7 NFL Trades That Would Shake Up Free Agency, Draft Projections

Before you lock in 2025 NFL mock draft predictions and circle free-agent targets for teams, make room for chaos on the trade market. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and a star pass-rusher could be on the move this offseason.

Teams can agree on trade deals in principle. Once the new league year starts on March 12, clubs can open the floodgates for transactions.

The ever-spinning quarterback carousel can spur trade action. Myles Garrett could try to force his way out of Cleveland. The Cincinnati Bengals may opt to trade wideout Tee Higgins after franchise-tagging him.

Here are seven trades that would shake up the outlook of free agency and the draft. Look for a couple of quarterback-receiver package deals.

Bears Trade D'Andre Swift to the Raiders

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Bears RB D'Andre Swift

Bears Get: 2025 5th-round pick

Raiders Get: RB D'Andre Swift

As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, new Bears lead skipper Ben Johnson coached Swift, utilizing the versatile running back's skill set as a ball-carrier and receiver. 

However, Swift only played in Johnson's system for one season (2022), because Detroit traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 offseason. The Lions and Eagles swapped seventh-rounders, and Detroit also acquired a 2025 fourth-rounder in the deal.

In Swift's lone year with Johnson, he logged far fewer rushing attempts (262-99) and touches (274-147) than Jamaal Williams.

Last offseason, Chicago signed Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract, which includes $14 million in guaranteed money. Through the 2024 campaign, he averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry.

Johnson may—again—approve a trade that would send Swift to another team. If so, the Raiders would be a logical fit.

In 2024, the Raiders fielded the league's worst ground attack. They need a full-scale backfield renovation. Soon-to-be free agent Alexander Mattison led their run game with just 420 yards last year.

Instead of overpaying for a top free-agent running back who could command an eight-figure yearly salary, Las Vegas can acquire Swift for a Day 3 pick. With this trade, the Raiders can wait to draft a ball-carrier in a strong running back class, even if they like Ashton Jeanty.

Bengals Trade Tee Higgins to the Jaguars

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Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Bengals Get: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 5 overall)

Jaguars Get: WR Tee Higgins and a 2025 4th-round pick

The Bengals have designated Higgins for the franchise tag, though as ESPN's Adam Schefter suggested, they can maneuver a sign-and-trade move to get immediate draft capital in return.

This is a dream scenario for Cincinnati if it trades Higgins. The Bengals would put themselves in a position to draft the wideout's replacement, perhaps Arizona product Tetairoa McMillan, a big-bodied receiver at 6'5", 212 pounds. The club can also address its defensive needs in the first round with the 17th pick.

The Jaguars may not have a slam-dunk prospect to take at No. 5 and may be more willing to acquire a proven wide receiver.

Also, the Jaguars would have a flashback to Clemson's fourth-ranked scoring offense between 2018 and 2019, with Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, and Higgins back together again. That trio helped Clemson win a national title in 2018 and go 14-1 the following term.

If the Jaguars want to get Lawrence back into Pro Bowl form, they can add Higgins to complement wideout Brian Thomas Jr. in the passing attack.

Because Jacksonville is giving up a top-five pick, it should try to get a middle-round selection along with Higgins in a blockbuster deal.

Browns Trade Myles Garrett to Chargers

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Browns EDGE Myles Garrett

Browns Get: 2025 1st-round pick (No. 22 overall), 2025 4th-round round pick, 2026 2nd-round pick, 2026 4th-round pick

Chargers Get: EDGE Myles Garrett, 2026 3rd-round pick, 2026 7th-round pick 

Nearly a month into the Browns' offseason, Garrett requested a trade. According to The Athletic's Zac Jackson, the Browns want to retain him, but they may not have the roster pieces or plan to convince the star pass-rusher that the team will be playoff contenders in the short-term future.

"The Browns might have a Hail Mary in the works, and all indications are that they’re going to continue to hold Garrett and try to present him with a monstrous new contract to help him change his mind. But right now, it looks like Garrett sees what most of us see in the Browns, and that’s a team that’s not one year or a couple of pieces away."

If Garrett somehow forces the Browns' hand, they could get a massive haul for him, similar to what the Las Vegas Raiders received for prime Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears in 2018.

Based on Garrett's demand to hear a winning plan from the Browns, his most aggressive suitors will be playoff-caliber squads looking to load up for the 2025 season.

The Chargers could be one of those clubs. With $70.4 million in cap space and coming off an 11-6 campaign, they can give Garrett a new deal and sell him on a brighter future in Los Angeles, one that involves postseason appearances.

Cleveland can use the draft capital to restock its roster with young talent on rookie contracts. In the No. 2 spot, it can also think about taking Penn State product Abdul Carter to replace Garrett on the edge.

