The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a month away and while a majority of the focus is on where prospects will be selected, another major storyline is trades. We could see a handful of NFL veterans traded during the draft, with Days 2 and 3 likely to see a few deals. Here, we are highlighting 10 players who could be moved during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers wanted to trade All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander weeks ago but rival clubs are still anticipating that he’ll be released. However, comments from Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst at the end of March suggest the oft-injured cornerback will be staying on the roster for now. Green Bay wants ‘something’ in return to recoup some value from its investment in Alexander.
Designating him as a post-June 1 release doesn’t generate enough cap room to make a significant move. So Green Bay is holding out hope that a deal materializes. We suspect it will on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, with a cornerback-needy club trading a sixth-round pick to Green Bay for Alexander and a seventh-round selection.
Related: Green Bay Packers expected to move on from star player
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons decided against releasing quarterback Kirk Cousins, paying him a $10 million roster bonus for being with the team after March 17. Publicly, Atlanta is making it known that the organization is very comfortable becoming the Pro Bowl quarterback as an insurance plan behind Michael Penix Jr in 2025.
However, rostering Cousins into the regular season means keeping a disgruntled player in the locker room and having someone fans can call for any time Penix struggles. Atlanta seems to be playing a leverage game and all it takes is one trade partner to emerge. The return will be minimal (Day 3 pick) and the team will have to cover some of the contract, but it still feels inevitable that Cousins will be traded around the 2025 NFL Draft.
Related: Latest on Atlanta Falcons’ plans for a Kirk Cousins trade
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers traed a valuable draft pick for wide receiver DK Metcalf and then made him one of the highest-paid NFL players. That says everything about George Pickens’ standing with the team. He’s very talented, but maturity issues and a lack of improvement in that area after being repeatedly called out by Mike Tomlin clearly influenced Pittsburgh’s offseason moves. Pickens doesn’t seem to be destined for a contract extension with the Steelers and with the 2025 NFL Draft class lacking a lot of impact receivers, we wouldn’t be shocked if calls are made for Pickens on Day 2.
Related: Why the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t signed Aaron Rodgers yet
Bryce Huff, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed to a three-year, $51.1 million contract a year ago, edge rusher Bryce Huff was a non-factor for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played just 39% of the team’s defensive snaps and barely saw the field after Week 11. This offseason, Philadelphia added edge rusher Azeez Ojulai and Josh Uche to push Huff further down the depth chart. It’s pretty evident that his days with the team are numbered. Needing a change of scenery, there should still be plenty of interest in a 27-year-old pass rusher who had 21 QB hits and 10 sacks in 2023. Philadelphia will have to absorb some of the money he’s owed and the return will be minimal – Day 3 pick – but Howie Roseman seems very ready to move on.
Related: NFL team needs 2025, Round 1 targets for all 32 teams in the 2025 NFL Draft
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears upgraded their offensive line this offseason, creating the perfect environment for a running back to thrive. It doesn’t seem like D’Andre Swift is who they want to be playing that featured role. He averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season and ranked 36th at his position in yards per touch (4.6). With the 2025 NFL Draft class loaded at running back, Chicago is better off replacing Swift with a rookie. It can then trade the veteran for a late Day 3 pick, with a club that missed out on their running back targets taking a flier on Swift.
Arik Armstead, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive lineman Arik Armstead last offseason, signing him to a three-year deal worth $51 million, after he was released by the San Francisco 49ers. Armstead finished with a career-worst season. With many anticipating that Jacksonville will use the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on defensive lineman Mason Graham, Armstead becomes very expendable. Jacksonville will need to eat some of the money that Armstead is owed and the return will be a Day 3 pick, but both sides need a change.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert has been floating around in NFL rumors as a trade candidate for more than a month now. While a deal hasn’t materialized, that likely has to do with clubs wanting to first see if they can grab a tight end in a 2025 NFL Draft class that is unusually deep at the position. Once the top options are off the table, Philadelphia will likely find a trade partner for Goedert on Day 3 with a sixth-round pick coming back to the Eagles in return.
Related: NFL power rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, evaluating each team
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals extended Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, leaving Trey Hendrickson without a long-term deal. To make matters worse, the Bengals front office has gone public with the contract dispute even amid threats from Hendrickson’s camp that he could sit out the 2025 NFL season. The All-Pro edge rusher still has permission to seek a trade, albeit with the Bengals setting a high asking price. While Hendrickson is the least likely of the NFL players to be moved on draft night, it’s still possible given the turmoil between the two sides.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons could be shopping multiple starting-caliber players during the 2025 NFL Draft. Kyle Pitts, the fourth overall pick in 2021, has never come close to replicating his success from his rookie season (1,026 yards). The 6-foot-6 tight end has proven to be a poor fit in the Falcons’ offense and it’s reasonable to believe the organization is finally ready to move on from him. The return won’t be strong, but Atlanta could find his replacement on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
With the Tennessee Titans poised to take quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, Will Levis has no future with the team. Taken with the 33rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Levis has just never turned his outstanding physical tools into consistent play. Furthermore, the coach and general manager who drafted him are no longer in Tennessee. The Titans’ front office won’t recoup its original investment into him, but Levis still offers ample upside and has two years left on his rookie-scale contract. He’s a viable backup with high upside and that will generate plenty of interest, especially given how weak this year’s rookie QB class is.
Related: Tennessee Titans exec addresses Will Levis trade rumors