The decisive moment for many NFL players is approaching. By Aug. 26, teams must trim their rosters to 53 players, meaning dozens will be cut and will hit free agency.
Before that deadline, however, teams have already begun making moves to secure players at low cost before they reach the open market. Among the Aug. 20 trades was Skyy Moore, who was dealt to the team he once defeated in a Super Bowl.
Skyy Moore Traded to the 49ers, Devaughn Vele Traded to the Saints, and More
Wednesday turned into a busy day across the NFL. With roster cuts looming, teams rushed to get ahead by targeting players likely to be released or pushed down the depth chart, leading to several unexpected trades.
The headline move was Moore’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers. Following news of Demarcus Robinson’s three-game suspension, San Francisco found itself in a bind with multiple wide receiver absences. The 49ers will open the year without Brandon Aiyuk, Jordan Watkins, Robinson, Jacob Cowing, and potentially Jauan Jennings.
Trade: Chiefs are sending WR Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have been decimated with injuries at WR. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a knee injury, Jauan Jennings has been dealing with a calf injury, Jordan Watkins has a high ankle sprain, DeMarcus Robinson is… pic.twitter.com/Yb6SDVY9VS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2025
Moore arrives in exchange for a sixth-round pick, with the Chiefs also sending a seventh-rounder to San Francisco. He was at risk of being cut after a disappointing season in which he appeared in only six games and recorded no receptions. In his first two years, he totaled just 494 yards and one touchdown.
In another surprising move, the Denver Broncos traded Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints. Entering his second season after posting 475 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 13 games, Vele heads to New Orleans for fourth- and seventh-round picks.
The Saints were in the market for more upside at receiver, with Chris Olave as the clear star, Rashid Shaheed as a deep threat, and veteran Brandin Cooks in the mix. Vele could compete for the WR3 role as the season unfolds.
The most active team of the day was the New York Jets, who bolstered their defensive interior by adding tackles Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.
ESPN sources: Vikings are trading DT Harrison Phillips and a 2027 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick, pending Phillips’ physical.
Phillips now joins Jowon Briggs as the second DT that the Jets traded for Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/5FkVEHsox3
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2025
To land Phillips, the Jets sent a 2026 sixth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the player and a 2027 seventh-round pick. For Briggs, they gave up a 2026 sixth-rounder while receiving a seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns and the defensive tackle.
More moves like these are expected in the coming days. Attention should also be paid to a potential trade involving Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson, who are still awaiting new contracts this offseason but have formally requested trades after failed negotiations.
