1 Trade Each NFL Contender Should Consider to Fill Biggest Weakness

We're three weeks into the 2025 edition of NFL free agency. While most of the top free agents have found new homes and plenty of attention has shifted toward next month's draft, fans can expect more developments between now and April 24.

The trade market could be a big part of the equation. That's often the case during the lead-up to the draft, as some teams look to improve their draft positioning and others look to address post-free-agency needs.

Teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations typically fall into the second category. Last April, for example, the Houston Texans dealt for Stefon Diggs after finding few receiver options on the open market.

Using the latest DraftKings Sportsbook odds, we'll examine the top 10 Super Bowl favorites, along with one trade that each should consider to address its biggest current weakness.

Philadelphia Eagles Trade for DE John Franklin-Myers

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The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending champs and have few glaring weaknesses. They did, however, lose a couple of key front-line defenders in Josh Sweat and Milton Williams during the early stages of free agency.

While the Eagles did add edge-rushers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, they could use another bigger body to help replace Williams. John Franklin-Myers could be just the candidate Philly needs.

Franklin-Myers (6'4", 288 lbs) fits the size profile of Williams (6'3", 290 lbs) and is a disruptive defender with some positional versatility. He previously spent time at defensive tackle with the New York Jets and finished last season with seven sacks, eight tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits.

The Eagles might be able to convince the Denver Broncos to part with the 28-year-old. Franklin-Myers is entering a contract year and just watched the Broncos give D.J. Jones a three-year, $39 million extension. Pro Bowl pass-rusher Nik Bonitto is also due an extension, and Franklin-Myers has made it known that he'd prefer a new deal too.

That deal might not come from Denver, which has just $2.6 million in cap space with all contracts considered. The Eagles have $13.6 million in cap space and also tend to structure deals with low base salaries, so financially, acquiring and extending Franklin-Myers would be perfectly reasonable.

General manager Howie Roseman should place a call to the Broncos to see if Franklin-Myers might be the odd man out in the extension game and, therefore, available.

Kansas City Chiefs Trade for WR Alec Pierce

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The Kansas City Chiefs lost Super Bowl LIX convincingly but remain co-favorites in the AFC with the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. Kansas City's offensive line was its biggest liability in the title game, but the Chiefs are highly unlikely to pry a top-tier starter away from another team.

The Chiefs also signed Jaylon Moore in free agency with the hopes that he can solidify the left tackle spot.

Kansas City could also use wide receiver depth. DeAndre Hopkins departed in free agency, and Rashee Rice is still recovering from a season-ending LCL tear. The Chiefs could look to draft another receiver early—they took Xavier Worthy in Round 1 last year—but could also look to swing a trade.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is entering a contract year, and re-signing him may not be a top priority for the Colts. Indy has several promising young receivers on its roster, including Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Adonai Mitchell.

Though Pierce led the team with 824 receiving yards last season, the Colts may not want to offer him a lucrative long-term deal after extending Pittman in 2024.

Pierce, who led the NFL with a 22.3 yards-per-catch average last season, would add another big-play element to Andy Reid's offense for at least the coming season. At only 24, he'd be a better long-term extension candidate for Kansas City than returning receivers like Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Baltimore Ravens Trade for Edge Boye Mafe

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The Ravens have teetered on the edge of being an AFC powerhouse over the past couple of seasons. As long as Lamar Jackson is healthy in 2025, they should again be legitimate Super Bowl threats.

Baltimore largely focused on its offensive cast in the early offseason, re-signing Ronnie Stanley, Ben Cleveland and Patrick Ricard and adding DeAndre Hopkins. At some point, it should address a defense that ranked 31st in passing yards allowed.

Adding a young pass-rusher to the equation would be wise. Kyle Van Noy led Baltimore in sacks last season but is 34 and will be a free agent in 2026. With $6.3 million in cap space, the Ravens should probably consider edge-rushers on rookie deals.

Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Boye Mafe would be a very logical target for the Ravens. He's entering a contract year, is only 26 years old and is coming off of a six-sack season.

Mafe could be an extension candidate for the Seahawks, but they just added DeMarcus Lawrence to an edge rotation that also features Leonard Williams and Derick Hall.

Schematically, Mafe should immediately mesh with what Baltimore does defensively. He logged eight tackles for loss and 21 quarterback pressures last season while playing under former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.

Buffalo Bills Trade for CB Amik Robertson

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Like the Ravens, the Bills have become one of the best teams in the AFC that just can't get over the proverbial hump that is Kansas City. Buffalo was active in the early offseason, extending Greg Rousseau, Khalil Shakir and Terrel Bernard before adding the likes of Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi and Michael Hoecht.

