I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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Chargers acquire G Trevor Penning from Saints for 2027 sixth-round pick
You don’t often see starting offensive linemen traded during the middle of the season, given that a traded lineman will disrupt chemistry with the rest of the front. But given that the Saints had a fire sale of sorts, it makes sense that they would move their starting left guard, even if it was for a sixth-round pick in the future.
Penning has been a colossal bust as a former first-round pick. He’s had to move from tackle and guard, and he hasn’t performed very well at the latter position. I imagine that with Joe Alt sidelined, the Chargers see Penning as a potential solution at left tackle, but they are going to be very disappointed.
Still, I understand the Chargers’ desperation. Their season is going up in flames due to their offensive line situation, so they had to make a move.
Grade for Chargers – B-
Grade for Saints – B+
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Cowboys acquire DT Quinnen Williams from Jets for 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, DT Mazi Smith
I was ready to make fun of the Cowboys for surrendering two first-round picks when this trade was initially announced. As it turns out, the Cowboys are giving away just one opening-round selection in 2027. They’re also throwing in a second-round pick for this year’s draft, as well as recent first-round draft bust Mazi Smith.
I can’t believe it, but I actually like this trade for the Cowboys. It seems ridiculous that they’d be buyers at 3-5-1, but Williams is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and he’s still fairly young at 27. Williams may not be able to help Dallas win this year, but with two first-round picks, the Cowboys can load up on talent next year and make a run at Super Bowl LXI. Also, it must be considered that Jerry Jones isn’t too far removed from being played in a nursing home, so it would make sense for him to have an all-in approach.
Meanwhile, the Jets continue to implode their roster. At this point, they resemble some zebra that just collapses and meets its fate against a lion. They’ve traded away their two best defensive players, which would make sense in a rebuild if those two players were aging veterans. However, Sauce Gardner is 25, while Williams is 27. They could have easily been part of the rebuilding project.
The Jets were at least able to obtain two first-round picks for Gardner. Not being able to do so for Williams is embarrassing. The Jets look like the real losers of the trade deadline. If they don’t nail these draft picks, they’re going to be the worst team in the NFL for a very long time.
Grade for Cowboys – A
Grade for Jets – D
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Ravens acquire DT Dre’Mont Jones from Titans for conditional fifth-round pick
This is a trade that occurred Monday night, but I somehow missed it. The Ravens got ahead of the other teams by acquiring Dre’Mont Jones for a conditional fifth-round pick.
This is a beautiful deal for the Ravens. Jones has been an inconsistent player throughout his career, but he’s been solid this year. He was particularly great against the Chargers last week, as he was able to dominate the line of scrimmage. The Ravens have gotten most of their players back from injury, but not Nnamdi Madubuike. Jones can serve as a short-term replacement.
The amazing thing about this trade is that Jones is an impending free agent. If the Ravens don’t re-sign him, they’ll probably get a similar pick back for him as a compensatory selection.
The Titans, meanwhile, were going to lose Jones eventually, so it makes sense to trade him now so they can get a jump on acquiring a resource for the future.
Grade for Ravens – A+
Grade for Titans – B+
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Bears acquire DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from Browns for late-round pick swap
The Bears just surrendered 42 points to an injured Joe Flacco, including two touchdowns in the final minutes. They needed a defensive boost, particularly at defensive end. Chicago is dead last in pressures, after all (go here for NFL Pressures Rankings.)
The problem is that Joe Tryon-Shoyinka probably won’t provide much of an impact. He comes from Cleveland’s defense, which is nice, but he hasn’t played more than seven snaps in any game this year. Granted, he was stationed behind some talented players, but if he were a better player, he’d be on the field more often. Tryon-Shoyinka is a former first-round pick who once had five sacks in a season, but has been a colossal bust. Perhaps he’ll turn his career around in Chicago, but I doubt it. Still, he’s not much of a gamble for a sixth- and seventh-round pick swap.
This trade makes sense for the Browns as well. They were barely using Tryon-Shoyinka, so why not move up a round on Day 3 for him?
Grade for Bears – B+
Grade for Browns – A-
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Seahawks acquire WR Rashid Shaheed from Saints for fourth-, fifth-round picks
It’s crazy to think Seattle’s offense is going to be better than what we saw on Sunday night. The Seahawks scored on every first-half possession against the Redskins, as Sam Darnold went 17-of-17 to begin the game. Now, the Seahawks will get a big injection of talent at receiver in the wake of this trade.
Shaheed is an explosive receiver who can make plays downfield and be used in other facets. He’ll fit right into Seattle’s offense because he’ll be reunited with his former coordinator, Klint Kubiak. Sometimes, receivers struggle to adapt to a new system and team, but that won’t be the case in this instance. This is an amazing trade for the Seahawks.
As for the Saints, they’re a rebuilding team, so I would have rather seen them keep a young receiver with tons of upside. However, Shaheed was in his contract year, and there was no guarantee he’d remain with the Saints. Thus, I can understand why the Saints would pull the trigger and receive two draft selections.
Grade for Seahawks – A+
Grade for Saints – A
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Colts acquire CB Sauce Gardner from Jets for two first-round picks, WR Adonai Mitchell
The Jaguars traded for a receiver about an hour prior to this deal. The Colts countered by obtaining a player who could easily shut down that receiver. I’d say the Colts won the 2025 trade deadline.
Indianapolis has been a great upstart this year with its No. 1 offense, but the defense was ranked just 15th in EPA. Cornerback, in particular, was a problematic position. That’s not the case anymore in the wake of the Sauce Gardner trade.
