{"id":259660,"date":"2025-11-03T12:17:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T12:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/259660\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T12:17:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T12:17:09","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-the-nfls-2025-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/259660\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the NFL\u2019s 2025 Trade Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

NFL<\/a>NFL<\/a>Which teams should be looking to deal? Which players could get moved by Tuesday afternoon? What are the dream trade scenarios? We\u2019ve got it all covered.\"\"AP Images\/Ringer illustration\"\"<\/a>By Diante Lee<\/a>Nov. 3, 11:30 am UTC \u2022 24 min<\/p>\n

The NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, with all transactions needing to be completed by Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. But some deals have already been made, as several playoff teams aren\u2019t waiting until the deadline to patch holes in their roster. We have seen the Rams and Eagles make trades to bolster their cornerback depth, with Los Angeles adding Roger McCreary from Tennessee and Philadelphia acquiring Michael Carter from the Jets and Jaire Alexander from Baltimore New England has also been active\u2014as a seller\u2014sending safety Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh and edge rusher Keion White to San Francisco.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re far from done, though. There are several big names who could still get dealt by Tuesday afternoon, and with so many teams still in playoff contention, there could be plenty of activity. Which teams should be looking to improve their rosters by adding players, and which teams should be in sell mode? And which high-profile players could find themselves on the move\u2014and what are some dream landing spots? We\u2019ve got it all covered in this trade deadline primer.<\/p>\n

Teams That Could Be Buyers<\/p>\n

There are no strict qualifications for which teams should be buyers, but generally the clubs that are most active are those jockeying for position in the playoff race. Whether a bona fide championship contender like the Eagles or teams in tight division races like the 49ers and Patriots, the trade deadline is a chance to gain an edge.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles<\/p>\n

If any team meets the criteria for \u201cbuyer,\u201d it\u2019s the Eagles. Philadelphia has acquired two cornerbacks by trade in the past week. Addressing the secondary has clearly been Philadelphia\u2019s biggest priority in recent months, and the hope now is that one of the newly acquired players, either Carter or Alexander, can step into the no. 2 cornerback spot, which has been a weakness for the team during the first two months of this season.<\/p>\n

The Eagles also could stand to add a pass rusher to improve the defense\u2019s ability to generate pressure, especially when Vic Fangio isn\u2019t blitzing. There were recent reports about Philadelphia\u2019s interest <\/a>in Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, and while we should never ignore Howie Roseman\u2019s persistent hunt for star talent, I wouldn\u2019t expect a deal of that magnitude to come together. Instead, the Eagles will likely have to settle for a trade that brings in an edge rusher such as Miami\u2019s Jaelan Phillips or Bradley Chubb.<\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

Remember when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones traded away his best defensive player to [clears throat] improve Dallas\u2019s run defense<\/a>? About that. Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Cowboys are dead last<\/a> in success rate against the run and give up the fourth most rushing yards before contact.<\/p>\n

Dallas has to do something about its front seven at the deadline. That group is simply unwatchable and is on pace<\/a> to be one of the worst run defenses in league history. We\u2019ve spent plenty of time<\/a> snickering at Jones for trading edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers, but the situation is more sad than funny now. The worst-case scenario for Dallas has come to fruition\u2014the offense is better than anyone could\u2019ve imagined under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, and it\u2019s going to waste because of this horrendous defense. Dak Prescott would be a legitimate MVP candidate if his defense could simply get a stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Back in late August, right after trading Parsons, Jones spoke at length about how now owning four first-round picks over the next two drafts would give the team the ability to acquire \u201ctop Pro Bowl\u2013type players,\u201d and hinted the team could use some of that future draft capital right away. \u201cNothing says we can’t use some of those picks right now to go get somebody right now. Don’t rule that out,\u201d Jones said<\/a>. And in late September, before Parsons\u2019s return to Jerry World with his new team, Jones said the team would trade picks if a \u201cspecial\u201d player were available. \u201cIf you’ve got the currency to do it, which in this case would be draft picks, we’ll do it,\u201d Jones said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But last week, Jones seemed to pump the brakes on the idea that his team would make a blockbuster move at the deadline for a defender. \u201cCould one better player\u2014if we didn’t pay too big a price to have a better player on defense to possibly help? I’m not trying to be cute, but that’s why you’d go get him because you think that you could go help your defense. Are we one player away on defense? I think we’re not,\u201d Jones told reporters<\/a> after his team\u2019s 44-24 loss to the Broncos.<\/p>\n

