University of Kwazulu-Natal

Nfl Trade Deadline 2025 Grading Every Major Deal From Best To Worst

Bonisiwe Shabane
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nfl trade deadline 2025 grading every major deal from best to worst

With the 2025 NFL trade deadline firmly in the rearview, it's time to take a closer look at how the sides fared in 20 deals made between the start of the season and Nov. 4. With Charvarius Ward on IR, Indy's CBs needed help. So the Colts pushed all their chips into the middle, and now in comes Sauce to play savior. Gardner opened his career with smashing success, using his length and physicality to compile 31 passes defended and two INTs in his first two seasons, earning All-Pro honors in each campaign. The corner position being fickle, the past two years haven't been as kind; he's struggled some in coverage and dealt with a concussion earlier this year.

When he's on, though, Gardner remains an upper-echelon cover man. Per Next Gen Stats, he faced No. 1 receivers on 45.5% of his coverage matchups, the NFL's highest rate (min. 125 matchups). When targeted, he has forced tight windows (allowing less than 1 yard of separation) at a rate of 53.8%, also leading the league (min. 20 targets).

The Colts are betting big that their Lou Anarumo-led defense will present Sauce with a better situation than he played under the past two seasons in New York. Still, considering that the cost is similar to what Green Bay gave up for pass rusher Micah Parsons (two first-round picks and a player), it's a hefty price to pay for a corner. Even one as good as Sauce can be. On the Jets' end, it's a stunner of a move. They just handed Gardner -- drafted fourth overall in 2022 -- a sizable contract this offseason to be one of their building blocks, and four months later, said building block is headed for Indianapolis. Once we pick our jaws off the floor, it's not hard to see the logic for New York.

The windfall was simply too good to pass up. What good is a star corner when the rest of the operation is crumbling? November 5, 2025, 4:30pm EST 109 • By Kevin Nardone The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and this year’s edition lived up to the hype with blockbuster deals, shocking last-minute moves, and a few head-scratching trades. Contenders like the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs made aggressive pushes to strengthen their playoff rosters, while struggling teams such as the Patriots and Titans opted to sell off key veterans for future... From Quinnen Williams’ stunning trade to the Cowboys to surprising under-the-radar moves that could reshape playoff races, front offices around the league were busy making statements.

But which teams truly improved — and which might regret their decisions by season’s end? Here’s a complete breakdown and grade for every major trade made before the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, evaluating the impact, fit, and long-term implications for each team involved. This was a curious one for the Ravens at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, though… Considering what a disappointment Jaire Alexander has been, it was no wonder they trimmed a crowded corner room by... The 2025 NFL trade deadline has officially passed, and Bleacher Report's team of NFL analysts—Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton—have weighed in on all the major deals. Grades are based on factors such as player upside, positional value, trade compensation, how well needs are addressed, and how deals fit into each team's short- and/or long-term plans. .css-wrcrjw{margin:0;font-size:1.6rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:1.92rem;color:var(--br--palette-foreground__link__secondary__default-mainChannel);font-size:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;white-space:normal;}.css-3nqh9c{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:rgba(var(--br--palette-primary-mainChannel) / 0.4);margin:0;font-size:1.6rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:1.92rem;color:var(--br--palette-foreground__link__secondary__default-mainChannel);font-size:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;white-space:normal;}.css-3nqh9c:hover{text-decoration-color:inherit;}.css-lu48cp{margin:0;font:inherit;color:var(--br--palette-primary-main);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:rgba(var(--br--palette-primary-mainChannel) / 0.4);margin:0;font-size:1.6rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:1.92rem;color:var(--br--palette-foreground__link__secondary__default-mainChannel);font-size:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;white-space:normal;}.css-lu48cp:hover{text-decoration-color:inherit;}The Trade

.css-1582m2i{margin:0;font:inherit;font-weight:700;}Indianapolis Colts Receive: CB Sauce GardnerNew York Jets Receive: 2026 and '27 first-round draft picks, WR Adonai Mitchell Colts: AThe Colts are all-in to win this season. At 7-2 and tied for the NFL's best record, general manager Chris Ballard pulled off the most stunning trade prior to this year's deadline. The acquisition of Sauce Gardner addresses the Colts' biggest need area at cornerback, while giving the team a two-time All-Pro to build around now and in future years. True difference-makers aren't readily available at the trade deadline. The Colts saw an opportunity and took the plunge.

Gardner is the NFL's highest-graded cornerback since entering the league in 2022, per Pro Football Focus. His addition helps solidify a cornerback room ravaged by injuries in the short term and provides a long-term building block since the 25-year-old defensive back signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension in July. The Colts are operating differently under the guidance of owners Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson. Tuesdays' deadline deal is the most obvious example of the franchise's shifting philosophy. The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, as contenders had one last chance to make deals ahead of this year's playoff push. While the trade deadline isn't typically as exciting in the NFL as it is in some other sports, it is still a crucial date for the season.

This year, many of the league's best teams were active before the deadline expired, adding talent that could become important pieces this winter. Some of the trades made since Nov. 1 involved significant players and draft picks, while others were just minor moves involving depth options. Therefore, here's how each NFL trade deadline deal this year ranks by significance. In the biggest trade of the day, the Jets sent star CB Sauce Gardner to the Colts for two first-round picks and WR Adonai "AD" Mitchell. It is the official beginning of the rebuild in New York, while the Colts go all-in with a 7-2 record through nine weeks.