The Colts needed a boost in the secondary to compete with the top teams in the AFC. Gardner will certainly provide that boost. He’s a legitimate shutdown cornerback who will allow the Colts to erase one side of the field. Gardner will be especially lethal when paired with Indianapolis’ pass rush, which is ranked third in pressures this season. He’s also just 25, so it’s not like he’ll undergo any regression in the coming years. Surrendering two first-round picks may seem like a lot, but the Colts will be picking in the 20s or perhaps even the 30s, so it won’t be too painful.
Meanwhile, Jets fans can’t feel too good about this trade. The team needs a rebuild, but given that Gardner is just 25, he was supposed to be part of the rebuild. And unless something strange happens next year, the Jets won’t be picking before the mid-20s with either of Indianapolis’ selections.
Grade for Colts – A+
Grade for Jets – C
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Jaguars acquire WR Jakobi Meyers from Raiders for fourth- and sixth-round picks
It’s hardly a surprise that Jakobi Meyers was traded. Meyers was on borrowed time in Las Vegas, given that he was in the final year of his contract. However, I did not expect the Jaguars to make a move for a receiver, given that they have two talented players at the position on the roster. Feel free to conjure the meme, “How much help does Trevor Lawrence need!?”
This trade actually makes sense for the Jaguars if they were a Super Bowl contender. Thomas has been a disappointment, and he’s banged up anyway. Travis Hunter, meanwhile, is on injured reserve. Meyers, a very reliable receiver who never drops any passes, would be able to help any contender.
The problem here is that the Jaguars are not a contender. Lawrence is a big disappointment, the offensive line can’t block, and the defense is ranked 21st. In fact, I’d make the Jaguars an underdog to even make the playoffs. Meyers is an impending free agent after this season, so this seems like Jacksonville just squandered resources.
This trade is a win for the Raiders. They were able to fetch a significant draft choice, as well as a late-round pick, for a 29-year-old receiver who will hit free agency in a few months. I don’t think they could have gotten more for Meyers.
Grade for Jaguars – C
Grade for Raiders – A
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Cowboys acquire WR Logan Wilson from Bengals for seventh-round pick
Jerry Jones teased a potential trade at the deadline for his Cowboys prior to the Monday night game against Arizona. Some wondered if the deal would be off, given that the Cowboys dropped to 3-5-1 in the wake of the loss to Arizona, but Jones stubbornly continued to believe that his team was a buyer. As a result, Jones acquired Logan Wilson for a seventh-round pick.
Despite the Cowboys not being worthy of buyer status, I like this trade for them. Wilson is a solid linebacker in run support. He’s not very good in coverage, but he’s not a huge liability either. He can strengthen a big position of weakness. He’ll be 30 soon, but he should still be able to have a strong season or two beyond 2025.
The Bengals, meanwhile, just drafted Wilson’s successor in Demetrius Knight. Granted, Knight has been terrible this year, but at least Cincinnati has a potential long-term answer at the position. Obtaining a seventh-round pick is probably meaningless in the long run, especially for a team with very few scouts like the Bengals. So, if I were running Cincinnati, I would have rather kept Wilson because his absence worsens the defense, and Joe Burrow will be back in about a month-and-a-half.
Grade for Cowboys – A
Grade for Bengals – C-
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Eagles acquire DE Jaelan Phillips from Dolphins for third-round pick
The Eagles trading for Jaelan Phillips is hardly a surprise. It was reported that they were trying to acquire Micah Parsons prior to the season. The Cowboys didn’t want to trade Parsons within the division, but the Eagles finally obtained their coveted pass rusher, dealing a third-round pick to Miami for Phillips.
This is an amazing trade for the Eagles. The Dolphins haven’t produced much pressure on the quarterback this year, but the lone exception has been Phillips, who has registered 32 pressures on the year. That would account for 24 percent of all of Miami’s pressures. Phillips, only 26, has a very bright future ahead of him.
Of course, it must be acknowledged that Phillips is in his contract year, and could leave this offseason. And that’s the beauty of this trade. If Phillips departs, the Eagles will receive a compensatory pick for him, which would likely be in the third round. Thus, Philadelphia will either keep Phillips or retain its third-round selection two years later. They literally can’t lose.
As for the Dolphins, this trade makes sense because they need to blow up their roster and accumulate as many resources as possible. Phillips was almost certainly not going to stay, so receiving a third-round pick now instead of later is good, but not amazing.
Grade for Eagles – A+
Grade for Dolphins – B
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Eagles acquire CB Michael Carter from Jets for WR John Metchie, late-round pick swap
I somehow missed this trade when it occurred. Not only did the Eagles acquie Jaire Alexander and Jaelan Phillips; they also obtained Michael Carter. They’ve clearly tried to improve their pass defense, which has been the weak part of the roster.
Prior to 2024, Carter was known as an excellent, up-and-coming nickel cornerback. Unfortunately for Carter, he’s endured a poor season-and-a-half because of injuries. However, Carter is only 26, so he could easily bounce back to form, especially when playing with a front seven that produces way more pressure on the quarterback than Jets do. I love that the Eagles are buying very low on Carter. If Carter continues to struggle, then they just surrendered a practice squad-caliber receiver and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round picks.
The Jets, meanwhile, don’t really benefit from this deal. Moving up from the seventh to the sixth round is usually meaningless, while Metchie has never produced anything in the NFL. Trading Carter away before the payment bump in his contract makes sense, but it’s not like the Jets have improved from this trade.
Grade for Eagles – A
Grade for Jets – C
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Eagles acquire CB Jaire Alexander from Ravens for swap of late-round picks
I imagine there are some Eagles fans who are very excited right now. It wasn’t too long ago that Jaire Alexander was known as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The Eagles obtained him for barely anything, swapping sixth- and seventh-round picks with Baltimore.
