The 2025 NFL free agency period is in full swing, and while surprises are inevitable, some moves just make too much sense not to happen. Whether it’s bolstering a struggling offensive line, adding firepower to a depleted receiving corps, or shoring up a leaky defense, teams have clear needs that certain players could fill seamlessly.
Here are five free-agent signings that seem tailor-made to happen this offseason.
1. Ronnie Stanley to the Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs Must Fix Their Left Tackle Problem
The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line woes in 2024 were well documented. Their left tackles allowed pressure on 11.3% of pass plays—the worst rate in the NFL—and combined for a dismal 50.0 PFF pass-blocking grade, the lowest in the league. By midseason, Kansas City was so desperate that they shifted Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney to left tackle. However, with Thuney now traded to the Chicago Bears, the Chiefs must address this glaring hole in free agency.
Enter Ronnie Stanley, a former All-Pro left tackle who is coming off his best season since 2020. Stanley earned a 70.7 PFF overall grade, with an 80.9 pass-blocking grade, ranking 16th among tackles. He allowed pressure on just 6.7% of pass plays, making him a major upgrade for Patrick Mahomes’ blindside protection.
This move wouldn’t just make sense—it feels like a necessity for the Chiefs if they want to maintain their offensive dominance in 2025.
2. Drew Dalman to the Chicago Bears
Bolstering Caleb Williams’ Protection
The Chicago Bears have been aggressive in upgrading their offensive line under new head coach Ben Johnson, adding guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. However, they still lack a true starting center, with Coleman Shelton only signed for one year in 2024.
That’s where Drew Dalman comes in. Over the past two seasons, Dalman has quietly emerged as one of the NFL’s top centers, ranking in the top five in PFF overall grades both years. While his strength lies more in run blocking, his addition would solidify a Chicago offensive line that is suddenly looking like one of the better units in the league.
For a young quarterback like Caleb Williams, having a reliable center is crucial. This signing would give the Bears an elite interior trio, providing stability and helping Williams thrive in his second season.
3. Amari Cooper to the Los Angeles Chargers
Giving Justin Herbert a Reliable Target
The Los Angeles Chargers’ receiving corps was a disaster last season. Outside of rookie standout Ladd McConkey, the team had no consistent weapons, as evidenced by their lone playoff game, where McConkey accounted for 197 of the team’s 242 receiving yards.
With Tee Higgins locked up by Cincinnati, the free-agent receiver market lacks a true No. 1 option. However, Amari Cooper could be the perfect No. 2 receiver for Justin Herbert. While Cooper struggled to find a role in Buffalo after a midseason trade, he remains one of the league’s most polished route runners. Given a full offseason to integrate into the Chargers’ system, he could return to being a dependable target.
For a team in desperate need of playmakers, Cooper represents a low-risk, high-reward option that just makes sense.
4. Charvarius Ward to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A Lockdown Corner for Todd Bowles’ Defense
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a pressing need at cornerback, even before the expected release of Jamel Dean. Their defense thrives on aggressive, man-to-man coverage—something that Charvarius Ward has excelled at during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
From 2022 to 2023, Ward posted an 89.1 PFF grade, trailing only Sauce Gardner among all cornerbacks. He also logged 2,163 snaps, the fourth-most in the league over that period. However, 2024 was a down year for him, largely due to an off-field tragedy that affected his performance.
At just 29 years old, Ward has plenty of high-level football left in him. A change of scenery—particularly in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme—could help him return to form and solidify Tampa Bay’s secondary for years to come.
5. Milton Williams to the Arizona Cardinals
Revamping Arizona’s Pass Rush
The Arizona Cardinals had a brutal time generating pressure in 2024, ranking 27th in pass rush win rate (30.9%) and 28th in interior pass-rush grade (54.3 PFF). They need help on the defensive line, and Milton Williams might be the perfect answer.
While Williams isn’t a complete interior defender due to some struggles against the run, he is an elite pass-rusher. His 91.7 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2024 was the highest among all interior defensive linemen.
Another factor that makes this move a natural fit? Williams has a strong connection to Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was previously his defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. That familiarity could help him seamlessly integrate into Arizona’s defense while significantly improving their pass rush.
While nothing in NFL free agency is guaranteed, these five moves stand out as logical, beneficial, and realistic fits for both the teams and players involved. Whether it’s Ronnie Stanley stabilizing the Chiefs’ offensive line, Drew Dalman giving the Bears a top-tier center, or Amari Cooper bringing veteran presence to the Chargers, each of these signings would address a key need in a way that makes perfect sense.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the next few weeks will determine whether these ideal matches become reality. Stay tuned as free agency unfolds—because sometimes, the most obvious moves are the best ones.