NFL trade deadline 2025: Predicting the players who could be moved and latest intel

The NFL’s trade deadline is inching closer by the hour.

So, before this weekend’s games commence and before an expected flurry of moves ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline, what’s the latest? We gathered intel and insight from The Athletic’s beat reporters on what teams are eyeing, planning to do and planning not to do.

What are our writers hearing about the players who may be on the move? What swerves or surprises could be on the horizon? Read below for more.

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Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins remains the biggest name in the news for the Falcons ahead of the trade deadline, but several factors make a deal for the veteran quarterback unlikely.

First, Cousins made his first start of the season in Week 8, replacing the injured Michael Penix Jr. and having a solid, but mediocre game (21-for-31 passing for 173 yards) in a terrible 34-10 loss to the Dolphins. Is there a team out there willing to give up a Day 2 draft pick for a 37-year-old quarterback with two-plus years and $115 million of cap hits remaining on his contract? Probably not.

Second, even though Cousins told Falcons owner Arthur Blank during an offseason meeting that he wanted to be traded to a team with which he could start again, Atlanta kept him on the roster. And while Cousins has reportedly reiterated his desire to be moved in recent weeks, given what the Falcons would get in return — a late-round pick — it seems likely they’d rather stand pat and keep him as insurance for Penix. — Josh Kendall

Baltimore Ravens

Despite their litany of issues over the first two months of the season, the Ravens have consistently expressed confidence that they will turn things around, that better days are ahead and that their season goals are within reach. It always felt unlikely that general manager Eric DeCosta would have directed a roster-wide teardown before the trade deadline — even with the team carrying roughly two-dozen pending free agents. DeCosta and the organization’s top decision-makers are uber competitive, and selling off pieces and essentially waving the white flag on a season that once held great promise would go against everything the Ravens preach. — Jeff Zrebiec | Read more

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have some decisions to make about which positions to address at the deadline — though they’ll have to do so on a tight budget. Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is legitimately a perfect fit for the Bills schematically as the locked-in Z receiver. He can challenge all three levels of the defense as an outstanding separator and target earner, and he still has a ceiling to reach in his game. If added, he would become a go-to target for Josh Allen.

The trouble is, the Saints know how good Olave is and, at least at this point, it seems more likely they extend him than move him. The cost to acquire would be high, too. But if there’s a significant move to make, this is the one, given what it could do for the offense. — Joe Buscaglia | Read more

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers believe they’re building something with third-year quarterback Bryce Young, second-year head coach Dave Canales and several core players they’ve signed to long-term extensions (Derrick Brown, Chuba Hubbard, Jaycee Horn, Taylor Moton). So, while teams might ask about the availability of an in-his-prime, Pro-Bowler like Brown — as the Cowboys did when GM Dan Morgan called about Micah Parsons — Morgan isn’t going to undermine the building process by shipping off one of the foundational blocks.

I’m also told the Panthers don’t want to move Chuba Hubbard, who was one of the guys Canales leaned on while establishing a culture during his first season. The Panthers gave Hubbard a four-year, $33.2 million extension last year that includes a $4 million guaranteed salary this year and $4.5 million guaranteed in 2026. Given Hubbard’s value as a complement to Rico Dowdle and a team leader, I don’t see the Panthers making him available anyway — unless he tried to force the issue, which isn’t his style. — Joseph Person | Read more

Chicago Bears

The signing of C.J. Gardner-Johnson may keep the Bears out of the trade market for a cornerback, but they could take a closer look at defensive ends, considering Week 8 injuries to Shemar Turner (ACL) and Dominique Robinson (high ankle sprain). Austin Booker returns to the lineup this week as the No. 3 defensive end, but there isn’t a ton of depth on the edge, and the Bears are struggling to put up sack numbers. Those two injuries to the Bears’ top backups on the edge could make general manager Ryan Poles more willing to part with a late-round pick. Poles has never been afraid to make a deal. Before the 2024 season, he sent a sixth-round pick to the Browns for defensive tackle Chris Williams, who has turned out to be a nice rotational player. That could be the type of move the Bears look to make at the deadline. Other positions that could be in play after being hit by injuries recently include left tackle and corner. — Kevin Fishbain

Cincinnati Bengals

The primary reason Trey Hendrickson won’t be going anywhere: Bengals history. History doesn’t have a 100 percent track record. I mean, we did see the first-ever trade between the Bengals and Browns just last month, but there’s an important fact to remember with the Bengals. Name the last time the Bengals traded away a player at the deadline who could have helped them win games later that year? Extract Carlos Dunlap (2020) and Carson Palmer (2011) from this conversation, who blew up the organization to force an exit. The answer? Never. The Bengals and de facto GM Duke Tobin are not in the business of giving up on winning games this year to add assets for future seasons. It’s been the primary tenet of their in-season transaction history forever. Giving up on any season for future assets in early November is not on the table. — Paul Dehner Jr. | Read more

