The NFL Draft is the last major player acquisition event of the offseason. And while rookies account for the vast majority of roster additions, draft weekend is also a time for trades. From Randy Moss to Jerome Bettis, plenty of veteran stars have famously changed teams as part of a draft-day trade over the years.
Team needs will also become clear once the draft is over, leaving some veterans squeezed out by incoming rookies. Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, here’s one veteran each team could move, along with potential trade partners.
Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonah Williams
Potential Fits: New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants
The Cardinals know their long-term left tackle will be Paris Johnson Jr. The other tackle spot is more of an open question, with Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum both playing on one-year deals. If the Cardinals end up looking to the draft for a long-term solution at that spot, Williams could become a valuable trade chip given the dearth of starting-caliber tackles.
Williams has experience at both left tackle and right tackle, which would also help his trade value. Although he had an abbreviated six-game season due to a knee injury, his 3.2% pressure allowed rate was also the best in any season of his career.
The Patriots could move Williams back to his original position at left tackle if they don’t find an adequate solution in the draft, while the Giants could keep him at right tackle opposite Andrew Thomas. The Chiefs are risking a potential Super Bowl run on Jaylon Moore succeeding as a starter for the first time, which would make an insurance policy like Williams valuable to have.
Atlanta Falcons: TE Kyle Pitts
Potential Fits: Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets
Kirk Cousins is the name everyone will assume goes here. The Falcons could certainly move the $45 million per year quarterback, but a lack of urgency and leverage means there really isn’t any reason to expect a Cousins trade anytime soon. If the Falcons weren’t rivals with the Saints, the two would have made sense as trade partners in the wake of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury.
Instead, Kyle Pitts could be an underrated trade asset. Pitts is playing out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal after averaging a career-low 35.4 receiving yards per game. Atlanta already has an impending mega-contract extension looming for Drake London, and Pitts played under 40 snaps per game for the first time in his career with a new coaching staff.
The Steelers and Rams would represent reunions with coaches who were with Pitts his first three seasons. Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is the offensive coordinator for the Steelers, while his former OC Dave Ragone is the quarterbacks coach for the Rams. The Steelers have a deep tight end room, but Pitts’ move tight end skill set would give them a different look than what Pat Freiermuth or Darnell Washington provide.
Baltimore Ravens: TE Mark Andrews
Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants
Is Isaiah Likely a capable TE1? The answer to that question will determine whether the Ravens would really feel comfortable moving their all-time receiving touchdowns leader in Mark Andrews. The Ravens are facing an inflection point in the tight end room, with all of their top three tight ends set to hit free agency next year.
That puts Baltimore in a position to decide between a soon-to-be 30-year-old Andrews and a pair of younger players in Likely and Charlie Kolar. While Andrews has been Lamar Jackson’s security blanket, Jackson’s own evolution has allowed him to lean less on his favorite target. Last season, Andrews’ 19.4% target rate was his lowest since his rookie year in 2018, while his 1.89 yards per route run were a career-low.
A swap between the Harbaugh brothers would be a natural point of speculation if the Chargers want an upgrade from Will Dissly. Otherwise, the Ravens would likely prefer to send Andrews to the NFC to keep him away from their primary Super Bowl competition. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was on the Ravens’ coaching staff for Andrews’ first six seasons, while the Giants have one of the emptiest tight end rooms in the NFL.
Buffalo Bills: RB James Cook
Potential Fits: New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears
Brandon Beane has traditionally leaned on the draft to restock at running back. Beane drafted Devin Singletary to replace LeSean McCoy, and then drafted James Cook to replace Singletary. Now, with Cook entering the last year of his rookie contract, the Bills could be poised to repeat that cycle again.
In fact, it’s possible they’ve already done so after drafting Ray Davis in the fourth round last year. In the lone game that Cook missed in 2024, Davis piled up 152 scrimmage yards and 0.31 EPA per play on Monday Night Football vs. the Jets. For context, Cook ranked third among RBs in EPA per play for the whole season at 0.27.