Dolphins Trade Tyreek Hill to the Commanders

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Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill

Miami Dolphins Get: 2025 2nd-round pick, 2025 5th-round pick, 2026 3rd-round pick

Washington Commanders Get: WR Tyreek Hill, 2025 7th-round pick and a 2026 5th-round pick

Hill walked back the comments he made after the Dolphins' final regular-season game.

"This is my first time I haven't been in the playoffs," Hill said to reporters. "I just gotta do what's best for me and my family. If that's here or wherever the case may be, I'm finna open that door for myself. I'm opening the door. I'm out, bro."

While on ProFootballTalk, Hill said, "I'm taking full accountability for what I said. I'm gonna come back next year. I wanna stay with the Dolphins."

However, if the Dolphins get off to a slow start or struggle next season, they should be wary of Hill's temperament. He may grow frustrated and become a distraction.

Miami may consider trading Hill for a combination of draft picks. Remember, the speedy wideout will turn 31 in March and plans to retire after the 2026 season. 

The Dolphins can move Hill before it's too late, and the Commanders could be a landing spot.

Jayden Daniels put together one of the best rookie campaigns ever for a quarterback and did it with one reliable wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. He could make strides from 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year to an MVP candidate with an elite deep threat of Hill's caliber.

After a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the Commanders can make an aggressive move to stay in the mix for a Lombardi Trophy.

Falcons Trade Kirk Cousins to the Browns

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Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick

Cleveland Browns Get: QB Kirk Cousins

The Browns rebuild goes full throttle. After dealing Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Chargers, they can bring in a bridge quarterback to fill the void while Deshaun Watson recovers from two Achilles tears.

The Browns can still take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. Alternatively, they could also target edge-rusher Abdul Carter or receiver-cornerback Travis Hunter with Cousins on the roster on a manageable deal. 

Cleveland may get the Falcons to pay some of Cousins' 2025 salary. After this year, he has no guaranteed money left on his contract, so the Browns can outright cut him if they want to bring Watson back into the fold or start a quarterback from this year's draft in 2026. 

Remember, Cousins put together a Pro Bowl campaign in 2019 under Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who called plays for the Minnesota Vikings offense. He threw for 3,603 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions with a 69.1 percent completion rate in 15 starts that year.

From the Falcons' perspective, they can move on from an expensive backup quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. will be their starter for the foreseeable future.

Rams Trade Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp to the Steelers

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Rams WR Cooper Kupp (left) and QB Matthew Stafford (right)

Los Angeles Rams Get: 2025 2nd-round pick, 2025 4th-round pick and a 2025 5th-round pick

Pittsburgh Steelers Get: QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp

While the odds favor Stafford signing a new deal with the Rams, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue doesn't think it's a given that he remains with the team.

Rodrigue believes that the Rams are concerned about Stafford's durability and long-term future as they try to negotiate a new deal with him.

"If there is a difference between Stafford and the Rams, it would likely be this: The Rams don't want to make a significant financial commitment to a veteran quarterback whose long-term future or durability they can't be certain about, and a youthful roster built through the draft is now their core identity."

Stafford has shown a willingness to play through injuries, but he turned 37 early in February and contemplated retirement after the 2024 season. So, the Rams should be hesitant about giving him a new deal on a shaky timeline. 

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, teams think the Rams want a first-round pick for Stafford. 

However, Stafford, at this stage in his career with retirement looming, may not fetch a first-round pick. The Rams can add Kupp to the deal to get additional picks. though. They plan to move on from the wideout anyway.

If that's the case, the Steelers may be interested in a quick fix for their first-round exits over the last five years. They have struggled to establish stability at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. Pittsburgh also needs help at wide receiver.

Stafford and Kupp would be short-term fixes, but they're worth the gamble for a playoff-caliber team. The Steelers can also add contract clauses to recoup money if Stafford retires within a year or two.

Jets Trade Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to the Rams

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Los Angeles Rams Get: QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams

New York Jets Get: 2025 2nd-round pick (from hypothetical Steelers trade), 2025 4th-round pick and a 2025 6th-round pick 

If the Rams trade Stafford, they can temporarily fix the position and strengthen their offense by adding the second-round pick from the Steelers trade to a package for Rodgers and Adams.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rodgers would be "thrilled" to play with the Rams if they don't work out a new deal with Stafford.

The Rams can acquire Rodgers and Adams as a package deal to replace Stafford and Kupp and stay in a win-now window. They would also have their first-round pick to take a quarterback or address another position of need.

Once the Rams move on from Kupp, they will have at least $51 million in cap space and more targets in the passing game available for Adams.

The Jets informed Rodgers they want to move on from him. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler described Adams' contract situation as "untenable" in New York (h/t Rams Wire's Cameron DaSilva), and he named the Rams as a team that intrigues the receiver who wants to move back to the West Coast.

Well, the Rodgers-Adams pairing could see Act No. 3 in Los Angeles.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.