What impact did all the midseason deals before the 2025 NFL trade deadline actually have on the teams that acquired players?
With teams set to enter Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season, contenders are aiming to bolster their depth charts for a run at the Super Bowl, while those out of the playoff hunt are looking towards the future, selling off expiring assets for draft capital.
What trades stand out among the rest? Here’s breaking down every move that’s happened in Oct. 1 through Nov. 4, the final day to make trades:
NFL TRADE TRACKER: Latest deals, rumors, reports ahead of deadline day
NFL trade deadline grades
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Colts trade for Jets CB Sauce Gardner
Grade: A+
The Colts needed to think about going all in with a team capable of winning the AFC with a conference-best 7-2 record after Week 9. Cornerback was a glaring weakness with the Chiefs, Bills, Steelers and other top teams in mind for the playoffs. Gardner is a game changer and ideal fit for Lou Anarumo’s aggressive defense.
Cowboys trade for Jets DT Quinnen Williams
Grade: A
The Cowboys solved two problems with their defensive line by getting stronger vs. the run and more versatile with their pass rush while giving up on disappointing Mazi Smith. The cost in draft picks wasn’t bad to lock up a linchpin up front.
Chargers trade for Saints OT Trevor Penning
Grade: B
Penning never panned out for New Orleans as his play and attitude didn’t let him live up to high expectations at tackle. L.A. needed depth desperately, however, with Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both down for the rest of the season.
Jets trade for DT Mazi Smith
Grade: D
The Jets downgraded big time while saving a lot of money and adding some key capital from the Williams trade.
Jets trade for WR Adonai Mitchell
Grade: C
The cost of Gardner, much like former nickel back Michael Carter II, was another flyer of a disappointing speedy big-play wideout as Mitchell joins John Metchie III in not really providing a receiving answer.
Seahawks trade for Saints WR Rashid Shaheed
Grade: A
Shaheed was rumored to go to Seattle to reunite with former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Shaheed adds another speedy big play threat to the mix who can also play the slot well with Cooper Kupp aging and ailing. He’s the ideal complement to dominant Jaxon Smith-Njigba and rising youngster Tory Horton.
Jaguars trade for Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers
Grade: B
The Jaguars lost Travis Hunter to a long-term injury last week and then grew thinner with several wide receivers going down in the overtime game at Las Vegas in Week 9, including Brian Thomas Jr. suffering a low-ankle sprain. So tbey went to Las Vegas to get help from a big slot who can also help outside with Hunter gone.
Bears trade for Browns EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Grade: B
The once promising Buccaneers outside linebacker lands in the Bears‘ system to provide some needed depth behind Montez Sweat for Dennis Allen.
Eagles trade for Dolphins EDGE Jaelan Phillips
Grade: A
The Eagles have been missing that bona fide veteran pass rusher for 3-4 outside linebacker under Vic Fangio and Phillips provides the experience and production they need to get back to his best days in Miami.
Cowboys trade for Bengals LB Logan Wilson
Grade: D
Wilson has been an active playmaker for better Bengals’ defenses in the past but he has faded with the rest of the group. It made little sense for Jerry Jones to add someone from an even worse-playing defense than his especially after the loss to the Cardinals.
Ravens trade for Titans EDGE Dre’Mont Jones
Grade: B
Jones is a versatile pass rusher with good plug-and-play experience. He will also give them some rotation help against the run.
Eagles trade for Ravens CB Jaire Alexander
Grade: D
Getting this fading star to back up second-year top corner Quinyon Mitchell feels like it was unnecessary given the team’s other defensive moves.
Eagles trade for Jets CB Michael Carter II
Grade: C
Cooper DeJean has been solid but they needed some more depth for the nickel. Carter, a one-time strong slot cover man in New York, fits the role well.
MORE NFL TRADE DEADLINE NEWS:
Jets trade for Eagles WR John Metchie III
Grade: D
This is a flyer for a one-time high-potential field-stretching wideout from Alabama that will have little impact in changing up the wide receiver corps.
Steelers trade for Patriots S Kyle Dugger
Grade: B
The Steelers were having injury issues at strong safety and needed a plug-and-play extra linebacker type and Dugger was the quickest means to that end.
49ers trade for Patriots LB Keion White
Grade: D
White wasn’t doing much in New England and won’t do much in San Francisco as a simple bottom-roster player.
Rams trade for Titans CB Roger McCreary
Grade: C
The Rams got a shaky falling star in Tennessee, who is just an extra depth addition mainly for subpackages.
POWE RANKINGS: Where every NFL team sits heading into trade deadline
Jaguars trade for Browns CB Greg Newsome II
Grade: B-
Newsome was involved in a straight-up swap up of corners with Tyson Campbell going the other way and was acquired to fit Anthony Campanile’s scheme better.
Browns trade for Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell
Grade: B+
Campbell gave the team a needed outside starter opposite Denzel Ward and although he’s been up-and-down and coverage, he did provide a big play right away with his pick-six against the Dolphins.
Chargers trade for Ravens EDGE Odafe Oweh
Grade: A
Just as Gilman has adjusted well to his new team, Oweh has 3 sacks in his past two games for the Chargers to boost their situational pass rush behind Khalil Mack.
Ravens trade for Chargers S Alohi Gllman
Grade: A
The Ravens got a starter at free safety who’s been very active making plays, lining up next to more free-lancing Kyle Hamilton and has been delivering in two games as a cover man.
Bengals trade for Browns QB Joe Flacco
Grade: A
Flacco has given the Bengals a fighting chance to win every week with his career-best prolific passing and getting the ball to their main weapons. He can’t be blamed for the consistent defensive meltdowns that often render his sometimes elite downfield work moot.