This may sound like an amazing steal for Philadelphia, but it’s not, based on how Alexander has performed this year. Alexander has played just two games for the Ravens, and he looked completely washed up in them. He was so bad that the Ravens have been declaring him as a healthy scratch for most of the season.
Having said that, Alexander is still just 28, so it’s not impossible that he could bounce back to where he was a year or two ago. If so, the Eagles will get a much-needed upgrade at cornerback for almost nothing. If Alexander continues to suck, then the Eagles didn’t really lose very much.
Grade for Eagles – A-
Grade for Ravens – B
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49ers acquire DE Keion White from Patriots for swap of late-round picks
I would have regarded this trade as a lopsided deal a year ago. Keion White produced five sacks for the Patriots in 2024, serving as a quality rotational edge rusher. At just 25 last year, White appeared to have a very bright future ahead of him. Why would the Patriots deal him just to upgrade their seventh-round pick into a sixth-round choice?
Well, it’s a year later, and this deal makes more sense. White has barely played this year, and he hasn’t done anything besides generate only three pressures on the quarterback. It’s astonishing that White regressed so much, but he has. Given that he was playing about 20 snaps per game, the Patriots won’t miss him very much. The only way this trade negatively impacts them is if they have a bunch of injuries at defensive end and suddenly need White.
As for the 49ers, they’re sorely in need of edge-rushing talent because of all their injuries. White won’t be a huge difference-maker, but he’s a needed body. Plus, there’s always a chance that Robert Saleh gets the most out of him.
Grade for 49ers – B+
Grade for Patriots – B
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Steelers acquire S Kyle Dugger from Patriots for swap of late-round picks
The Patriots have been busy upgrading their seventh-round picks into sixth-round selections. They initially did so with Keion White, and they repeated the action with Kyle Dugger. It’s unclear what New England plans to do with its arsenal of sixth-round choices, but I can’t wait to see the plan unfold.
Kyle Dugger is a former second-round pick who thrived in his first three years. However, he hasn’t been the same since Bill Belichick departed. He has been a mediocre player at best, and he hasn’t even started every game this year. It makes sense for the Patriots to move on from him. As with White, the only way New England is hurt by this deal is if it has lots of injuries at the position.
The Steelers really needed someone like Dugger, so he’s worth the price of moving down one round at the end of the 2026 NFL Draft. DeShon Elliott has been ruled out for the rest of the season, so Dugger is a fine replacement for him.
Grade for Steelers – A-
Grade for Patriots – B
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Browns acquire CB Tyson Campbell, 2026 7th-round pick from Jaguars for CB Greg Newsome, 2026 6th-round pick
This resembles a fantasy football trade. Fantasy owners typically make pointless deals where someone trades a wide receiver for a wide receiver. Why do these people do this? As Kenny often points out on our nightly show, “I’ll trade you my 2017 Honda Accord for your 2017 Honda Accord!”
This isn’t quite the same thing even though the Browns and Jaguars are swapping cornerbacks and late-round picks. Tyson Campbell and Greg Newsome are similar in that they’re young cornerbacks experiencing slightly down years, but the difference is that Campbell’s contract is massive compared to Newsome’s rookie deal. The Jaguars felt the need to get rid of some salary because of Trevor Lawrence’s bloated contract. The Browns aren’t paying their (healthy) quarterbacks anything, so they can take on salary.
That’s fine, but why aren’t the Browns being compensated appropriately for doing so? You’d think they’d get a fourth-round pick in exchange for their seventh, but they’re just moving up a round on Day 3. That hardly seems worth it.
Grade for Browns – C
Grade for Jaguars – B+
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Ravens acquire S Alohi Gilman, 2026 5th-round pick from Chargers for DE/OLB Odafe Oweh, 2027 7th-round pick
Both the Ravens and Chargers are likely feeling a potential Super Bowl run slipping away. Thus, it’s not a surprise that they engaged in a trade that will attempt to fix their defensive issues.
Of course, Baltimore has a ton of defensive issues, including the pass rush. Odafe Oweh hasn’t logged a sack this year, but he registered about 14 percent of his team’s pressures, so he’ll be missed. Gilman is a quality safety who is decent in coverage, so any decline in pass rush will transition into improved secondary play. As a bonus, the Ravens get to move up two spots across a year on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Though this isn’t a bad trade for the Ravens, I’d say the Chargers won it. Gilman was a quality player for them, but they were deep at safety and can sustain his departure. They needed another edge rusher to compensate for the Khalil Mack injury, so they’re getting that without hurting themselves.
Grade for Ravens – B
Grade for Chargers – A
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Bengals acquire QB Joe Flacco from Browns for late-round pick swap
Bengals fans have rooted against Joe Flacco for countless years, whether it was when he was with the Ravens and Browns. He has now joined their side in a deal that sees the Bengals and Browns exchange fifth- and sixth-round picks.
This reeks of desperation for the Bengals. Jake Browning has been that bad, so I don’t blame them for trying to do something. However, all they did was trade a young quarterback who commits lots of turnovers for an old quarterback who commits lots of turnovers. Flacco also doesn’t fix the team’s other glaring issues, namely poor offensive line and defensive play.
The Browns easily win this trade because they’re upgrading a resource in exchange for an asset they’re no longer utilizing. The only negative thing about this trade is that the Browns will lose veteran experience in the quarterback room to help the young guys, but let’s be real here: Neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders is the future of the Browns, so it’s not like that matters.
