The 2025 NFL trade deadline marked a momentous day, as the Jets decided to start from zero by stacking first-round picks, while the Cowboys tried to buff up their defense for the second half of the 2025 season, and other teams stacked up on depth.

This trade deadline frenzy began early, as the Eagles gained 3 extra players via trades.

Eagles receive: CB Michael Carter, 2026 7th round pick; Jets receive: WR John Metchie, 2026 6th round pick

Philadelphia began with a swap for the Jets’ Michael Carter for the Eagles’ John Metchie, who had not done much for the Eagles, while the Eagles swapped a sixth-round pick with the Jets for a seventh-round pick. Michael Carter is a good addition to improve Philadelphia’s flailing cornerback room. 

Eagles receive: CB Jaire Alexander; 2026 7th round pick, Ravens receive: 2026 6th round pick

On the day before the trade deadline, Philadelphia traded a 2026 sixth-round pick for a seventh-round pick and Jaire Alexander, a former Packers Pro Bowl cornerback, who was on the Ravens as of this trade. Jaire Alexander, who had issues throughout the 2025 season, could be a major pickup for Philly amid underwhelming cornerback play. 

Eagles receive: DE Jaelan Phillips; Dolphins receive: 2026 3rd round pick

The Eagles then made an all-out edge trade, as they traded a 2026 third-round pick for Dolphins edge Jaelan Phillips. Phillips is someone who has dealt with injury issues, but when he has played, he has been one of the best edge players in the NFL, giving the Eagles an upgraded defensive line.

The Jets blow the defense up for picks

Jets receive: DT Mazi Smith, 2026 2nd round pick, 2027 1st round pick; Cowboys receive: DT Quinnen Williams

While Quinnen Williams has not had an outstanding 2025 season, he is still one of the Jets’ best defensive players and an all-pro in the league, but the Jets decide that gaining more future picks is worth it in the long term for New York, and decide to give some much-needed help to the Cowboys’ defense.

Jets receive: WR Adonai Mitchell, 2026 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick; Colts receive: CB Sauce Gardner

The Jets are all in on stocking draft picks for the future, as this season’s results seem bleak. Alongside this, they gain a good young talent in Adonai Mitchell they can develop into a help for the team to make the squad younger alongside future picks. For the Colts, they have had a struggling defense, and hopefully, former defensive rookie of the year Sauce Gardner can help alleviate Indianapolis’ issues.

Notable acquisitions include:

Seahawks receive: WR Rashid Shaheed; Saints receive: 2026 4th and 5th round pick 

This is a win-win trade. The Seahawks gain even more help in the receiver room while JSN leads the way receiving-wise, and the Saints build more draft capital to create a better team future.

Jaguars receive: WR Jakobi Meyers; Raiders receive: 2026 4th and 6th round pick

Don’t get me wrong, Jakobi Meyers is not horrible, but is he a 4th AND 6th round pick value player, no. The Jags do need a good WR3, but he is barely it, and is not worth the amount given for him. In the meantime, Las Vegas runs away with two extra picks for its future for a player Vegas did not care for much if at all.

Cowboys receive: LB Logan Wilson; Bengals receive: 2026 7th round pick

Another win-win trade. The Bengals’ defense is struggling, and any move they can make to find different talent, even if it may be through more draft capital, can help the team. For Dallas, they have been the 31st-ranked defense, and acquiring a better linebacker to pair with new defensive tackle Quinnen Williams can help breathe new life into Dallas’s defense.

Chargers receive: OT Trevor Penning; Saints receive: 2027 7th round pick

The Chargers’ offensive line has been one of the worst in the league during 2025, letting down Justin Herbert by giving up many sacks throughout the year. Any change can be a good change for this O-line, and Penning can help. Along with this, the Saints build on more future draft capital.

While the trade deadline may not have been the most headline-inducing deadline we have seen before, it was full of teams that were trying to fill out needed positions, and for teams that are in the rebuilding process, without many blockbusters, and a huge deadline for people who care about filled-out team rosters throughout the NFL.