Ogunjobi and Hoecht face six-game suspensions, so Buffalo could look to acquire another piece for its defensive front.

"It's not ideal to have two guys with that, but both guys have never had any issues off the field," general manager Brandon Beane said, per ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg.

They'll eventually be back on the field, however, and the Bills could still use additional cornerback depth. Buffalo ranked 24th in passing yards allowed last season and has yet to re-sign starting cornerback Rasul Douglas.

Any trade would have to be relatively budget-friendly, as the Bills have less than $1 million in cap space, even with the top-51 rule—only the 51 highest contract values count against the cap during the NFL offseason.

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson, who has a base salary of $4.2 million, would fit the profile. Robertson suffered a broken arm during the postseason but appeared in all 17 regular-season games last season.

Robertson could also be looking at reduced playing time with Detroit in 2025. The Lions lost Carlton Davis in free agency but signed both Rock Ya-Sin and D.J. Reed. At some point, they'll want to clear more playing time for 2024 second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as well.

The Bills should find out if Robertson is available.

Detroit Lions Trade for Trey Hendrickson

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The Detroit Lions might have made a deeper postseason run in 2024 if not for defensive injuries. One of the biggest came early in the year when star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending leg injury.

Even before that setback, though, the Lions needed a high-end complementary pass-rusher. They traded for Za'Darius Smith at the 2024 deadline but released him at the start of the offseason.

The Lions re-signed Marcus Davenport, but he's had trouble staying on the field throughout his NFL career. The draft is an option for filling the void—the Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired Detroit with Georgia's Mykel Williams in its latest mock draft—but the Lions should also consider a trade for Trey Hendrickson.

Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks last season, has been on the sideline as the Cincinnati Bengals worked on extensions for Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals aren't reportedly eager to trade the 30-year-old, and could reach an agreement to retain him.

"[A trade] would take a really hefty trade package. Teams aren't willing to do that and pay Hendrickson right now," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report's Timothy Rapp). "So, as much as I want to go with the field, I still think they can work something out, Hendrickson and the Bengals, on a new deal."

The Lions should see if they can pull off what other teams, to this point, have been unable to do and acquire Hendrickson. Pairing him with Hutchinson would give Detroit arguably the most disruptive pass-rushing tandem in the NFL.

A rookie might be equally effective and would certainly be more budget-friendly. However, Hendrickson is a proven playmaker, and the Lions are still equipped with $35.4 million in cap space.

Washington Commanders Trade for Edge Ogbo Okoronkwo

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The Washington Commanders were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, riding new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie QB Jayden Daniels to the NFC title game.

While Daniels was the catalyst of Washington's offensive improvements in 2024, the Commanders also saw a notable defensive turnaround—thanks to Quinn and some veteran additions like Bobby Wagner, Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr.

After ranking dead-last in yards and points allowed in 2023, Washington ranked 13th and 18th in those categories, respectively, last season.

Fowler had one of the best seasons of his career, finishing with 10.5 sacks and 20 quarterback pressures. However, he also returned to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason. Adding another dedicated edge-rusher to help replace Fowler would be wise.

Making a play for Hendrickson would also be logical for the Commanders. They should also take a long look at Ogbo Okoronkwo of the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

The Browns signed Okoronkwo to a three-year, $19 million contract during the 2023 offseason but have largely kept him in a rotational role since. He's likely to stay in that role after Cleveland signed Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and the Browns could view him as expendable.

The Browns are entering a rebuilding phase and could use all of the cheap rookie contracts that they can get.

While Okoronkwo hasn't had overly impressive numbers during his time with the Browns, he's been fairly productive as a part-time player. Over the past two seasons, he's recorded 7.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 17 tackles for loss.

San Francisco 49ers Trade for CB Greg Newsome II

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The San Francisco 49ers were bitten hard by the injury bug in 2024, and some of their offseason moves might indicate that a rebuild is incoming. San Francisco parted with Javon Hargrave, traded Deebo Samuel and allowed Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga to leave in free agency.

The oddsmakers, however, expect San Francisco to be right back in the Super Bowl chase next season.

For that to happen, the 49ers will need to replace some of the players they've lost this offseason, and finding a quality corner might be the most critical need. Ward was a reliable high-level starter when healthy during his three seasons in San Francisco.

Greg Newsome II has been a versatile and capable inside-outside corner for the Browns in his four seasons, but he also saw a reduced role in 2024. He made just three starts and played 70 percent of the defensive snaps after three strong seasons as a starter.

