The Biggest Potential NFL Trades That Could Still Happen in 2025

As NFL teams work to finalize their draft plans, general managers will monitor the trade market as well. Some of the selections could spur post-draft transactions.

Several notable players are reportedly on the trade block, and a few may prefer to suit up for a new team because of their position on the depth chart or an impasse in contract negotiations.

Highlighting the most prominent names and recent early-round draft picks, let's examine eight trades that can still happen in 2025.

Each scenario examines why the player is a strong trade candidate and the most likely suitor for him in a potential deal.

Cleveland Browns Acquire Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons

AP

Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons Get: 2026 4th-Round Pick

Cleveland Browns Get: QB Kirk Cousins

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot told reporters he's willing to retain Kirk Cousins as a backup quarterback. That makes sense with Michael Penix Jr.'s extensive collegiate injury history while at Indiana.

However, the Falcons may get a strong offer that causes them to change their stance. On her Scoop City podcast, The Athletic's Dianna Russini said, "It would not be surprising to see Kirk Cousins end up in Cleveland."

Russini pointed out that Cousins is familiar with Kevin Stefanski, who was the Minnesota Vikings' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator between 2018 and 2019 before he became the Cleveland Browns head coach.

A Stefanski-Cousins reunion is plausible if Cousins is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Browns and the Falcons feel confident in their backup quarterback. For now, Atlanta has undrafted second-year signal-caller Emory Jones in the No. 3 spot.

The Browns signed 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who had a brief stretch of solid performances under Stefanski in 2023, but he will likely serve as veteran insurance in a backup role.

If the Browns bypass a quarterback with the No. 2 pick, don't be surprised if they make a push for Cousins, who could win the starting job over Kenny Pickett.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Cousins would prefer to waive his no-trade clause after the draft for a clear look at quarterback situations across the league.

"Rather than taking anyone’s word for it, Cousins has already signaled to teams that he would likely want to wait to see what happens over draft weekend before accepting a trade," Breer wrote.

The Browns would likely be able to keep their picks this year and acquire Cousins for a middle-round 2026 pick.

Indianapolis Colts Acquire Germaine Pratt from the Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt

Cincinnati Bengals Get: 2025 5th-Round Pick (No. 151 Overall Pick)

Indianapolis Colts: LB Germaine Pratt 

With this move, the Cincinnati Bengals can resolve an issue that's lingered for two months.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt requested a trade in February, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Rapoport also noted that Pratt had a close working relationship with former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, whom the Bengals fired after the 2024 season.

The Indianapolis Colts hired Anarumo to fill their vacant defensive coordinator position this offseason. They could reunite the defensive play-caller with one of his top tacklers from Cincinnati. 

Last season, Pratt led the Bengals with 143 tackles. He also played well in coverage, recording six pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing only two touchdowns and an 88.1 passer rating. 

The Colts lost linebacker E.J. Speed in free agency, leaving a starting spot alongside Pro Bowler Zaire Franklin up for grabs. Pratt and Franklin could become one of the league's better linebacker duos. 

Las Vegas Raiders Acquire D'Andre Swift from the Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Bears RB D'Andre Swift

Chicago Bears Get: 2025 1st-Round Pick (No. 6 Overall Pick) 

Las Vegas Raiders Get: 2025 1st-Round Pick (No. 10 Overall Pick), 2025 3rd-Round Pick (No. 72 Overall Pick), RB D’Andre Swift

One year after the Detroit Lions promoted Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator, they traded D'Andre Swift and a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2023 seventh-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

In Philadelphia, Swift had his most productive rushing season, racking up 1,049 yards on the ground. Last season, with the Chicago Bears, he accumulated a career-high 1,345 scrimmage yards.

But Johnson, who's now the Bears' head coach, may want a different type of running back leading his backfield. Don't be surprised if he adds a running back early in the upcoming draft and puts Swift on the trade block.

According to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Bears "love" Boise State product Ashton Jeanty.

So, Chicago could take an aggressive approach to acquire him on Day 1 of the draft. 

If Jeanty is available when the Raiders go on the clock for the No. 6 pick, the Bears can package Swift and a couple of premium picks to move up for Jeanty.

The Raiders can upgrade the backfield by acquiring Swift and then draft a running back with one of three Day 2 picks to significantly improve their ground game, which finished with the fewest rushing yards last season.

Miami Dolphins Send Tyreek Hill to the Dallas Cowboys

FR171984 AP

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill

Dallas Cowboys Get: WR Tyreek Hill, 2025 5th-Round Pick (No. 155 Overall Pick)

Miami Dolphins Get: 2025 2nd-Round Pick (No. 44 Overall Pick), 2026 4th-Round Pick

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill continues to self-generate trade buzz. At the end of March, he made a series of ambiguous posts on X, responding to speculation.

Recently, Hill posted a video on TikTok showing his reaction if the Dolphins tried to trade him. He may be doing a good job of trolling on social media, but what if Miami is tired of his antics?

The Dolphins signed wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in free agency, and they could further address the position in the upcoming draft. They could quietly shop Hill if they intend to take a receiver within the first two rounds.