Grade for Bengals – C-
Grade for Browns – A
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Browns acquire OT Cam Robinson from Texans for late-round pick swap
The Texans reportedly wanted to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, so they traded their best lineman, Laremy Tunsil. Wait, that doesn’t make any sense, and neither does this. Cam Robinson, arguably Houston’s second-best blocker, is now on the move to Cleveland for a late-round pick swap.
Granted, Robinson hadn’t played a snap since Week 1, but that doesn’t mean that he wasn’t better than everyone on the front line not named Ed Ingram. Robinson wasn’t very good in Week 1, but wasn’t horrible either, which is a win against the Rams’ deadly pass rushers. He’s currently better than Aireonate Ersery, who is in way over his head as a rookie starting as C.J. Stroud’s blind-side protector. It would be better for Stroud if he had someone more competent than a rookie protecting him at left tackle, but the Texans apparently don’t view things that way.
This is a win for the Browns. Cleveland is just 1-3, but has been very competitive in each game. The team has a tackle problem, with Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin both hurt right now, so it needed to find a competent tackle to give Dillon Gabriel and/or Shedeur Sanders a chance for when they’re given a chance to prove themselves later in the year. Robinson is not very good, but he was competent as Christian Darrisaw’s replacement in Minnesota last year.
Grade for Browns – A
Grade for Texans – D
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Jets acquire CB Jarvis Brownlee from Titans for late-round pick swap
The Titans don’t have much defensive talent outside of the front line, so it’s a bit odd to see them giving away a young player who has a bit of upside. Jarvis Brownlee isn’t great by any means, and I wouldn’t even call him mediocre, but he’s not a bad player either. He’s young – he turned 24 recently – so there’s some potential.
I’m going to trust Aaron Glenn, a brilliant defensive mastermind and a former NFL cornerback, that he sees something in Brownlee. If Glenn’s instincts are correct, the Jets could be walking away with a steal because all they did was turn their sixth-round pick into a seventh-rounder in exchange for Brownlee. This trade could also be mostly irrelevant, but there’s more upside for the Jets than the Titans in this deal.
Grade for Jets – B+
Grade for Titans – B-
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Saints acquire WR Ja’Lynn Polk from Patriots for late-round pick swap
An important thing in life is to identify sunk costs and get rid of them. The Patriots have designated Ja’Lynn Polk as such. Polk was a second-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, yet the Patriots are already abandoning him, dealing him to the Saints for a late-round pick swap. New England will get a 2027 sixth-round pick, while the Saints will obtain a 2028 seventh-round choice.
This seems to be a fine trade for the Patriots. Polk has shown them absolutely nothing and is out for the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. Moving up a round late on Day 3 will probably be irrelevant, but at least it’s something.
Though Polk probably won’t give the Saints anything, I like this trade for them. New Orleans is completely devoid of talent in most places and needs some help at receiver because Chris Olave’s career is in danger because of all of his concussions. It’s possible, though unlikely, that Kellen Moore will develop Polk into something, and it’s not like the Saints are really spending anything.
Grade for Saints – B+
Grade for Patriots – B
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Eagles acquire RB Tank Bigsby from Jaguars for 2026 5th- and 6th-round picks
This is quite the surprise. It was reported that the Jaguars were shopping either Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby, but it was expected that they would deal the former because he was the inferior runner and yet came with more trade value. However, Etienne just had a big game against the Panthers, so Jacksonville decided to trade Bigsby to the Eagles.
This trade makes sense for the Jaguars. They were using four running backs in Week 1, so dealing one for a couple of third-day picks makes sense. Jacksonville should have dealt Etienne instead, however. Etienne, as mentioned, had a great performance against the Panthers, but every NFL running back will have similar success against that poor defense this year.
It’s also a surprise that the Eagles traded for Bigsby because they were seen as having quality depth behind Saquon Barkley with Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon. Shipley got hurt in the opener, however, so his injury must have been serious. Barkley had the most carries in the NFL last season, so it makes sense to acquire quality depth behind him. Bigsby is a talented runner who is worth two third-day selections.
Grade for Eagles – B+
Grade for Jaguars – B-
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Packers acquire DE/OLB Micah Parsons from Cowboys for two first-round picks, NT Kenny Clark
About 30 years ago, the Packers landed the best pass rusher in the NFL in free agency. His name was Reggie White, and he helped Brett Favre win a Super Bowl. History is a bit different this time, with Micah Parsons being acquired via a trade, but Green Bay has obtained arguably the best pass rusher in the league to help get “No Cookie” Jordan Love over the top. The Packers will be moving into Group A in my NFL Power Rankings.
This is a tremendous trade for the Packers, who automatically become one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. Their pass rush was mediocre last year, and it was something they didn’t really address this offseason. That has clearly changed with Parsons, who is not only a dynamic player; he’s also just 26. Parsons’ best football could still be ahead of him. Two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, a 30-year-old nose tackle coming off a down season, is small price to pay for one of the best players in the NFL.
Conversely, the Cowboys have made yet another terrible blunder under Jerry Jones. This trade is a confusing one, as Jones’ age dictates that he should have an all-in approach. Instead, he hired one of the worst offensive coordinators in recent NFL history to be his head coach and then traded away a young, elite defensive player for two first-round picks and Clark. As mentioned, Clark is no longer the force he once was, while the two picks will be in the 20s, or perhaps even the early 30s.
Grade for Packers – A+
Grade for Cowboys – MILLEN (F)
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Vikings acquire WR Adam Thielen from Panthers for late-round pick swap
This has been an offseason of players returning to their original teams. Keenan Allen and Mike Williams signed with the Chargers. Amari Cooper joined the Raiders. Even Brandin Cooks went back to New Orleans. Now, Adam Thielen reunites with the Vikings after several days of trade rumors.
