Grading Biggest NFL Trades, Claims and Moves After 2025 Roster Cuts

The NFL's annual cut-down to 53 players came and went on Tuesday afternoon. While the event brought no shortage of reactions, it's important to remember that initial regular-season rosters are anything but final.

The days following roster cuts always bring a new wave of activity, as teams look to leverage depth or address needs through trades, free agency and the waiver wire.

Superstar Micah Parsons was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, and that trade is graded here.

Several other notable moves have already unfolded since the first rosters of the regular season were announced, and more are undoubtedly in the works. Bleacher Report is following along with analysis and grades for the biggest moves.

Panthers Trade WR Adam Thielen to Vikings

AP Photo

Adam Thielen

Adam Thielen is a Minnesota Viking once again. Minnesota is sending a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-rounder to the Carolina Panthers for Thielen, a 2026 conditional seventh-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

The deal brings Thielen back to Minnesota, where he spent the first nine years of his career. It was a logical move because the Vikings won't have No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season due to a suspension. Thielen should quickly mesh with head coach Kevin O'Connell, who joined the franchise in the receiver's final season before joining Carolina.

The move makes just a little less sense for the Panthers, who need Bryce Young to take the proverbial next step this season. Thielen has been a wonderful go-to target and veteran mentor for the 2023 first overall pick. His absence will be missed, even with new pieces like Rico Dowdle and Tetairoa McMillan joining the lineup.

Of course, Thielen is on a one-year deal, and the Panthers are widely expected to be at least a year away from contention. From an off-field perspective, there's value in cashing in Thielen now.

Vikings Grade: A

Panthers Grade: C+

—Kris Knox

Lions Trade WR Tim Patrick to Jaguars

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Tim Patrick

Thielen wasn't the only notable pass-catcher traded in the wake of Tuesday's cuts. The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday that they're dealing Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.

The deal is a good one for the Jaguars, who have a new head coach in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Patrick is a big-bodied (6'5", 210 lbs) receiver who had a resurgent season with the Lions in 2024, following two years of season-ending injuries.

Patrick doesn't possess the exact skill set of Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, but he can give Coen a similar size mismatch to utilize in short-yardage situations and in the red zone. He'll also give Jacksonville something it doesn't have in top receivers Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown and Travis Hunter.

The compensation is a bit underwhelming for Detroit, but there's logic behind unloading Patrick. Doing so fully opens the door for rookie Isaac TeSlaa to become the team's third receiver and should provide earlier opportunities for rookie Dominic Lovett to see the field.

Jaguars Grade: A

Lions Grade: B

—Kris Knox

49ers Sign WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, file

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling wasn't traded, but he is on the move. The Seattle Seahawks released the 30-year-old as part of this week's cuts—likely to make room for rookie Tory Horton—and the rival San Francisco 49ers were quick to snatch him up.

While Valdes-Scantling hasn't surpassed 500 receiving yards in a season since 2022, he remains a capable deep threat who can stretch the field. Last season with the New Orleans Saints, he averaged an impressive 22.6 yards per catch.

Adding Valdes-Scantling—to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner—was about the best move San Francisco could make at receiver, barring a trade. The 49ers simply don't have many healthy wideouts at this point.

Jauan Jennings (calf), Jordan Watkins (ankle) and Jacob Cowing (hamstring) are all ailing, while Brandon Aiyuk will open the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This means Ricky Pearsall, recent trade acquisition Skyy Moore and, now, Valdes-Scantling may be the only healthy receivers the 49ers have in Week 1.

This isn't a signing that will rock the NFL landscape, but it's a valuable one for San Francisco.

Grade: B

—Kris Knox

Patriots Claim QB Tommy DeVito

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

QB Tommy DeVito

The New York Giants only kept three quarterbacks—Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart—on their active roster, which left no room for hometown hero Tommy DeVito.

However, DeVito wasn't unemployed for long. He landed with the New England Patriots on Wednesday via waivers.

In New England, DeVito will provide depth behind second-year quarterback Drake Maye and journeyman backup Joshua Dobbs.

It's a smart addition for the Patriots, who traded Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason but again have a young quarterback to develop as an understudy.

