NFL free agency: 11 players who deserve big-money deals after strong 2025 seasons

Willis is the next quarterback in line to earn a second starting opportunity after spending a transitional phase developing under an excellent offensive coach and play-caller (Matt LaFleur). Willis was an erratic signal-caller with the Titans, completing just 53 percent of his throws during his two seasons in Nashville, but he has morphed into an efficient passer in Green Bay. Completing 78.7 percent of his throws over 11 games (three starts) with the Packers, Willis consistently distributed the ball to his weapons, took what the defense gave him and was a legitimate threat as a runner and playmaker outside the pocket. In other years, a guy like Willis might not be that highly sought-after, but it's not a deep draft class at the position, and there aren't a lot of high-quality options in free agency. Regardless, Willis has shown enough improvement to merit another shot. The perfect landing spot? Reuniting with the Dolphins' new power couple, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, who were both with Willis in Green Bay.

Maturity issues aside, Pickens' on-field production is hard to ignore. After getting traded to Dallas last offseason, he proved he can succeed as a No. 1 receiver and as part of a dynamic receiving tandem alongside CeeDee Lamb, who missed three games due to injury. Pickens established a rapport with Dak Prescott early on and ended the campaign with five games of 130-plus receiving yards. That led to Pickens posting career highs in targets (137), catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine), ultimately getting his first Pro Bowl bid. The big-bodied wideout has earned a major payday, but given the character concerns, it's a buyer-beware situation.

Pierce has consistently blown the top off defenses as an explosive downfield receiver for the Colts. The league leader in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons -- 22.3 in 2024, 21.3 in '25 -- Pierce just eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career with Indy's improved quarterback play. He has a skill set that teams will pay handsomely for in free agency, especially after the season Pierce just enjoyed.

I loved the midseason trade that sent Shaheed to Seattle, and it's obvious why. Shaheed was effective in his first three-plus years in New Orleans, but the move put a bigger spotlight on how much of an impact he can make as an electric player with the ball in his hands. For those of you who didn't see last Saturday's Divisional Round blowout of San Francisco, Shaheed is Percy Harvin-esque with the goods to alter a game as a returner, as evidenced by his 95-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff. Shaheed is lightning in a bottle with the talent to elevate a lot of offenses.

Pitts was the best tight end prospect I'd ever seen when he entered the draft in 2021, and he enjoyed a solid rookie campaign before underwhelming the next three seasons. That's why it was great to see him finally get back on track in 2025, hauling in 88 balls for 928 yards and five touchdowns. His production wasn't necessarily off the charts, but he played a huge role in Atlanta's offense, with Drake London in and out of the lineup in the second half of the season. For proof, look at his 11-catch, 166-yard, three-TD performance in Week 15. Pitts might be risky because of the inconsistency, but his upside is worth the investment.

Baltimore didn't pick up Linderbaum's fifth-year option last offseason -- reportedly, it was a financial decision, not a performance-based one -- and he responded with his third consecutive Pro Bowl effort, earning Pro Football Focus' fifth-highest grade among centers. Linderbaum's strength is in the run game, and he has great synergy with quarterback Lamar Jackson. There's no way Baltimore should let this highly prized soon-to-be free agent out the door.

It's rare to see the Ravens give up on a first-round pick -- especially a pass rusher, given how much of a premium this league puts on that role. But in early October, GM Eric DeCosta traded Oweh to Los Angeles, where he played with renewed energy as a rotational pass rusher. Logging 50 percent of the defensive snaps in 12 regular-season games with the Chargers, Oweh recorded 7.5 sacks, 13 QB hits and eight tackles for loss (all second on the team) and had the 10th-best QB pressure percentage (15.8) among players with a minimum of 250 rushes, per Next Gen Stats. And then he racked up three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Wild Card Weekend loss at New England. The rejuvenated 27-year-old still has a lot to give.

After missing significant time with injuries in 2023 and '24, Phillips made his impact felt during a healthy '25 campaign. The veteran pass rusher was a huge midseason addition for the Eagles, elevating Vic Fangio's defense in the second half of the season by disrupting opposing quarterbacks. After trading for Phillips prior to Week 10, the Eagles ranked first in points per game allowed (15.6) and opposing completion percentage (54.3) and tied for fifth in sacks (26) over the final nine weeks of the regular season. Phillips posted two sacks, seven QB hits and 34 pressures (per NGS) during that span, and he didn't play in Week 18. Phillips is a complete defensive end and he reminded everyone what he's capable of under Fangio's tutelage.

He had three solid -- but not great -- seasons prior to Jacksonville declining his fifth-year option last offseason. In 2025, everything came together for Lloyd under Anthony Campanile, and he earned a second-team All-Pro nod as a result. The former first-round pick logged a career-high five interceptions, including the jaw-dropping, 99-yard pick-six of Patrick Mahomes early in the season. It was great to see Lloyd finally live up to the lofty expectations he had coming out of the 2022 draft as a force in the run game and in coverage.

Wright enjoyed a breakout season on an opportunistic Bears defense. The 6-foot-4, 199-pound corner put his instincts and ball skills on full display, recording 11 pass breakups and five interceptions (second on the team), including a pick-six against Minnesota in Week 1. Wright found success on the outside as he was able to use his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage and on the perimeter. He was also effective in the run game with 31 stops, tied for fourth-most among cornerbacks, per Next Gen Stats. The Bears showed that, when he's used correctly, Wright can be a valuable defensive piece.  

Curl's big interception in overtime of the Rams' Divisional Round win over Chicago is the type of play that will put -- and keep -- defensive backs on a lot of radars. But he's been more than just that one play for the Rams this season. Curl allowed only one touchdown and a 79.5 passer rating against (with two interceptions) on 633 coverage snaps during the regular season, per Next Gen Stats. He's a smart, tough safety who's also stout against the run. In fact, he was PFF's highest-graded run defender among qualified safeties.