2025 NFL free agency: Best players available on defense - ESPN

«We can be this year's Eagles.» The mantra going through 31 buildings across the NFL as free agency approaches is built around imitating what Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman did last offseason to assemble a Super Bowl champion. While draft picks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean proved to be excellent additions at cornerback, the Eagles thrived by adding one of the best free agent classes in a single offseason.

Most teams will go years without landing a first-team All-Pro in free agency. The Eagles landed two in 2024 with running back Saquon Barkley and linebacker Zack Baun. Barkley flourished in a much better offense alongside quarterback Jalen Hurts, while Baun moved from edge rusher to linebacker and exceeded the wildest of expectations. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who left the team in free agency the prior year, returned to the Eagles and picked off six passes. And former Jets tackle Mekhi Becton moved to guard and had a career year on the interior under offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

Even amid a stellar class, Roseman had his misses. His biggest investment was at edge rusher, where Bryce Huff quickly fell out of favor and was a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl. Former Bucs linebacker Devin White signed a one-year, $4 million deal with $3.5 million guaranteed, but after he battled injuries in training camp, Baun's emergence prompted the Eagles to cut White before the start of the regular season.

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Roseman had four of the best signings in free agency and two of the worst, which is a reminder of how difficult the free agent market can be. Most moves don't work out. Landing the sort of haul the Eagles hit on a year ago happens once every couple of decades. Every team