• The 2025 NFL trade block is heating up as teams eye reinforcements or look to offload players before the November 5 deadline.
• Players like David Njoku, Tyreek Hill, and Jaelan Phillips top the list, offering high upside for playoff contenders.
• Teams like the Jets, Browns, and Dolphins, struggling early, may become sellers, while contenders seek key additions.
• Trade values range from conditional late-round picks to high-value Day 2 selections, based on player age, contract, and performance.
• Injuries, team needs, and recent buzz shape potential deals, with suitors like the Chiefs and Steelers in the mix.

The 2025 NFL Trade Market Is Buzzing

As a lifelong football fan who’s followed every NFL trade deadline with bated breath, I can tell you Week 3 of the 2025 season is when the 2025 NFL trade block starts to take shape. Just two weeks in, some teams are already staring down a lost season, while others are a player away from a Super Bowl run. 

The November 5 deadline is approaching fast, and the trade market is loaded with talent, from underperforming first-rounders to proven veterans. I’ve ranked the top 10 trade targets based on their potential, past production, contract status, and buzz, with projected trade values and potential suitors. Let’s dive into who’s on the move and why.

Top 10 Trade Targets for Week 3

Here’s the 2025 NFL trade block big board, ranked by upside, availability, and value:

10. Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets

• Projected Trade Value: 2026 6th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: Lazard was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and went catchless in Week 2 against the Bills. With the Jets 0-2 and Justin Fields sidelined by a concussion, New York’s season is teetering. Lazard’s $10 million cap hit and 2026 free agency make him expendable.
• Why He’s Appealing: At 6’5”, Lazard’s size and 530 receiving yards last season make him a low-risk depth piece for receiver-needy teams.
• Potential Suitors: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers

9. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 7th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: The Browns’ blowout loss in Week 2 and rookie Quinshon Judkins’ debut have pushed Ford to the fringes of Kevin Stefanski’s offense. With Ford’s 2026 free agency looming, Cleveland might cash in now, especially with Judkins under NFL investigation.
• Why He’s Appealing: Ford’s breakaway speed and 500+ rushing yards in each of the last two seasons make him a budget-friendly backup.
• Potential Suitors: Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs

8. Evan Neal, OL, New York Giants

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 7th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: A 2022 first-rounder, Neal’s been benched two weeks straight, even with Andrew Thomas injured. The Giants’ experiment moving him to guard flopped, and his value’s plummeting.
• Why He’s Appealing: Neal’s first-round pedigree and untapped potential could tempt teams willing to take a flier on a 24-year-old lineman.
• Potential Suitors: Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans

Read also: 2025 NFL Power Rankings

7. Mazi Smith, DT, Dallas Cowboys

• Projected Trade Value: 2026 6th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: The 2023 first-rounder has been a healthy scratch in 2025, overshadowed by Kenny Clark’s arrival via trade. With only 54 tackles in two seasons, Smith’s not in Dallas’ plans under new coaching.
• Why He’s Appealing: At 6’3”, 337 pounds, and 24 years old, Smith’s size and youth make him a project worth developing.
• Potential Suitors: Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders

6. Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 3rd-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: The 2024 first-rounder has struggled, catching just 4 of 15 targets for 8 yards in 2025. With rookie Tetairoa McMillan emerging, the 0-2 Panthers might move Legette to aid their rebuild.
• Why He’s Appealing: Legette’s 6’3”, 227-pound frame and pre-draft hype (No. 71 prospect per B/R) make him a high-upside gamble.
• Potential Suitors: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers

5. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, New York Giants

• Projected Trade Value: 2026 2nd-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: The 2022 No. 5 pick faces a crowded Giants edge group with Brian Burns and rookie Abdul Carter. With New York’s 9-27 record since 2022, a trade could bring valuable draft capital.
• Why He’s Appealing: At 24, Thibodeaux’s elite upside makes him a prime target for contenders needing pass-rush help.
• Potential Suitors: Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Read more: 2025 NFL Team Captains

4. D.J. Wonnum, LB, Carolina Panthers

• Projected Trade Value: 2026 4th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: Wonnum’s fourth-quarter interception in Week 2 showed his value, but the 0-2 Panthers are rebuilding, and the 27-year-old is a 2026 free agent. Trading him could open spots for rookies.
• Why He’s Appealing: Wonnum’s underrated production makes him a plug-and-play defender for playoff hopefuls.
• Potential Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots

3. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami Dolphins

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 4th-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: Miami’s 0-2 start and defensive struggles (751 yards allowed) make the 26-year-old, injury-prone Phillips a trade candidate, especially with his 2026 free agency looming.
• Why He’s Appealing: Phillips’ 22 sacks over three seasons offer high-upside pass-rushing for teams willing to bet on his health.
• Potential Suitors: Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 3rd-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: Miami’s offensive struggles and Hill’s $36.3 million cap hit in 2026 make him a trade chip, despite no current offers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. An ongoing NFL investigation adds risk.
• Why He’s Appealing: Hill’s game-changing speed and playmaking make him a prize for receiver-needy teams, if the price is right.
• Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers

1. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns

• Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 3rd-Round Pick
• Why He’s Available: Rookie Harold Fannin Jr.’s emergence (12 catches, 111 yards) makes the 29-year-old Njoku, a 2026 free agent, expendable for a Browns team unlikely to contend in 2025.
• Why He’s Appealing: Njoku’s proven playmaking could fetch a Day 2 pick for teams needing a reliable tight end.
• Potential Suitors: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers

Read also: NFL Quarterback Rankings

Why the 2025 NFL Trade Block Matters Now

The 2025 NFL trade block is a treasure trove for teams looking to shake up their rosters. As a fan, I’ve seen trades—like the Chiefs’ move for Kadarius Toney in 2022—turn seasons around.

 With injuries piling up (e.g., Fields’ concussion, Thomas’ foot), teams like the Jets and Dolphins may turn to selling, while contenders like the Chiefs and 49ers hunt for game-changers. The NFL’s trade market is buzzing, with 15 deals completed by Week 2 last season, per ESPN.

Final Thoughts: The Trade Deadline Looms Large

Every NFL season, the trade deadline feels like a high-stakes poker game, and 2025 is no different. Watching players like Njoku, Hill, and Phillips potentially switch teams gets my heart racing as a fan who loves the drama of roster moves. 

The 2025 NFL trade block is loaded with talent, from reclamation projects like Neal to game-changers like Hill. As teams jockey for playoff position, these deals could reshape the season. Keep your eyes peeled—November 5 is coming fast, and the NFL’s never short on surprises.

Read also: NFL Week 1 Quarterback Performance

Aliha

Hi, I’m Aliha! I’ve been a huge NFL fan for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing my thoughts, updates, and insights about the game. Whether it’s big plays, team news, or behind-the-scenes stories, writing about the NFL gives me a chance to connect with fellow fans who share the same passion for football.