The Vikings needed another receiver. Justin Jefferson is dealing with a hamstring injury, while Jordan Addison is suspended for three games. There’s a chance that the Vikings won’t have either for the opening-week game against the Bears, so acquiring someone like Thielen makes sense. What doesn’t really make sense is what Minnesota surrendered for him. Effectively, the Vikings swapped fifth-round picks across separate years and surrendered a future fourth-round pick. Thielen had a solid 2024 season, but just turned 35. There’s a chance he completely falls off a cliff at his age, though he could also be a solid role player for a team that has serious Super Bowl aspirations.
I’m not a huge fan of this trade for the Panthers either. It’s nice that Carolina obtained a fourth-round pick for an old receiver, but Thielen was Bryce Young’s safety blanket. Young’s development could be hurt by Thielen’s departure. Obviously, the Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan, but McMillan has stated that he doesn’t love football, so I’m not overly confident that he’ll live up to expectations.
Grade for Vikings – B-
Grade for Panthers – B-
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Jaguars acquire WR Tim Patrick from Lions for 6th-round pick
There was a big trade involving a receiver today. And then, there was this trade, which also involved a receiver, but is far less exciting. Tim Patrick, who played for the Lions last year, will now be on the Jaguars in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Jaguars had no depth behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, so Patrick will serve as a reliable No. 3 option for Trevor Lawrence at a relatively low price. The Lions, meanwhile, had to make room for the impressive Isaac TeSlaa to play, so they could afford to move Patrick for a late-round pick.
Grade for Jaguars – B+
Grade for Lions – A-
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Raiders acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Browns for 2026 5th-round pick
So much for the Browns carrying four quarterbacks this year. Cleveland is now down to three quarterbacks, with Joe Flacco and the two rookies remaining now that Pickett has been dealt to the Raiders.
The Raiders are throwing away a fifth-round pick for nothing. They don’t need a higher-end backup quarterback because they’re not a Super Bowl contender, and it’s not like Pickett qualifies as such anyway. Why, then, would the Raiders spend a fifth for Pickett? Aidan O’Connell is out, but so what? The Raiders could have obtained a similar quarterback off waivers. Hendon Hooker, for example, would have presented more upside than Pickett, and the Raiders could have gotten him for free.
The Browns easily won this trade. They scored a fifth-round pick for a bad quarterback who wasn’t even going to play for them.
Grade for Raiders – D
Grade for Browns – A+
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Colts acquire CB Mekhi Blackmon from Vikings for 2026 6th-round pick
I’m shocked to see the Vikings discard Mekhi Blackmon like this. Blackmon was an impressive cornerback for them in 2023, but missed last year with a torn ACL. I thought his return would help the defense, but apparently not because he’s been shipped off to the Colts for a sixth-round pick.
Seeing this trade, I wonder if the Colts are getting a lemon. There’s a chance Blackmon is just damaged goods because of the torn ACL, but it’s not like the Colts are risking much. There’s a chance they’ll get a much-needed upgrade at cornerback.
Grade for Colts – A-
Grade for Vikings – C+
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Eagles acquire QB Sam Howell from Vikings for 2026 late-round pick swap, 2027 7th-round pick
This trade seemingly came out of nowhere. The Eagles have acquired Sam Howell to be their new current No. 3 quarterback in exchange for a late-round pick swap and a 2027 seventh-round choice. Effectively, the Vikings are getting that seventh-rounder and are upgrading their sixth-round selection to a fifth-rounder.
Note that I said the Eagles were getting a new “current” No. 3 quarterback. I wrote “current” because they may be trading Tanner McKee soon. Known as the “Irish Assassin,” McKee is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL and is considered a potential starter in some circles. I believe the Eagles will be able to trade him for considerable compensation next offseason, but they could do it at some point this year if another good team suffers an injury to its quarterback. Acquiring Howell in preparation for this potential transaction is a smart move. Also, McKee is currently dealing with a finger injury, so Howell will serve as the No. 2 until McKee is healthy.
The Vikings, meanwhile, did well to obtain something for Howell. They ended up signing Carson Wentz anyway, so they’re upgrading their backup quarterback situation while moving up a round on Day 3.
Grade for Eagles – B+
Grade for Vikings – A-
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49ers acquire RB Brian Robinson from Redskins for 2026 6th-round pick
The rumors are true. Brian Robinson was expected to be either traded or cut, per multiple reports – the first being from Ben Standig – and now it’s come to fruition. He’s been dealt to the 49ers for a sixth-round pick.
This trade makes sense for both teams. The 49ers had no healthy running backs behind Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo, and I’m not even sure we can classify McCaffrey as being healthy because of his bilateral chronic Achilles tendinitis. Once McCaffrey goes down – it’s inevitbale – the 49ers need a viable backup behind Guerendo, and Robinson can fill that role well.
For the Redskins, they had no interest in paying Robinson, who was going to be playing behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez. Had the Redskins not traded Robinson, they were probably going to cut him, so it’s nice that they got something for him.
Grade for 49ers – B
Grade for Redskins – B+
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Saints acquire WR DeVaughn Vele from Broncos for 2026 4th-round pick, 2027 7th-round pick
If you were to ask me what the Saints surrendered in a trade for DeVaughn Vele, Denver’s former No. 5 receiver, I would have guessed a seventh-round pick. And I’d be right, because a seventh-round pick was involved. But that’s not all, because New Orleans also surrendered a fourth-round choice as well.