Of course, Cook would also have plenty of trade value himself. Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen both left the Bills the offseason they drafted Cook and would likely welcome him as the lead back for the Giants. The Cowboys and Bears could use an upgrade at RB1 as well. Dallas has a connection to Cook with Ken Dorsey, a Cowboys assistant who was Cook’s offensive coordinator in Buffalo from 2022 until he was fired after Week 10 of the 2023 season.
Carolina Panthers: DE Jadeveon Clowney
Potential Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions
The well-traveled former No. 1 overall pick still has some gas in the tank. Jadeveon Clowney had 5.5 sacks and a 13.7% pressure rate for the Panthers last season. It was Clowney’s fifth straight season with a double-digit pressure rate, and it was only marginally lower than his 15.7% pressure rate when he had 9.5 sacks for the Ravens in 2023.
While the wretched Panthers defense needs all the help it can get, the 32-year-old Clowney doesn’t make a ton of sense on Carolina’s timeline. The South Carolina native has an $8.5 million base salary in the final year of his contract, making him an affordable rental option for a team in need of a veteran edge.
Returning him to the Ravens would make a lot of sense, given how well he fit during his lone season there two years ago. His defensive coordinator in Baltimore was Mike Macdonald, who is now the Seahawks head coach. Clowney also played for Seattle in 2019, though that was under a very different staff. Finally, the Lions have typically desired bigger edge rushers under Dan Campbell, and the 6’5”, 266-pound Clowney qualifies.
Chicago Bears: RB D’Andre Swift
Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys
Although Bears head coach Ben Johnson coached D’Andre Swift in Detroit, it feels like Swift could use a change of scenery. He averaged a career-worst 3.8 yards per carry in 2024, and his 39.5% rushing success rate ranked 42nd out of 46 RBs with 100+ rushes.
Swift still has two years left on the three-year, $24 million deal he signed last offseason. That makes the timing of this important, as the Bears would want to wait until after June 1 to trade Swift. By doing so, they’d save $8 million in cap room and take on a minuscule $1.3 million dead cap hit the next two years. It would also give the Bears the luxury of seeing if they come away with one of their preferred running backs in the draft.
One coaching connection for Swift is in Washington, where Brian Johnson is an assistant. Johnson was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in 2023 when Swift made the Pro Bowl and had his only 1,000-yard rushing season. The Steelers and Cowboys are also teams that could use more running back depth and lean on more zone runs, which has been a better scheme fit for Swift in his career.
Cincinnati Bengals: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers
Cam Taylor-Britt has had an up-and-down tenure through three seasons with the Bengals. He’s a physically talented press cornerback with ball skills, as evidenced by his seven interceptions and 27 passes defended the past two seasons. However, he also gave up six touchdowns last season and has a career passer rating allowed of 93.1, which reflects the other side of the coin with his aggressive play style.
Taylor-Britt should start again in Cincinnati as he enters the last year of his rookie deal. But with new defensive coordinator Al Golden and a pair of recent high draft picks in Dax Hall and DJ Turner II, Taylor-Britt isn’t guaranteed anything for 2025. If he disappoints, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Cincinnati cut bait rather than letting him leave for nothing in free agency.
Reuniting Taylor-Britt with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis would make the most sense. Other teams with similar coverage tendencies as the Bengals (high rates of two-high safeties, balanced man and zone rates) include the Dolphins and Packers. Miami has a glaring need for a cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey (and Ramsey seems to be on his way out soon), while Green Bay figures to have a hole if and when they move on from Jaire Alexander.
Cleveland Browns: G Wyatt Teller
Potential Fits: Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys
Joel Bitonio could also go in this spot, as both of the Browns’ long-time starting guards are entering the final year of their deals in 2025. Bitonio is a little older at 33 years old but has remained an excellent starter with seven consecutive Pro Bowl nods. Cleveland hasn’t shown a desire to move its core pieces, and the 30-year-old Wyatt Teller would likely have strong trade value as well.
