43. Justin Reid, S2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs | Age entering 2025 season: 28A veteran presence in the secondary, Reid can drop the hammer as a downhill tackler. He fits in today’s split-safety coverage schemes, too, due to his vision and field awareness. In three years with the Chiefs, Reid has 261 tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions and 14 pass breakups. 44. Paulson Adebo, CB2024 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2025 season: 26Adebo would be in our top 20 if he hadn’t suffered a broken femur in Week 7. He has the frame and traits to play press coverage, plus he can open and run when matching vertically on the perimeter. In four seasons with the Saints, Adebo has 10 interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Fowler’s latest: Multiple teams consider Adebo a top-three corner in the free agency class based on ability and upside. Adebo had no complications from his surgery, which included a rod being placed in the broken bone — where there was a clean fracture — to stabilize it. 45. Ryan Kelly, C2024 team: Indianapolis Colts | Age entering 2025 season: 32Injuries limited Kelly to 10 games this season with the Colts. An on-the-field leader with excellent football awareness, Kelly had a pass block win rate of 95.9% (sixth best among centers) and didn’t allow a sack. Plus, he plays with a physical demeanor to constantly win in the run game. 46. Ernest Jones IV, LB2024 team: Seattle Seahawks | Age entering 2025 season: 25Jones — who landed in Seattle after a midseason trade from the Titans — is quick to diagnose and stop the run game, as his 8.6 tackles per game ranked 12th in the NFL. Although Jones’ tape is missing the impact plays, he’s a steady second-level defender with the field awareness to track the ball and hit. Fowler’s latest: The Seahawks could follow the Leonard Williams blueprint from last spring, reaching a new deal around the start of free agency. The belief is both sides want to keep this relationship going. 47. J.K. Dobbins, RB2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers | Age entering 2025 season: 26After tearing an Achilles in Week 1 of 2023, Dobbins looked explosive on the tape throughout this season, though he missed four games because of a knee sprain. Dobbins, who had 27 carries of 10 or more yards, finished 2024 with 907 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He can run between the tackles, and he has the juice to create big plays. 48. Juwan Johnson, TE2024 team: New Orleans Saints | Age entering 2025 season: 28Johnson posted the best numbers of his career in 2024, catching 50 of 65 targets for 548 yards and three touchdowns. He can work the interior seams with his 6-4 frame, and he gets loose on underneath throws (38.7% of his total yardage this season came after the catch). 49. Keenan Allen, WR2024 team: Chicago Bears | Age entering 2025 season: 33Allen caught 70 passes in Chicago, leading to seven touchdown receptions. He isn’t as dynamic of a mover at this late stage of his career, but the veteran receiver is a crafty route runner who can make himself available to the quarterback. He fits as a chain-moving No. 3 receiver, which is the role he played for the Bears this season. 50. Najee Harris, RB2024 team: Pittsburgh Steelers | Age entering 2025 season: 27A volume grinder, Harris averaged 15.5 carries per game for Pittsburgh in 2024, and he topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the fourth straight year. While Harris isn’t a sudden mover with perimeter speed, he can handle downhill volume as an early-down runner and catch the ball out of the backfield on underneath throws. Just missedNate Hobbs, CBDeMarcus Lawrence, EdgeDayo Odeyingbo, EdgeAaron Banks, GHollywood Brown, WRJosh Myers, CD.J. Jones, DTRico Dowdle, RBZach Ertz, TEPoona Ford, DT |
