The highest remaining NFL free agent is a former standout for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

As NFL free agency slows to a crawl in the aftermath of the 2025 Draft, several notable names remain unsigned. Among them, one looms larger than the rest: Jedrick Wills Jr., a former Alabama Crimson Tide standout who, at only 26 years old, is still looking for his next NFL team. Once heralded as one of the best offensive tackles in his draft class, Wills finds himself at a crossroads in his professional career.

His current free agency status highlights the volatility of life in the NFL—where early promise can be overshadowed by injuries, inconsistent play, and shifting team priorities. But for Wills, and many of his fellow Alabama alumni also navigating the market, a return to form and a new opportunity may just be one phone call away.

Wills joined the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2017 as a highly-touted four-star recruit from Lexington, Kentucky. Under the tutelage of Nick Saban and offensive line coach Brent Key, Wills quickly developed into a dominant right tackle. By his junior year in 2019, he was widely considered the best pass-protecting tackle in college football, helping to anchor an offensive line that protected quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and paved the way for future NFL stars like Najee Harris and Jerry Jeudy.

In his final college season, Wills was a First-Team All-SEC selection and earned Second-Team All-American honors. Scouts lauded his consistency in pass protection and run blocking. According to Pro Football Focus, Wills allowed just one sack over 920 snaps in 2019—an astonishing stat given the SEC’s defensive talent.

Wills declared for the NFL Draft after the 2019 season, and his decision was quickly validated. The Cleveland Browns selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Though he had played right tackle at Alabama, Cleveland shifted him to left tackle to protect quarterback Baker Mayfield’s blind side.

As a rookie, Wills started 15 games and earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He showed remarkable poise and quick adaptation to the NFL’s speed and complexity. Analysts praised his footwork, lateral agility, and football IQ.

However, Wills’ trajectory started to wobble in his second and third seasons. Injuries, including nagging ankle and knee issues, began to sideline him for extended periods. In 2023, he missed six games and struggled when on the field, surrendering multiple sacks and drawing penalties that frustrated fans and coaches alike.

By 2024, concerns about his effort began to surface. He made headlines in November when he reportedly chose to sit out a critical divisional game, citing his health despite being medically cleared. The Browns viewed the decision as a lack of commitment, and Wills was benched for the remainder of the season. He was quietly released at the end of his rookie contract, without the team exercising his fifth-year option.

Despite his pedigree and potential, Wills remains unsigned. There are several contributing factors:

1. Injury Concerns – Two straight seasons of knee and ankle problems have raised red flags for potential suitors.
2. Perceived Lack of Effort – Wills’ decision to sit out games and his apparent attitude in practices during his final year in Cleveland have made some general managers wary.
3. Scheme Fit – Teams are unsure if Wills is better suited at left or right tackle, especially given his uneven NFL tape.
4. Price Tag – As a former top-10 pick, Wills may be commanding a salary that teams aren’t willing to offer without proven durability and motivation.

Still, the upside is impossible to ignore. In a league desperate for offensive line talent, Wills could be a low-risk, high-reward signing if placed in the right environment.

A number of teams could be good fits for Wills:

• Chicago Bears – With rookie QB Caleb Williams now under center, Chicago needs to invest in protection. Wills could compete for a starting job or be a swing tackle.
• New England Patriots – Rebuilding under Jerod Mayo, the Patriots have a history of taking chances on former first-rounders.
• Cincinnati Bengals – Eyeing Super Bowl contention, the Bengals could view Wills as valuable insurance behind an aging line.
• Kansas City Chiefs – Andy Reid values linemen with high ceilings, and Wills would benefit from a strong locker room and elite coaching.

Wills isn’t alone. Several former Alabama standouts also remain unsigned:

• Najee Harris – After Pittsburgh declined his option, Harris is one of the top backs available, drawing interest from Dallas and the Chargers.
• Amari Cooper – The veteran wideout is a free agent after a tough 2024. Teams may look to him as a WR2 or mentor.
• Cam Robinson – The former Jaguar offers versatility at left tackle but needs to prove consistency.
• Ryan Kelly – The former Colts captain brings leadership and skill, even at age 32.
• Mac Jones – Once a franchise QB hopeful, Jones may now be relegated to backup duty, but he remains a name to watch.

Compared to his Alabama predecessors and successors—players like Cam Robinson, Jonah Williams, Evan Neal, and Alex Leatherwood—Wills came into the league with arguably the most hype. His technique and pass-blocking prowess were considered elite.

However, while Neal has struggled with the Giants and Leatherwood fizzled quickly, Wills’ early success gave hope that he’d become a cornerstone. His fall has been more surprising, given his initial trajectory.

For Wills to re-establish himself:

1. Health – Teams need proof he’s physically sound.
2. Commitment – Showing up early, staying late, and putting in the film work are all essential.
3. Versatility – The more he can do—left tackle, right tackle, even guard in a pinch—the more valuable he becomes.
4. A Reset Environment – A change of scenery could be the spark he needs.

One thing in Wills’ favor is his pedigree. NFL teams continue to trust players developed under Nick Saban. Alabama linemen are known for being well-prepared, technically sound, and physically tough.

And the Crimson Tide legacy in the NFL is real: from Quinnen Williams to C.J. Mosley to Patrick Surtain II, Alabama players often find second lives or long careers in the pros. Teams know that a former Saban pupil comes with a high football IQ and foundational training.

Jedrick Wills Jr. remains the most talented unsigned player in NFL free agency—an unusual distinction for a former top-10 pick still in his mid-20s. But with great talent comes great expectations, and so far, Wills hasn’t met them at the professional level.

That doesn’t mean his story is finished.

The NFL has shown time and again that redemption arcs are possible. Whether it’s through a prove-it deal, a strong training camp, or simply the right coach believing in him, Wills has the tools to revive his career.

For Alabama fans, it’s another reminder of the Crimson Tide’s deep and enduring influence on pro football. And for Wills, the time is now to prove that the book on his career is far from closed.