The Best Team Fits for the Top Free Agents After the NFL Draft

Aaron Rodgers, Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper and Von Miller are just some of the notable free agents available.

Aaron Rodgers warms up before a New York Jets game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on Dec. 15, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The biggest event of the NFL offseason is now over as the draft is in the rearview mirror. With NFL free agency starting back in March, rosters are coming into focus for the majority of squads, but there are several notable players still unsigned. The draft filled many holes on many teams, but not all of them, so several big-name veterans could be linking up with franchises soon. Here are some of the best remaining free agents and which teams would best accommodate their presences.

QB Aaron Rodgers—Pittsburgh Steelers

The two teams that were most often linked to Rodgers—the Steelers and New York Giants—both took quarterbacks in the draft. The Giants traded up to select Jaxson Dart in the first round, but Pittsburgh waited until the sixth round to take CFP national champion Will Howard of Ohio State. The Steelers are still in the market for a starting quarterback, and Rodgers is still a starting-caliber signal caller.

While his numbers have precipitously dropped since his MVP days in Green Bay, Rodgers was discernibly better over the second half of last season, as he began to get further removed from his Achilles tear. The four-time MVP had a 10:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 82.2 passer rating over his first seven games, compared with an 18:4 TD:INT and 97 passer rating over his last 10 games. Rodgers is taking his time to decide if and where he wants to play in 2025, and the Steelers’ draft decisions indicate they are willing to be patient as well.

RB Nick Chubb—Los Angeles Rams

After returning from an injury-shortened 2023 season, Chubb looked nothing like his usual self last year before his season again ended early due to a broken foot. However, he still owns a career rushing average of 5.1 that is fourth-best in NFL history among running backs. Chubb’s struggles last year could also be attributed to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who was in his first year on the job and was fired after the season. A reunion with former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who is now with the Rams, makes sense for both sides. Chubb had his greatest success under Van Pelt, and the Rams could use a complementary back to Kyren Williams, as Los Angeles ranked 31^st with 3.9 yards per carry in 2024.

RB J.K. Dobbins—New Orleans Saints

Injuries are always a concern with Dobbins—he missed four games last year—but his production is not. He had a career high of 905 rushing yards with the Chargers in 2024, and he caught more passes (32) than he had over his three previous seasons combined (27). The blossoming skill would make him a good fit alongside Alvin Kamara in the Saints’ backfield under new coach, Kellen Moore. The former Eagles offensive coordinator guided Saquon Barkley to a career season, and he would get the best out of Dobbins, whose health may benefit from not being a 15- to 18-touch back.

Amari Cooper—Tennessee Titans

If playing for a playoff team is Cooper’s goal, then the Denver Broncos make sense. But if targets and receptions are what the veteran wants, then the Titans are the best bet. They drafted a pair of wideouts in the fourth round, but outside of Calvin Ridley, the only other proven vets are journeyman Van Jefferson and the declining Tyler Lockett. Cooper would be a nice security blanket for quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick, and would also be a mentor to the rookie Titan receivers.

Given how Cooper is coming off career lows across the board, playing for the Titans could rehab his stock entering his age-31 season. Tennessee is expected to be trailing early and often, which means it will also be throwing the ball early and often to get back into games, which would benefit someone like Cooper.

Von Miller—Dallas Cowboys

The future Hall of Famer showed he still has something left in the tank with the Bills last year, notching six sacks despite playing just one-third of defensive snaps. That’s what the 36-year-old is at this stage—a part-timer—but a team with Super Bowl aspirations could use someone like Miller. And as delusional as it may sound, the Cowboys always have Super Bowl aspirations.

Dallas lost pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence, Chauncey Golston, and Carl Lawson, who combined for 13.5 sacks a year ago. So there’s a need at the position, and it just so happens that Miller is a native of Dallas-Forth Worth. He may even be willing to take a hometown discount to finish his football career where it started.

Stephon Gilmore—San Francisco 49ers

As a five-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champ, and Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore could end up in Canton, Ohio, one day. Before that, however, it seems a certainty that he’ll end up on his sixth team in six seasons. He’s still an effective starter, as the last two teams he played for—the Vikings (2024) and Cowboys (2023)—both had top-five scoring defenses. Meanwhile, San Fran dipped to 29^th in defense last year and purged much of its roster. The Niners used their first three draft picks to upgrade their front seven, but that back end could still use improvements. The veteran leadership that Gilmore would provide shouldn’t be discounted, though he may have to settle for a below-market deal to go to the cash-strapped 49ers.

Justin Simmons—Washington Commanders

It wasn’t until mid-August that Simmons was signed by Atlanta, even though his 32 interceptions since entering the league in 2016 are the most in the NFL. He’d be an ideal fit with a team that already has a good passing defense but struggles with takeaways. Enter the Washington Commanders, who ranked third in passing defense a year ago but also saw just three teams pick off fewer passes. Simmons has never played in the postseason in his nine-year career, so linking up with a team coming off an NFC Championship Game appearance may be his best opportunity to see the NFL’s second season.