Any move wouldn’t come until after the draft when teams see how their starting offensive line shakes out. The Browns wouldn’t save cap room unless they trade Teller after June 1 anyway (at which point they’d save $7 million in cap room this year while taking on $19.2 million in dead money through 2028).
The Seahawks and Vikings both ranked in the bottom five in pressures allowed from guards last year and could immediately plug Teller in as a starter. The Cowboys were among the best teams in pass protection from guards but lost future Hall of Famer Zack Martin to retirement. Teller could immediately step in as Martin’s successor at right guard.
Dallas Cowboys: DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Potential Fits: Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers
After four middling years between Atlanta and Dallas, Dante Fowler Jr. had an extremely productive 10.5 sack season for Washington last year. That’s led to a second stint in Dallas, where Fowler could start across from Micah Parsons.
However, with young edge rushers Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland behind him, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Fowler fall back into his usual designated pass rusher role. While the Cowboys could use help there, it’s easy to imagine Fowler becoming a tradeable asset if Dallas gets development from its young pass rushers (and potentially adds to the position group in the draft).
Fowler’s best year was in 2019 with the Rams, when he had a career-high 11.5 sacks and started 14 games. While defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has since retired, Les Snead and Sean McVay are still around, so there wouldn’t be much projection into how he’d fit in Los Angeles. The 49ers and Panthers are also teams that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in edge rusher pressures last year and could use Fowler in a situational role.
Denver Broncos: DE John Franklin-Myers
Potential Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals
The Broncos have a pair of big defensive line contracts coming up in Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen, who are both free agents next offseason. That will squeeze some players out by necessity, as Denver won’t be able to pay everyone on their No. 1-ranked defense. John Franklin-Myers, another starting defensive lineman entering the last year of his deal in 2025, also falls into that category.
Franklin-Myers had a career-high 7.0 sacks during his first year with the Broncos in 2024. However, he’s been an underrated pass rusher for a while, dating back to his time with the Jets. Since 2020, Franklin-Myers has recorded a 14.4% pressure rate. That ranks 13th out of 159 players with 1,000+ pass rush snaps in that span. He’s been above 14% each of the last three seasons as well, delivering consistently above-average production.
The most obvious connection would be in San Francisco, where his head coach with the Jets, Robert Saleh, is back as the defensive coordinator. But really, any team that uses odd fronts and can tap into Franklin-Myers’ inside-outside versatility would make sense. The Falcons and Cardinals both fit the bill, and each ranked 25th or lower in pressure rate last season.
Detroit Lions: CB Amik Robertson
Potential Fits: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A spate of injuries in the Lions’ secondary forced veteran Amik Robertson into a larger role than expected in 2024. To his credit, Robertson held up, playing both outside and slot cornerback and allowing a career-best 7.2 yards per target in coverage.
Once again, Robertson enters 2025 as more of an insurance policy rather than a bonafide starter. Detroit signed D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis in free agency. That gives the Lions a projected top three of Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at cornerback. Rakestraw is far from a sure thing after playing only 46 snaps as a rookie, but the Lions would surely prefer the second-rounder to win the job.
If that’s the case, teams in need of a slot corner could come calling for Robertson. The Jets are the clearest fit with former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn now coaching New York. The Bengals and Buccaneers both ranked in the bottom eight in yards per attempt allowed to slot targets in 2024 and don’t have an unquestioned slot option in 2025 (assuming Cincinnati sees Dax Hill as more of a perimeter corner).
Green Bay Packers: WR Romeo Doubs
Potential Fits: New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys
The Packers had a very crowded wide receiver room in 2024. Four wide receivers saw at least 500 snaps — the most of any team. Although Christian Watson’s January torn ACL clears the picture up slightly, the Packers appear poised to add another early-round receiver in this year’s draft.
If that happens, Romeo Doubs’ days with the Packers could very well be numbered. Doubs is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. His trade value is tricky to discern — while he averaged career-highs in receiving yards per game (46.2), yards per reception (13.1), and catch rate (63.9%), he also suffered multiple concussions last season and served a one-game suspension following dissatisfaction about his role in the offense.
