10 Notable Players Who Could Be Cut or Traded Immediately After the 2025 NFL Draft
NFL teams find answers to roster issues in the draft. Consequently, those rookie additions could make veterans expendable via trades and cuts.
Some general managers wait until after the draft to make trades, ensuring they get their targeted prospects who will replace (often disgruntled) players on the roster.
In some cases, teams at odds with key players may not resolve disputes until after the draft.
This year, several notable players are potential post-draft trade and cut candidates for several reasons. We'll examine each situation and why their teams could deal them after bringing in this year's rookie class.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
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Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters he hopes to make the best decision for Jaire Alexander and the organization before the draft.
However, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are willing to wait on a deal despite receiving inquiries for Alexander.
The Packers may add an early-round cornerback, increasing the chance of trade after the draft. At the back end of the first round, they could target Jahdae Barron, Maxwell Hairston or Trey Amos.
Barron would be the ideal successor for Alexander because of his inside-outside versatility.
Regardless, the Packers' patience on the trade front may result in a post-draft move with Alexander's replacement primed to start in his rookie campaign. The oft-injured cornerback who has missed 20 games over the last two years will likely play elsewhere in 2025.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
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Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spurred trade speculation with his comments about Mark Andrews' short-term future.
"I never know what's going to happen, but I can tell you this, Mark Andrews is a warrior. He's a great player and we're in the business of keeping as many great players as we can," DeCosta said to reporters via The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.
In an AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Andrews had a career lowlight, dropping a wide-open pass to convert a two-point conversion that would have tied the game.
However, Andrews turned in another quality campaign, catching 55 passes for 673 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns.
Even with wideout Rashod Bateman posting career numbers and tight end Isaiah Likely continuing to build a rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson, Andrews maintained a role as a key cog in the passing attack.
Yet, DeCosta's comments about Andrews remaining with the team this year open the door for suitors to make offers for the three-time Pro Bowler. Moreover, the Ravens executive may have his eyes on a rookie tight end in a strong class.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
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Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot insists the team is willing to keep Kirk Cousins on the roster as the league’s highest-paid backup quarterback.
However, according to longtime NFL reporter Armando Salguero of Outkick, the 36-year-old “hopes” the Falcons trade him after the 2025 draft.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer shed some light on Cousins’ preferred timing for a move elsewhere.
"My understanding it would be chiefly to avoid the situation he found himself in last April when he was blindsided by Atlanta's decision to take Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick," Breer wrote.
"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."
Atlanta will move forward with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., so Cousins, who has been a full-time starter since 2015, probably wants an opportunity to lead an offense elsewhere.
If the Cleveland Browns don't draft a quarterback early and Aaron Rodgers chooses not to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, both AFC North teams could make offers to the Falcons for Cousins after the draft.
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Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni's noncommittal response to a reporter's question about wanting Dallas Goedert back with the team indicates the 30-year-old tight end's uncertain future:
"Right now he's on our football team. 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."
Goedert is in a tough spot because he's entering the final year of his contract without guaranteed money, and a strong class of tight ends is coming into the league.
The Eagles can find a younger, cheaper and more available replacement for Goedert, who's missed 15 games over the last three seasons.
Because of the quality of this year's incoming tight end group, Philadelphia may find it difficult to trade an aging player at that position with a recent history of injuries.
Regardless, the Eagles seem primed to move on from Goedert one way or another if they draft a tight end within the first three rounds.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals
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Trey Hendrickson is heading into the final year of his contract without any guaranteed money left on his deal.
The Bengals will either sign him to an extension or trade him to a team looking for a perennial pass-rusher. He isn't going to play another snap on an expiring non-guaranteed contract.
Cincinnati may prefer to draft Hendrickson's potential replacement rather than pay a 30-year-old edge-rusher at a premium rate.
While on The Pat McAfee Show, Hendrickson said he doesn't want a short-term contract, which means Cincinnati would have to make a long-term commitment to retain the ninth-year pro.
According to The Athletic's Josh Kendall, the Bengals want a first-round pick included in a deal for Hendrickson.
Teams probably won't meet Cincinnati's trade demands for a pass-rusher headed toward the other side of 30, but suitors may be able to get him for multiple picks, including a second-rounder after the draft.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
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The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 pick, so they could draft a potential franchise quarterback.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini believes that's what they will do next week.
"All signs appear to be pointing to the Titans taking Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick," Russini posted on X.
If Russini is right about the Titans' plan for the top selection, Tennessee could receive calls for Will Levis, who has thrown for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with a 61 percent completion rate in 21 games.
While Levis has struggled with turnovers in his starts, he has notable playing experience that teams covet in a high-level backup or fill-in starter.
Moreover, the 25-year-old may also request a trade if the Titans draft Ward with the understanding that he would shift into a backup role.
Aidan O'Connell, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
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This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders acquired quarterback Geno Smith. They could make room for a rookie signal-caller next week.
According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, Jalen Milroe and Quinn Ewers impressed the Raiders during meetings at the NFL Scouting Combine. They're both probable Day 2 quarterback prospects.
The Athletic's Vic Tafur believes the Raiders "might" trade Aidan O'Connell during the draft.
That said, teams may wait until the end of the draft with a complete rookie haul to make a deal for a borderline starting quarterback.
In two seasons, O'Connell has played well as a fill-in starter, throwing for 3,830 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 62.6 percent completion rate.
However, the Raiders have a mostly new coaching staff led by lead skipper Pete Carroll. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly may want a more athletic quarterback room, which would jeopardize O'Connell's roster spot.
Germaine Pratt, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
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The Cincinnati Bengals must iron out their differences with Germaine Pratt. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the seventh-year linebacker requested a trade in February.
Like edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson, he is headed into the final year of his contract.
Moreover, the Bengals fired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Rapoport noted that Pratt has a strong working relationship with Anarumo.
Cincinnati has more than enough cap space ($23.4 million) to give Pratt a new deal, but he may be eyeing a reunion with Anarumo, who's the Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator.
If the Bengals take a linebacker early in the upcoming draft, they should call the Colts to see how badly Anarumo wants one of his former defensive captains.
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Miami Dolphins
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Based on general manager Chris Grier's comments about Jalen Ramsey, the Miami Dolphins are likely to trade him.
On Tuesday, Grier told reporters he would do what's best for the team and Ramsey after conversations with the star cornerback and his agent.
The Miami GM didn't reveal reasons why the team will look to trade the 30-year-old or give a timeline of when to expect a deal, though.
"Trades come together at all different times from before the draft, the day of the draft, during the draft," Grier said. "When it happens, it will happen. If it doesn't, we'll deal with it then."
As a high-profile player who can still perform optimally, the seven-time Pro Bowler should draw interest from multiple suitors. As a result, Miami could wait until after the draft to take the best deal, likely from a team that missed out on top cornerback prospects.
In 2024, Ramsey recorded 11 pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing an 83.2 passer rating. He could be the best cornerback on more than half the rosters across the league.
D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
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D'Andre Swift only played one season with the Detroit Lions under then-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson because the team traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles in April 2023.
Now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, Johnson may look to remodel his backfield again. So, Swift could experience déjà vu as a trade asset following a high draft pick at his position.
According to ESPN's Matt Miller, the Bears "love" blue-chip running back prospect Ashton Jeanty.
If they move up for Jeanty or the Boise State product falls to them at No. 10, he would likely take on the workhorse role in Chicago's backfield, raising questions about Swift's future with the team.
Even if the Bears aren't able to draft Jeanty but still take a running back within the first two rounds, they could look to trade Swift before their organized activities start in late May.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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