Cleveland Browns

At 2-6, the Browns are obviously more sellers than buyers. They were also 2-6 after eight games last season, and on deadline day, they sent defensive end Za’Darius Smith and a seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions for fifth- and sixth-round selections. League-wide, there were 12 trades made in the final week before last year’s deadline. With many teams thought to be looking for pass-rush help and at least a handful seeking running back help, the Browns might be able to add to their current collection of 10 2026 draft picks. — Zac Jackson | Read more

Dallas Cowboys

It’s not difficult to see where Dallas could use upgrades. Through eight weeks, the Cowboys’ defense ranks next to last, allowing 404.6 yards per game. No NFC team is allowing more points than Dallas’ 31.3 per game. The Cowboys have the NFL’s second-worst pass defense and fourth-worst run defense. Nothing should prevent the Cowboys from looking for defensive upgrades. Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones was specifically asked earlier this week about reports connecting Dallas to standout pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson. “There hasn’t been anything close to a deal,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. “We’re looking at all phases of our roster. … I don’t know if we will or not (make a trade).”

Jones said “all options are there” regarding improving the roster, but added: “I can tell you this right now, there is not a trade in my mind, the beginning and end of one, as we sit here and talk … that I would do.” — Jon Machota | Read more

Denver Broncos

Is there a positional glut for the Broncos that could turn them into sellers? Running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been a healthy scratch in seven of Denver’s eight games this season after totaling 1,142 total yards and six touchdowns across his first two seasons with the Broncos. The return of defensive lineman Malcolm Roach from injured reserve has relegated Jordan Jackson to an inactive role the last three weeks. The 27-year-old has played 21 games across the last two seasons with the Broncos and has 22 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in that span.

The potential return for those players, though, may not be enough to warrant thinning the depth at those positions, even if it hasn’t been relied on heavily to this point. If the Broncos do indeed snap their selling streak in the Sean Payton era, then the question of whether they stand pat or become buyers likely comes down to how they feel about the potential of the offense. — Nick Kosmider | Read more

Detroit Lions

The Lions are in an interesting spot as the trade deadline approaches. They’re 5-2 and in a great spot in the NFC race. They don’t have a ton of glaring needs, as they’ve worked hard to acquire the sort of depth they didn’t have last year, but if there are a few positions worth monitoring, it’s edge, cornerback and offensive tackle.

The Lions are a bit thin at edge right now, even though they’re third in the league in sacks per game. Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad have carried the production this season. Marcus Davenport (chest) has been out since Week 2 and Josh Paschal (NFI) has not been available this season. There’s no clear timetable on their return. Cornerback has been hit hard, with injuries to Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Khalil Dorsey, Avonte Maddox and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., among others. Quality offensive tackles are hard to come by, but if there’s a veteran with some starting experience available, it’s worth taking a look as Taylor Decker manages a nagging shoulder injury that’s forced him to miss multiple games. — Colton Pouncy | Read more

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender with the NFL trade deadline approaching. Their cornerback room isn’t a disaster, but it’s hardly the best cornerback room in the league. Should they acquire a proven starter at the position to shore up the back end of coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense? Despite Keisean Nixon’s rocky beginning against the Steelers on Sunday, Nate Hobbs’ recent rough stretch and Carrington Valentine’s relative inexperience as a consistent starter, cornerback probably isn’t a glaring need in Green Bay. Eliminating recency bias, Nixon has largely played well as the team’s No. 1 cornerback. The only stretches in which he was repeatedly beaten were in the first half against the Steelers and late against the Bengals when Ja’Marr Chase showed why he’s arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver. Nixon’s coverage wasn’t even bad on those plays. Chase would’ve been impossible to defend for most cornerbacks, if not all of them, during that hot streak.

If Hobbs were the Packers’ only other viable option at the position, trading for a cornerback might be more realistic. Valentine, however, showed at times Sunday night why he’s a starting-caliber player. If Hobbs is better-suited as a nickel or as the No. 3 outside cornerback, does that qualify as a free-agency miss by GM Brian Gutekunst? Probably, but it’s also not the worst-case scenario to have him as a depth option. — Matt Schneidman | Read more

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have the best record in the NFL at 7-1 and are just one victory shy of tying their win total from all of last season. Their remarkable turnaround has been powered by their blazing-hot offense, which leads the NFL at 33.8 points per game. What’s more, Indianapolis is averaging 3.46 points per drive, which, if maintained throughout the entire season, would be the highest mark in the NFL over the last 25 years. This is an offense, led by MVP candidates Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor, that could take a team to the Super Bowl.