Teams in need of an X receiver could do worse than Doubs. The Raiders and Cowboys are both severely lacking in that regard, with their top targets all operating out of the slot or at tight end. The Patriots added Mack Hollins in free agency, which shouldn’t prevent them from pursuing a younger vertical receiver.
Houston Texans: DE Denico Autry
Potential Fits: Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys
After three extremely underrated seasons with the Titans, Denico Autry fell flat in his first season with the Texans. Autry only had 3.5 sacks and served a six-game suspension after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. But even when he did play, his 8.1% pressure rate was his lowest since 2019.
With Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter under contract for the next two years, there isn’t a clear avenue for Autry to make a bigger impact in his second season. Houston re-did his contract this offseason to add two void years, opening up short-term cap space and making Autry a free agent after 2025.
Returning to Tennessee, where he had 28.5 sacks over three seasons, would be a reasonable solution for both teams. There are also coaching connections elsewhere; his old Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is now on the Giants staff, while his former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus joined the Cowboys as their defensive coordinator.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Alec Pierce
Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers
The Colts have a clear top two at wide receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs. They invested a second-round pick in Adonai Mitchell last year and could draft another early-round pass catcher like Tyler Warren this year. All of that makes Alec Pierce the odd man out in the receiver room and a prime trade candidate in the last year of his rookie contract.
Pierce has one of the most extreme usages of any receiver in the NFL. He led the league with a 21.7 aDOT in 2024 and ranked third (15.0) in 2023. Some of that is due to Anthony Richardson’s bombs-away playing style, but Pierce also had a healthy 11.7 aDOT as a rookie, and he was used as a vertical receiver during his college career at Cincinnati.
The Chargers are the cleanest fit. They lost Josh Palmer in free agency after Palmer had the third-deepest aDOT last year and also employ Pierce’s former offensive coordinator, Marcus Brady, as their passing game coordinator. The Giants with Russell Wilson and the Packers with Jordan Love also have quarterbacks who would be more inclined to target Pierce and his steady diet of go routes. Green Bay, in particular, may seek out a vertical threat after Watson’s Week 18 ACL tear.
Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Potential Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears
After two years as the clear lead back, Travis Etienne Jr. split snaps and touches with Tank Bigsby in 2024. Etienne had his least efficient season to date, averaging career-lows in yards per carry (3.7) and yards per touch (4.3). With Etienne playing on the last year of his rookie deal and trending down, the former first-round pick is a prime trade candidate — either now or during the season.
The Cowboys would loom as the most logical trade partner on paper. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator when Jacksonville drafted Etienne in 2021. Etienne didn’t play at all that season because of a preseason foot injury, but it stands to reason that Schottenheimer would welcome a reunion with the Cowboys lacking a clear lead back.
The Browns are in the same boat with Nick Chubb still un-signed and only two running backs under contract (Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong). The Bears are a less obvious fit, especially if they draft Ashton Jeanty in the first round. However, former Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor is now an assistant in Chicago, and Bears running backs ranked last in yards per carry (3.5) in 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Hollywood Brown
Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, New York Giants
It’s no surprise the Kansas City Chiefs wanted a do-over with Hollywood Brown after a lost 2024 season. Brown’s preseason shoulder injury cost him all but two regular season games, and he was largely a spectator with just five catches on 13 targets during the postseason.
However, Brown will still likely be behind Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy in the pecking order, making it no sure bet that his production rebounds in 2025. With Brown playing on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, that makes him very tradeable if the fit doesn’t work out better in his second season with the Chiefs.
The Commanders have already made a pair of trades this offseason for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, but they don’t have a receiver under contract past 2025 beyond Luke McCaffrey. Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury traded for Brown when he was the Cardinals head coach in 2022. Assuming the Chiefs would rather send him to the NFC, other receiver-needy teams include the Bears and Giants, who could play Brown in the slot more based on their current personnel.