The Saints should be drug tested for making this trade. Vele is a mediocre-at-best possession receiver who was buried on Denver’s depth chart. New Orleans had depth issues at receiver, but there’s no reason to surrender such a value pick for someone like Vele. I don’t think this is quite worth a Millen because Vele is young and could improve, but this is just an irresponsible trade by New Orleans.
The Broncos easily won this trade. Vele wasn’t even going to play for them this year, yet they obtained a fourth-round pick for him. What a steal.
Update: I was informed by Rmac that even though Vele is in his second year, he’ll turn 28 soon, so I have to downgrade the Saints to a D-.
Grade for Saints – D-
Grade for Broncos – A+
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49ers acquire WR Skyy Moore from Chiefs for swap of third-day picks
The 49ers had a ton of injuries last year, and it appears as though history is repeating itself. Excluding Ricky Pearsall, every receiver on the roster is dealing with some sort of injury. San Francisco desperately needed help at the position, so trading for a receiver makes sense, especially at effectively no cost.
The problem is that Skyy Moore isn’t much of a receiver. He was a huge bust at the position for Kansas City. He has good return ability, but he’s a non-factor on offense. He’s still young, however, so perhaps the 49ers will be able to mold him into a viable wideout. I wouldn’t hold my breath though.
The Chiefs, conversely, are deep at receiver, so it made sense for them to deal Moore. I’d say this is an even trade that makes sense for both sides.
Grade for 49ers – B
Grade for Chiefs – B
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Eagles acquire WR John Metchie from Texans for TE Harrison Bryant, swap of third-day picks
The Texans were known to be shopping John Metchie. They’re deep at receiver, and Metchie never lived up to his draft billing. A big part of that was Metchie’s cancer, but he’s been cured for years and hasn’t improved. However, Metchie is still young, so there’s a chance he could finally become a viable NFL receiver. The Eagles need some receiver depth with A.J. Brown dealing with a hamstring injury, so it would make sense for them to trade for him.
The Eagles are deep at tight end, so trading Harrison Bryant makes sense as well. It’s unclear why the Texans feel as though they need a tight end, but it’s not like they had much use for Metchie anyway. This seems like a fair deal for both sides.
Grade for Eagles – B
Grade for Texans – B
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Dolphins acquire TE Darren Waller from Giants for swap of late-round picks
As if yesterday’s trade wasn’t surprising enough, the Dolphins have struck yet another deal, with this one including Darren Waller. Yes, the same Waller who used to be a dominant tight end, but retired a year ago.
Waller was once a great receiving threat who put together a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons with the Raiders. He fell off toward the end of his initial career, logging just 388 yards in 2022 and 552 yards in 2023. Age was becoming an issue for Waller, but the greater problem was his health. Waller missed 13 total games in 2022 and 2023.
Waller ended up missing the 2024 season because he retired to pursue his rapping career. Now that he’s become a failure as a rapper, Waller is back. There’s a chance Waller still has something left in the tank, but the tank is nearing empty. He has an extensive injury history, and he turns 33 in September. He’ll be an upgrade over Miami’s other crappy tight ends, but that’ll change once he starts suffering injuries. Granted, the Dolphins aren’t giving up much for him, but this trade will likely be irrelevant.
The Giants are the clear winners of this trade. They obtained a very small upgrade in draft capital, turning a seventh-round pick into a sixth-rounder, just for doing nothing.
Grade for Dolphins – B
Grade for Giants – A-
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Steelers acquire CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 7th-round pick from Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 5th-round pick
We were expecting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to be traded this offseason, but it’s still surprising to see them dealt together in a package that involves Minkah Fitzpatrick going back the other way.
This is a huge trade for the Steelers, who are fixing two big areas of need. Cornerback was a colossal problem for them in 2024, but Ramsey will fix that. Ramsey is not the great player he once was, but he’s “only” 30 and should be able to play well for his new team for the next couple of seasons. Smith, meanwhile, reunites with Arthur Smith, who loved utilizing him over Kyle Pitts when he coached the Falcons. The Steelers had a big void as far as a No. 2 receiver was concerned. Smith can fill that role and be used in multiple facets. He and Pat Freiermuth will form an excellent tandem in two-tight end sets. Aaron Rodgers loves utilizing tight ends, particularly in the red zone, so he has to be thrilled right now.
Losing Fitzpatrick will hurt, but not as much as many will think. Like Ramsey, Fitzpatrick is also not the player he once was. He’s still just 28, but is coming off a down year. There’s a good chance he’ll rebound, so he’ll certainly provide the Dolphins with a much-needed upgrade at safety. The Steelers, meanwhile, can start Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott at the position and be fine.
Overall, this trade makes the Steelers better and the Dolphins worse. Pittsburgh still isn’t on the level of Kansas City, Baltimore, or Buffalo, but it’ll have a better chance of contending come January. Miami, meanwhile, is edging closer to being the worst team in the NFL, which is a good thing if that allows them to claim the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Go here to my 2026 NFL Mock Draft to see which prospects the Dolphins could select.
Grade for Steelers – A
Grade for Dolphins – B-
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49ers acquire DE Bryce Huff from Eagles for mid-round pick
This was a potential trade that had been reported for days, but it has finally become official. The Eagles will send Bryce Huff to the 49ers for a mid-round pick.
Huff was a rare failure for Howie Roseman. He was acquired last offseason, but wasn’t even active by the end of the year. It’s smart of Roseman to identify a sunk cost and get something for the edge rusher. Roseman is also saving some money, so this trade makes a lot of sense for the Eagles.