Jones is right: This defense can\u2019t be fixed by the addition of one player. Still, we know Jones can be an unreliable narrator at best, and a mercurial decision-maker at worst. There\u2019s a history of Jones trying to wash away one transaction with the next one\u2014just look at how he\u2019s handled his receivers over the years. After trading away Amari Cooper in 2022, he brought in Brandin Cooks in 2023, then Jonathan Mingo last year to fill in for an injured Cooks. Then he traded for George Pickens ahead of this season. Maybe Jones won\u2019t find a star player by Tuesday\u2019s deadline, but I expect him to do something to add to a disappointing defense.<\/p>\n

As far as attainable pieces go, Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson recently asked to be traded, and he\u2019d be a good scheme fit with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who needs his linebackers to show up against the run without having to blitz them often. Or the Cowboys could call the Falcons about veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd. He\u2019d be a reliable option who can give Dallas some value on early downs and keep its smaller edge players from being targeted in the run game.<\/p>\n

But I want Jones to think big, and use that future draft capital to try to get Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Tennessee would be silly to deal him for anything less than a first-round pick (plus another player). Maybe Titans teammate Sebastian Joseph-Day would be a consolation if Tennessee refuses to deal Simmons. He\u2019s another early-down player who can rotate in to stop the run. Frankly, anything would be better than what Dallas is currently doing.<\/p>\n

San Francisco 49ers<\/p>\n

San Francisco could use help on both sides of the ball at the deadline, but adding players to an injured defense should be the priority, particularly after rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams suffered a potentially serious injury on Sunday. The defense is already without edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, and while their absences have given young defenders a chance to play, it hasn\u2019t worked out very well. While I am not suggesting that San Francisco should totally abandon the youth movement, bringing in a couple of guys with a bit more starting experience could keep the 49ers on their playoff pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One name San Francisco should consider is Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who\u2019s fallen out of Minnesota\u2019s rotation<\/a> in the last few weeks. Pace is no replacement for Warner in coverage, but he would help a thin linebacker group. In the secondary, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is a young defender who isn\u2019t seeing much of the field right now, and his raw athleticism is tantalizing. He could step in and push current starter Renardo Green, and at age 26 there\u2019s still long-term upside despite Taylor-Britt\u2019s inability to find a role in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

San Francisco has already acquired former Patriots edge rusher Keion White to help its front four, but it might also be worth making an offer to the Bengals for veteran Trey Hendrickson. A low-risk, more attainable option would be Buccaneers defensive lineman Logan Hall, a tweener type like White who can align in several spots and help out against the run.<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions<\/p>\n

It would be hard to argue with Detroit\u2019s logic if it decides to stand pat after its 5-2 start. There aren\u2019t many holes on the roster, and not every player is a good fit in Detroit\u2019s schemes, especially on defense.<\/p>\n

The Lions just signed star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to a massive contract extension, but they have consistently had trouble finding a talented no. 2 rusher. If there\u2019s a spot to address, that\u2019s it\u2014but the market is short on ideal answers. Trey Hendrickson is an easy name to throw in here (I half expected Detroit to push for him in the offseason), and this is exactly where he\u2019d make the most sense: as a short-term option on a Super Bowl contender.<\/p>\n