Las Vegas Raiders: DE Tyree Wilson
Potential Fits: Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles
When a team hires a new coach and general manager duo, disappointing former first-round picks are often the most endangered players. Pete Carroll and John Spytek are unlikely to have any loyalty to players picked by Tom Telesco or Dave Ziegler, as they’ll want to establish a cohesive identity after years of dysfunction.
That leaves players like Tyree Wilson as clear trade possibilities. Wilson still has two years left on his rookie deal, but he hasn’t made much progress since being drafted No. 7 overall in 2023. He has eight sacks in two years and couldn’t take advantage of numerous injuries at edge rusher in 2024 to earn a larger role. After playing 28 snaps per game as a rookie, that only crawled up to 31 snaps per game last year.
Ziegler was the Raiders’ GM when Wilson was drafted and he’s now the Titans’ assistant GM, and Tennessee certainly needs more edge rusher help. Similarly, his first head coach was Josh McDaniels, who is back in New England for a third stint with a Patriots team that has needs almost everywhere. The Eagles don’t have a coaching connection to Wilson but have a habit of taking fliers on high draft picks who busted elsewhere and wouldn’t need Wilson to play a major role if he doesn’t hit.
Los Angeles Chargers: OL Trey Pipkins
Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals
Trey Pipkins was the former starting right tackle for the Chargers who moved to right guard last year after the team took Joe Alt with the No. 5 overall pick. And after a year at that position, Pipkins might get squeezed out of another starting job, with the Chargers signing Mekhi Becton to presumably start at that spot.
Pipkins has started 46 games over the last two seasons and has experience at both tackle spots and right guard. That versatility and experience should make him a decent trade commodity ahead of a contract year, particularly given that he’s only 28 years old.
Anthony Lynn was the Chargers’ head coach when the team drafted Pipkins and is now the Commanders’ run game coordinator. Washington could keep Pipkins at right guard with Sam Cosmi expected to miss much of next year with a torn ACL suffered in the Divisional Round. In addition, Saints head coach Kellen Moore was Pipkins’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and could either use him at guard or as competition for right tackle Trevor Penning.
Los Angeles Rams: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Potential Fits: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers
The Los Angeles Rams are in the strange position of needing more help in the secondary, while also having a lot of options at the position. The Rams didn’t sign any outside free agents at defensive back but also brought back their top six DBs by snaps played from 2024.
That includes Ahkello Witherspoon, the 30-year-old cornerback who re-signed on a one-year, $1.3 million contract. That’s a minuscule deal that doesn’t guarantee him anything. If the Rams spend a high pick on an outside cornerback (or simply get development from the likes of Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick), Witherspoon could be traded rather than cut as training camp ends.
Former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is now the Falcons head coach and overlapped with Witherspoon in Los Angeles during the 2023 season. Atlanta needs more competition at the outside cornerback spot opposite A.J. Terrell. The Colts and Panthers are other teams with coverage similarities to the Rams (heavy zone and Cover 3 rates) who could use another option at outside CB.
Miami Dolphins: WR Tyreek Hill
Potential Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders
GM Chris Grier can say what he wants publicly, but the Dolphins’ actions say another thing. With Jalen Ramsey apparently on his way out, the Dolphins look like a team primed for a re-tool. Miami has several bloated contracts nearing their completion, led by Tyreek Hill. The Cheetah is effectively in a contract year, as he won’t be back on his $51.9 million cap number in 2026. However, his base salary for this season is only $10 million, making him very tradeable if the Dolphins change their mind about entertaining trade offers for another aging core player.
In reality, there are very few teams that wouldn’t be interested in Hill’s services. Even in a down year, Hill averaged 1.79 yards per route, right behind DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That ticked up to 1.85 yards per route in games started by Tua Tagovailoa, roughly the same number as Courtland Sutton last season. If the Dolphins make Hill available in a trade, it’s possible they recoup another receiver and a premium pick.
