NFL Analysis
3/27/25
7 min read
5 Blockbuster Trade Candidates That Could Still Shakeup 2025 NFL Season
Even with the dust settling on free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaching, there are still a handful of players who could be traded before the draft begins in Green Bay.
Whether it's potential cut candidates with teams looking to secure some kind of draft capital or disgruntled stars still holding out for big paydays, a handful of players around the league are likely still on the trade block. Despite the lack of inside information, there's enough reporting and available information to believe that these players could be on the move this offseason.
With that in mind, let's take a look at a few of the most likely trade candidates either before, during, or after this year's draft weekend.
Top Potential NFL Trade Targets
Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals 
The biggest name still on the trade block is the league's sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, but the Cincinnati Bengals don't seem eager to part ways with their best defender.
Hendrickson publicly announced before free agency that he had requested a trade in order to seek a long-term extension at market value. However, no progress has been made on the front, and GMs have claimed that the asking price is too high for the veteran pass rusher.
Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins secured big-time extensions to stay in Cincinnati, but Hendrickson remains the biggest question for the team this offseason. It appears the Bengals are willing to work with their star pass rusher on an extension, but it won't be easy considering his asking price after racking up 35 sacks in the last two seasons.
It seems like a toss-up between Hendrickson being traded or getting a new contract with the Bengals, but teams will still be calling about him in the coming weeks and months.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves his picks, even ones on Day 3, and he seems content holding out for some kind of draft capital by holding onto Jaire Alexander.
After another injury-plagued year for Alexander, the two sides appear to be ready to move on this offseason. The Packers could save over $6.8 million by cutting their star cornerback but seem content waiting things out and fielding trade offers.
The Packers indicated that they would listen to trade offers for Alexander, but so far, nothing has come to fruition. The 28-year-old is a two-time second-team All-Pro, but he's struggled to stay healthy, playing more than 560 snaps just once over the last four seasons.
A team might be willing to give up a Day 3 pick for Alexander, but they could also try to wait out the Packers, letting them cut their star corner instead of bringing him in on a much more affordable contract. Either way, don't expect the star cornerback to be playing in Green Bay in 2025.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons
After such a brutal season from Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons seem content to make Michael Penix Jr. their quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, signing Cousins to such a massive deal last offseason has made executing a move for Cousins extremely difficult.
Cousins' contract gives him a no-trade clause that he can waive at any time, but according to Pro Football Talk, the veteran quarterback is waiting until after the 2025 NFL Draft to waive it in order to avoid a similar situation of joining a new team only for them to draft another quarterback to compete with him for the starting job.
That means that a potential Cousins trade is going to have to wait until after the draft, but he should still be one of the top names available on the trade block. It's a massive contract to have to take on, but a QB-needy team could talk themselves into Cousins and write off last season as a rehab year after the veteran quarterback tore his Achilles in 2023.
It's not the perfect starting quarterback option, but there's a good chance someone will be left without an ideal option under center in 2025, and that will lead them to get Atlanta on the phone to make a trade.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
It might be time for a change of scenery for Mark Andrews.
The veteran Baltimore Ravens tight end will be remembered in 2024 for his iconic drop against the Buffalo Bills, but even at 29 years old, the veteran TE had a strong season. He caught 55 passes for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns. He continued to be efficient with his opportunities, averaging 1.88 yards per route run.
However, that drop has left a sour taste in the mouth of the fanbase, and the Ravens have a pair of younger and promising tight ends on the roster, Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, who could see bigger workloads in Andrews' absence.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta remained noncommittal at the combine in February about Andrews' future, opening the door to a potential trade or release. Along with the cap savings that come with parting ways with him, the Ravens could get some solid draft capital in a potential Andrews trade, given his ability in the red zone.
However, Andrews is a core part of Baltimore's locker room and leadership structure. It's not a guarantee that he'll be traded, but the front office should at least consider it if the right offer comes around.
Micah Parsons, EDGE, Dallas Cowboys
It's time for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys to have some difficult conversations.
After signing Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to record-breaking extensions last season, the Cowboys are now dealing with a first-time head coach, a roster with multiple question marks at key positions, and less than $40 million in cap space for 2026 despite multiple key players hitting free agency.
Micah Parsons is one of those players in the final year of his contract, and after the start of his career, he's on pace to be the league's highest-paid pass rusher. The question is, after already paying Dak and CeeDee, are the Cowboys willing to reset the market for a third-star player?
NFL Network reported in February that the Cowboys have had internal discussions about Parsons' future, while former Dallas linebacker Chris Canty stated that he thinks the team should trade their star pass rusher away.
It's a tough situation for a team that struggled defensively without Parsons in 2024. However, if there's any superstar who could be available for a Godfather offer for the rest of this offseason, it would be the one in the final year of his deal.
