Today marks the final Sunday before the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
Could a change in leadership in Miami spark even more movement prior to Tuesday’s deadline?
Let’s dive into the latest rumors.
Changes in Miami could lead to more moves
Friday, the Miami Dolphins parted ways with long-time general manager Chris Grier.
Now, that could lead to more players being moved ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline.
Thursday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens dropped the Dolphins to 2-7 on the season, and may open the door to more players being on the trade block in Miami. Prior to the decision to part ways with Grier it was expected that perhaps pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips the likely players to be moved, with wide reciever Jaylen Waddle on the “untouchable” list. But with the changes in Miami, the Dolphins and interim general manager Champ Kelly are now at least open to “consider” offers for the WR. According to Ian Rapoport, “[w]hile previously a question about wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was met with a hard ‘no,’ the team will now do its due diligence and at least consider offers for the star in his prime, sources say. Miami would still prefer not to trade Waddle, but the Dolphins are at least willing to weigh an offer that blows them away.”
Rapoport goes on to state “[e]xpect Miami to make at least one trade prior to Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, but it could be more.”
Cowboys looking to improve their defense
Several teams are looking to bolster their pass rush at the trade deadline.
As you might expect, one of those teams is the Dallas Cowboys.
Given the need to improve the defense in Dallas, the Cowboys are “in the market for a pass rusher,” according to Rapoport. The NFL Network insider lists both Phillips and Chubb as options for the Cowboys, as well as Malcolm Koonce of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Rapoport also notes that the Cowboys might be willing to move defensive tackle Mazi Smith — a 2023 first-round pick — in a deal. Smith has played just five games this season.
Seahawks fielding calls on Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen
Several teams have called the Seattle Seahawks regarding both Boye Mafe and Riq Woolen, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Woolen has been the target of trade rumors in recent days, given the zone-heavy scheme the Seahawks are running this season and Woolen’s strength as a man coverage defender, which could make him a fit for secondary-needy teams such as the Detroit Lions.
Mafe has recorded 15 sacks over the past two seasons, but has just one tackle and zero sacks in seven games this season. With Mayfe also set to hit free agency, Seattle might want to get something in return at the trade deadline rather than see him walk out the door in free agency next spring.
Could the Browns be … buyers?
The Cleveland Browns are on a bye week this week … and as our friends at Dawgs by Nature cleverly note that means the team “can’t hurt them on the field” this weekend.
With the Browns sitting at 2-6 — three games out in the loss column entering Sunday — one might believe that Cleveland will be selling at the deadline. But might general manager Andrew Berry be buying instead?
That is the word from ESPN, as Adam Schefter notes that “most sources believe that the Browns will be aggressive in acquiring players before the deadline.”
In addition, while some believe tight end David Njoku could be a player the Browns trade prior to the Tuesday deadline, in part due to the emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., Schefter states that the team is not “inclined” to move the veteran TE. “The Browns do not sound inclined to trade tight end David Njoku, but they have been calling around the league, still looking to add quality young players to their roster.”
A market emerging for Logan Wilson?
Veteran linebacker Logan Wilson requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals last month, as his role was reduced.
Three teams have emerged as suitors for his services.
According to Adam Schefter the Buffalo Bills, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Indianapolis Colts have expressed interest in the veteran linebacker. Both Buffalo and Dallas have pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, while a move to Indianapolis would pair Wilson with Lou Anarumo, who was the only NFL defensive coordinator Wilson knew in Cincinnati until this season.
Eagles also looking at pass rushers … including Myles Garrett
Another team looking to bolster their pass rush? The Philadelphia Eagles. Our friends at Bleeding Green Nation have a roundup of all the Eagles-related rumors approaching the trade deadline, and those rumors are heavy on pass rushers. Jaelen Phillips is one of those names — and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio coached him during his time in Miami — along with Jermaine Johnson and even Myles Garrett.
Regarding Garrett, there are varying reports on a potential move to Philadelphia. Charles Robinson on ESPN Nashville late last week had this to say:
“Rumor going around … and I have not heard it out of the Eagles, but I’ve heard it from a couple of other super high-ranking people in other teams that are clearly on the phones. That Howie Roseman and the Eagles are super hot after Myles Garrett. That Howie would give up, like, three first-round picks for him.”
“Which, you know, if it’s coming from the Eagles, those are three late firsts. So, it’s even arguable … when you get through the draft process, how many first-round grades do you really have? Maybe you have between 14 and 18 in a typical year. And that means if you’re drafting in the late 20s, early 30s, you’re not even getting a player that’s really considered on your board, unless you’re lucky, you’re not getting a player that maybe you have a first-round grade on.”
“But, yeah, so that’s kinda like this rumor that’s out there. Like, hey, Howie would really love a shot at [Garrett]. But, again, I was told by the Browns they’re not interested in moving him.”
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic poured some cold water on a potential Garrett trade. She noted that while teams have “checked in” on Garrett’s availability, a source told her that Garrett “is a Brown and will remain a Brown.”