This is a logical deal for the 49ers as well. They’re very thin on the defensive line and needed as much help as possible. Huff was productive for the Jets, so perhaps he’ll be able to play up to that level again for his new team. I think the 49ers win this trade, as they’re buying low and potentially filling a need.
Grade for 49ers – A
Grade for Eagles – B
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Cowboys acquire WR George Pickens from Steelers for 2026 3rd-round pick, swap of 2027 late-round picks
Jerry Jones is a huge fan of wasting fourth-round picks. He used fourth-round selections to acquire Trey Lance and Jonathan Mingo recently. His coaching staff barely used Lance, opting to start Cooper Rush over him in meaningless games. Mingo also provided nothing for Dallas.
Jones, however, must view third-round picks as being much more valuable because he used one to obtain George Pickens. The Cowboys made a huge mistake of neglecting wide receiver during the 2025 NFL Draft, but they’ve made amends for it, acquiring Pickens from the Steelers for a third-round choice and a late-round swap in 2027 that will see their fifth-round pick transformed into a sixth-round selection.
This is an outstanding trade for the Cowboys. Pickens is a dynamic downfield threat, so he’ll be a great complement to CeeDee Lamb. Dallas had nothing at receiver outside of Lamb, so Pickens is a huge upgrade at a very reasonable price. Pickens comes with some character concerns, but his talent makes it worth the risk.
As for the Steelers, this deal is very disappointing. They had to rely on bums like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin when their quarterback wasn’t targeting Pickens last year. The D.K. Metcalf acquisition appeared to have changed that, giving Pittsburgh a tandem of electric wide receivers, but now the team is stuck with the same situation, except with Metcalf instead of Pickens. Pittsburgh had some long-shot Super Bowl aspirations if Aaron Rodgers signed, but Pickens’ departure makes a playoff run more unlikely.
Grade for Cowboys – A
Grade for Steelers – D
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Vikings acquire QB Sam Howell, No. 172 from Seahawks for No. 142
Minnesota’s backup quarterback heading into the draft was Brett Rypien, so the team needed to find a better No. 2 behind J.J. McCarthy. The issue was that the Vikings had just four picks entering the draft. If you’re wondering why the Vikings surrendered one of their four resources to obtain Howell, they didn’t. Instead, they just moved down 30 spots in the middle of Day 3.
I think this is an even trade for both teams. The Vikings get a better backup in Howell, whose potential could finally be realized with Kevin O’Connell. The Seahawks, meanwhile, drafted Jalen Milroe, so they had no need for Howell. Moving up 30 spots for an irrelevant player is a solid move.
Grade for Vikings – B+
Grade for Seahawks – B+
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Cowboys acquire QB Joe Milton from Patriots for swap of 5th-, 7th-rounders
I thought I was going to grade the Cowboys negatively for this trade when I initially heard about it. Dallas infamously acquired Trey Lance for a fourth-round pick, yet refused to give him playing time down the stretch last year when it was apparent that they wouldn’t be making the playoffs. Giving up another fourth for a similar player would have been foolish.
This trade, however, is much better for Dallas. The Cowboys will be giving up a fifth-round pick instead of a fourth, and they’ll be getting back a seventh from New England. That’s a much better deal for a young quarterback with plenty of potential.
With that in mind, the Cowboys won this trade. I don’t understand why the Patriots would settle for anything less than a fourth-round selection for Milton. The 2024 sixth-round pick has looked terrific in all of his appearances, albeit those made in the preseason and in meaningless late-season games. Milton is raw, but has loads of potential. Giving him up for a late-round pick swap is a very poor move. I just imagine what Howie Roseman would have done instead. He would have waited for a quarterback injury and then dangled Milton to that team for a fourth-round selection, or maybe even a third. The Patriots should aim to be much more cunning with their transactions.
Grade for Cowboys – A-
Grade for Patriots – D
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Vikings acquire RB Jordan Mason from 49ers for 2026 6th-round pick, swap of 6th-rounders
The 49ers have lost a lot of talent this offseason, and we can add another name to the list. That would be Jordan Mason, who was traded to the Vikings for a 2026 sixth-round pick and a swap of Nos. 160 and 187 this year.
This trade makes so much sense for Minnesota. Aaron Jones is a talented back, but he’s an older player with an extensive injury history. Mason is a big upgrade over Cam Akers and Ty Chandler, and he comes at a very reasonable price.
As for the 49ers, they’ve proven that they can plug and play anyone at running back to make it work. There’s no guarantee that Mason would have beaten out Isaac Guerendo for the No. 2 running back job anyway. This trade makes sense for San Francisco, but Minnesota won the deal.
Grade for Vikings – A
Grade for 49ers – B+
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Texans acquire G Ed Ingram from Vikings for 2026 6th-round pick
C.J. Stroud has not been a happy camper this offseason, as the Texans have gotten rid of three of his starting offensive linemen, including Laremy Tunsil. Perhaps he had broken out of his sad state when he heard that his team acquired a guard, but he’ll revert to being upset once he realizes who it is.
The good news for the Texans is that Ed Ingram is a recent second-round pick, so he has some upside. The bad news is that Ingram has not played well in the NFL. In fact, he was benched last year. I get trading a 2026 sixth-round pick for him, but this deal is unlikely to benefit Houston.
The Vikings win this trade by default. They signed Will Fries, so Ingram was unlikely to make the final roster. It’s nice that they were able to get something for him, even if they have to wait 13 months for the new selection.
Grade for Texans – C+
Grade for Vikings – B+
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Cowboys acquire LB Kenneth Murray from Titans for late-round pick swap
The Cowboys are snatching up all the former first-round busts today. Hours after acquiring Kaiir Elam, Dallas obtained Kenneth Murray for another late-round pick swap.
