Five teams were eliminated from the NFL playoffs over the weekend, which means that another five have officially entered the offseason. While going home early—or not making the postseason at all—is disappointing, the offseason provides a time for hope.

In the coming months, teams will stock up on fresh talent through free agency and the draft. The hope for many teams is that a roster overhaul will help lead to a quick turnaround like the ones the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers experienced this season.

Of course, adding new faces alone won't make a middling team a contender. A successful foray into free agency requires finding value, players who will contribute and players who are the right scheme fit. It also requires avoiding players with the potential to bust in a big way.

Players who carry injury concerns, have seen declining performances, are aging out of their prime playing windows or have very scheme-specific skill sets fall into this category.

Here, we'll examine some impending 2025 free agents that should be avoided, at least by certain teams and/or at specific price points. A look at Bleacher Report's top 50 2025 free agents can be found here.

WR Odell Beckham Jr.

It seems that NFL teams keep expecting Odell Beckham Jr. to be the explosive, game-changing receiver he was early in his career with the New York Giants. The reality, though, is that Beckham is 32 and simply isn't going to return to his previous form.

The Miami Dolphins signed Beckham to a one-year, $3 million deal in 2024. While that wasn't an overly expensive deal, Miami got little in return for its investment. Beckham opened the season on the reserve/PUP list and caught just nine passes for 55 yards in nine games.

Beckham was released in mid-December.

While Beckham did have a respectable 565-year, three-touchdown season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, it's clear that his days of being a difference-maker are over. Teams should ignore the name recognition and look elsewhere for receiver help.

Target Instead: WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Could Beckham reestablish himself in 2025 if healthy? It's possible, but he should be viewed as pure depth at this point. Teams looking for a quality receiver who shouldn't break the bank—as top free agents Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin probably will—should consider Tennessee Titans wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

Westbrook-Ikhine flashed his breakaway ability in 2024, averaging 15.5 yards per reception. He also showcased himself as a red-zone threat, catching nine touchdowns in one of the league's most underwhelming passing attacks. He'll only turn 28 in March and can offer much more long-term value than an aging wideout like Beckham.

RB Ezekiel Elliott

To be clear, Ezekiel Elliot still has some value as a backfield depth piece. He's functional in pass protection, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. That's why he was able to latch on with the Los Angeles Chargers following his release.

The Dallas Cowboys wanted to give Elliott a chance to join a playoff team, and he found a home fairly quickly.

"He's earned this opportunity at his request," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said, per Patrik Walker of the team's official website.

Elliott made sense for the Chargers, who had used a committee backfield and seen both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards battle injuries during the season. Elliott should not be viewed as a high-end contributor in 2025 free agency.

Rico Dowdle quickly took over the bulk of Dallas' backfield work in 2024, and Elliott finished the season with just 74 carries. The 29-year-old lost his burst as a ball-carrier, averaged just 3.1 yards per rush this season and hasn't averaged 4.0 yards per carry since 2021.

Target Instead: Kareem Hunt

Any team interested in short-term help from an older, experienced back should consider Kareem Hunt instead of Elliott. While Hunt has also lost some of his burst, his physical running style has helped him remain productive, especially near the goal line. He rushed for nine touchdowns with the Cleveland Browns in 2023 and seven for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.

A capable receiving back, Hunt finished this year's 13-game stint with Kansas City with 23 receptions and 904 scrimmage yards.

CB Jeff Okudah

There will always be teams willing to take a chance on players with a noteworthy draft pedigree. That's why 2020 third overall pick Jeff Okudah landed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and with the Houston Texans this season despite being largely disappointing with the team that drafted him, the Detroit Lions.

Okudah landed a one-year, $4.8 million deal with Houston last offseason.

However, Okudah shouldn't be viewed, or paid, as a starting-caliber cornerback. He's battled injuries throughout his NFL career and hasn't played particularly well when healthy.

In 2024, Okudah spent time on injured reserve with a hip injury. He appeared in six regular-season games and allowed an opposing passer rating of 140.7 in coverage.

Okudah will turn just 26 years old in February, and if a team wants to take a flier on his upside, that's understandable. However, teams should target him for a backup/developmental role and only be willing to pay him accordingly.

Target Instead: CB Asante Samuel Jr.

Any team looking to take a chance on a former high draft pick with injury concerns should consider Asante Samuel Jr. instead of Okudah. The 2021 second-round pick only appeared in four games this season before landing on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. However, he has performed well in the past.

