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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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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