MORE: Breaking down the Jets' future first-round picks There's a strong case to be made that the 2025 NFL trade deadline is the most exciting trade deadline the league has seen in the 21st century. Seriously. Twenty-seven players have been traded in season in 2025, the most during a year in the past 25 seasons. Three first-round picks have been dealt to the New York Jets in their blockbuster deals that sent All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas... The 2025 Jets are also the only team in the last 45 years to trade two former first team All-Pros in the same day, per CBS Sports Research.

Now that the dust has settled around the league with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, here's a look at the 13 major deals that were made ranked in order by magnitude of... The Indianapolis Colts are all in on their 2025 squad that currently sits atop the AFC standings with a 7-2 record through the first nine weeks of the season. Running back Jonathan Taylor is the NFL's top rusher, and quarterback Daniel Jones is playing at a Pro Bowl-caliber level, which no one could have foreseen before the season kicked off. Defensively, Indianapolis needed help. They enter week 10 ranked 26th in pass defense (244.8 passing yards per game allowed), 29th in third down defense (45.7% third down conversion rate allowed) and dead last in passing yards per game... Adding a 25-year-old All-Pro in Gardner should help shore up Indianapolis' greatest weakness.

He hasn't allowed more than two catches to a single receiver in a game this season, and he's forced a tight window throw on 52% of his targets, the highest rate of any player... As the dust settles on another whirlwind NFL trade deadline, several teams reshaped their rosters in pursuit of postseason success — or long-term stability. The 2025 NFL trade deadline delivered fireworks across the league, and we’re ranking every major deal that reshaped the playoff picture. From blockbuster swaps to under-the-radar moves, front offices across the league made decisions that could define their seasons. The Chicago Bears added some defensive line help in a deal by acquiring DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who has 15 sacks in his career, and a seventh-round draft choice in the 2026 NFL Draft from... This trade is a minor move considering some of the names that were moved, but Tryon-Shoyinka could flourish with the Bears.

Jaire Alexander is on the move again, as he is brought into Philadelphia, as it seems that GM Howie Roseman is trying to catch lightning in a bottle with players who are in down... Former first-round pick OL Trevor Penning has had an injury-filled and tumultuous tenure in New Orleans, but he has shown flashes of the potential that got him drafted that high in the first place. For the Saints to get a sixth-round pick for him makes this a win-win for both sides, as the Chargers have been crushed with injuries on the offensive line, and Penning can play both... Let’s grade every NFL trade at deadline day and beyond. The 2025 NFL trade deadline is fast approaching, as the 32 member clubs have until 4:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, November 4, to finalize trades.

We will be grading all the moves ahead of the deadline here. Follow along to see what teams are winning — and losing — the 2025 NFL trade deadline. For a tracker keeping tabs on all the deals, we have you covered here. Browns trade DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to Bears Sorting through the fallout from the NFL trade deadline in real time can be as complicated as orchestrating the deals themselves. The annual cutoff for swaps arrives 4 p.m.

ET Nov. 4, and an event that's taken on added significance in recent years could once again prove plenty meaningful for contenders and rebuilding teams alike. So far, the action leading up to the deadline itself has been relatively muted. But that could change in the final stretch as teams mull whether to sell off – or buy – major contributors ahead of the stretch run. With that said, here are our initial grades from all the deals completed during the week of the NFL trade deadline: There's probably no way to cobble together a viable protection plan for Justin Herbert after losing both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater for the season.

It was a good idea for the Bolts to try something, though. Penning was moved to left guard by the Saints, but he should get another shot at sticking at his more natural position of offensive tackle. He can be a bit penalty-prone and wild as a pass protector, but he fits the Chargers' style of play and has shown promising play in the run game. Given the shortage of other moves at the Chargers' disposal, it was worth it to at least take a shot.

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With The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline Firmly In The Rearview,

With the 2025 NFL trade deadline firmly in the rearview, it's time to take a closer look at how the sides fared in 20 deals made between the start of the season and Nov. 4. With Charvarius Ward on IR, Indy's CBs needed help. So the Colts pushed all their chips into the middle, and now in comes Sauce to play savior. Gardner opened his career with smashing success, using his length and physicality t...

When He's On, Though, Gardner Remains An Upper-echelon Cover Man.

When he's on, though, Gardner remains an upper-echelon cover man. Per Next Gen Stats, he faced No. 1 receivers on 45.5% of his coverage matchups, the NFL's highest rate (min. 125 matchups). When targeted, he has forced tight windows (allowing less than 1 yard of separation) at a rate of 53.8%, also leading the league (min. 20 targets).

The Colts Are Betting Big That Their Lou Anarumo-led Defense

The Colts are betting big that their Lou Anarumo-led defense will present Sauce with a better situation than he played under the past two seasons in New York. Still, considering that the cost is similar to what Green Bay gave up for pass rusher Micah Parsons (two first-round picks and a player), it's a hefty price to pay for a corner. Even one as good as Sauce can be. On the Jets' end, it's a stun...

The Windfall Was Simply Too Good To Pass Up. What

The windfall was simply too good to pass up. What good is a star corner when the rest of the operation is crumbling? November 5, 2025, 4:30pm EST 109 • By Kevin Nardone The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline has come and gone, and this year’s edition lived up to the hype with blockbuster deals, shocking last-minute moves, and a few head-scratching trades. Contenders like the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Ch...

But Which Teams Truly Improved — And Which Might Regret

But which teams truly improved — and which might regret their decisions by season’s end? Here’s a complete breakdown and grade for every major trade made before the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline, evaluating the impact, fit, and long-term implications for each team involved. This was a curious one for the Ravens at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, though… Considering what a disappointment Jaire Alexander has...