1 Trade That Makes Sense for Every Team Before 2025 NFL Deadline

The NFL trade deadline is waiting on the other side of Week 9, and we're expecting a storm of action throughout the league.

Not every team will make a deal, but every team could make a deal. 

Here's one trade per squad that makes sense.

Buffalo Bills: Acquire DT Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Titans

A biceps injury has Ed Oliver down long-term, leaving the Bills with a major need up front on defense. Joseph-Day is an experienced option with an expiring contract on a team that should be selling a player his age (30). Buffalo would have to do some work to stay under the cap, but his $6.5 million 2025 cap hit is workable. 

Miami Dolphins: Trade edge Jaelan Phillips for a Day 2 draft pick

Bradley Chubb remains under contract for a couple more seasons and the Dolphins have invested in a lot of other talent elsewhere up front. Phillips could walk as a free agent in the offseason anyway, and he hasn't proved worthy of a lucrative long-term deal yet. Time to get something for him and move on.

New England Patriots: Acquire WR Jakobi Meyers from the Raiders

Josh McDaniels had Meyers in his last stint with New England and in his recent run with the Raiders, so it would only make sense for the Pats to bring back the 1,000-yard receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs. Drake Maye needs the extra weaponry for what appears to be a legit playoff run in New England. 

New York Jets: Trade edge Jermaine Johnson for a Day 2 draft pick

The team appears set to focus on Will McDonald IV up front, and Johnson just hasn't gotten it done. He's slated to cost a rebuilding team $13.4 million in his 2026 option year, so now is the time to extract something for him from a contender hoping a change of setting will help the 2022 first-round pick flourish. 

Baltimore Ravens: Trade TE Mark Andrews to the Rams for a middle-round draft pick

The Ravens are unlikely to bring back both Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and the latter is younger with a brighter future. Andrews, 30, isn't the player he once was, and a team such as the Rams are likely to value him more right now. Baltimore can afford to do this. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Trade LB Logan Wilson to the Colts for CB Chris Lammons

We got a little creative with a one-for-one here involving two players who would likely see a lot more daylight with their new teams. Wilson is the more accomplished defender but has fallen out of favor in Cincinnati, so this is more about getting something at a position of need for a team that may still have an outside shot at a playoff run. 

Cleveland Browns: Trade TE David Njoku for a middle-round draft pick

The Texans and Rams would be obvious potential trade partners here for a Browns team that is realistically rebuilding and could lose the 29-year-old Njoku in the offseason anyway. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is the future at that position in Cleveland. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Acquire WR Chris Olave from the Saints

Rashid Shaheed works too. Either way, the Steelers are giving Aaron Rodgers another weapon. DK Metcalf headlines a receiving corps that currently lacks depth. New Orleans is an out-of-contention team from the other conference that has receivers to spare. With Olave, you have a little more upside as well as control for 2026. 

Houston Texans: Acquire OL Jackson Powers-Johnson from the Raiders

Why not? JPJ has fallen out of favor with the Raiders, but he's still only 22 and the Texans would be smart to see if a change of scenery could get him on track. Jake Andrews isn't working out at center in Houston. 

Indianapolis Colts: Acquire CB Riq Woolen from the Seahawks

It's been widely reported that Woolen is available in a walk year despite intercepting 11 passes in his first three seasons with the Seahawks. The 26-year-old would suit Lou Anarumo's defense, and the Colts have been crushed by injuries at cornerback. This would be worth a third-round pick, or thereabouts. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Acquire edge Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins

The Jaguars defense needs more oomph on the edge, and with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker present, this would still be a relatively low-pressure, high-upside move within the state of Florida. Jermaine Johnson of the Jets would also make sense, but he's under contract next year for $13.3 million, while Phillips is slated for free agency. 

Tennessee Titans: Trade edge Arden Key for a middle-round draft pick

The Titans would be smart to dump a lot of veterans at this deadline. It's what you do in a rebuild. That said, Key is the ideal candidate. He's well-paid but in a walk year. He still presents upside to suitors at 29. He's relatively accomplished but not likely to be a star in a few years, and removing him from the picture won't impact Cam Ward's development. They should get what they can.

Denver Broncos: Acquire WR Chris Olave from the Saints

Bo Nix could definitely use another weapon, and Olave brings talent and upside to that receiving corps without likely commanding a lot considering the Saints' situation. These teams could also come together in a deal for New Orleans cornerback Alontae Taylor, considering the recent pectoral injury suffered by Pat Surtain. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Acquire RB Breece Hall from the Jets

Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt aren't moving the needle in the offensive backfield for a Chiefs team that is clearly all-in right now. Adding the league's fifth-leading rusher midway through a walk year is exactly the idea in a situation like this. It would be worth a late-round pick for Kansas City. 

Las Vegas Raiders: Acquire QB Anthony Richardson from the Colts

The Geno Smith experiment has blown up in the Raiders' face. The team is likely to go back to the draft or free agency for a quarterback next offseason, but why not take a low-risk gamble on Richardson first? It's possible a new setting will help the 23-year-old live up to his talent, and the Colts must be pretty convinced of Daniel Jones at this point. 

Los Angeles Chargers: Acquire RB Breece Hall from the Jets

Not only does this keep Hall from the division-rival Chiefs, but with Najee Harris out for the season and Omarion Hampton on injured reserve, this is also arguably a necessary move for the Bolts. Tony Pollard (Tennessee) and Jerome Ford (Cleveland) are logical candidates for both the Chiefs and Chargers as well. 

