We’re lower than 100 days out from the 2025 NFL season, and there are nonetheless a handful of stars who may very well be moved to new groups. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins did not present up to the beginning of OTAs final week; Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson refuses to apply and not using a new contract; and the Dolphins’ entrance workplace has made it clear it is trying to commerce cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
How may this play out over the remainder of the offseason? May Cousins, Hendrickson and Ramsey actually get traded? And in that case, what would these veterans’ abilities warrant in the marketplace? We requested 4 ESPN NFL analysts and specialists to craft practical commerce gives for all three gamers. Then we had our NFL Nation reporters decide the most effective deal, enjoying the position of normal supervisor for the staff they cowl.
This is how our market simulation performed out, beginning with every participant’s present scenario and ending with a verdict on a possible new touchdown spot.
Soar to a participant:
Cousins | Hendrickson | Ramsey
The most recent on a possible Kirk Cousins commerce
The connection between the Falcons and Cousins has been fraught with drama, going again to the four-year deal he signed final offseason. He by chance snitched on the Falcons for tampering in his introductory information convention earlier than expressing displeasure over the Michael Penix Jr. choice after the 2024 draft. Cousins was then benched for Penix in Week 16, having thrown 18 landing passes and 16 interceptions. And through Tremendous Bowl week, Cousins admitted he was coping with an harm late within the season that the Atlanta brass did not find out about.
Penix is the starter, and the group has stated it’s snug with Cousins because the backup. The Falcons determine in the event that they’re set to pay Cousins $27.5 million of assured cash in 2025, they could as effectively maintain on to him — or no less than get one thing in return. He needs to be a starter, pleading his case to be launched in a telephone assembly with staff proprietor Arthur Clean. And he does have a no-trade clause.
For the Falcons, a staff taking up the majority of Cousins’ assured cash is the precedence if a commerce comes collectively. He’s due a $10 million bonus in 2026. — Marc Raimondi, Falcons reporter
4 hypothetical commerce gives for Cousins
Jeremy Fowler’s provide:
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Falcons get: QB Kenny Pickett, 2026 sixth-round decide, money issues
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Browns get: Cousins, 2026 seventh-round decide
Why this deal is smart for each side: This vacation spot at all times made probably the most sense for Cousins, who has a protracted historical past with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski from their time collectively in Minnesota. After going by means of OTAs and minicamp, the Browns may notice they want one other veteran to compete for the beginning job. Cleveland presently has Joe Flacco, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and Pickett competing for the QB1 spot with Deshaun Watson out (Achilles).
The Falcons may strike a deal the place they entrance $17.5 million of Cousins’ assured cash for 2025, and Pickett can be Atlanta’s new QB2.
Dan Graziano’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: Effectively, it is smart for all three sides, actually, counting Cousins himself. He needs an opportunity to begin and will use his no-trade clause to nix a deal to anyplace he does not wish to go. But when he has to be a backup, we all know he preferred residing in Minnesota and enjoying for the Vikings. Plus, J.J. McCarthy remains to be an unknown after his main knee harm, so possibly this might flip into greater than only a QB2 vacation spot.
On this state of affairs, the Vikings would conform to pay $10 million of the assured cash on Cousins’ contract for 2025.
Ben Solak’s provide:
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Falcons get: 2026 sixth-round draft decide (can turn out to be a fifth-rounder with efficiency situations)
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Steelers get: Cousins, money issues
Why this deal is smart for each side: The Steelers’ quarterback room is about as skinny as one may get forward of coaching camp. And if signing Aaron Rodgers falls by means of, the Steelers should commerce for a veteran who can begin. Mason Rudolph is presently No. 1 on the depth chart.
Cousins is an effective match for coordinator Arthur Smith’s offense, which does not want its quarterback to maneuver a lot out of the pocket. This late of a draft decide is near Cousins’ worth, and I would think about the Falcons are nonetheless keen to swallow $20 million — possibly much more — of his wage to get this deal achieved.
2:25
Why Stephen A., Clark are towards Kirk Cousins as Plan B for Steelers
Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Clark clarify why they’ve zero confidence in Kirk Cousins because the potential subsequent quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Seth Walder’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: The important thing to the compensation for a Cousins deal is how a lot of his assured cash the buying staff will tackle. I will elevate Dan’s provide and say the Vikings pay $12 million of it. This might permit Atlanta to avoid wasting a bit face and get out of the scenario with a distinct backup quarterback.
For Minnesota, the improve at backup QB is extra essential due to the McCarthy scenario. Cousins must settle for a lesser position along with his outdated staff, however no less than he’d be reunited with coach Kevin O’Connell.
