The 2025 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and with it, some stars have been moved. Some teams were extremely active, while others seemed to have fallen asleep. Here are the grades from the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The Cowboys sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for linebacker Logan Wilson. Wilson is 29 years old and in need of a change after being benched for rookies Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr.
This trade feels largely insignificant for Cincy. Their defense won’t see any improvement this year, and it’s hard to imagine they’ll get any worse.
This is a good trade for Dallas, which can certainly use defensive help, especially in the linebacker department. Wilson is a tackling machine and will likely complement Dallas’ other trade acquisition.
Bengals Grade: D-
Cowboys Grade: B-
The Bears traded a sixth-round pick in return for defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-round pick. The Bears are 5-3 and need pass-rush help. This kind of solves that?
The Browns, similar to the Bengals, don’t gain or lose much in this trade. They get another late-round pick for a player they were unlikely to keep after this year.
The Bears needed depth at a position, and they got it. Acquiring a 31-year-old vet for a sixth-rounder doesn’t feel like a move they’ll regret. This is the most “okay” trade of the day.
Bears Grade: C
Browns Grade: C
The Ravens acquired edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick. It’s worth noting that it could convert to a fourth-rounder.
The Titans are 1-8 and without a head coach. This team is looking at a long rebuild and can use the draft capital. Trading a player who already has 4.5 sacks on the season is smart.
The Ravens’ pass-rush has been difficult to watch this season. They’re sorely missing Tavius Robinson and Nnamdi Madubuike, and need to bolster the D-line.
Ravens Grade: B+
Titans Grade: B
On to the good stuff. The trade deadline wasn’t without its blockbusters. The Jaguars sent a fourth and a sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
The Raiders and Meyers have been at a standstill for months, with the receiver requesting a trade in August. They’re rebuilding, and a contract for him would only weigh them down.
This trade is excellent for the Jaguars. With Travis Hunter on IR, Meyers can slot right in with Brian Thomas Jr. as a dangerous duo. Once Hunter returns, he can play more snaps at cornerback and open up as a double threat.
Raiders Grade: B+
Jaguars Grade: A-
The Seahawks sent a fourth and a fifth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
Seattle is looking to make a playoff push. They’re 6-2, Sam Darnold is playing lights out, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having a career year. Cooper Kupp has been dealing with injuries, and Shaheed is a perfect complement for Smith-Njigba.
The Saints are 1-8, and the season is a wash. They’re looking to see what rookie QB Tyler Shough can do, but Shaheed is on a contract year. It was best to trade him while they still could, as opposed to letting him walk for nothing.
Saints Grade: B-
Seahawks Grade: A-
The Cowboys’ owner and GM, Jerry Jones, teased a big trade coming, and he wasn’t lying. Dallas acquired New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
When Jones traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, he acquired defensive tackle Kenny Clark. He cited a desire to stop the run, which the Cowboys haven’t done.
The Jets, simply put, are entering rebuild mode. They’re likely going to make a QB change in 2026, and head coach Aaron Glenn’s future with the team is uncertain. This is the time to offload contracts for draft picks.
Cowboys Grade: B+
Jets Grade: A-
The biggest trade of the day came from Indianapolis. The Colts traded away two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.
The Colts are seemingly going all in with Daniel Jones at QB. They’re 7-2 and atop the AFC South. Adding Gardner to an already solid defense is a game-changing move. Giving up these first-round picks could mean Jones has a nice contract coming his way.
After this and the Williams trade, the Jets now have two first-round picks in 2026 and three of them in 2027. They offload the cap space of both Williams and Gardner, while having absurd draft capital. They’re 1-7 right now, so why not hit the reset button?
Colts Grade: A-
Jets Grade: A+
This year’s trade deadline was a big one. Seeing players find new homes is always exciting, depending on who you ask. How will these teams improve in the future from these trades?
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