If Detroit doesn\u2019t make a splashy move for Hendrickson, I have a more unconventional name the team could consider: Cardinals edge rusher Zaven Collins. Collins hasn\u2019t lived up to his potential as a former first-rounder, and he\u2019s seeing less time on the field for Arizona this season. On film, you still see glimpses of the raw ability that made him such an interesting prospect in 2021, and Detroit\u2019s scheme could allow him to cut loose as a pass rusher. If anything, he\u2019s a low-cost player still on his rookie deal who could be worth trying to develop in 2026.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots<\/p>\n

Even with the caveat that New England\u2019s schedule has been relatively easy in the first half of the season, the Patriots have shot past everyone\u2019s expectations. Now there\u2019s an opportunity to make some additions on offense to give Drake Maye more help in the back half of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

New England needs a dependable running back and a field-stretching receiver. Current RB1 Rhamondre Stevenson has fumbling problems, and head coach Mike Vrabel clearly doesn\u2019t trust rookie TreVeyon Henderson enough to give him the starting job just yet. Carolina would be a good place for New England to look for a stable veteran back. The Panthers have been splitting the running back workload between Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and I think now would be a good time to make an aggressive move for Dowdle. He\u2019s on a one-year deal, so there\u2019s no risk that he\u2019d block Henderson\u2019s development long term or even make Stevenson\u2019s current four-year deal wasteful spending, and he can make an impact on all three downs thanks to his combination of power and speed.<\/p>\n

At receiver, the Pats could keep shopping in the NFC South. New Orleans has some decisions to make on the long-term futures of receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave, and either one would make for a great deep threat in this New England offense. Because Olave\u2019s fifth-year option is on the books for the Saints, Shaheed would be the easier of the two for New Orleans to move\u2014and New England would pay less to sign him to an extension. If Maye is as good as his play in the first half of the season suggests, it\u2019s in the Patriots\u2019 best interest to make moves now to speed up the rebuilding process and ensure they get a spot in the postseason.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n

The Bills can borrow from several of the trade strategies we\u2019ve gone over regarding the other buyers on the list. Before the season-ending biceps injury to defensive tackle Ed Oliver, I would have said that this team should make receiver a bigger priority than its defense at the deadline, because there\u2019s no one move that would\u2019ve fixed all its problems on that side of the ball.<\/p>\n

Beating Kansas City was quite a statement for the Bills, but contending for a Super Bowl without Oliver means the offense would have to operate at a league-best level, with zero margin for error. If GM Brandon Beane wants to maximize Buffalo\u2019s chance to win it all this season, I\u2019d suggest bringing in a run-stopping force to fill Oliver\u2019s role; someone like Joseph-Day would be a good idea.<\/p>\n

There are other moves Buffalo could make along the margins, particularly at safety after a rash of injuries has left that group very thin, or the Bills could lean totally into its offensive strengths and acquire a player like Shaheed, but any trade would be tricky. Buffalo is right up against the salary cap, and would probably need to make a player-for-player swap to improve the team. I expect Buffalo to turn over every rock before the deadline, but don\u2019t be shocked if the team stands pat.<\/p>\n

Teams That Could Be Sellers<\/p>\n

These teams are already out of the race for a playoff spot (let alone a spot in the Super Bowl) and have either pricey veterans or players on expiring contracts who could fetch draft capital that will help these teams build for the future. In a top-heavy AFC, there are a number of teams that could be busy off-loading talent by Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

