With the NFL Draft approaching April 24-26 in Green Bay, some teams undoubtedly are contemplating trades. Ahead of the NFL’s biggest week of the offseason, Yardbarker NFL writers identify the ideal trade scenario for every NFC team.
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Trade up with the Raiders for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty | Dallas, which needs a standout RB, hasn’t moved up in the first round since 2012, when the team sent first- (14th overall) and second-round picks (45th overall) to the Rams to draft cornerback Morris Claiborne sixth overall. This year, the Raiders own the sixth pick and ideally could trade it to Dallas, which could select Jeanty (5-foot-8.5, 211 pounds), a local talent who played games at AT&T Stadium for Lone Star High School before leading the FBS with 2,601 rushing yards last season.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Trade up with the Titans for Miami QB Cam Ward | Tennessee traded the first overall selection to the Rams in 2016 for a package that included the 15th overall pick, two second-round picks, two third-round picks and a future first-round selection. Like the Giants, the Titans have holes all over the roster. If they’re not sold on Miami’s Cam Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds), New York could grab a franchise QB with a more reasonable package that includes the third overall pick and a pair of second-round selections.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Trade back for multiple picks | In 2018, Philadelphia handed Baltimore the 32nd pick in the draft for second- and fourth-round selections and a future second-round pick. By doing so, the QB-needy Ravens were able to add star QB Lamar Jackson, but the Eagles turned those picks into less expensive but highly effective players (tight end Dallas Goedert, cornerback Avonte Maddox and running back Miles Sanders).
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Trade up for North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton | To keep pace with rival Philadelphia, Washington should look to get in front of the Broncos, who’ve been linked to Hampton (6-foot, 221 pounds) with the 20th pick. Sending a first (29th overall) and second-round pick (61st overall) to either the Bengals or Seahawks could be enough to get Hampton in a backfield with second-year QB Jayden Daniels. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Trade up for DT Mason Graham | After coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles, where he served as DC in 2021-22, head coach Jonathan Gannon must know the importance of a dominant defensive line and how trading up for an impact player can be worth it. The Cardinals must follow that blueprint and go all-in to get the best interior defensive lineman in the draft (Michigan’s Mason Graham, 6-foot-3.5, 296 pounds) to further strengthen their defensive line and fill a huge need.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Trade for CB Jaire Alexander | The Rams spent significant resources upgrading their defensive front last offseason and must do the same for their secondary this offseason. They have never been shy about trading picks for established players, and if Green Bay’s Alexander is available, he would be a big upgrade for their secondary.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Trade WR Brandon Aiyuk | The 49ers’ offseason has seen a once-great roster get gutted, and it might be time to rip off the Band-Aid and finally trade Aiyuk. It’s a retooling era for the 49ers, and moving Aiyuk could bring in another needed high draft pick to help them get younger and to create more salary-cap flexibility.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Trade up for a QB | The Seahawks’ commitment to QB Sam Darnold is pretty much only a one-year deal given the outs Seattle has in the contract after this season. He is not likely a long-term option, and his presence could allow the Seahawks to move up ahead of New Orleans at No. 9 to take either Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart. Either could sit a season behind Darnold. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Trade D’Andre Swift to move up in the first round | GM Ryan Poles is dedicated to making the Bears Super Bowl contenders with QB Caleb Williams, and what better way is there to do that than to trade up for the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley? Chicago should seriously think about packaging Swift and the No. 10 overall pick to move up for Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
DETROIT LIONS | Trade up for a top edge-rusher | The Lions are in win-now mode, and they have seven 2025 draft picks to play with to make a move up the first round. After getting minimal pass-rush production from the defensive line after DE Aidan Hutchinson went down with an injury, Detroit should look to move up for Georgia’s Jalon Walker (6-foot-1, 243 pounds), Marshall’s Mike Green (6-foot-3, 251 pounds) or Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. (6-foot-5, 245 pounds).
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Trade CB Jaire Alexander for picks | Alexander’s time in Green Bay has likely come to an end, and the Packers would be wise to deal him for draft capital while he has trade value. If Green Bay can flip Alexander for an extra third-round pick, it should jump at the opportunity and target a top cornerback in the first or second round.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Trade back for more picks | The Vikings could use more draft capital in 2025, as they have only four picks heading into the draft. If Minnesota doesn’t love a player who falls to No. 24 overall, it should trade back and pick up multiple selections after the first round. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Trade QB Kirk Cousins for Day 3 pick | The Falcons have an overpriced backup QB and only five 2025 draft picks. The team could solve the two problems by trading Cousins for a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Trade back | Carolina could be in a prime position to capitalize on its attractive No. 8 pick. If the Giants pass on QB Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-1.5, 212 pounds), the Saints, who have the No. 9 pick, are his most logical landing spot. That could make another QB-needy team want to move into the Panthers’ spot and grab Sanders in front of New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Trade into the late first round | If Sanders isn’t an option, New Orleans would be better off drafting the best player available than reaching for QB3 at No. 9. Instead, the Saints should trade into the back half of the first round, particularly if Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) slides.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Trade RB Rachaad White | White is entering the final season of his rookie contract. With 2024 fourth-round pick Bucky Irving (207 carries, 1,122 rushing yards) emerging as an RB1, Tampa could trade White for a Day 3 pick, getting something for the fourth-year back before a potential free-agency departure in 2026. — Eric Smithling
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