Would Hill’s original team trade Xavier Worthy and a second-rounder to reunite the Cheetah and Patrick Mahomes? The Packers have a litany of young receivers nearing the end of their rookie deals who could start for Miami. And the Raiders badly need a vertical presence in an offense that ranked 26th in yards per reception last year. But in reality, there are many more teams that could be a fit for Hill, provided that he’s healthy and committed.
Minnesota Vikings: RB Ty Chandler
Potential Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams
After a brief spell where Ty Chandler felt like a breakout candidate, the former Tennessee and North Carolina running back has gotten buried on the depth chart with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings re-signed Aaron Jones in free agency while also trading and extending Jordan Mason. Both Jones and Mason are under contract for two years, leaving Chandler without a real role on offense.
He won’t start anywhere with his track record (164 carries in three seasons), but other branches of the Shanahan-McVay tree would likely have interest. The 49ers and Vikings could effectively swap backup running backs if Chandler went to San Francisco, while the Rams could use a better RB2 after Kyren Williams led all RBs by playing 81% of his team’s snaps in 2024.
New England Patriots: WR Kendrick Bourne
Potential Fits: San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams
A new coaching staff typically won’t have much loyalty to players the previous regime brought in. Applying that logic, the Patriots have one of the least predictable wide receiver rooms in the NFL. New England will surely draft more receivers this year, leaving recent picks like Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Demario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte in an uncertain spot.
One veteran who probably doesn’t fit with the rebuilding Patriots is Kendrick Bourne. Since his 55-catch, 800-yard season in 2021, Bourne has yet to hit 500 yards in a season, with a torn ACL from October 2023 hampering him each of the last two seasons. Bourne turns 30 in August, and the Patriots signed Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins to serve as the reliable veterans in the receiver room.
Teams from the Shanahan-McVay tree would make sense for a reunion, starting with his original team in San Francisco. The 49ers might need some early-season receiver depth depending on Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery timeline, and Bourne would serve as an insurance policy in case Ricky Pearsall isn’t ready for a larger role. In Minnesota and Los Angeles, Bourne could also provide competition to Jalen Nailor and Tutu Atwell, respectively, for the No. 3 receiver role.
New Orleans Saints: TE Taysom Hill
Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders
The Saints don’t have many tradeable contracts because of how aggressively they use void years. That means that there are very few players that would make salary cap sense for the Saints to trade, at least until after June 1 (when they can spread the cap hit out over multiple years).
When we get to that point, Taysom Hill is one possibility as a soon-to-be 35-year-old entering the last year of his contract. Hill’s $10 million base salary exceeds his value, so a trade would likely come with a renegotiated contract.
However, with Sean Payton being Hill’s biggest supporter in the league, perhaps the Broncos coach could find a role for his Swiss Army knife. Even after signing Evan Engram, the Broncos are fairly thin at both tight end and running back, which would allow Hill to occupy a similar role that he did in New Orleans.
Other fits are less clear, but Hill’s best trait is his short-yardage running. On third and fourth down runs, Hill was 10-for-10 in converting first downs in 2024. The Raiders and Dolphins were the two worst offenses at converting third- and fourth-down rushes last year, giving them some potential utility for Hill as a rusher.
New York Giants: OT Evan Neal
Potential Fits: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins
At this point, it’s clear Evan Neal needs a change of scenery. The former No. 7 overall pick has had a disastrous three-year run with the New York Giants and is so buried on the tackle depth chart that the team is expected to try him out at guard this offseason.
Neal did begin his Alabama career at left guard in 2019, logging 13 starts at the position that season. Still, he’d be an awkward fit in the interior at 6’7”, and it’s probably best to let another team try to salvage him at his original position in the final season of his rookie deal.
The Patriots and Dolphins have question marks at tackle and could afford to take an upside swing. Miami is set to start second-year pro Patrick Paul at left tackle following Terron Armstead’s retirement, while New England right tackle Morgan Moses is 34 years old. The Bengals would be stashing Neal as a swing tackle, as Cincinnati has shown a preference for bigger OTs (Orlando Brown Jr., Trent Brown, Amarius Mims) in recent years.