Growing up in San Diego, I loved a commercial that promoted a humongous used-car sales event<\/a> at Qualcomm Stadium. Whether it was a 20-year-old hatchback with 250,000 miles or a 3-year-old Mercedes-Benz that barely left its garage, everything was on sale\u2014for whatever value the seller could get. That\u2019s how I see the Browns right now, who might as well be flying a blimp with a sign saying, \u201cOPEN FOR BUSINESS, PLEASE CALL.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Painful as it may be for fans to see Cleveland hit the reset button again and plan for 2027 (after Deshaun Watson\u2019s deal ends) and beyond, it seems like the Browns\u2019 only shot to turn things around. No one on this roster should be untouchable\u2014even edge rusher Myles Garrett. General manager Andrew Berry should at least survey the league to see if anyone is willing to trade multiple first-rounders for Garrett by Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cleveland\u2019s three interior offensive linemen (Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, and Wyatt Teller) are all over the age of 30, and at this point in their careers, they could be valuable contributors to playoff-caliber teams. Tight end David Njoku is in the last year of his contract, and Cleveland already has his replacement in rookie Harold Fannin Jr. Even a star cornerback like Denzel Ward could be traded for high draft picks; though, as with Garrett, it\u2019d be hard for Cleveland to part with an All-Pro talent at a premium position.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Browns own a pair of first-round picks in next year\u2019s draft and will need even more resources in the years to come to dig themselves out of the hole created with Watson\u2019s contract. Don\u2019t be shocked if multiple players are on the way out before the deadline.<\/p>\n

New York Jets<\/p>\n

Like Cleveland, the Jets should be considering a fire sale. Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey kept most of this roster intact last offseason, but this franchise needs a fresh start at multiple positions, if only to make sure their tenures aren\u2019t anchored to players they had no hand in choosing.<\/p>\n

So far, the Jets have dealt away slot corner Michael Carter II, but the deals shouldn\u2019t stop there. Edge rushers and former first-round picks Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson haven’t exactly panned out, and it would make sense to deal one for whatever draft capital New York can get in return.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Running back Breece Hall\u2019s name has been swirling around the rumor mill, too, but he\u2019s one player I\u2019d be hesitant to deal if I were Mougey. Hall is one of the best players at his position this season, and he\u2019s just 24 years old. Hall can be the engine for a viable offense, and given the investment the Jets have made in their offensive line, keeping Hall would be smart. The question for Mougey is whether New York intends to re-sign Hall to a large contract after his rookie deal expires this offseason. If not, then they should consider dealing him now when his value is high.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

I thought it made sense to move on from defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo after last season, but that was when I still believed the Bengals defense couldn\u2019t get much worse than it was. I was wrong\u2014it could get worse, and it has, and now several players on Cincinnati\u2019s defense are ready to move on with their careers. The exodus started with the release of defensive tackles Mike Pennel and McKinnley Jackson. Linebacker Logan Wilson lost his starting job and has requested a trade. The decrease in playing time for cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is a sign he could be on his way out soon, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The biggest name is still Trey Hendrickson, though. Cincinnati has been adamant that he won\u2019t<\/a> be moved, but I\u2019d take that with a grain of salt. There\u2019s still plenty of time for interested parties (like San Francisco, Dallas, or Detroit) to drive up the draft compensation\u2014maybe high enough for the Bengals to reconsider their position.<\/p>\n

Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

The vibes around the Dolphins suggest that this is a roster full of players who need to see less of each other. There are so many holes that Miami and longtime general manager Chris Grier decided to \u201cmutually part ways\u201d in the wake of a 2-7 start to the season. The Dolphins reportedly plan to let head coach Mike McDaniel finish the season, but it feels like he\u2019s also on a slow march to the end of his time in Miami, no matter how things play out. It’s time to turn this whole operation over, and with things fully off the rails now, Miami is at a bit of a crossroads regarding how it wants to shape its future.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Teams had reportedly made calls about receiver Jaylen Waddle and been rebuffed<\/a> before Grier left. Maybe those conversations will resume if Miami doesn\u2019t mind taking on some major dead money in exchange for a high pick. Edge rushers Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb could also be dealt if Miami goes all in on resetting the roster\u2014especially if Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby aren\u2019t available.\u00a0<\/p>\n

