The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away. While the three-day event is the highlight of the NFL offseason, there is one thing fans love more than anything else – blockbuster draft day trades.
There were nine first-round trades during the 2022 NFL Draft, despite none involving top 10 picks. While the 2023 draft didn’t have an as-trade happy first round, there were six Day 1 deals, including three in the top 10, two involving the Arizona Cardinals. Last year, five trades happened on the first night of the draft, including three that involved wide receivers.
While many draft experts don’t expect many trades to happen in the first round this year, all it takes is one domino to fall to set off a chain reaction. Therefore, let’s look at which teams could trade up and which could trade down on Thursday night.
Teams Most Likely to Trade NFL Draft Picks
Teams Most Likely to Trade Up
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are a near lock to take with the No. 2 overall pick. However, he likely won’t be the team’s only selection on Thursday night. Cleveland has 10 picks in the draft, the third-most in the NFL. While they added to their quarterback room this offseason, neither is the team’s long-term answer. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the Browns use their draft capital to move ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft to keep the Colorado duo together.
The Browns are a near lock to take Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. However, he likely won’t be the team’s only selection on Thursday night. Cleveland has 10 picks in the draft, the third-most in the NFL. While they added Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco to their quarterback room this offseason, neither is the team’s long-term answer. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the Browns use their draft capital to move ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers to draft Shedeur Sanders to keep the Colorado duo together.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco lost several critical free agents on defense this offseason, including Leonard Floyd, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga. Thankfully, the 49ers have a team-high 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including four selections in the top 100. Therefore, the team has the draft capital to move up for a big-name defensive prospect. They could move ahead of the Carolina Panthers for Jalon Walker. The 49ers could also send the Jacksonville Jaguars picks 11 and 43 to secure Mason Graham. Either way, they replenish their defensive line.
Philadelphia Eagles
General manager Howie Roseman is one of the more aggressive traders in the NFL. Two years ago, he traded up in the first round to secure Jalen Carter. Last year, Roseman pulled off a blockbuster Day 2 deal, allowing him to draft Cooper DeJean. Unfortunately, the Eagles lost several key players on defense this offseason, including Brandon Graham, Milton Williams, and Josh Sweat. Roseman has 20 picks in the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts, giving him the capital to move up for an elite defensive lineman prospect.
Teams Most Likely to Trade Down
Atlanta Falcons
Unfortunately, the Falcons might be in the worst position draft capital-wise of any team this year. Atlanta has five picks, the second-fewest in the league. More importantly, they only have three picks before the seventh round. Therefore, the Falcons have been a popular trade partner in mock drafts over the past few months. One potential deal is the Cleveland Browns trading their second-round pick (33rd overall) and early third-round selection (67th overall) plus a 2026 Day 2 pick to the Falcons for their first-round pick to select a quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings made two Day 1 trades during last year’s draft. Unfortunately, the Dallas Turner trade cost Minnesota their third and fourth-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving the team with a league-low four selections this year. Therefore, expect them to trade back and add more draft capital. Minnesota is the perfect trade partner for a team looking to secure a first-round wide receiver. Don’t be surprised if a team like the New England Patriots jumps back into the first round to give Drake Maye a weapon.
Washington Commanders
Washington has been aggressive this offseason, making two blockbuster trades, acquiring Deebo Samuel Sr. and Laremy Tunsil after trading for Marshon Lattimore during the season. However, the trades left the Commanders with only five picks in this year’s draft, the second-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they traded away two picks in next year’s draft for Tunsil. Washington could be an ideal trade partner for a team at the top of the second round wanting to jump ahead of several defensive line-needy teams like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