The decision: Cleveland’s provide has probably the most upside
All of those are compelling for the Falcons. However for Cousins, each gives from the Vikings are useless on arrival. He needs to begin, and he greater than probably will not do this in Minnesota. Even when he beloved residing there, this may be mainly the identical scenario as Atlanta (being behind McCarthy as an alternative of Penix). Utilizing his no-trade clause, Cousins would probably nix the Vikings.
Solak’s provide with the Steelers can be an excellent scheme match for the signal-caller, however the Browns’ provide works in additional methods. For the Falcons, they get Pickett, who confirmed with the Eagles final season that he may very well be a serviceable backup. Most significantly for Atlanta, it could be relieved of $10 million of Cousins’ 2025 assured cash. In the meantime, he can be reunited with Stefanski and sure begin in Cleveland over the remainder of its QB choices. A win for all. — Raimondi
Hendrickson turns 31 in December and needs a long-term contract — he is set to earn $15.8 million this season and is an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The All-Professional edge rusher is the NFL’s reigning sack chief (17.5), and Cincinnati does not have many confirmed pass-rush choices exterior of him.
The Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to hunt a commerce in March, however no staff has supplied the specified compensation. Cincinnati has the cap house ($24.7 million, per Roster Administration System) to work out a brand new cope with him, so there’s a path that retains Hendrickson with the Bengals. However a commerce bundle that encompasses a potential multiyear starter and one or two top-100 draft picks may assist the Bengals higher maximize their championship window with quarterback Joe Burrow. — Ben Child, Bengals reporter
4 hypothetical commerce gives for Hendrickson
Jeremy Fowler’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: This kind of pressing transfer from Indy normal supervisor Chris Ballard would solidify the sting of latest coordinator Lou Anarumo’s protection. Anarumo would gladly reunite with Hendrickson after they spent 4 seasons collectively in Cincinnati.
It is clear the Bengals don’t get a first-rounder for Hendrickson — or else a deal would have been achieved by now — however the elite go rusher nonetheless has immense worth. They’d be good to capitalize on a commerce like this if they are not going to pay him what he needs. The Colts have round $20 million in cap house to orchestrate a brand new contract for Hendrickson.
Dan Graziano’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: The Bengals have made it clear they do not wish to give away Hendrickson, so I am not even certain the Payments’ (probably late) second-rounder can be sufficient. But when the Bengals’ calls for drop, I may see Buffalo pouncing to safe the veteran edge rusher it must take down Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes within the playoffs.
With offseason pickup Joey Bosa already injured, this transfer would assist the Payments’ go rush add a stronger, more healthy choice. Hendrickson won’t get the brand new contract of his desires, however maybe Payments normal supervisor Brandon Beane may promote him on an improved probability to get to the Tremendous Bowl.
Ben Solak’s provide:
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Bengals get: 2026 second-round decide, 2027 fourth-round decide (can turn out to be a third-rounder with efficiency situations)
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Lions get: Hendrickson, 2026 fifth-round decide
Why this deal is smart for each side: Lions normal supervisor Brad Holmes has acknowledged the fan base needs a secondary edge rusher way over he does, however I think about a participant of Hendrickson’s caliber would change Holmes’ calculus barely. Hendrickson is not the kind of run defender the Lions may prioritize, but a pass-rush duo of Aidan Hutchinson and Hendrickson could be the scariest within the NFL.
The Lions are nonetheless respectable Tremendous Bowl contenders and will behave as such with aggressive veteran trades. They’ve loads of cap house to increase Hendrickson, which he would demand of an buying staff.
Seth Walder’s provide:
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Bengals get: DT Jer’Zhan Newton, 2026 third-round decide, 2027 seventh-round decide
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Commanders get: Hendrickson
Why this deal is smart for each side: Washington is in win-now mode, however Dorance Armstrong is its greatest edge rusher. Including Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best go rush win charge at edge final season (24%), can be an enormous increase.
Dropping Newton would make an outdated protection older, however the Commanders have robust veteran choices on the inside line of defense in Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Sensible Jr. (who can transfer inside if wanted). By together with Newton within the deal, the Commanders can put collectively a possible bundle and not using a second-round decide — they misplaced their 2026 second-round choice as a part of the commerce for offensive sort out Laremy Tunsil. Newton can be interesting to the Bengals as rapid assist.
1:21
Why Graziano suspects massive paydays may come for star edge rushers
Dan Graziano evaluates the contract panorama for the NFL’s prime go rushers, together with Trey Hendrickson, Micah Parsons and T.J. Watt.
The decision: Detroit’s provide may get the job achieved
Solak’s provide is excellent for the Bengals. As an instance the Lions give Hendrickson a three-year deal value $90 million. It’s lower than what the Texans gave Danielle Hunter when it comes to common annual worth ($35.6 million), which might be a discount for Detroit if Hendrickson continues his All-Professional type. And for the Bengals, buying and selling him to an NFC contender as an alternative of an in-conference rival such because the Payments is a bonus.