New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n

The Saints are in the trickiest position among these potential sellers. New Orleans recently made the decision to bench Spencer Rattler and start rookie quarterback Tyler Shough for the rest of the year, and that introduces a conflict of priorities for a rebuilding team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If New Orleans knows that this team is heading nowhere and can squeeze some value out of the little talent it has, it\u2019d be foolish not to make a move now. But trading away quality players comes at the cost of evaluating Shough. Nothing in his expansive college career showed that he\u2019s the type of quarterback capable of elevating teammates with limited talent to a high level of play.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d expect the Saints to participate in the trade market, but they should be judicious about what moves they make. Receiver Chris Olave could be traded, but he\u2019s been one of the league\u2019s most efficient receivers since he entered it\u2014exactly the type of player who could help Shough\u2014and there\u2019s a shot he could get extended<\/a> instead. We\u2019ve also talked about Rashid Shaheed (who can fit in any offense), and running back Alvin Kamara could be a surprise name in trade talks, despite Kamara saying he wants to finish his career in New Orleans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Players Who Could Be on the Move<\/p>\n

From quality pass rushers like Hendrickson and Phillips to skill-position guys like Olave and Hall, we\u2019ve already mentioned a handful of players who could be in demand ahead of the trade deadline. But when looking at the players who have expiring contracts or diminished roles on their current teams or those who might be flat-out unhappy and ready to move, the list of trade targets is long. We\u2019re grouping them here by the players who should keep their phones on throughout Tuesday, the players who might not get traded but should be, and the long shots.<\/p>\n

On AlertEdge Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

It feels like everything is building to a Phillips trade by Tuesday afternoon. He\u2019s in the last year of his deal, the general manager who drafted him has been fired, he\u2019s playing on one of the league\u2019s worst defenses, and he\u2019s one of the few young Dolphins players who can potentially command a high draft pick in a deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was a winding road<\/a> for Phillips to become a high-value edge rusher, as he dealt with several injuries in college and the pros, but he has Pro Bowl potential when he\u2019s healthy. Entering Week 9, Phillips ranked<\/a> top 10 in third-down pressures per game. He shows up when his defense needs him to affect the quarterback, and while his injury concerns might keep him from securing a long-term deal right now, he can certainly be a major addition for a contender in the short term.<\/p>\n

Dream destination: Philadelphia<\/p>\n

Philadelphia can\u2019t hide its edge rushers\u2019 lack of production because of its problems at cornerback, and it can\u2019t hide its cornerback problems because it doesn\u2019t get enough pressure. The Eagles could end this vicious cycle by adding a player like Phillips, who is able to consistently win his matchups, assuming he can stay healthy.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Russell Wilson, New York Giants<\/p>\n

Wilson looked borderline unplayable for the Giants before he was benched in late September, but quarterback scarcity can drive up the market for a veteran who has as much starting experience as Wilson does.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wilson would be a pretty cheap addition for a new team, with $8 million of the $11 million left on his contract stuck on the Giants\u2019 books. On the field, you know what you\u2019d be getting: an aging deep-ball passer who is prone to taking sacks. There certainly will be times when Wilson actively hurts his offense with inaccurate passes and bad decisions, but the potential ceiling should be high enough for a QB-needy team to give him a shot. After all, that\u2019s how he ended up starting for New York in the first place.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dream destination: Minnesota<\/p>\n

Cleveland and Minnesota were two obvious options here, but the Vikings would be the better landing spot. The Vikings are in a tough spot with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who looked overwhelmed in his first few starts and is still nursing<\/a> an ankle injury. His backup, Carson Wentz, is now on injured reserve. The Vikings are running out of guys and need a new veteran option in case McCarthy\u2019s ankle continues to bother him.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

Meyers\u2019s time is probably finished in Las Vegas. His initial trade request came after contract negotiations broke down in August<\/a>, and he\u2019s since doubled down on his desire to be moved.<\/p>\n