In 2023, Newsome started 13 games and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 74.8 in coverage. The 24-year-old is entering a contract year and is open to staying in Cleveland but would like to see more playing time moving forward.

"In order to help this team, I've got to be on the field a little more," Newsome said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

As previously mentioned, the Browns are entering a rebuilding phase and should be looking to shed salary. They could save $13.4 million in cap space by dealing Newsome, which is precisely why the 49ers should see if he can be acquired.

San Francisco still has $21.7 million in available cap space.

Cincinnati Bengals Trade for LB Quay Walker

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The Bengals are expected to return to contention after suffering a massive defensive collapse in 2024. Cincinnati replaced defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden and could look to restructure the defensive roster through the draft.

Linebacker could quickly become a massive need for Cincinnati. The Bengals needed additional depth at the second level before defensive captain Germaine Pratt requested a trade early in the offseason.

While the Bengals added Oren Burks in free agency, they should see if Quay Walker can be obtained from the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have made it known that they'd prefer to keep the 24-year-old but have admitted that working out an extension or using the fifth-year option for 2026 could prove difficult.

"The linebacker for the fifth-year option is a little wonky because there’s so many edge guys that are part of that, which drives up that number, which probably isn’t great," general manager Brian Gutekunst said, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.

Walker, who tallied 102 tackles, 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss last season, would be a great young addition to Cincinnati's new-look defense. He's roughly four years younger than Pratt and could become a long-term piece of Cincinnati's puzzle.

The Bengals could potentially find a creative path to acquiring Walker, possibly by offering Pratt as part of a trade package. Though they haven't been actively trying to move Hendrickson, the Bengals could also ask for Walker as part of a package from Green Bay if that changes.

Los Angeles Rams Trade Out of Round 1

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Kentucky CB prospect Maxwell Hairston

Ok, so this trade wouldn't directly address the Los Angeles Rams' biggest need, which is more help in the defensive back seven. However, the Rams are over the salary cap—even with only the top 51 contracts considered—and shouldn't be eager to part with draft capital.

The Rams never really underwent a true rebuilding period after their Super Bowl LVI win because of their knack for finding contributors in the draft. Standout players like Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Kamren Kinchens were all drafted after the first round.

Because of their cap situation and track record of drafting and developing players, the Rams should already be looking to trade out of the first round. They currently hold the 26th overall pick, which could be a tricky spot in this year's draft class.

The Bleacher Report Scouting Department had exactly 26 players with first-round grades on its post-combine big board.

In theory, the Rams could trade out of Round 1, add an extra Day 2 selection and still land a quality prospect like Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas or Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.

Corner and linebacker are big needs for the Rams, who ranked 26th in both yards per carry allowed and net yards per pass attempt allowed last season. They're also positions that could yield underwhelming value if targeted at No. 26 overall.

The B/R Scouting Department has four corners and two linebackers ranked among its top 32 prospects, and all of them could be off the board before L.A. is on the clock.

While it's rare for a team to trade out of Round 1 well ahead of the draft, it's certainly not unprecedented. The Houston Texans did exactly that last offseason, sending the 23rd and 232nd picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the 42nd and 188th picks plus a 2025 second-round pick.

The Rams could potentially get an even bigger haul from a team looking to secure a quarterback—and the fifth-year option—at the tail end of the first round.

Green Bay Packers Trade for Edge Jadeveon Clowney

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The Green Bay Packers are hovering near the list of NFC favorites, thanks in no small part to a talented young roster and the emergence of Jordan Love over the past two seasons.

Offensively, the Packers could use a true No. 1 receiver, though they're unlikely to find one at this point in the offseason. Defensively, edge-rusher appears to be the team's biggest need.

The Packers haven't ruled out trading their first-round draft pick for an edge-defender.

"Depends who that edge rusher would be," GM Brian Gutekunst said, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman.

Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson looms as a prime trade target if the Packers want to make a move for a sack artist. If he can be had, the Packers should see if Jadevon Clowney is available.

Clowney never developed into the dominant sack artist he was expected to be when the Houston Texans took him first overall in 2014. However, he's become a fine journeyman edge-defender who logged 5.5 sacs and 11 QB hits with the Carolina Panthers last season.

The Panthers are still in the early stages of a rebuild, and Clowney is set to be a free agent in 2026. Carolina took calls for the 32-year-old ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, though it ultimately chose to keep him.

The asking price for Clowney this offseason would likely be far lower than a first-round pick, which would leave Green Bay's top draft choice available to potentially double down at the position.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.

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