New York Jets: RB Breece Hall
Potential Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders
Entering the last year of his rookie deal, Breece Hall’s future with the Jets is uncertain after New York added a pair of rookie running backs in Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis last year. Hall averaged 4.2 yards per carry and -0.12 EPA per rush in 2024, both down from his averages over his first two seasons (4.8 yards per carry, -0.04 EPA per rush).
New Jets general manager Darren Mougey is a wild card in how the team might handle the Hall negotiations. However, it’s worth noting that Mougey has only spent time in the Broncos organization prior to taking the Jets GM job. Denver traditionally did not splurge on running backs, ranking 28th in running back spending during his time with the organization (2012-24).
The Chiefs do have Isiah Pacheco and re-signed Kareem Hunt, but the AFC champs could use an explosive threat like Hall to diversify their offense. Kansas City had the lowest explosive run rate (4.7%) from its running backs in 2024 and desperately needs to provide Patrick Mahomes more margin for error. The Browns and Raiders also ranked in the bottom four in percent of running back carries that gained 10+ yards last season.
Philadelphia Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert
Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs
The Eagles have a stacked roster fully capable of winning back-to-back Super Bowls. However, with how aggressively Howie Roseman has used void years to keep their talented roster together, the Eagles have the third-most dead money this year ($61 million) and are projected to be among the league leaders again next year.
That will lead to some difficult decisions about which players are worth continuing to mortgage the cap for. Dallas Goedert is at the head of that list, as the tight end is entering the last year of his contract. Goedert had an extremely efficient receiving season in 2024, but he also missed seven games. It was his sixth straight season missing multiple games, a scary reality for someone who turned 30 in January.
His former offensive coordinator, Shane Steichen, coaches a team with a glaring need at tight end, making the Colts a logical trade partner. The Jaguars cut Evan Engram this offseason and are slated to start Brenton Strange at tight end. And for a wild card, could the Chiefs be a good match for Goedert? Travis Kelce is nearing the end of his career, and no team utilized more multi-tight end sets than the Chiefs in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers: OLB T.J. Watt
Potential Fits: Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions
Is there really any chance the Steelers will move on from a franchise icon and still-elite player? T.J. Watt was the top-ranked player in PFSN’s 2026 Early Free Agent Rankings. It’s a virtual lock Watt won’t actually reach free agency, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be back with the Steelers.
After recent extensions for Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, any deal for Watt is expected to be over $40 million per year. Purely from a value perspective, it’s not obvious that Watt should get that deal. He’ll turn 31 in October, and while his sack total in 2024 was healthy (11.5), his 9.9% pressure rate was a career-low by a wide margin (his prior low was 11.1% in 2022 when he played through a torn pectoral suffered in Week 1).
If the Steelers do pull the plug on one of the best players in franchise history, all 31 teams should call given his durability and still-high level of performance. The Bills, Lions, and Commanders are among the Super Bowl contenders with the clearest holes at edge rusher who could benefit most from Watt. But in reality, the Steelers would be looking for (and should probably receive) multiple first-round picks for any blockbuster Watt deal.
San Francisco 49ers: G Spencer Burford
Potential Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks
Spencer Burford started 29 games for the San Francisco 49ers in his first two seasons from 2022-23, all at right guard. However, he hit the bench last year when the Niners drafted Dominick Puni and may not start again in 2025 with Ben Bartch penciled in at left guard.
Burford has one year left on his rookie deal and could be a fit for teams that employ zone-blocking schemes. He was solid in pass protection as a rookie, with a 4.3% pressure rate allowed that ranked 29th out of 60 qualifying guards. However, that ballooned up to 7.8% in 2023, which ranked 55th out of 62 guards.
The Eagles and Lions both fit that bill and have questions at right guard after losing their starters at that position in free agency. San Francisco might be reluctant to trade with the division-rival Seahawks, though Seattle needs guards and could plug Burford into new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s scheme.