The Raiders don\u2019t have much reason to keep him, either. The offense has been mired in turnovers and poor offensive line play, and Meyers hasn\u2019t seen as many targets as I expected this year despite the injury to tight end Brock Bowers and the talent issues elsewhere on this roster.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meyers\u2019s versatile skill set would make him an ideal fit as a no. 2 receiver, and he can work in the slot or out wide. For offenses that lean on the run game and are just looking to move the chains when it\u2019s time to pass, he\u2019d be an ideal player to acquire.<\/p>\n

Dream destination: Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

This feels like a no-brainer. Trading for a player like Meyers wouldn\u2019t just give quarterback Aaron Rodgers another dependable option; it would allow other Steelers receivers to take on a more fitting role behind WR1 DK Metcalf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants<\/p>\n

When he entered the 2022 NFL draft, I thought Thibodeaux had all the tools to become a star edge rusher in the pros. We\u2019ve seen flashes of that talent over his first four seasons, but it\u2019s never come all the way together. Still, he doesn\u2019t have many weaknesses in his game, and his blend of size and athleticism should make him a good fit in any defensive scheme. That\u2019s probably why the Giants are reluctant<\/a> to trade him, even though his rookie contract is expiring and his younger replacement (Abdul Carter) is already on the roster.<\/p>\n

Dream destination: Tampa Bay<\/p>\n

There are several playoff hopefuls, particularly in the NFC, that could use a player like Thibodeaux in their pass-rush rotations. And if I were Buccaneers manager Jason Licht, I\u2019d be laser-focused on trying to get a deal done with New York. Though Tampa\u2019s injured offense could use some help, Thibodeaux would give the Bucs\u2019 pass rush a short- and long-term boost. If the price is below a first-round pick, I think the move is worth it.<\/p>\n

Tight end David Njoku, Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n

Njoku has still got some juice, he can play as an in-line tight end or as a slot, and he can fit into multiple roles in an offense. He might be the best low-risk, high-reward player available at the deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dream destination: Seattle<\/p>\n

While I like Seattle\u2019s AJ Barner as an option in the red zone, a tight end like Njoku, who is more savvy as a route runner, would be a nice addition to the offense. With Njoku as a receiving tight end, Seattle would be able to punish defenses for trying to double-cover receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and find more yards underneath on dump-off passes from Sam Darnold.<\/p>\n

Wishful ThinkingCornerback Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n

Woolen is in the final year of his rookie contract, and he hasn\u2019t been much of a scheme fit since Mike Macdonald arrived in 2024. Add in some volatile play over the past couple of seasons and the fact that he was drafted and developed by a prior coaching staff, and we\u2019re looking at a prime trade candidate. Still, I\u2019m not sold on why Seattle would be in a hurry to deal him. He\u2019s a starter on one of the league\u2019s best defenses, and the Seahawks are positioned to be real competitors in the NFC. Even if there are no intentions to extend his contract, it would make more sense to hold on to him for the rest of the season\u2014unless someone makes Seattle a very good offer.<\/p>\n

Possible destination: Indianapolis<\/p>\n

The Colts already have a pretty complete roster, but injuries have stripped their defensive backfield of its depth. Woolen\u2019s a risk-taker at corner, and there will be moments when he causes breakdowns in coverage, but he also forces turnovers. This trade would work best for Seattle as a player-for-player swap, preferably to address a need on the offensive line or to add depth at wide receiver.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Running back Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to watch an excellent player like Kamara spend the final years of his prime on a team that\u2019s going nowhere. Since he entered the league in 2017, Kamara is third in yards from scrimmage (behind Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey), and he hasn\u2019t had a chance to play in a postseason game since 2020. I want to see him get an opportunity to power an offense in big games later this season, and dealing him would allow New Orleans to focus its energy on its rebuild.<\/p>\n

Possible destination: Kansas City<\/p>\n

With how well Kansas City has been playing recently, it’s hard to find many players who could change the dynamic of its offense, but a Kamara trade is exactly the type of move that would make the rest of the league groan.<\/p>\n

