NFL Analysis
3/24/25
6 min read
4 NFL Trades That Should Happen Before 2025 Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft hasn't produced a trade involving a first-round pick yet, earning a unique title in the event's history. The last time we were this close to the first round of the NFL Draft and zero trades included one of the top 32 picks was 1993. With about four weeks remaining, we might not see that major of a trade made before Roger Goodell puts the Tennessee Titans on the clock.
However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't see any trades before then. In fact, with the second wave of free agency already drying up and the 2025 class lacking depth, more deals need to be made. Rosters are mostly set for the majority of teams, and only a few rookies will have the chance to impact their team.
Here are four trades that make too much sense to get done before April 24. Each deal threads the needle of improving both teams involved and makes sense from a compensation standpoint.
4 NFL Trades We Want Before the 2025 Draft
Seahawks Trade for Browns Guard Wyatt Teller
Seahawks: RG Wyatt Teller, No. 179 overall
Browns: No. 137 overall
Cleveland signed former Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins off the free-agent market to be a backup to Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio. While the move makes sense for the Browns to beef up the position with someone with 45 games of experience, Jenkins surely could've picked one of several teams looking for starting help. One of those options seemed to be Seattle.
The Seahawks have one of the youngest and least-proven offensive lines in football. Remedying that before it's too late must be a priority for the Sam Darnold signing to have any chance of succeeding. Calling Cleveland about a three-time Pro Bowl right guard would be a good start.
The Browns were rumored to be considering cutting Teller last offseason because of his bloated salary number but ultimately brought him back and restructured his deal. He's in the final year of his contract with a $2.8 million base. Trading him won't be cheap and would actually cost Cleveland money this season, but it's possible Seattle could incentivize Teller to tear up his current agreement in exchange for more guaranteed money in coming years.
Only 30, Teller is still a premier pass blocker and mauling presence in the run game. He's coming off a year where he missed four games, so his trade value isn't too high relative to how much of an upgrade he'd be. Cleveland would benefit from clearing off future cap space and getting younger, while Seattle can parlay a Day 3 pick for a quality veteran.
Dallas Goedert Finds New Home with Chargers
Chargers: TE Dallas Goedert
Eagles: No. 158 and 209 overall
The Los Angeles Chargers have nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and there's no way they should plan on making all of them. Nine rookies will not make this final roster. Instead of taking on future practice squad options, moving several Day 3 picks to get a big short-term boost at tight end is the way to go.
It's been clear Philadelphia is looking to shed Dallas Goedert's $11.8 million cap hit this offseason as they manage their Super Bowl-winning roster. Goedert just turned 30 and has missed 15 games in the last three years. The Eagles can't justify paying that much for an oft-injured player at this point.
The Chargers can take that risk, though. They have the third-most cap space in the league and a win-now mindset with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert. Pairing Goedert with Will Dissly makes the offense more diverse and dynamic without hamstringing their ability to invest in the draft.
Philadelphia would need to re-work Goedert's contract since they'd incur $21 million in dead cap in a trade, but Howie Roseman is an ace at navigating these tough situations.
Cowboys Make Big Splash with Tyreek Hill Trade
Cowboys: WR Tyreek Hill, pick No. 98
Dolphins: No. 44 overall, 2026 3rd-round pick
As electric as the duo of Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill have been, the Miami Dolphins don't have the caliber roster needed to justify going broke for a Super Bowl run. Hill's already voiced frustration after one year of missing the playoffs, and his explosive on-field presence is only matched by his ability to make things uncomfortable in the locker room. Miami missed out on trading him for peak value last season when Tagovailoa suffered another concussion, but it's not too late to get a good haul.
Even at 31, Hill is one of the few most feared playmakers in the game. A few more strong seasons would almost surely make him a Hall of Famer, and Dallas can be the right place to make that happen. The Cowboys desperately need a partner for CeeDee Lamb and another star to take pressure off Dak Prescott.
After a decade of avoiding free agency splurges, Jerry Jones can drop a hammer by making such a gutsy investment into Hill. It shouldn't cost him a first-round pick, either, meaning he can add a star tailback and Hill. Dallas would surely need to extend Hill's contract to ease his future cap hits, but the Cowboys finally have the cap flexibility to not stress it.
The move would open over $45 million in future cap space for the Dolphins, and swapping picks would allow them to rebuild with three selections in the top 48.
Bengals Get Haul for Trey Hendrickson from Packers
Packers: EDGE Trey Hendrickson
Bengals: No. 23 and 159 overall, 2026 2nd-round pick
Seeing Myles Garrett cash in with $40 million per year already cost Cincinnati more than what they surely wanted with Ja'Marr Chase, and their decision to also keep Tee Higgins further tightened their financial belt. While the idea of losing one of the league's premier pass-rushers seems crazy, there's a line of thinking that Cincinnati's defense has been bad with Hendrickson, so paying him $35 million or more won't fix the unit. Trading him for a major haul can do as much good or more if they hit.
The Packers are an ideal landing spot for a top-notch defensive star. This is a young roster with only a few notable needs, so spending two picks in this class won't sting. They've also managed their cap well and have the future flexibility needed to justify adding a top pass-rusher contract to its books.
Coming off four straight Pro Bowls and an All-Pro season, the 30-year-old Hendrickson is still at the peak of his powers. The Packers have one high-level presence in Rashan Gary on the roster but are otherwise too reliant on rotational talents and scheming to create opportunities. Hendrickson solves that immediately and can be the bridge into future years when Gary will also exit his prime years.
