Grading Every Deal from 2025 NFL Trade Deadline

The 2025 NFL trade deadline has officially passed, and Bleacher Report's team of NFL analysts—Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton—have weighed in on all the major deals.

Grades are based on factors such as player upside, positional value, trade compensation, how well needs are addressed, and how deals fit into each team's short- and/or long-term plans.

Indianapolis Colts Add All-Pro To Secondary

AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File

The Trade

Indianapolis Colts Receive: CB Sauce Gardner

New York Jets Receive: 2026 and '27 first-round draft picks, WR Adonai Mitchell

Colts: A

The Colts are all-in to win this season. At 7-2 and tied for the NFL's best record, general manager Chris Ballard pulled off the most stunning trade prior to this year's deadline. The acquisition of Sauce Gardner addresses the Colts' biggest need area at cornerback, while giving the team a two-time All-Pro to build around now and in future years.

True difference-makers aren't readily available at the trade deadline. The Colts saw an opportunity and took the plunge. Gardner is the NFL's highest-graded cornerback since entering the league in 2022, per Pro Football Focus.

His addition helps solidify a cornerback room ravaged by injuries in the short term and provides a long-term building block since the 25-year-old defensive back signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July.

The Colts are operating differently under the guidance of owners Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson. Tuesdays' deadline deal is the most obvious example of the franchise's shifting philosophy.

Jets: B

The idea of New York moving Gardner is stunning, because he's a legitimate elite cover corner. The move is a declaration that the Jets are entering a full-blown rebuild and they'll have to eat a portion of Gardner's deal.

As mentioned, the organization just signed the cornerback to a hefty extension. The real savings from his contract won't come into play until next offseason and beyond, which is perfect timing.

The Jets obviously came to the realization that the team isn't built to win as currently constructed. Gardner was the front office's best trade chip and pushed him into the middle of the table in order to get a sizable return from the Colts.

Two future first-round picks, to go along with the franchise's own selections, will be an ideal starting point to build a strong foundation and start fresh.

Adonai Mitchell being thrown into the mix provides a wild card considering the wide receiver's immense potential if he ever figures it out.

Cowboys Make Splash, Acquire DL Quinnen Williams

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Quinnen Williams

The Trade

Dallas Cowboys Receive: DL Quinnen Williams

New York Jets Receive: 2026 2nd-Round Pick, 2027 1st-Round Pick, DT Mazi Smith

Grades

Cowboys: B-

Quinnen Williams is unquestionably a great player, and he'll help bolster a desperate Dallas Cowboys defense immediately. However, it's hard to consider this a true home run for the Cowboys.

While Williams will only turn 28 next month and is under contract through 2027, he hasn't played at an All-Pro level since 2022 and will see his base salary jump above $20 million next season.

The Cowboys sold Micah Parsons for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Trading away a second-round pick, a future first-round pick—which is reportedly Dallas', not Green Bay's, and therefore likely to be the higher of the two—for an older, less-dynamic defender isn't the brilliant move Jerry Jones will probably try to sell it as.

Dallas will get better through the trade, but this is a pricey deal in the middle of a losing season.

Jets: A

The Jets are clearly in fire-sale mode, and this is a strong return for a good defender on a ballooning salary—Williams' base salary will increase by more than $5 million next season.

While Williams was one of the better players on New York's defense, it doesn't look like the franchise will be ready to contend while he's still in his playing prime.

New York gets more capital with which to try acquiring a quarterback in the 2026 draft. It also gets an essentially free flier on a high-upside defensive tackle that Dallas failed to develop. Given the reality that they're willing to blow up the roster, this is a win for the Jets.

Chargers Address O-Line Injuries with Trade for Saints OL Trevor Penning

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

The Trade

Los Angeles Chargers Receive: OL Trevor Penning

New Orleans Saints Receive: 2027 sixth-round draft pick

Chargers: C

The Chargers had to try to do something along the offensive line—both of the team's starting tackles are out for the year, and when Joe Alt was out earlier in the season the Chargers O-line struggled.

Whether Penning makes that line any better is another matter.

Penning was a first-round pick of the Saints back in 2022, and the 26-year-old made 40 starts over his first three seasons before kicking inside to left guard this year.

Per PFF, Penning allowed three sacks in 358 snaps this year at guard, and surrendered five sacks at right tackle in 2024 while struggling in a big way in pass protection.

Justin Herbert may want to keep his head on a swivel. Just saying.