Elam at least makes some sense because he was drafted recently. Murray was drafted two years prior and has been awful. He’s bad in coverage and even worse in run support. There’s no reason to think things will change at this point. The Titans, meanwhile, did well to get something for a player they were going to cut.
Grade for Cowboys – D
Grade for Titans – B+
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Cowboys acquire CB Kaiir Elam from Bills for late-round pick swap
Kaiir Elam was highly regarded coming out of Florida ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he’s been a colossal bust. He struggled as a rookie and then barely played the past two years. He saw action late in the year due to injury, and he was torched constantly. He was then forced onto the field once Christian Benford got hurt in the AFC Championship, and Patrick Mahomes attacked him successfully.
The Bills did well to trade Elam. He was barely playing for them, and he wasn’t likely to make the final roster this year. The Bills are getting a fifth-round pick in exchange for a sixth. They also picked up a seventh-rounder in 2026, but that’s mostly irrelevant.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, probably should have used their resources elsewhere. They believe they can revive a former first-round pick’s career, and if they do, they’ll hit the jackpot with this trade. That seems unlikely to happen, however.
Grade for Cowboys – C
Grade for Bills – B+
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Texans acquire S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, 2026 6th-round pick from Eagles for G Kenyon Green, 2026 5th-round pick
It isn’t often that the Eagles lose a trade, but that’s what appears to be happening with this deal. Philadelphia and Houston have swapped Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Kenyon Green, as well as 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks.
I don’t understand why the Eagles have made this trade. Gardner-Johnson is a talented safety and is still young (27). Perhaps the Eagles were tired of his locker room antics, but that didn’t bother them when they won the Super Bowl. Philadelphia will miss Gardner-Johnson, though perhaps it believes that Sydney Brown, twin brother of Chase Brown, can step in and do well after showcasing himself well in brief action.
Still though, why Green? He’s a former first-round pick, but he’s been the worst starting guard in the NFL over the past three years. Perhaps the Eagles see something in him because the talent was thought to be there when he was drafted 15th overall, but there’s no question that Gardner-Johnson is the better player.
The Texans seem to have prevailed in this trade. They’re adding a key piece to their secondary for a player they were likely going to cut anyway, which is a great deal for them.
Grade for Texans – A
Grade for Eagles – D
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Browns acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Eagles for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 2025 5th-round pick
Kenny Pickett was not one of the names discussed in the quarterback carousel, but he is on the move. He was traded to the Browns for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick.
This trade makes sense for both teams, but the Eagles won the trade. They already have a viable No. 2 quarterback in Tanner McKee, so they didn’t need Pickett. Acquiring a fifth-round selection is a nice move. Thompson-Robinson is not a real player, so he’s completely irrelevant.
Meanwhile, the Browns are able to obtain a young quarterback they can develop. I still think they’ll draft a signal-caller No. 2 overall, which is what I have happening in my updated 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Grade for Browns – B
Grade for Eagles – A-
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Redskins acquire OT Laremy Tunsil, 2025 4th-round pick from Texans for 2026 2nd-round pick, 2025 3rd-round pick, 2026 4th-round pick, 2025 7th-round pick
The Redskins were a great value bet at 22/1 to win the Super Bowl. That number is undoubtedly long gone, as the team acquired Laremy Tunsil shortly after obtaining Deebo Samuel.
To simplify, the fourth-round picks are effectively a wash, while the seventh-round choice is mostly irrelevant. Thus, all the Redskins gave up for Tunsil were a third this year and a second next year. This seems to be an amazing deal to add an elite left tackle for Jayden Daniels.
The Texans are the clear loser in this trade. They won’t get their second-round pick until 13 months from now, and C.J. Stroud will lose his exceptional blind-side protector. Surely, the Texans could’ve figured out a way to keep Tunsil on the roster.
Grade for Redskins – A+
Grade for Texans – D
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Saints acquire DT Davon Godchaux from Patriots for 7th-round pick
Giving up a seventh-round pick is not a huge deal, but I don’t understand why the Saints spent any resources acquiring Davon Godchaux in this trade. Godchaux is a 30-year-old defensive tackle who doesn’t provide any pass rush and struggles against the run. Players like him are a dime a dozen in free agency, so the Saints could have signed someone comparable without surrendering any draft compensation.
The Patriots are the “big” winners of this trade. Big being in quotations because the Patriots scored a seventh-round pick, so this isn’t going to move the needle very much.
Grade for Saints – D
Grade for Patriots – B
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Steelers acquire WR D.K. Metcalf from Seahawks for 2nd-round pick
Seattle’s fire sale continues. The team did well to pick up a third-round pick for the mediocre Geno Smith two days ago. Tonight, the front office dealt a much better player in D.K. Metcalf for a second-round choice.
Metcalf is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the NFL, but he’s been limited by Smith in Seattle. Sadly for Metcalf, he’ll also be limited by Pittsburgh’s poor quarterbacking situation. It’s unclear what the Steelers will do at quarterback, but it’s not very promising. Still, the Steelers make the playoffs every year because they’re extremely well coached and have a top-tier defense. Now, they’ll have two very talented receivers in Metcalf and George Pickens. I like this trade for them, as it makes their location more appealing for free agent quarterbacks.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, did just fine to get a second-round pick and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round choices for their disgruntled player. Metcalf didn’t want to be in Seattle anymore, so the Seahawks didn’t exactly have great leverage. They didn’t obtain the first-round pick they coveted, but a second is an OK haul for the 27-year-old receiver.
Grade for Steelers – A-
Grade for Seahawks – B
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