Samuel started 43 games between 2021 and 2023 and never allowed an opposing passer rating above 100.0. He won't turn 26 until next October.

QB Daniel Jones

Seasoned backup quarterbacks always have value, and because of this, Daniel Jones does deserve to be on a team in 2025. With 69 starts on his resume, Jones is experienced, and he was quickly scooped up by the Minnesota Vikings following his release from the New York Giants.

However, teams considering taking a chance on a former draft bust in hopes of reigniting a career—a la Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold—should look elsewhere.

Jones had six seasons to prove himself a capable starter with the Giants. He had one "good" year that culminated in a playoff berth in 2022. Otherwise, the 27-year-old (28 in May) has largely performed like a career backup.

To be fair, Jones rarely had a strong supporting cast in New York. The fact that he was frequently outperformed by backups like Tyrod Taylor, Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock, however, is concerning. Jones finished his Giants tenure with a 24-44-1 record and an 84.3 passer rating.

Jones has backup value but isn't a potential reclamation project worth a gamble.

Target Instead: QB Zach Wilson

If a team wants to bring in a former New York disappointment and let him compete for a starting job, Zach Wilson is a far more enticing target than Jones. A first-round pick of the New York Jets in 2021, Wilson never established himself as a quality starter. After watching Aaron Rodgers struggle in New York this season—while Darnold shined in Minnesota—it's fair to wonder how much Wilson's environment hindered his development.

Wilson performed well for the Denver Broncos in the preseason and still has a ton of untapped athletic upside. He's also more than two years younger than Jones.

OT Tyron Smith

Tyron Smith is probably a future Hall of Famer who will carry plenty of name recognition into the 2025 free-agent market. However, teams should not view him as a long-term starter or even a truly reliable bridge tackle in 2025.

The 34-year-old was an effective run blocker for the Jets in 2024 but saw a sharp decline in pass protection. He was responsible for six penalties and five sacks allowed over 592 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith also finished the season on injured reserve with a neck injury.

Assuming Smith wants to continue playing in 2025, his injury history is the biggest concern. He hasn't started more than 13 games in a season since 2015 and has appeared in only 40 games over the past five seasons.

Smith could again be considered as a budget option at a premium position—he played on a modest one-year, $6.5 million deal in 2024—but he's no longer the quality starter he once was in Dallas.

Target Instead: OT Cam Robinson

The 2025 tackle market should be led by Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson. Teams considering a more budget-friendly option should target Cam Robinson over Smith. Injuries are also a bit of a concern for the 29-year-old, who landed on injured reserve in 2023, but Robinson started 17 games for the Carolina Panthers and Vikings in 2024.

Robinson isn't a high-level pass protector—he allowed seven sacks in 999 snaps this season, according to PFF—but he's younger and more dependable than Smith at this point in their respective careers.

RB Javonte Williams

Elliott and Hunt are older backs who should only garner interest on short-term deals. Broncos running back Javonte Williams, however, might be viewed as a potential long-term starter. He has started 29 games for Denver over four seasons and won't turn 25 until April.

However, teams should be wary of valuing Williams as a high-level starter. While he flashed promise as a rookie in 2021, he suffered a torn ACL the following season and hasn't been a consistent ball-carrier since.

Williams averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 2023 and 3.7 yards per carry in 2024. His lack of rushing production can't be blamed on his supporting cast either, as fellow running back Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estimé both topped 4.0 yards per carry this season.

While Williams can aid a team in a backup capacity, teams should avoid paying him the going rate for a starting back—Tony Pollard, for example, landed a three-year, $21.8 million deal last offseason.

Williams has topped 1,000 scrimmage yards twice in four seasons, but he simply isn't a high-end starter.

Target Instead: RB Rico Dowdle

Teams hoping to land a starting-caliber back on the upswing should consider Dallas' Rico Dowdle instead of Williams. While he's older than Williams—Dowdle will turn 27 in June—he's logged 377 fewer touches during his playing career. Dowdle also established himself as a quality starter in Dallas this season.

Dowdle quickly established himself as Dallas' No. 1 back, started 15 games and finished the season with 1,328 scrimmage yards. While Dowdle isn't as young as some teams may prefer for their next starter, he hasn't seen the wear and tear that most backs his age have experienced in the NFL.

*Contract information via Spotrac