Kamara would be a fit for this offense that doesn\u2019t have much speed or receiving skill from its tailbacks, and he could extend his career by sharing the load with Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. The longer I think about it, the more I love the idea.<\/p>\n

Edge Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n

Hendrickson is more valuable to the Bengals as the centerpiece of a trade than the centerpiece of their defense. Cincinnati needs to accept that reality\u2014and that there\u2019s nothing it can do to salvage the 2025 season. The Bengals made a change at defensive coordinator before the season, and the unit has only gotten worse, allowing a higher rate of scoring drives now than at any other point in the Joe Burrow\u2013Zac Taylor era. The defense needs to be addressed through the draft, and moving Hendrickson for a pick would be the first step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

Possible destination: Detroit<\/p>\n

The Lions defense would be close to complete if it had one more impact player on the edge or at corner. Hendrickson doesn\u2019t have to be a long-term player for this defense, just someone to help it get over the hump from \u201cpretty good\u201d to \u201ccertainly at a championship level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, New York Jets<\/p>\n

Williams is an elite talent with a tradable contract. He\u2019s still an impactful run defender\u2014and is playing some of the better football of his career\u2014but that\u2019s not translating into tangible success for the rest of the defense. What\u2019s worse, because the Jets have been bad in pass coverage, he\u2019s not getting enough opportunities to affect the quarterback in obvious passing situations.<\/p>\n

He has only $5 million in contract guarantees after the 2025 season, and he\u2019s only 28 years old. Because he\u2019s been pretty healthy throughout his career and consistent when he\u2019s on the field, any team trading for him should feel good about what it would be getting in the short and long term.<\/p>\n

Possible destination: Baltimore<\/p>\n

Defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is out for the year with a neck injury, and there could be concerns about his long-term health. Losing Madubuike totally exposed this defense\u2019s lack of depth and talent on the interior defensive line, and Williams would be an instant solution. Baltimore needs to address edge pressure too, and that might be a bigger priority if you consider positional value above all else. But knowing how important controlling the line of scrimmage is for Baltimore, I think the better long-term play is to shoot for a star like Williams.<\/p>\n

Cornerback Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n

Diggs\u2019s relationship with the Cowboys is in a strange place. Dallas was displeased<\/a> with Diggs\u2019s choice to rehab his knee injury away from the team during the offseason and reduced his contract by $500,000 for missing team workouts. Now he\u2019s on injured reserve, recovering from a concussion suffered at home. Diggs has struggled with injuries since signing his five-year extension in 2023, which is why his recent play hasn’t matched what we saw from him in 2021 and 2022. With the last of his guaranteed money being paid out this year, Dallas could move him now and not incur a large dead cap figure, but his current health means a deal would have to be at a discount.<\/p>\n

Possible destination: Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n

Though the Rams already traded for a corner, the defense could still use one more possible starter\u2014especially one with game-changing potential like Diggs.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles has done a great job of pressuring quarterbacks and not giving up explosive plays this season, but it hasn\u2019t forced many turnovers against the pass. Assuming Diggs will clear concussion protocol in the coming weeks, he could step in and give this defense a necessary boost on the perimeter.<\/p>\n

The Long ShotsQuarterback Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n

There is still nearly $120 million in cash left on Cousins\u2019s contract with the Falcons, and trading him away would saddle Atlanta with dozens of millions in dead money. While it\u2019s not Cousins\u2019s job to hand back money that he negotiated, that contract is prohibitive for both the Falcons and any team looking to bring him in. Because there\u2019s been no scuttlebutt from Atlanta suggesting that a restructure is coming, it’s probably safe to assume he\u2019ll spend at least the rest of 2025 there.<\/p>\n

