NFL trade deadline sees multiple deals as teams reshuffle rosters
Teams including the Jaguars, Vikings, Bills and others completed a series of trades before the NFL deadline, with analysts assigning grades to each transaction.
Several NFL clubs finalized trades before the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, prompting analysts to grade each move. The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired defensive tackle Jordan Davis and safety Jessie Bates III from the Eagles and Falcons, respectively, giving up a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick. The deals earned the Jaguars an A- and B grade, while the Eagles and Falcons received A-grade assessments.
The Minnesota Vikings traded a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for quarterback Kirk Cousins, a move graded A- for Minnesota and A for the Raiders. The Vikings aimed to address a lack of a reliable starter after injuries to Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
Buffalo added safety Amani Hooker from the Tennessee Titans, surrendering a second-round pick and receiving a fifth-rounder in return; the Bills earned a B+ grade, the Titans an A. Denver received linebacker Daiyan Henley from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fourth-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder, with the Broncos graded B and the Chargers A-.
Kansas City obtained wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts for a fourth- and fifth-round pick, receiving a B grade, while the Colts earned an A-grade for adding a fifth-rounder. Los Angeles also traded a fourth-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder to Denver for Henley.
Other notable activity included the Baltimore Ravens swapping center Ryan Neuzil for offensive guard Andrew Vorhees with the Atlanta Falcons (Ravens C-, Falcons B+), and the New York Jets sending safety Andre Cisco to Detroit for a 2028 sixth-round pick (Lions A, Jets B+). A proposed trade between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles involving edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie fell through after concerns about compensatory draft picks.
Analysts highlighted that many teams used the deadline to acquire draft capital or address positional needs, while some moves were viewed as miscalculations or overly aggressive given roster situations.