7 Surprise Trades That Can Still Happen After Early 2025 NFL Free Agency

Don't hit the snooze button on NFL trades. Keep your eyes open for surprises between early free agency and the draft. Teams still have roster holes, and the free-agent talent pool is drying up.

In the next five weeks, general managers can work the phones and pull off noteworthy trades that involve starting-caliber players.

Because of weak free-agent running back and wide receiver groups, clubs may get in on trade action at those positions. Look out for cornerbacks who could be on the move as well.

Here are seven surprise trade scenarios. These deals do not include players who have requested a trade or are on the trade block because it would not shock anyone if their teams parted ways with them.

Buffalo Bills Trade For Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean

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Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean

Buffalo Bills receive: CB Jamel Dean

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receive: 2025 fifth-round pick

The Buccaneers should be disappointed in Jamel Dean since they signed him to a four-year, $52 million extension in 2023. 

Over the last two years, the 28-year-old has recorded 11 pass breakups and one interception while allowing a passer rating of 111 and 91.2 for the 2023 and 2024 terms, respectively. He's also missed nine games in that span.

The Buccaneers need change in the secondary. Despite finishing within the top nine in pressure rate and sacks, they ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, which points to an issue on the back end of the defensive unit.

If Tampa Bay targets a cornerback early in the upcoming draft, Dean may be available for a Super Bowl-contending squad looking to fill a need.

Buffalo hasn't re-signed cornerback Rasul Douglas. The Bills brought back cornerback Dane Jackson, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, but he's been a career backup for them.

Dean has no guaranteed money left on his contract, so he may play with the extra motivation of getting a new deal. Buffalo can probably get him for a fifth-round pick.

Carolina Panthers Trade for Las Vegas Raiders CB Jack Jones

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Raiders CB Jack Jones

Carolina Panthers receive: CB Jack Jones

Las Vegas Raiders receive: 2025 seventh-round pick

The Panthers fielded the league's worst defense last season, giving up the most points and yards. They need upgrades on all three levels of the unit, and a trade could help them.

Carolina signed Jaycee Horn to a four-year, $100 million extension. Because of his extensive injury history, the team must add reinforcements at cornerback. 

Last season, cornerback Michael Jackson started in all 17 games, logging 17 pass breakups and two interceptions, but he also gave up six touchdowns and allowed a passer rating of 106.5.

Even if the Panthers see the 28-year-old as a starter, they should bring in competition for his spot or at least depth in case he's even more inconsistent next season.

Similar to Jackson, Jack Jones had an up-and-down 2024 campaign. The Raiders' lead cornerback registered 16 pass breakups and three interceptions, but he allowed eight touchdowns and a 98.5 passer rating. 

Las Vegas fired head coach Antonio Pierce, who vouched for Jones after the New England Patriots waived him midway through the 2023 season. 

Raiders' new lead skipper Pete Carroll tends to favor bigger defensive backs. At 5'11", 175 pounds, Jones may be available for a late-round pick, and if he is, Carolina should make a move for him to bolster its secondary.

Jones, 27, would reunite with former Raiders safety Tre'Von Moehrig, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Panthers.

Las Vegas Raiders Acquire Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

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Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

Las Vegas Raiders receive: RB Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks receive: 2025 sixth-round pick

Las Vegas has arguably the worst backfield. Raheem Mostert, who turns 33 in April, leads the unit. Sincere McCormick flashed in a handful of games last year, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury and is still an unproven commodity.

Even though the Raiders could double up on a strong incoming class of rookie running backs, they can also consider a veteran upgrade over Mostert. 

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll can call his former team and inquire about Kenneth Walker III. Seattle may be willing to move on from the 24-year-old because of his declining production and recent injuries. He's seen a drop-off in his rushing numbers since his 2022 rookie season.

The 2022 second-rounder also missed four games in his first two campaigns and six outings last season. 

In Walker's absence, Zach Charbonnet has shown he can handle the majority load on the ground. He led the Seahawks in rushing touchdowns (eight), averaged 4.2 yards per carry and flashed his reliable hands with 42 catches for 340 yards and a touchdown in 2024.

As UCLA head coach, Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly coached Charbonnet between 2021 and 2022, though Seattle may prefer to keep him and trade Walker.

