Trade Deadline Aftermath: Grading the Deals and Identifying the NFL’s Biggest Winners and Losers

The 2025 NFL trade deadline has passed, leaving a flurry of activity in its wake. With teams making their final adjustments before the playoff push, it’s time to dissect the deals, analyze the winners and losers, and assess the long-term impact on the league. Did your team make the right moves, or are they left regretting missed opportunities? Let’s dive into the details.

The Blockbuster Deals

Several high-profile players found new homes, shaking up the landscape of the NFL. Here’s a look at some of the most significant trades and their potential consequences:

DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers: In a move that surprised many, the Seattle Seahawks sent their star wide receiver, DK Metcalf, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Seahawks received a 2025 second-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick, while also sending a 2025 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh. The Steelers, in turn, shipped George Pickens to the Cowboys for a third-round choice and a late-round swap in 2027. This move gives Steelers quarterback a dynamic downfield threat to complement their existing receiving corps. For Seattle, it signals a potential rebuild and a focus on acquiring draft capital.
Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders: The Seattle Seahawks also traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2025 third-round pick. Smith, who resurrected his career in Seattle, now gets a chance to lead the Raiders’ offense. The Raiders, in turn, are hoping Smith can provide stability at the quarterback position.
Kirk Cousins to the Tennessee Titans: After a disappointing stint with the Atlanta Falcons, Kirk Cousins was traded to the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons, seemingly ready to move forward with Michael Penix Jr., sent Cousins to Tennessee, where he’ll look to revitalize his career. The Titans, in need of a reliable quarterback, are banking on Cousins to lead their offense.
Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders: The New Orleans Saints, undergoing a potential rebuild, traded their star cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, to the Washington Commanders. In exchange, the Saints received a 2025 third-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-round pick, while also sending a 2025 fifth-round pick to Washington. This move bolsters the Commanders’ secondary and gives them a true shutdown corner.

Grading the Deals: Winners and Losers

Now, let’s break down the winners and losers of the trade deadline, based on the value they received and the impact the trades are likely to have on their season:

Winners:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Acquiring DK Metcalf gives their offense a significant boost. Metcalf’s ability to stretch the field and make contested catches will open up opportunities for other receivers and running backs. The Steelers are clearly in win-now mode and are willing to pay a premium to compete for a Super Bowl.
Washington Commanders: Landing Marshon Lattimore solidifies their secondary and gives them a true No. 1 cornerback. Lattimore’s presence will make it tougher for opposing quarterbacks to throw against the Commanders, and his leadership will be invaluable to the team’s young defensive players.
Las Vegas Raiders: Geno Smith is a solid quarterback who can provide stability and leadership to the Raiders’ offense. While he may not be a superstar, Smith is a capable player who can help the Raiders compete in a tough AFC West division.
Detroit Lions: The Lions acquired Za’Darius Smith from the Browns, adding a proven pass rusher to fill in for the injured Aidan Hutchinson. This move strengthens their defense and makes them a more formidable Super Bowl contender.

Losers:

Seattle Seahawks: Trading away DK Metcalf and Geno Smith signals a potential rebuild and a focus on acquiring draft capital. While this may be a smart long-term strategy, it’s hard to see the Seahawks competing for a playoff spot in 2025.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys acquired Jonathan Mingo from the Panthers for a fourth-round pick, a move that has been widely criticized. Mingo has struggled to make an impact in the NFL, and it’s unclear how he’ll fit into the Cowboys’ offense.
New Orleans Saints: Trading away Marshon Lattimore indicates a potential rebuild and a willingness to part with star players. While this may be necessary for the long-term health of the franchise, it’s a tough pill to swallow for Saints fans.
Atlanta Falcons: After signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract, the Falcons quickly soured on him and traded him to the Titans. This move suggests that the Falcons made a mistake in signing Cousins in the first place, and it leaves them with questions at the quarterback position.

Other Notable Trades

In addition to the blockbuster deals, several other trades were made that could have a significant impact on the league:

Khalil Herbert to the Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals acquired running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears for a 2025 seventh-round pick. This move gives the Bengals much-needed depth at running back and could provide a spark to their running game.
Mike Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers acquired wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets for a 2025 fifth-round pick. Williams, when healthy, is a dynamic playmaker who can stretch the field and make contested catches.
Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers acquired linebacker Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Smith is a veteran pass rusher who can provide depth and experience to the Steelers’ defense.

The Impact on the 2025 NFL Draft

The trades made at the deadline will also have a significant impact on the 2025 NFL Draft. Teams that acquired draft capital will have more flexibility to move up and down the board, while teams that traded away picks will have fewer resources to improve their roster.

The Seattle Seahawks, with their newly acquired draft picks, could be major players in the draft. They could use their picks to trade up for a quarterback, a wide receiver, or another position of need.

The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, will have fewer resources to improve their roster after trading away a fourth-round pick for Jonathan Mingo. They’ll need to make the most of their remaining picks to address their needs at other positions.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 NFL trade deadline was a wild ride, with several high-profile players finding new homes. The winners and losers of the deadline will be determined by how the trades impact their performance on the field. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see which teams made the right moves and which teams are left regretting their decisions.