Seattle Seahawks: RB Kenneth Walker III
Potential Fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys
The Seahawks have a strong one-two punch in the backfield. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet are both starting-caliber backs on rookie deals, which sets up a decision next offseason. Walker was drafted one year earlier and is up for a new contract first, with 2025 set to be the last season of his contract.
Charbonnet outperformed Walker last year, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt compared to 3.7 for Walker. If the Seahawks dip into this year’s deep draft class of running backs, it could make sense to cash in Walker for draft compensation and turn the backfield over to Charbonnet.
The Raiders with Pete Carroll are the most obvious fit, with the teams already linking up on the Geno Smith trade earlier this offseason. The Browns and Cowboys also have large voids in the backfield, with Chubb remaining unsigned and Rico Dowdle leaving Dallas for Carolina in free agency.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Rachaad White
Potential Fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots
The Buccaneers had a three-headed committee at running back for most of 2024, but Bucky Irving looks like the clear lead back after seizing the job down the stretch. With Sean Tucker also impressing in a small sample size, Rachaad White was mostly limited to passing downs by the end of the season.
White is in the last year of his rookie contract and seems unlikely to stick around with Irving due for a large role in 2025. While he would still have value on passing downs, Tampa Bay might be better served cashing in on White now and getting draft picks in return.
The Jaguars have Etienne and Bigsby at running back, but also the fifth-fewest receiving yards from RBs in 2024. Maybe Tampa Bay and Jacksonville wouldn’t link up on a trade with how contentious Liam Coen’s departure was, but it does fit each team’s personnel needs.
Another trade partner could be the Rams, who had the fewest receiving yards from running backs in 2024 and might want to play Kyren Williams fewer snaps next season. The Patriots had the sixth-fewest receiving yards from running backs and didn’t add to the position in free agency. Rhamondre Stevenson has had 71 receptions over the last two years combined after catching 69 passes in 2022 and could use a more receiving-focused complement.
Tennessee Titans: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere
Potential Fits: New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
A former third-round pick in 2022, it’s been downhill for Nicholas Petit-Frere since starting 16 games as a rookie. The Titans right tackle served a suspension in 2023 for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, then was benched in 2024 (eventually starting 10 games due to injuries at right tackle). Now, in the last year of his rookie deal, it’s abundantly clear Petit-Frere doesn’t have much of a future in Nashville.
Any acquiring team would probably be reluctant to hand him a starting job, so this would be more of a post-hype upside swing. Since entering the NFL, Petit-Frere’s 10% pressure rate allowed is the second-highest among 92 tackles with at least 500 pass-blocking snaps.
Mike Vrabel was the Titans head coach when Tennessee drafted him, though it’s difficult to draw any clear connections beyond that. The 49ers are listed because they are tied with the Ravens for the most picks (11) this year and have an uncertain long-term future at tackle with 36-year-old Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz in the last year of his contract. The Seahawks have 10 picks in the upcoming draft and have right tackle Abraham Lucas playing in the final year of his rookie deal as well.
Washington Commanders: RB Austin Ekeler
Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
The Commanders are in a strange spot at running back. Washington has a deep running back room after returning all four of its top RBs from 2024. However, all of them are on expiring contracts, leaving the future of the position uncertain.
Of the group, Austin Ekeler is the oldest back (he turns 30 in May). Ekeler saw a reduced role last season after leading the Chargers backfield for years, as his 9.3 touches and 61.1 scrimmage yards per game were both his fewest since his rookie year. However, he remains an efficient back who can help in the receiving game, as his 10.5 yards per reception were also his most since 2019.
Ekeler’s old team doesn’t have a great receiving option out of the backfield, which could allow the Chargers to pair him with Najee Harris. His former head coach, Brandon Staley, is on the Saints’ coaching staff — another possible connection with Alvin Kamara missing multiple games in four straight seasons.
There’s no coaching connection with the Eagles, but the Super Bowl champs lost Kenny Gainwell in free agency and A.J. Dillon doesn’t bring passing game value. Ekeler would be a more natural complement to Saquon Barkley on the rare snaps where he sits.