Saints: C

The Saints need to have a fire sale of the scope the New York Jets are undergoing. But instead, all Mickey Loomis did was pick up a few Day 3 picks on deadline day.

This isn't to say that unloading Penning was a bad idea—he's a pending free agent who never came anywhere close to justifying his draft slot. But the Saints got worse in the short-term Tuesday without getting markedly better in the long-term.

Mickey. Buddy. You have to blow the team up. Should have two or three years ago.

Seahawks Bolster WR Corps with Saints WR Rashid Shaheed

AP Photo/Ella Hall

The Trade

Seattle Seahawks Receive: WR Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints Receive: 2026 fourth-round draft pick, 2026 fifth-round draft pick

Seahawks: B-

The Seahawks are pushing their chips to the middle of the table—at least somewhat.

The team we just saw pummel the Washington Commanders looks like not only a playoff contender but also a Super Bowl contender. But with Cooper Kupp banged up, the team had a hole at wide receiver opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Adding Shaheed does more than just fill that void—it gives the Seahawks a proven vertical threat to compliment the NFL's leading receiver.

The price isn't insignificant for a player who may be a rental, but it's understandable for a team that's in "Win Now" mode.

Saints: A-

That the Saints were expected to be sellers at the deadline isn't news—the team is terrible. A number of players were mentioned as potential trade candidates, including wideout Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara.

Instead, the Saints dealt a talented but lesser player who is set to hit free agency next spring anyway—and got more from the Seahawks than the Raiders got earlier on Tuesday for Jakobi Meyers.

Mickey Loomis has made his share of mistakes of late. But the Saints general manager played this one well.

Jaguars Address WR Injuries with Deal for Jakobi Meyers of the Raiders

AP Photo/David Becker

The Trade

Jacksonville Jaguars Receive: WR Jakobi Meyers

Las Vegas Raiders Receive: 2026 fourth-round draft pick, 2026 sixth-round draft pick

Jaguars: B-

This was a trade born of necessity for the Jaguars.

At 5-3, the Jags are in contention for a playoff spot in the AFC. They have also been ravaged by injuries at wide receiver—Travis Hunter is on injured reserve with a knee injury, Brian Thomas Jr. hurt his ankle last week in Las Vegas and Dyami Brown is in the concussion protocol.

Two picks is a substantial amount to pay for a wideout who will likely be playing elsewhere in 2026. But the Jaguars had to make a move given all the recent attrition at the position.

Raiders: B

It was hardly a secret that the Raiders were shopping Meyers, who has an expiring contract and who has all but disappeared from the Vegas offense—just 124 receiving yards over the last month.

Fans in Sin City no doubt would like to have seen the Raiders get more for a proven wideout who topped 1,000 yards last year. But Meyers isn't a field-stretcher, he's headed for free agency and this was likely the best offer they got.

Dallas Cowboys Beef Up Defense By Adding Logan Wilson

AP Photo

The Trade

Dallas Cowboys Receive: LB Logan Wilson

Cincinnati Bengals Receive: 2026 seventh-round draft pick

Cowboys: B

The Cowboys had to do something to bolster their defense. Coming out of Monday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas' unit ranked next-to-last in total defense. Ironically, Jerry Jones mined the league's worst defense in order to try and help his squad.

Logan Wilson had seen his playing time decrease, with the Bengals making a youth movement at linebacker. Rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter are now the primary second-line defenders in Cincinnati.

However, Wilson is an experienced veteran with 65 career starts and over 500 tackles. He's been an on-field leader wearing the green dot, too. With injuries to Jack Sanborn, who's on injured reserve, and DeMarvion Overshown, this addition bolsters the Cowboys' linebackers.

Ultimately, Dallas made a minimal investment in an attempt to improve its defense. Wilson may not be a difference-maker, but he can help.

Bengals: C

Basically, the Bengals received something for nothing. Both sides were ready to move on and did.

Wilson had been a positive contributor during the previous six seasons, but Cincinnati decided it wanted to go in another direction. Meanwhile, the linebacker understood the business side of things and requested a trade two weeks ago.

Plus, the Bengals get out from under Wilson's contract, which still has two years remaining.

A seventh-round draft pick may not be much, but it could eventually help the team more than a linebacker sitting on its bench.

Bears Add Edge Depth, Acquire Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

AP Photo/David Richard

Joe Tyron-Shoyinka

The Trade

Chicago Bears Receive: Edge Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, 2026 7th-Round Pick

Cleveland Brown Receive: 2026 6th-Round Pick

Grades

Bears: B-

Joy Tryon-Shoyinka probably won't move the needle much for the Chicago Bears. The 2021 first-round pick has rarely played up to his draft status and has recorded just 15 sacks in four-plus seasons.