As the trade deadline approaches, however, Indianapolis could still use another defensive playmaker, specifically at defensive end, linebacker or cornerback. The Colts’ defense ranks sixth in points allowed per game at 19.3, but they rank fourth in passing yards allowed per game and 18th with a 6.8 sack percentage (essentially how often they record a sack on a passing down), per Pro Football Reference. They also rank 30th in opponent third-down conversion rate at 47.1 percent. Those aren’t promising trends, so it may behoove Indianapolis to be aggressive at the deadline to fully maximize its newfound championship window. – James Boyd | Read more

Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has a reputation for making moves at the trade deadline, but with the 5-3 Chiefs entering Week 9 as one of the healthiest teams in the NFL, they’re not desperate to make a deal. The two positions the Chiefs are most likely to target are defensive tackle and running back. K.C. was already low on depth at defensive tackle before second-round draft pick Omarr Norman-Lott went down with a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago. Veteran Mike Pennel re-signed with the team this week, but the Chiefs may look to ease the burden on 31-year-old star Chris Jones, who played the 11th-most snaps of any NFL player at his position this season. Running back became a more dire situation this past week, as starter Isiah Pacheco suffered a knee injury Monday night that could keep him out multiple weeks. Kareem Hunt has excelled in his complementary role but lacks explosiveness and probably shouldn’t be counted on as a workhorse at age 30. — Jesse Newell | Read more

Los Angeles Chargers

Joe Hortiz has been very aggressive on the trade market since he took over as Chargers GM. Hortiz already executed one trade this season, a rare player-for-player swap earlier this month. The Chargers sent safety Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for edge rusher Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Oweh has nine pressures, including two sacks, in three games with the Chargers since the trade. Can Hortiz find another contributor before the deadline? There are a couple of limiting factors.

One, the Chargers have less than $3 million in remaining cap space, according to Over the Cap. The Oweh trade ate up more than $7 million in space. That will prevent the Chargers from taking on significant salary, unless they restructure some existing contracts. Two, the Chargers only hold five picks in the 2026 draft. They traded their seventh-round pick last year to the Tennessee Titans for safety Elijah Molden. They traded their fifth-rounder for Oweh. — Daniel Popper | Read more

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams could use a top-flight tight end now that Tyler Higbee is 32 and a rash of injuries has taken its toll. He leads the team’s tight ends with 13 catches. Los Angeles drafted Terrance Ferguson in the second round in April to eventually become that target, but it’s been a slower transition with his need to improve as a blocker. He caught his first touchdown against the Jaguars but has seen just four targets and a 19 percent snap share so far.

The biggest weakness on the team is, without question, special teams. A move could come to bolster the coverage and blocking units, or even at kicker, where Josh Karty is 10-of-14 on field goals, though he’s had two blocked. — Nate Atkins | Read more

Minnesota Vikings

This roster doesn’t have a glaring hole (aside, perhaps, from backup quarterback). Unlike in previous seasons, when the Vikings’ backup options after QB Kirk Cousins and LT Christian Darrisaw were drastically lower than replacement level, the top end of the current roster is less porous.

But at the same time, the Vikings aren’t in a position to part with starters for late-round picks. Could they benefit from a more experienced center behind Ryan Kelly, who remains on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion of the season? Definitely. Are there positions with enough of a glut to unload for a short-term contributor? It’s doubtful.

All of this is to say we can expect some tires to be kicked, but don’t bank on an addition or subtraction, barring a serious injury. Standing pat is not sexy. For these Vikings, though, it might be the most sensible approach. — Alec Lewis | Read more

New England Patriots

The Patriots already made two trades, sending Keion White to the 49ers and Kyle Dugger to the Steelers, each in a late-round pick swap. Those moves essentially do two things. First, they continue Mike Vrabel’s roster overhaul as he searches for players that fit his scheme and culture — which White and Dugger didn’t. But perhaps more importantly, the moves also give the Patriots more ammo ahead of the trade deadline. They now have 10 draft picks (11 if White is active in seven or more games the rest of the season), and all are in the first six rounds.

So now that the selling phase is done, look for the Pats to try to acquire a player or two. The priority is at edge rusher, where the Pats lack depth behind starters Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson. At this point, it would be a surprise if the Patriots don’t trade for an edge rusher. After that, look for them to consider depth at defensive back and, perhaps, running back or wide receiver. — Chad Graff | Read more

New York Giants

A 2-6 team shouldn’t be a buyer at the trade deadline, right? Right?! That’s the call New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen needs to make before Tuesday’s deadline. On the surface, it’s absurd for a team in the Giants’ position to consider giving up draft assets to improve the current roster. But digging deeper, the development of Jaxson Dart could justify a move that will upgrade the rookie quarterback’s weapons for the second half of the season. Dart is now set to forge into an unrelenting schedule with arguably the worst collection of playmakers in the NFL. Dart has been masterful at making something out of nothing in his five starts, but adding talent would lower the degree of difficulty. The challenge for Schoen is threading the needle of upgrading Dart’s supporting cast while preserving draft capital for a roster that still has glaring deficiencies. — Dan Duggan | Read more

