ClutchPoints
The NFL offseason is filled with players switching teams. New talent enters the league through the NFL Draft, and players sign contracts with teams in free agency. The trade market is alive and well during the offseason, too, though. So, check out the gallery to see one player each NFL team must trade for during the 2025 offseason.
Arizona Cardinals receive: Mazi Smith
Dallas Cowboys receive: Sixth-round pick
Mazi Smith hasn’t panned out for the Cowboys. The team is likely ready to move on from the former first-rounder, but he was drafted so high for a reason. The Cardinals need defensive line help, so taking on a reclamation project like Smith makes sense.
Atlanta Falcons receive: Seventh-round pick
Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Kirk Cousins
The Falcons benched Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. last year despite being in playoff contention. The Cousins experiment (and the weird decision to draft a first-round rookie quarterback during the same offseason they signed a long-term deal for a quarterback in free agency) turned out to be a massive failure, and now they should be looking to get whatever they can for him via trade.
His long-term contract means that they may only be able to get a late-round draft pick. The Steelers seem poised to move off of both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and they’ve shown a willingness to employ aging/past-their-prime signal-callers. Perhaps they’d be the team willing to take on Cousins, especially since they don’t have a path to drafting one of the top rookie quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers receive: Tyreek Hill
Miami Dolphins receive: Second-round pick, third-round pick, sixth-round pick
It took a first-round pick, a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a sixth-round pick for the Dolphins to trade for Tyreek Hill back in 2022. It shouldn’t take that much to land him in 2025, but he is still an elite receiver. Hill seemingly requested a trade after losing the season finale, and although he has backtracked on his statements, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the speedster nicknamed Cheetah did end up forcing his way out of Miami.
If that becomes reality, then the Panthers should swoop in for his services. After originally looking like a massive draft bust, Bryce Young turned things around late last season, and now Carolina needs to surround him with weapons. Hill would open up so much for the former first overall pick, and the Panthers shouldn’t be too worried about the down season he had in 2024.
Chicago Bears receive: Laremy Tunsil
Houston Texans receive: Second-round pick
The Texans have way too much money invested into the offensive line for how poorly that position group played last season. Laremy Tunsil, in particular, has a massive contract that the team may be ready to move on from as they reshuffle their line going forward. If that becomes the case, the Bears should swoop in and...
