Adam Schefter Predicts 'More Wheeling and Dealing in Trades' Due to NFL Free Agency, Draft Classes

In what's considered to be a down year in the draft and free agency, the trade market could really heat up this offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"So we got a free agent class that's not real deep. We've got a draft that is not considered real deep," Schefter said Tuesday in the newest episode of his podcast (via RealGM). "And you know what that tells me? It tells me we may get more wheeling and dealing in trades than we've had in other years. I don't know that it'll happen, but it certainly seems to be a trend in recent years. Teams have been more apt and open to make big trades. We saw it at the trade deadline each of the last few years, especially this past year. Teams are unafraid about making a big deal."

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the consensus best quarterback in the 2026 draft, and a wide gap stands between he and the next prospect. Mendoza is fourth overall on Bleacher Report's big board, and Alabama's Ty Simpson is the second-highest QB in 28th.

The top-end talent is somewhat lacking as well. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the only player with an overall grade higher than 8.7, and safety isn't considered a premium position.

Five players were graded at 8.8 or better in B/R's final 2025 big board, and that group included two-way standout Travis Hunter and edge-rusher Abdul Carter.

Free agency is a similar story. Daniel Jones, who's coming off a torn Achilles, is the most prominent quarterback from a lackluster group, and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is the No. 1 player in B/R's rankings.

When it comes to trades, however, multiple stars plausibly could be on the move. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett all fall under that designation, and that's not an exhaustive list.

Combine that with the fact that 2026 draft capital may not be as valuable as other years given the opinions about the talent coming into the league. General managers could prove more willing to give up first-rounders or early Day 2 picks.

For teams that want to make a splash while addressing a roster need, executing a trade is the best avenue to achieve that objective.