DeVito only turned 27 earlier this month and has eight starts and an 88.4 career quarterback rating on his resume. He'll only be a restricted free agent next offseason, so the Patriots have up to two years to determine whether he can be their long-term backup.

Grade: B+

Ravens Extend S Kyle Hamilton

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton

The Baltimore Ravens apparently took a look at their regular-season roster and decided that it was a good time to lock up one of their own.

The team announced on Wednesday that it has signed safety Kyle Hamilton to a contract extension. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's a record-setting four-year, $100.4 million deal that will make Hamilton the highest-paid safety in league history.

"The highest-paid safety in the NFL. That's a responsibility that we don't take lightly," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said, per Ryan Mink of the team's official website. "Kyle has proven that he's going to carry that very well and we expect him to be an impact player in our defense for years to come."

It's hard not to like the deal for the Ravens. Hamilton is a 24-year-old two-time Pro Bowler who is undoubtedly one of the best at his position. Safety contracts will only go up from here, and the best time to extend Hamilton was always as soon as possible.

Grade: A

—Kris Knox

Colts Sign LB Chad Muma

AP Photo/Doug Murray

The Indianapolis Colts have dealt with injuries at the linebacker position much of the summer, and on Wednesday the team took some steps to shore up a room that is something of a question mark behind Zaire Franklin.

Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59, the Colts were awarded fourth-year pro Chad Muma, who was waived Tuesday by the Jaguars. The 25-year-old made seven starts over three years in Jacksonville, logging 94 total tackles.

While talking to reporters, Colts general manager Chris Ballard talked up Muma's ability to contribute both on defense and special teams.

"We kept four (linebackers), knew we wanted to add another guy. We're still going to bring some other guys in,'' Ballard said. "It's different than it was in the past. We usually kept six and dressed six in the schemes we were in. He can probably play both WILL and MIKE. He's good on (special) teams. He's had some experience playing.''

It's hardly an earth-shaking move, but with presumptive No. 2 linebacker Jaylon Carlies headed to injured reserve to open the season, Indy needed a linebacker with some NFL experience.

Grade: B

--Gary Davenport

Notable Practice Squad Additions

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

QB Hendon Hooker

Panthers Add QB Hendon Hooker

The Panthers are adding quarterback Hendon Hooker to their practice squad, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Hooker was waived by the Lions are part of their Tuesday cuts.

While Hooker never developed into a promising backup in Detroit, the 2023 third-round pick still has some enticing potential. For a franchise that may or may not have its franchise quarterback in Bryce Young, adding Hooker as a developmental prospect is a sensible low-risk move.

Grade: B-

—Knox

Chiefs Bring Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire

The New Orleans Saints released running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but the 2020 first-round pick has found a soft landing with his former team. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Kansas City Chiefs are adding Edwards-Helaire to their practice squad.

It's a sensible addition for the Chiefs, who had backfield issues a year ago. Edwards-Helaire has been serviceable at best over the last few seasons, but he is well-versed in Andy Reid's offense.

Grade: C

—Knox

QB Tyler Huntley Returns to Ravens

Over four seasons to start his career with the Baltimore Ravens, quarterback Tyler Huntley made nine starts. Now, after a year in Miami and a cup of coffee as the QB5 in Cleveland, Huntley is back where his career began--per Charean Williams of PFT, the Ravens signed Huntley to the practice squad.

Cooper Rush remains the primary backup to Lamar Jackson after an excellent preseason, but Huntley is familiar with both the Ravens' offense and the team's locker room.

Hard to find fault with bringing him back.

Grade: B+

--Davenport

QB Bailey Zappe Joins Browns Practice Squad

The quarterback situation in Cleveland is like the Gravitron ride--it's constantly spinning and makes everyone nauseous. As reported by Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports, the Browns have added third-year pro Bailey Zappe, who started one game for the team in 2024, to the practice squad.

This isn't "insurance" behind rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. It's the addition of a player with at least some experience starting an NFL game. The fire extinguisher in the glass case. If he starts a game in 2025, things will be 174 percent more Cleveland than anyone dared fear.

Grade: C

--Davenport