Who are the best 2021 NFL free agents available?

Bargains are hard to find in NFL free agency, but signing one of the top-25 players in this year’s class can pay big dividends for Super Bowl contenders. 

Good NFL teams build the majority of their rosters through the draft, but that doesn’t mean free agency can be ignored. Adding the right veteran or two can turn a Super Bowl pretender into a legitimate contender in just a single offseason.

The trick for front offices is finding the right free agents to spend serious cash on. Overpaying for a big-name veteran on the downside of his career can financially hamstring a team for years. On the flip side, landing a young veteran on a cut-rate deal can help free up valuable salary cap space for the full life of the contract.

Teams hoping to land a potential impact player in this year’s free agency class should take a long look at the following list of players. Here are the top-25 free agents in the 2021 class.

The odds favor the Cowboys finding a way to keep Prescott, but he’ll receive massive offers if he is permitted to hit the open market. The one certainty for him this offseason is that he’s going to get big money from someone.

Godwin was a legitimate weapon in Tampa Bay before Tom Brady arrived. His play with the Hall-of-Fame quarterback in 2020 will only serve to earn him a few extra millions in free agency.

Golladay has been an under-the-radar star during his days in Detroit. Look for him to explode onto the national scene in 2021 with a new team. He’s a big-bodied wideout who can make big plays and tough catches down the field.

David was all over the field for an underrated Buccaneers defense in 2020. If Tampa Bay elects to let him walk, he’ll draw interest from a number of teams looking to add an athletic playmaker to their linebacker corps.

Guard may not be the most prized position in the modern NFL, but Scherff is one of the top players at his position in the entire NFL. He could get paid like a starting tackle this offseason due to his ability to upgrade a team’s run blocking and pass protection.

Teams looking to add a big-play threat to their receiving corps will have strong interest in Robinson. The fact that he seems determined to leave Chicago will only enhance his free agent market.

Williams showed few signs of rust for the ‘Niners in 2020 after taking the previous season off in Washington. He’s getting up there in age, but high-level left tackles always get paid in free agency. Williams may have to take a short-term deal, but he’ll get paid nonetheless.

The Vikings’ desire to sign safety Harrison Smith to a long-term deal means Harris could be on his way out. Teams looking for a young center fielder to build around should give him a long look.

Simmons is the rare free safety who has the ability to make plays both near the line of scrimmage and in deep coverage. It’s hard to imagine Vic Fangio letting him leave Denver, but it will require a big deal to keep him.

Smith-Schuster may never be the overwhelming superstar it looked like he could become when he played opposite Antonio Brown. He’s still a legitimate No. 1 wideout heading into his age-25 season. That will get him a big contract from someone.

Barrett’s 20-sack season in 2019 was a bit of a fluke, but he still profiles as a great pass-rusher who also holds up well against the run. That combination places him significantly above the pass-rushing specialists in this year’s class.

Linsley protected Aaron Rodgers en route to being named an All-Pro in 2020. He’s the best center available in this year’s free agent class by a wide margin. Green Bay may not be able to hold on to him.

Henry hasn’t blossomed into the elite receiving tight end people thought he might become after his collegiate days at Arkansas. He’s still an above-average pass catcher who also boosts his team’s blocking. That combination will get him a big deal in free agency.

Clowney was a bust for the Titans’ last season, but it’s hard to ignore his freakish athletic gifts. He’ll never rack up a ton of sacks, but if he’s willing to take a moderate deal in free agency he’ll garner a lot of offers.

If Moton were a left tackle he’d be near the top of his list, but his value is depressed considerably by playing on the right-hand side. He’ll still be a valuable commodity in the offseason. Expect the Panthers to strongly consider franchising him if they can’t get him to agree to a long-term extension.

The Patriots surprised everyone by franchising Thuney last season, but look for him to hit the open market this time around. He’s a step behind Scherff at the guard position, but he still profiles as an above-average starter for teams in need of interior help.

Williams picked a great time to notch 11.5 sacks just as he is slated to hit free agency. That might overstate his acumen as a pass-rusher, but there’s little doubt he serves as an excellent run-stuffer. His contract might easily outperform this ranking as a result of his well-rounded game.

The Saints are going with Taysom Hill as Drew Brees’ successor which should push Winston into free agency. Teams looking for a short-term starter could do a lot worse than the former Buccaneers’ quarterback.

The Saints telegraphed their decision to let Williams go when they brought back Malcolm Butler. That’s a curious decision regarding the young safety. Emerging teams looking for a coverage guy at free safety should make a strong offer for Williams.

Some teams might shy away from Hilton because of his struggles playing outside. The right way to look at his game is that he’s one of the best slot corners in all of football. Playoff teams looking to add a difference-maker in the secondary should look Hilton’s way.

A.J. Brown deserves all of the attention he gets in Tennessee, but his stardom overshadowed the strides Davis has made recently. He may never become the No. 1 wideout the Titans thought he could be coming into the league, but he’s an above average No. 2 starter for most teams in the league.

Aaron Rodgers has enjoyed an unbelievable season for Green Bay, but Jones has also been hugely productive for Green Bay. Handing a running back a big contract is frowned upon in the modern NFL, but someone will give Jones a sizeable contract.

Injuries limited Ingram to just seven games in 2020, but don’t expect teams to hold that against him in free agency. His ability to play effectively as a pass-rusher and run-stuffer makes him unique in this market. He’ll get a strong deal if he does leave Los Angeles.

Teams acquiring Ngakoue to blossom into a superstar are perpetually disappointed. He’s still a very good edge rusher who is only 25-years-old. Paying him to be an above-average starter is a reasonable decision for any team looking to add a solid, young veteran to their defensive front.

Peterson has lost a step or two due to age-related regression, but he’s still a solid starter capable of holding up in man coverage. Teams should avoid giving him a long-term deal, but a one or two-year contract at a high annual value could pay off for a contender in need of secondary help.