New York Jets

There are things the Jets will be debating internally leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline, about running back Breece Hall and a host of other notable players on the roster that teams have called — or will be calling — about. The Jets already let defensive end Jermaine Johnson know he’s part of their plans, in light of trade rumors. Teams have been calling about defensive tackle Quinnen Williams too, according to team and league sources, but the Jets are not seriously entertaining the prospect of trading him. — Zack Rosenblatt | Read more

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles enter the trade deadline with lingering question marks — CB2 remains a big one. Acquiring Michael Carter II is much like the Jakorian Bennett trade, in that he’s a possibly reliable defensive back at a relatively low cost. Carter affords the Eagles options. DC Vic Fangio is understandably reluctant to move Cooper DeJean from nickel to outside cornerback, but Carter’s experience in the slot could supply the Eagles a solution for the secondary. Edge rusher remains an unstable and, at times, unproductive position group. Injuries decimated them, but Nolan Smith is expected to return from his triceps injury after the Week 9 bye. That would still leave Fangio with only five rushers — generally his minimum requirement. The Eagles could trade for another edge rusher to restore depth beyond Brandon Graham, who, at 37, tore his triceps twice last season, and is still working to get back in game shape after coming out of retirement.

They could also add a lineman with experience at guard. But the Eagles’ depth along the offensive line with Brett Toth and Fred Johnson earned confidence in the Week 8 win over the New York Giants. GM Howie Roseman has seven 2026 draft picks and a projected three compensatory picks in his arsenal — plus seven more picks in 2027. — Brooks Kubena 

Pittsburgh Steelers

How much do the Steelers trust Roman Wilson to become an impact player? Pittsburgh has made calls to evaluate potential upgrades at wide receiver. On the current depth chart, DK Metcalf is entrenched as WR1. Behind him, Calvin Austin III continues to develop in his fourth NFL season and has been getting WR2 reps, when healthy.

If Wilson continues along his current trajectory and can build upon Sunday’s breakout performance, perhaps the Steelers will feel content to stand pat. At the same time, there was a feeling inside the building before the season that the team wanted to do everything in its power to give Aaron Rodgers a legitimate chance to make a deep playoff run in what could be his final season. Surrounding the 41-year-old QB with more pass catchers and providing insurance in case of an injury to Metcalf could still be in play if they find the right player at the right price. — Mike DeFabo | Read more

San Francisco 49ers

I think another 49ers trade for a defensive lineman is still possible, even after the team acquired Keion White from the Patriots and signed Clelin Ferrell. White and Ferrell certainly help fill out what was becoming a wafer-thin defensive line, especially at end. But the team still could use a true edge rusher to line up opposite Huff on passing downs, someone like the New York Jets’ Jermaine Johnson or the Atlanta Falcons’ Arnold Ebiketie.

If the 49ers were to trade anyone away, Jauan Jennings and Ji’Ayir Brown seem the most plausible, though Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday dumped cold water on any Jennings trade rumors, saying, “I’d be very surprised if Jauan weren’t on our team throughout the year.” — Matt Barrows | Read more

Seattle Seahawks

If there’s potential for the Seahawks to upgrade a position via trade, it would be at right guard. Among guards to play at least 200 offensive snaps, Anthony Bradford has allowed the third-highest pressure rate and a pair of sacks, per TruMedia.

The Browns (Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller) and Titans (Kevin Zeitler) have veteran guards on expiring contracts, though those teams might not see value in worsening the supporting casts in front of their rookie quarterbacks. Although the Jets might feel great after their first victory of the Aaron Glenn era, they could still sell off an expiring-contract player like left guard John Simpson. Evan Neal of the Giants might not be an upgrade, but the cost would likely be low, and John Schneider is not afraid to take a swing on a first-round pick (Neal was selected No. 7 in 2022). — Michael-Shawn Dugar | Read more

Washington Commanders

Brandon Coleman, a 2024 third-round pick who can play left tackle and guard, could garner interest from teams in need of O-line depth. Coleman was benched after two starts at guard this season, then finally active again on Monday, taking over for Laremy Tunsil after the veteran tackle suffered a hamstring injury. That injury might be enough for Washington to consider keeping Coleman around, if it was ever truly contemplating moving on from him.

Noah Igbinoghene, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft who has played a reserve role for the Commanders the last two seasons, is one of only a few pending free agents under the age of 27 (he’ll be 26 in November). The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported in August that Washington was, at the time, shopping Igbinoghene, and a team in need of cornerback depth could be interested. — Nicki Jhabvala | Read more