However, Chicago needed edge depth after losing Dayo Odeyingbo to a season-ending Achilles tear. The Bears, who have just 17 sacks on the season, needed an edge-rushing boost even before Odeyingbo was injured.

Adding Tryon-Shoyinka gives Chicago is a low-risk, high-upside move that should help the team navigate the rest of the season.

Browns: C+

It's hard to find fault with the Cleveland Browns' decision to execute this deal. While a late-round pick swap isn't significant, it's decent value for a player who wasn't making much of an impact.

Tryon-Shoyinka had played just 31 defensive snaps for the Browns this season and was only signed to a one-year deal. Credit the Browns for taking advantage of an opportunity to offload a player with no real role in either their short- or long-term plans.

Baltimore Ravens Acquire Edge Dre'Mont Jones

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Dre'Mont Jones

The Trade

Baltimore Ravens Receive: DL Dre'Mont Jones

Tennessee Titans Receive: Conditional 2026 5th-Round Pick.

Grades

Ravens: A

The Baltimore Ravens are back in the AFC North race after winning two in a row, and their defense has played better since its Week 7 bye. However, adding defensive help at the deadline was always sensible.

Even after allowing just 22 combined points in their last two games, the Ravens rank 24th in points allowed.

Dre'Mont Jones should make an immediate impact for Baltimore's defensive front. The 28-year-old has recorded 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss this season. A conditional Day-3 pick is a more than fair price for what the Ravens can potentially gain.

Titans: B-

A conditional fifth-round pick is also a fairly decent return for the Tennessee Titans, who are willing to sell off veterans they don't consider long-term building blocks.

While Jones has performed well in Tennessee this season, he was playing on a one-year deal and may have departed in the offseason. Getting something for him now made sense, and the Titans got a bit more than they did by trading away cornerback Roger McCreary.

Philadelphia Eagles Acquire Edge-Rusher Jaelan Phillips

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

The Trade

Philadelphia Eagles Receive: Edge Jaelan Phillips

Miami Dolphins Receive: 2026 third-round draft pick

Eagles: A

Once again, general manager Howie Roseman is working his magic by acquiring one of the bigger available names at this year's trade deadline. More importantly, the Eagles needed a boost to their pass rush, as a bottom 10 unit in sacks coming out of Week 9 action. Jaelen Phillips is both young and packed with potential.

The 26-year-old defensive end has dealt with his share of injuries throughout his career, including a torn Achilles tendon and knee issues over the previous season-and-a-half. Before then, Phillips registered 13.5 sacks during the previous 25 games. He's also rounding back into form, with at least half-a-sack in three of his last four appearances.

To sweeten the deal, the Dolphins will eat a portion of the 2021 first-round draft pick's remaining salary, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Dolphins: B

Let the fire sale begin! With general manager manager Chris Grier already relieved of his duties and the Dolphins owning a woeful 2-7 record, it's time to sell and begin the roster reset for next offseason. The most important part becomes building a war chest of draft assets, which starts with flipping Phillips.

Besides, Phillips isn't signed beyond this season. Considering his vast injury history and the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency, the Dolphins did well to take on part of his salary and improve the draft pick they received in return.

Whoever takes over as general manager should do so in hopes of having as much draft ammunition as possible to upgrade a bottom tier roster.

Philadelphia Eagles Acquire CB Jaire Alexander

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Cornerback Jaire Alexander

The Trade

Philadelphia Eagles Receive: CB Jaire Alexander, 2027 7th-Round Pick

Baltimore Ravens Receive: 2026 6th-Round Pick

Grades

Eagles: B

The Eagles need veteran insurance and depth at cornerback. In the first half of the season, opposing quarterbacks picked on Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo in the passing game. Neither of the two showed much consistency on the boundary in the secondary. Also, Jackson missed Philadelphia's previous game with a concussion.

Alexander could surpass Jackson and Ringo on the depth chart if he eases his way into a steady role. Though his short tenure with the Ravens didn't work out, he's healthy, which will allow him to compete for immediate snaps. General manager Howie Roseman is known for making low-risk, high-reward moves for former high-end draft picks and notable underperformers. This trade fits that approach.

Ravens: C

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was excited to reunite with Alexander, who played with him at Louisville in college, but the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback didn't make any notable contributions. The Ravens field the 28th-ranked pass defense, and Alexander only appeared in two games.