Dallas Cowboys: Acquire edge Jermaine Johnson from the Jets

There's a Micah Parsons-sized hole impacting the Cowboys defense. Johnson isn't Trey Hendrickson, but he's younger and under contract in 2026. I think that jibes better with the Cowboys, who need a longer-term solution here. 

New York Giants: Trade edge Kayvon Thibodeaux to Panthers for RB Chuba Hubbard and draft capital

I understand the Giants may not want to trade Thibodeaux, but with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter on the roster, a team that is still realistically rebuilding has to be practical. Hubbard could help with the loss of Cam Skattebo to injury but also serve as a potential long-term option, and getting some draft capital as well (while dodging a $14.8 million 2026 contract year) for the disappointing Thibodeaux would make sense. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Acquire edge Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals

They already got their cornerback in Michael Carter II, so it's possible the already-stacked Eagles will stand pat despite their issues this season. But a splash with Hendrickson in a walk year still makes plenty of sense for a team that has struggled up front defensively and knows what it faces as the defending champ. 

Washington Commanders: Acquire WR Jakobi Meyers from the Raiders

Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel have encountered injury issues this year for a Commanders team that is already without Noah Brown. It would be smart to bring in somebody else for Jayden Daniels, and Meyers has asked for a trade in the other conference. 

Chicago Bears: Acquire OL Evan Neal from the Giants

This after they already grabbed C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the open market. Braxton Jones is on injured reserve, while Theo Benedet has had issues at left tackle. Neal at least brings some experience and versatility, and the Bears can hope he gets a jolt in a new location, as the Giants have little reason to keep him around at this point. It's insurance for a late-round pick at the very least.

Detroit Lions: Acquire edge Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals

I get the feeling the Lions will go hard at Aidan Hutchinson insurance/support this time around, and I don't know that Phillips or Johnson have accomplished enough to scratch that itch. Maybe it's Hendrickson, or maybe it's Key from Tennessee. Several intriguing options could fill Detroit's need for a critical support rusher. Hendrickson won't be cheap, but it helps that he's in a walk year anyway and on the wrong side of 30 while playing for a non-rival.

Green Bay Packers: Acquire DT Sebastian Joseph-Day from the Titans 

As mentioned, Joseph-Day is an experienced defensive lineman with an expiring contract on a team that should be selling a player his age. The 30-year-old makes sense for a contender like Green Bay that is thinner than usual in that spot following the preseason Kenny Clark trade. This would definitely be worth a late-round pick. 

Minnesota Vikings: Acquire CB Alontae Taylor from the Saints

The Vikings could use another cornerback considering the lack of reliable depth beyond Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. I'm going with Taylor over Riq Woolen because I think the Seahawks would be less likely to trade Woolen to a fellow NFC contender, while the Saints are done for this season. And Taylor is a better fit with his significant experience in the slot. 

Atlanta Falcons: Trade QB Kirk Cousins to the Vikings for a late-round draft pick

Will the Vikings (or somebody else) bite? That's the big question for an Atlanta team that is now riding or dying with Michael Penix, who showed signs of improvement before a recent knee injury. Now, the only goal for the Falcons should be to get something of value for Cousins while moving on. 

Carolina Panthers: Trade RB Chuba Hubbard to the Giants for edge Kayvon Thibodeaux

The Panthers desperately need pass-rushing help, and this gives them that plus upside while paving the way for Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne in the backfield. The Giants have two other elite-ceiling edge defenders and could use a back following Cam Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury. Obviously, this would also cost Carolina some draft capital as well. 

New Orleans Saints: Trade WR Rashid Shaheed to the Steelers for a late-round draft pick

If I'm the Saints, I'm more inclined to keep Olave around over Shaheed. Olave is two years younger and has a lot more pedigree, and he is thus more likely to become part of the long-term future for a rebuilding team than Shaheed. He's also under contract next year, whereas Shaheed is slated to become a free agent. In this case, the Saints get something for a guy who hasn't been a huge factor the last two years anyway. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Acquire LB Logan Wilson from the Bengals

The competitive Bucs need another off-ball linebacker to pair with Lavonte David, and Wilson is perfect for that after falling out of favor with the drifting Bengals. If that's not available or they prefer to go with a younger player with fewer long-term commitments, Christian Harris makes a lot of sense in Houston. 

Arizona Cardinals: Acquire RB Breece Hall from the Jets

James Conner is out for the year, Michael Carter is off the roster, Trey Benson is hurt, and Emari Demercado hasn't been reliable. The Cards need a big jolt on the ground. How about the NFL's fifth-leading rusher? The Jets should listen to any offers for the walk-year back. 

Los Angeles Rams: Acquire TE Mark Andrews from the Ravens

As mentioned, the Ravens would be smart to part with Andrews now and focus on Isaiah Likely. The Rams desperately need a reliable target not named Puka Nacua or Davante Adams. This makes sense as a half-season rental. 

San Francisco 49ers: Acquire edge Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals

Another obvious one-year rental, the 49ers can't afford not to go for it in the NFC West but need somebody to fill at least some of Nick Bosa's shoes. Hendrickson has the experience and ability in his walk year, and the Bengals may be thrilled to at least get him out of the conference. 

Seattle Seahawks: Acquire G Kevin Zeitler from the Titans

Anthony Bradford is a problem at right guard for a contending Seattle team, but it shouldn't take much to convince the rebuilding Titans to give up the 35-year-old Zeitler in a walk year. Even at that age, he's playing great football and would represent a major upgrade for nothing more than a sixth-round pick. It's a no-brainer.