Minnesota Vikings Acquire Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis

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Titans QB Will Levis

Minnesota Vikings receive: QB Will Levis and a 2025 sixth-round pick

Tennessee Titans receive: 2025 fifth-round pick

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings aren't interested in Aaron Rodgers:

They may prefer an experienced quarterback who can push J.J. McCarthy for the starting job rather than someone who expects to start over him. If so, a young signal-caller who's played in a notable number of regular-season games would be an ideal addition.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Titans "would like to transition" from Will Levis. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler told The Dan Patrick Show that the Titans would be "pretty comfortable" with taking Cam Ward at No. 1, which would explain why they may want to move on from Levis, who started in 21 games over the last two seasons.

If McCarthy has a setback in his recovery from two meniscus tears or a rough offseason, Levis can provide veteran insurance until the Vikings get their quarterback of the future ready to lead the huddle.

Philadelphia Eagles Trade Edge Bryce Huff to the Detroit Lions

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Eagles Edge Bryce Huff

Detroit Lions receive: Edge Bryce Huff

Philadelphia Eagles receive: 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick

Last offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51 million contract, but they may have buyer's remorse after one season.

Because of injuries, the 26-year-old missed five games. Even when healthy, he made a minimal impact, registering 13 tackles, three for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio used him sparingly. Huff played over 47 percent of the snaps in only three of his 12 appearances, and he didn't suit up for Super Bowl LIX.

Though the Eagles signed the Memphis product to a sizeable deal a year ago, they may not have an issue moving his contract in a trade. He has a $7.5 million cap number this year and no guaranteed money left on his deal after 2025.

Philadelphia can command a middle-round pick for an edge-rusher who's in his prime and logged 10 sacks in 2023. The Detroit Lions should inquire about him. 

The Lions don't have a reliable edge-rusher other than Aidan Hutchinson. They haven't re-signed Za'Darius Smith, and 2022 second-rounder Josh Paschal hasn't panned out. Marcus Davenport re-signed with the team, but he's played in just six games over the last two years because of injuries.

Huff could carve out a starting role opposite Hutchinson on the defensive line in Detroit.

Pittsburgh Steelers Deal WR George Pickens to the Tennessee Titans

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Steelers WR George Pickens

Tennessee Titans receive: WR George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers receive: 2025 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash on the wide receiver trade market when they acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. They also signed him to a five-year, $150 million extension.

After making a significant investment in the two-time Pro Bowler, the Steelers are unlikely to give Pickens a massive pay raise once his contract expires next offseason. 

Remember, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters the 24-year-old "must grow up" during the previous season. 

While trading Pickens would be a loss for the 2025 term, the Steelers can get ahead of a likely divorce from him and get draft capital for a productive young receiver.

If the Titans plan to take Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick, they can get him some help before the draft.

Tennessee can acquire Pickens, who would pair with Calvin Ridley for a solid receiver tandem. The Titans could stress defenses by pushing the ball downfield to two receivers who averaged more than 15 yards per catch last season.

San Francisco 49ers Send WR Brandon Aiyuk to the Los Angeles Chargers

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49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers receive: 2025 third-round pick

Los Angeles Chargers receive: WR Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco can make a huge splash in a surprise trade after early free agency. The 49ers have parted ways with several key players this offseason, and Brandon Aiyuk could be next on the list.

While on The Pat McAfee Show, David Lombardi of The Athletic said the 49ers aren't giving teams that inquire about the 27-year-old a "firm no."

Though Lombardi doesn't believe a trade that involves Aiyuk is likely, he stopped short of completely dismissing the possibility it can happen.

Teams interested in the 2020 first-round pick must be comfortable with his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL and a four-year, $120 million deal he signed last offseason.

A playoff-caliber club flushed with cap space is a good suitor for Aiyuk. 

The Chargers have $50.7 million in cap space, and they don't need his immediate contributions. Los Angeles went 11-6 with Ladd McConkey as its most reliable pass-catcher last season. 

Once Aiyuk fully recovers, he can be a more consistent deep threat than Mike Williams on the perimeter, while McConkey attacks the intermediate zones out of the slot. 

Before Aiyuk missed 10 games in 2024, he saw an increase in his receiving yards total every year since his 2020 rookie campaign. The big-play receiver averaged 17.9 yards per reception in 2023.

Team salary and player contract information are provided by Over the Cap.

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