On the first night of the draft, the Dallas Cowboys could be calling the Dolphins to make a move up for a receiver. The Ringer's Todd McShay said (at the 6:10 mark), "I'm hearing a lot of noise about [Tetairoa McMillan] going 12 to Dallas."

If the Cowboys miss out on McMillan or pass on him, they could call the Dolphins to make a blockbuster move for Hill. Dallas would make Dak Prescott a happy quarterback if he returns from injury to see CeeDee Lamb and Hill as his top two receivers.

Dallas has $37.7 million in cap space. Though the club has had extension talks with edge-rusher Micah Parsons, it can still restructure a few contracts to make room for Hill's $27.7 million cap hit if necessary.

New Orleans Saints Trade for Will Levis

AP

Titans QB Will Levis

New Orleans Saints Get: QB Will Levis, 2025 5th-Round Pick (No. 141 Overall Pick)

Tennessee Titans Get: 2025 4th-Round Pick (No. 112 Overall Pick)

The Tennessee Titans need a franchise quarterback. Will Levis isn't that guy.

In 21 starts with the Titans, Levis has thrown for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with a 61 percent completion rate. He's also fumbled 17 times.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Titans would like to "transition" from Levis. If true, that indicates Tennessee will likely take Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker told reporters the team hasn't had any trade talks involving Levis.

"We have not contacted anybody, and nobody has contacted us, about Will Levis," Brinker said at the NFL owners meetings.

The Titans stance on Levis could change if they draft Ward. The third-year quarterback could also request a trade for a fresh start in that scenario.

Tennessee may find a trade partner in the New Orleans Saints, who have a new coaching staff and uncertainty at quarterback.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Derek Carr suffered a "significant" injury to his throwing shoulder that jeopardizes his availability for the start of the 2025 season. 

Even if the Saints take a quarterback early in the draft, they can consider adding Levis to compete with a rookie, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and Ben DiNucci for the starting position if Carr misses extended time.

Philadelphia Eagles Send Dallas Goedert to the Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert

Indianapolis Colts Get: TE Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles Get: 2025 6th-Round Pick (No. 189 Overall Pick)

Multiple reporters have discussed Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert as someone who could be on the move this offseason.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Eagles are "holding out hope for at least a 4th-round pick" in exchange for Goedert. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo also mentioned Goedert as a trade candidate to monitor nearing the draft.

Speaking to reporters at the annual owners meetings, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was noncommittal about Goedert's future with the team.

"Right now, he's on our football team," Sirianni said. "And obviously, Dallas Goedert has meant a lot to us. We'll see how that plays out. He's a heck of a football player, heck of a leader. Want to be able to have back as many guys as you possibly can, but that's not the reality of the NFL."

Sirianni could help his former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who needs a playmaker at tight end for the Indianapolis Colts' passing attack.

When Steichen served as the Eagles offensive coordinator between 2021 and 2022, Goedert had his most productive years as a pass-catcher. He recorded a career-high 830 receiving yards in 2021.

Goedert could be a reliable, big-bodied target once again in Steichen's offense. Indianapolis could pair him with a rookie tight end to help whoever wins the starting quarterback job between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

Tennessee Titans Acquire Michael Mayer from the Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Las Vegas Raiders Get: 2025 5th-Round Pick (No. 141 Overall Pick)

Tennessee Titans Get: TE Michael Mayer, 2025 6th-Round Pick (No. 180 Overall Pick)

Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers has made Michael Mayer expendable. Following Bowers' impressive rookie season, Mayer seems stuck in a backup tight end role in Sin City.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore, the Raiders are "trying to trade" Mayer, and "plenty of teams are interested."

It seems like a matter of when, not if, the Raiders trade Mayer elsewhere. Las Vegas should offer the third-year tight end to the Tennessee Titans. 

This offseason, Tennessee hired Dave Ziegler to fill an assistant general manager position. Two years ago, as the Raiders' general manager, Ziegler moved up a few spots in the second round to draft Mayer with the No. 35 pick. 

Titans tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo is entering the final year of his contract. Though he's been a solid pass-catcher, the 25-year-old isn't comparable to Bowers. Mayer could see more playing time and targets in two-tight end sets with the Titans than he would alongside Bowers in Las Vegas. 

Washington Commanders Trade for Trey Hendrickson

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals Get: 2025 2nd-Round Pick (No. 61 Overall Pick), 2026 5th-Round Pick

Washington Commanders Get: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, 2025 6th-Round Pick (No. 193 Overall Pick)

The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to lucrative extensions this offseason. Star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is still waiting for a new deal.

At the NFL owners meetings, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters that the team is working through the negotiation process with Hendrickson. With $23.6 million in cap space, Cincinnati should be able to get a deal done with Hendrickson unless his contract demands far exceed the team's financial threshold. 

The Bengals may take an edge-rusher with the No. 17 pick in the upcoming draft. If that happens, Cincinnati could make phone calls right after its first-round pick.

Cincinnati should call the Washington Commanders. The Commanders lost their 2024 sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., who went back to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. Washington's top remaining edge-rushers, Dorance Armstrong and Clelin Ferrell, combined for 8.5 sacks last year.

If the Commanders acquire Hendrickson, he would be their top pass-rusher and give them a much-needed boost on the edge. Washington finished 14th in pressure rate (22.6 percent) last season.

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