Theoretical destination: Cleveland<\/p>\n

The only place I can imagine Cousins could get a starting job this season is Cleveland, a team in desperate need of a veteran presence to keep the operation functional. The irony of this move is not lost on me, since the Browns already traded away Joe Flacco earlier this season to create an opportunity for rookie Dillon Gabriel. But now that we\u2019ve had a few weeks of tape to evaluate, it\u2019s clear that Gabriel is not ready. If Cousins were willing to forfeit the vast majority of his potential earnings to go to Cleveland, he could be a fit in Kevin Stefanski\u2019s scheme.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Edge Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

For his entire career, Crosby has been the one player Raiders fans can look forward to watching on a weekly basis, but his individual excellence clearly isn\u2019t enough to turn the Raiders into a winner. But a deal would only happen if he requested a trade (he hasn\u2019t) or if the Raiders received an offer they couldn\u2019t refuse. The price to trade for Crosby would be significant\u2014potentially two first-round picks\u2014because he\u2019s on a team-friendly, five-year deal with no guaranteed money after 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Theoretical destination: Dallas<\/p>\n

The Patriots and Cowboys both have the cap space to add Crosby, but only Dallas has the extra draft capital to make such a move. Crosby is dependable, productive, and excellent against the run (which is a skill Jerry Jones covets in his defenders). Still, I\u2019m not holding my breath for it to happen.<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t imagine a worse time for the Dolphins to be considering trading Waddle, because the real money on his four-year, $84 million contract extension just kicked in. That contract is backloaded, so moving on from Waddle would cause more cap pain than relief over the next couple of seasons.<\/p>\n

For a Waddle trade to make sense, the Dolphins would have to receive premium draft capital in return. He\u2019d be a great fit for a team with a young and ascending quarterback, but the market for speedy receivers is competitive this year. There will be several teams interested in Waddle, but it\u2019d be more cost-effective to call New Orleans about Olave and Shaheed first. Unless those two are moved quickly and for major value, I think it\u2019s likely that Waddle will remain in Miami.<\/p>\n

Theoretical destination: Tennessee Titans<\/p>\n

The Titans took an expensive chance on veteran receiver Calvin Ridley being the top option in their passing game. Ridley\u2019s play has been a disappointment the past couple of seasons\u2014and he could also get traded in coming days. If the Titans want to bring in a veteran receiver to pair with rookie Cam Ward, Waddle would give this offense a stable contributor on deep and intermediate passes, and his contract would align with Ward\u2019s rookie deal.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n

Murray as a midseason trade target is a case of right idea, wrong timing. Eventually, the Cardinals will have to make a sobering evaluation of what Murray\u2019s game will look like when he\u2019s in his 30s, and decide how much longer he can be a franchise quarterback.<\/p>\n

I think that time may come as early as this offseason, with no guaranteed money left on his deal after 2026. As of now, there aren\u2019t even enough quarterback-needy teams with cap space necessary to bring him in.<\/p>\n

Theoretical destination: Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n

Making a deal for a quarterback who makes $46 million a year is a tricky proposition, especially midway through the season, so any potential deal for Murray would require either multiple players in return\u2014or an agreement by Murray to reduce his base salary. Carolina is one of the few teams with a need for a long-term franchise quarterback, enough cap space to add a player with Murray\u2019s salary, and players it could send to Arizona. A deal like this would be costly to Carolina\u2019s defensive core\u2014because players like Derrick Brown, D.J. Wonnum, and A\u2019Shawn Robinson would probably have to be on the table, but it would give the Panthers its first difference-maker at the position since Cam Newton left.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Diante Lee<\/p>\n

<\/a>Diante Lee joined The Ringer as an NFL writer and podcaster in 2024. Before that, he served as a staff writer at The Athletic, covering the NFL and college football. He currently coaches at the high school level in his hometown of San Diego.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NFLNFLWhich teams should be looking to deal? Which players could get moved by Tuesday afternoon? What are the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":259661,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":["post-259660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-nfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259660\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}