This past offseason, the Green Bay Packers released Alexander, and Baltimore signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal. He dealt with a knee injury over the summer and played only 61 defensive snaps across eight games. The Ravens didn't get much return on their investment. So, they needed to flip the player into draft capital.

Because of Alexander's minimal role and healthy scratches, Baltimore doesn't need to find his replacement, though it did whiff on signing him.

San Francisco 49ers Add Edge Keion White

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Keion White

The Trade

San Francisco 49ers Receive: Edge Keion White, 2026 7th-Round Pick

New England Patriots Receive: 2026 6th-Round Pick

Grades

49ers: A

The San Francisco 49ers have seen defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner suffer season-ending injuries. Adding Keion White won't replace either player, but it will give the Niners valuable depth on the edge.

A 2023 second-round pick out of Georgia Tech, White flashed his upside last season with five sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Getting him with more than a year remaining on his rookie contract at the cost of a late pick swap makes this a great deal for San Francisco.

Patriots: D

When one team in a trade gets a bargain, the other usually isn't getting adequate compensation.

White's playing time had decreased in the New England Patriots' new defensive system, and he was a healthy scratch in Week 8. However, pass-rushers are almost always in demand, and the 26-year-old has shown previously he can be a nice rotational piece.

Yes, White was a product of the previous regime, but New England should have been able to get more for a 2023 second-round selection.

Pittsburgh Steelers Add S Kyle Dugger

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Kyle Dugger

The Trade

Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: S Kyle Dugger, 2026 7th-Round Pick

New England Patriots Receive: 2026 6th-Round Pick

Grades

Steelers: B-

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed help on the back end of their defense, which hasn't been great since the team swapped Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey in the offseason. While Pittsburgh's cornerback room got better on paper, its pass defense overall took a hit.

No team has surrendered more passing yards this season than the Steelers.

Kyle Dugger hasn't been as dependable over the last two seasons as he was early in his career. However, the Steelers needed to do something to bolster their defense, and if he can recapture his previous form, this could be an excellent value trade.

Patriots: C

Like White, Dugger hasn't looked like a great fit under new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. He's also been a liability in coverage, allowing an opposing passer rating of 118.1 in coverage this season.

While the trade compensation isn't great, this deal can be viewed as a minor win for New England. It gets the Patriots out from under the four-year, $58 million extension he signed last offseason.

Los Angeles Rams Add CB Roger McCreary

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Roger McCreary

The Trade

Los Angeles Rams Receive: CB Roger McCreary, 2026 6th-Round Pick

Tennessee Titans Receive: 2026 5th-Round Pick

Grades

Rams: A

A team with championship aspirations can never have too much cornerback depth, and the Los Angeles Rams have been searching for more. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on October 25 that the Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions were all "making calls" on cornerbacks.

Landing Roger McCreary—and keeping him away from a potential postseason foe—was a solid move by Los Angeles. The 2022 second-round pick is in the final year of his rookie deal and has been an average defender with the Tennessee Titans. He has 38 starts on his resume, though, and comes to L.A. on a bargain deal.

Titans: C

A late-round pick swap isn't exactly a huge return on investment, considering the Titans drafted McCreary 35th overall. However, Tennessee is trying to stockpile 2026 draft capital and was never likely to re-sign the 25-year-old anyway.

A fifth-round pick could turn into a solid young contributor, and the Titans need as many of those as they can get. McCreary is unlikely to be the last player Tennessee moves before the deadline.

Eagles and Jets Swap WR John Metchie III and CB Michael Carter II

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

John Metchie III

The Trade

Philadelphia Eagles Receive: CB Michael Carter II

New York Jets Receive: WR John Metchie III

Eagles: A

The Philadelphia Eagles first acquired wide receiver John Metchie III in August by dealing tight end Harrison Bryant and swapping a fifth-round pick for a Houston Texans sixth-rounder. On Wednesday, they flipped Metchie for a capable cornerback in Michael Carter II.

Carter's play has slipped a bit this season, but that's pretty much true of the New York Jets defense overall. Last season, he appeared in 13 games and allowed an opposing passer rating of just 75.7 in coverage.

The Eagles, who rank 18th in passing yards allowed this season, needed corner depth. They got it by moving a player who had seen just 31 offensive snaps through eight weeks.

Jets: D

The Jets don't have a whole lot at wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson, and Metchie does have an intriguing amount of upside. Taking a chance on the 2022 second-round pick does make sense for New York.

Still, trading a proven defender signed through 2027 in exchange for Metchie's promise is a notable risk.