Veteran Trade Candidates in the 2025 NFL Draft

There is obvious buzz this week surrounding potential landing spots for the incoming rookies. However, there could be some impactful veterans ending up on new teams as well during the 2025 NFL Draft. By no means are the below players expected to end up elsewhere, but there’s reason to believe that each of them could. If so, there would be a significant impact on their fantasy football value as well as others.

Trade Candidates in the NFL Draft

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

The most common player circulating the 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate rumor mill is Dallas Goedert Fresh off a Super Bowl win, Goedert is entering the final year of his contract. The Philadelphia Eagles already have a ton of financial investment into their quarterback, running back, wide receivers and offensive line. There’s not a legitimate scenario in which Goedert receives another extension next offseason with the Eagles.

In other words, there’s plenty of reason to see Goedert on the move during the 2025 NFL Draft. For one thing, even if it’s a Day 3 pick, the Eagles would receive something for Goedert rather than let him walk for free next offseason. Goedert is 30 years old and would likely receive one last sizable extension from whichever team does make a move to acquire him.

Goedert is an already established, trustworthy pass catcher. He managed to stand out even with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as his competition for targets. Goedert may be more enticing for a team to invest in than a rookie this weekend or a trade target if they miss out on one they wanted.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews has been the best and most consistent pass catcher for the Ravens since Baltimore drafted both he and Lamar Jackson in 2018. Andrews has one year left on his contract and turns 29 at the start of this upcoming season. Similar to the aforementioned Goedert, the timing may be right for both Andrews and the Ravens to go their separate ways via a trade.

Isaiah Likely also has one year left of his contract. He just turned 25 at the start of this year. Likely doesn’t have anywhere near the production Andrews does, but he did have more standout moments during the 2024 season. If Andrews is in fact the 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate the rumors claim he is, Likely would inevitably find himself in line for far more work in 2025.

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

The wide receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens is a bit confusing on paper. According to FTN StatsHub, Pickens (13.7) and Metcalf (13.2) are two of just eight receivers with 100 or more targets and an average depth of target of 12.0 or more yards during the 2024 season. They are also two of just 13 receivers with over 1,400 air yards last season, as well. An offense with both of them on it is a bit redundant.

Pittsburgh traded their second-round pick for Metcalf last month. They also signed him to a massive four-year, $132 million extension immediately after. The long-term investment into Metcalf is hard to ignore when considering Pickens as a potential 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate.

Pickens is one of the best deep threat receivers in the league. It certainly wouldn’t hurt for the Steelers to keep him on the roster. However, after giving Metcalf just a sizeable deal, it would be hard to ask Pickens to settle for anything less when he’s due to get paid next offseason.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

The top story at the start of the week heading into the 2025 NFL Draft is the increased likelihood that the Jacksonville Jaguars may select rookie running back Ashton Jeanty with the fifth overall pick. Jacksonville has a new general manager, James Gladstone. He spent the last nine seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. They notably selected Todd Gurley 10^th overall a year before Gladstone’s tenure began. It’s not out of the question that Gladstone’s first pick with the Jaguars is a blue chip running back.

Travis Etienne Jr. is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Jaguars. It’s a player option worth a fully guaranteed $6.1 million. Obviously, Gladstone was not in place last spring when Etienne’s fifth-year option was exercised. He does not have any allegiance to Etienne. That said, if a team is willing to kick the tires and take on Etienne’s fully guaranteed deal, he could be a bigger name 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate at the position.

Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After losing lead back duties to rookie Bucky Irving in 2024, Rachaad White’s value in the Buccaneers’ backfield is trending downward for fantasy football. White logged seven less rush attempts per game in 2024 than he did without Irving during the 2023 season. Though he still finished inside the top-10 in running back receptions with 51 catches, Irving was not far behind with 47 of his own.

The Buccaneers only have six total picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Spending any of them on a running back feels irresponsible. Consider, though, that Rachaad White and Sean Tucker are set to be free agents next offseason.

The likeliness of White being a 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate is probably low with teams investing in rookies instead. White could be an appealing trade candidate, however, for a team seeking an experienced starter who’s strong in pass protection.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

There isn’t a ton of smoke around Breece Hall as a 2025 NFL Draft trade candidate. Especially with a strong rookie running back class, it would take a very particular situation for Hall to be on the move. That would be a team with a low quantity of and/or low-quality draft picks.

After tearing his ACL seven games into his rookie season in 2022, Hall has still managed an average of 282.5 touches per season since. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal. His final year just so happens to be with a new head coach and new general manager.

The Jets could lean on second-year back Braelon Allen if the right offer comes along for Hall. Allen just turned 21 in January. As the Jets attempt another franchise reboot, it’s hard to imagine them paying Hall before he hits free agency in 2026. He may not even want to return to New York.

Honorable Mentions

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Walker is set to be a top name among the 2026 free agent running back class. The Seahawks have already moved on from Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this offseason. They could move on from Walker, too, considering they have Zach Charbonnet already on the roster. The Seahawks also have 10 draft picks including five in the top-100.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts is just as disappointing for the Falcons as he has been for fantasy football. He has 128 receptions for 1,625 yards over the last three seasons combined after logging 68 receptions for 1,026 yards as a rookie in 2021 alone. It’s hard to gauge what a long-term deal looks like for Pitts, if any at all, with Atlanta. He’s set to play 2025 under a fully guaranteed $10.8 million team option. If another team wants to take a shot on Pitts, the Falcons may listen.

Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans
Sam Howell, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Levis and Howell are two young quarterbacks who could be 2025 NFL Draft trade candidates assuming their respective teams invest in the position this weekend. Cam Ward is already expected to go first overall to the Titans. The Seahawks could use one of their five picks in top-100 on a quarterback in case the Sam Darnold experiment completely backfires in 2025.