By buying picks in 2026 and 2027, the worth of the commerce can be extended for the Bengals over the course of these gamers’ respective rookie offers. Primarily based on ESPN’s commerce fashions and the Fitzgerald-Spielberger foundation of commerce analysis, this provide really provides the Bengals a very good return. With Cincinnati tying up cash in Burrow and huge receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins by means of 2028, discovering high quality gamers at a worth might help the Bengals maximize their championship window with this trio.
Buying and selling Hendrickson would place extra strain on Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy and Cam Pattern to extend their productiveness on the line of defense. The Bengals may additionally use their additional cap house so as to add depth to the unit, maybe with a delegated go rusher on third downs. — Child
The most recent on a possible Jalen Ramsey commerce
Shortly earlier than the Dolphins took the sphere for OTAs final week, coach Mike McDaniel declined to elaborate on Ramsey, whom the staff determined to transfer on from in April.
“Nothing has modified,” McDaniel stated of the three-time first-team All-Professional. When requested for extra particulars, McDaniel merely reiterated that his focus was on the gamers who’re on the sphere training.
Ramsey is prone to be traded earlier than the common season begins regardless of having signed a three-year, $72 million extension final September. Common supervisor Chris Grier’s resolution to half methods with Ramsey factors towards an off-field disconnect between staff and participant, contemplating Miami actively looked for a beginning cornerback early in free company.
The Dolphins despatched tight finish Hunter Lengthy and a third-round decide to the Rams for Ramsey in 2023, so there probably will not be an enormous commerce deficit when a deal materializes. The bigger concern is how a lot of Ramsey’s $20.2 million in assured wage can be coated by his new staff. The Dolphins have already paid his $4 million roster bonus for 2025. — Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dolphins reporter
4 hypothetical commerce gives for Ramsey
Jeremy Fowler’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: This commerce provide doesn’t contain a premium decide partly due to the massive sum of assured cash connected to Ramsey’s contract in 2025. That $20.2 million has turned off some groups. However the Rams would cowl no less than $12 million of that on this state of affairs, serving to Miami transfer on from a disgruntled participant.
A Tremendous Bowl-sized reunion is smart for Ramsey, because the Rams have a giant want on the skin and already know greatest use him.
Daniel Graziano’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: My feeling is Ramsey will get launched somewhat than traded, however both approach, I would argue the Dolphins aren’t going to get a ton for him. The Rams know and like Ramsey. He likes it in Los Angeles, too. So with this provide, it is smart for the Rams to flip the decide they acquired from Baltimore within the Tre’Davious White deal.
Ben Solak’s provide:
Why this deal is smart for each side: Ramsey is a fan of Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who coached him in Los Angeles, and the Panthers have a giant want at security reverse new addition Tre’von Moehrig. As 30-year-old Ramsey enters the latter a part of his profession, security could be a greater place for him.
If he has the legs to play nook, beginning roles on the skin and within the slot are up for grabs in Carolina. The staff made large additions throughout its defensive entrance this offseason however nonetheless wants assistance on the again finish.
Seth Walder’s provide:
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Dolphins get: 2027 seventh-round decide
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Chargers get: Ramsey, 2027 sixth-round decide
Why this deal is smart for each side: The Chargers do not want Ramsey, however they’ve one thing another groups do not: the cap room to soak up all of Ramsey’s ensures. The Chargers have rather less than $32 million in 2025 cap house however greater than $118 million in 2026 cap house (probably the most within the NFL, per Roster Administration System).
Ramsey, who would in all probability push free agent signing Donte Jackson right into a backup position, would elevate the defensive ceiling for a staff that might simply turn out to be a real contender.
The decision: Carolina’s provide provides Miami the most effective asset
Contemplating the Dolphins gave up solely a backup tight finish (Lengthy) and a third-round decide to accumulate Ramsey within the first place, Solak’s provide is the closest factor to breaking even when it comes to draft capital. An extra fourth-round decide from Carolina provides Miami a whopping seven picks within the first 4 rounds of the 2026 draft, together with any potential compensatory decide.
That is greater than sufficient capital to both stockpile younger expertise because the staff continues to construct its monetary flexibility or put collectively a commerce bundle for a difference-maker. Both approach, a fourth-round decide is about nearly as good a return as Miami may ask for.
With out Ramsey, the Dolphins would flip to fourth-year veteran Kader Kohou and former second-round decide Cam Smith. Grier has publicly put strain on Smith to carry out after two underwhelming seasons. — Louis-Jacques
