After another long offseason, NFL training camps are now officially underway. This offseason was another busy one, however, as many notable players around the league changed teams not only in free agency but also through trades.
With players such as Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Haason Reddick being moved, we revisit which teams made the best trades and which organizations may have made questionable moves.
5 Teams Who Made the Best Trades This Offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers Trade for Justin Fields
Steelers traded a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for Justin Fields.
In what looks to be the steal of the offseason, the Steelers understood that they had a quarterback problem in 2023 and set out to correct it by trading for Justin Fields, who is still on his rookie deal.
The Fields trade was viewed as something Pittsburgh did to secure its future. But even with Russell Wilson also on the roster, no one is ruling out that Fields could win the QB competition when it’s all said and done.
Grade: A+
Chicago Bears Trade for Keenan Allen
The Bears traded a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for Keenan Allen.
The Bears were aggressive in upgrading their roster this offseason. With the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, the organization did everything they could to surround the young QB with talent to help him thrive.
Allen joins an offense that now includes RB D’Andre Swift, veteran wideout DJ Moore, and rookie Rome Odunze, rounding out a group that is going to be dangerous in 2024 and beyond.
Grade: A
Houston Texans Trade for Stefon Diggs
Houston Texans traded a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Stefon Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Much like the Bears, the Houston Texans are a young team looking to take advantage of a rookie deal. The difference, however, is that C.J. Stroud has already proven himself to be one of the league’s best quarterbacks after just one season. Plus, the Texans are coming off a season in which they won a home playoff game.
By adding Diggs to go along with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, the Texans have surrounded Stroud with one of the best wide receiver trios in the NFL.
Grade: A
Cleveland Browns Trade for Jerry Jeudy
The Browns traded a 2024 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick for Jerry Jeudy.
The Browns are known for their tough defense and already have quality pieces on offense to be a real threat in the AFC. However, adding Jeudy after his turmoil-filled time in Denver gives them a chance to add a possible game-changing talent while giving him a fresh start.
With players such as Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, and David Njoku already in the fold, Jeudy can come in and be a difference-maker in a supporting role. Jeudy has plenty of talent, and after an inconsistent tenure in Denver, the Browns were able to buy relatively low on him.
Grade: B
New York Giants Trade for Brian Burns
The Giants traded a 2024 second-round pick, a 2024 fifth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick for Brian Burns and a 2024 fifth-round pick.
Typically, trading for a dynamic pass rusher who is just 26 years old would warrant an A grade. In this case, while the Giants made a smart move in acquiring Burns, it came with the price of signing him to a monster five-year contract worth $141 million.
Pairing Burns with Kayvon Thibodeaux, however, gives New York a very formidable young duo on the edge. With Burns, Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ pass rush could be one of the best in the NFL not only this season but for the next few years.
Grade: B-
5 Teams Who Made the Worst Trades This Offseason
New York Jets Trade for Haason Reddick
The Jets traded a 2026 conditional third-round pick for Haason Reddick.
Reddick was one of the NFL’s most productive pass rushers in his two seasons in Philadelphia. However, his desire for a new contract landed him on the trade block, and eventually in a deal to the New York Jets.
While the Jets were aware of his contract situation when they acquired him, Reddick appears to be holding out of training camp, as the two sides have not yet agreed to a new deal.
Considering New York gave up future draft capital for a player unhappy with his contract who hasn’t practiced with the team yet, the Jets’ acquisition of Reddick is the lowest-graded trade of the offseason.
Grade: D+
Texans Trade for Joe Mixon
The Texans traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Bengals for Joe Mixon.
The compensation to acquire Mixon is so minimal that it’s hard to hate the deal too much. However, the move felt unnecessary, and with an RB room already consisting of intriguing talent, Mixon’s addition to the group doesn’t make much sense.
Furthermore, Houston also opted to give him an extension valued at just under $20 million, giving him top-tier money for his position. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, considering that Mixon has had some injuries during his career, is a veteran with some tread on his tires, and the RB position as a whole continues to be devalued around the league.
Grade: C-
Detroit Lions Trade for Carlton Davis
The Lions traded a 2024 third-round pick for Carlton Davis, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-round pick.
The Lions are a good football team that was close to a Super Bowl appearance last season. So, it makes sense for them to attack what many view as a weak spot by adding veteran CB Carlton Davis.
However, Davis has been an oft-injured player over the last few years, and 2023 wasn’t his best statistical year.
Maybe a change of scenery will do him good, but with Detroit’s approach to free agency and the draft, they may have been better served giving a younger guy a shot at winning a job.
Grade: C+
Philadelphia Eagles Trade for Kenny Pickett
The Eagles traded a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks for Kenny Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Howie Roseman and the rest of the Eagles’ front office always do well in the offseason when it comes to talent acquisition. They’ve built a reputation for wheeling and dealing, and getting it right along the way. However, while this move isn’t a bad one, it probably doesn’t move the needle either.
Pickett struggled in Pittsburgh, and if he has to come in and replace snaps for Jalen Hurts at any time, there probably isn’t much confidence in him doing so right now. Add to the fact that Pickett is an entirely different QB than Hurts and what it would mean for Philadelphia’s offense, the fit is a bit odd as well.
Grade: C+
Tennessee Titans Trade for L’Jarius Sneed
The Titans traded a 2024 seventh-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick for L’Jarius Sneed and a 2024 seventh-round pick.
This move isn’t a bad one on the surface. Sneed is a good cornerback who would make any secondary better. However, what makes this a bit complex is based on where the Titans currently are as an organization.
With a roster that isn’t ready to win now, ushering in a new coach and a new system, Tennessee’s future looks uncertain.
By the time the Titans get things back on track and in contention, where will Sneed be with his contract, and did they waste his prime trying to get back to relevancy in the meantime?
Adding talent is never a bad thing, but the Titans are young, going through changes, and certainly are not in “win-now” mode; setting up adding a high-priced luxury piece right now is a bit perplexing.
Grade: C
