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 as much as the beginning of OTAs final week, Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson refuses to follow and not using a new contract, and the Dolphins’ entrance workplace has made it clear it is trying to commerce cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
How might this play out over the remainder of the offseason? May Cousins, Hendrickson and Ramsey actually get traded? And if that’s the case, what would these veterans warrant available on the market? We requested 4 ESPN NFL analysts and specialists to craft life like commerce provides for all three gamers. Then we had our NFL Nation reporters decide one of the best deal, taking part in the position of normal supervisor for the group they cowl.
This is how our market simulation performed out, beginning with every participant’s present state of affairs and ending with a verdict on a possible new touchdown spot.
Soar to a participant:
Cousins | Hendrickson | Ramsey
The newest on a possible Kirk Cousins commerce
The connection between the Falcons and Cousins has been wrought with drama, going again to the four-year deal he signed final offseason. He by accident 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 after throwing 18 landing passes and 16 interceptions. And through Tremendous Bowl week, Cousins admitted he was coping with an harm late within the season, which 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 may as effectively maintain onto him — or at the very least get one thing in return. He needs to be a starter, pleading his case to be launched in a telephone assembly with group proprietor Arthur Clean. And he does have a no-trade clause.
For the Falcons, a group taking over 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 provides for Cousins
Jeremy Fowler’s supply:
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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 sensible for each side: This vacation spot all the time made essentially the most sense for Cousins, who has an extended 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 might strike a deal the place they entrance $17.5 million of Cousins’ assured cash for 2025, and Pickett could be Atlanta’s new QB2.
Dan Graziano’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: Effectively, it is sensible 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 would not wish to go. But when he has to be a backup, we all know he appreciated residing in Minnesota and taking part in for the Vikings. Plus, J.J. McCarthy remains to be an unknown after his main knee harm, so perhaps this might flip into greater than only a QB2 vacation spot.
On this situation, the Vikings would comply with pay $10 million of the assured cash on Cousins’ contract for 2025.
Ben Solak’s supply:
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Falcons get: 2026 sixth-round draft decide (can develop into a fifth-rounder with efficiency situations)
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Steelers get: Cousins, money issues
Why this deal is sensible for each side: The Steelers’ quarterback room is about as skinny as one might 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 — perhaps much more — of his wage to get this deal performed.
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 supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: The important thing to the compensation for a Cousins deal is how a lot of his assured cash the buying group will tackle. I will increase Dan’s supply and say the Vikings pay $12 million of it. This could permit Atlanta to save lots of a little bit face and get out of the state of affairs with a special backup quarterback.
For Minnesota, the improve at backup QB is extra necessary due to the McCarthy state of affairs. Cousins must settle for a lesser position along with his outdated group, however at the very least he’d be reunited with coach Kevin O’Connell.
The decision: Cleveland’s supply has essentially the most upside
All of those are compelling for the Falcons. However for Cousins, each provides from the Vikings are useless on arrival. He needs to begin, and he greater than probably will not try this in Minnesota. Even when he cherished residing there, this might be mainly the identical state of affairs as Atlanta (being behind McCarthy as an alternative of Penix). Utilizing his no-trade clause, Cousins would probably nix the Vikings.
Solak’s supply with the Steelers could be an amazing scheme match for the signal-caller, however the Browns’ supply 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 might be relieved of $10 million of Cousins’ 2025 assured cash. In the meantime, he could be reunited with Stefanski and certain 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 would not have many confirmed pass-rush choices outdoors of him.
The Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to hunt a commerce in March, however no group has provided the specified compensation. Cincinnati has the cap area ($24.7 million, per Roster Administration System) to work out a brand new take care of him, so there’s a path that retains Hendrickson with the Bengals. However a commerce package deal that encompasses a potential multiyear starter and one or two top-100 draft picks might assist the Bengals higher maximize their championship window with quarterback Joe Burrow. — Ben Child, Bengals reporter
4 hypothetical commerce provides for Hendrickson
Jeremy Fowler’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: This type of pressing transfer from Indy normal supervisor Chris Ballard would solidify the sting of recent coordinator Lou Anarumo’s protection. Anarumo would gladly reunite with Hendrickson after they spent 4 seasons collectively in Cincinnati.
It is clear the Bengals do not get a first-rounder for Hendrickson — or else a deal would have been performed by now — however the elite go rusher nonetheless has immense worth. They’d be sensible 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 area to orchestrate a brand new contract for Hendrickson.
Dan Graziano’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: The Bengals have made it clear they do not wish to give away Hendrickson, so I am not even positive the Payments’ (probably late) second-rounder could be sufficient. But when the Bengals’ calls for drop, I might 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 may not get the brand new contract of his goals, however maybe Payments normal supervisor Brandon Beane might promote him on an improved probability to get to the Tremendous Bowl.
Ben Solak’s supply:
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Bengals get: 2026 second-round decide, 2027 fourth-round decide (can develop into a third-rounder with efficiency situations)
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Lions get: Hendrickson, 2026 fifth-round decide
Why this deal is sensible for each side: Lions normal supervisor Brad Holmes has acknowledged the fan base needs a secondary edge rusher excess of he does, however I think about a participant of Hendrickson’s caliber would change Holmes’ calculus barely. Hendrickson is not the type of run defender the Lions may prioritize, but a pass-rush duo of Aidan Hutchinson and Hendrickson is perhaps the scariest within the NFL.
The Lions are nonetheless reputable Tremendous Bowl contenders and will behave as such with aggressive veteran trades. They’ve loads of cap area to increase Hendrickson, which he would demand of an buying group.
Seth Walder’s supply:
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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 sensible for each side: Washington is in win-now mode, however Dorance Armstrong is its finest edge rusher. Including Hendrickson, who recorded the second-best go rush win price at edge final season (24%), could be an enormous enhance.
Dropping Newton would make an outdated protection older, however the Commanders have sturdy veteran choices on the inside defensive position in Daron Payne, Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Clever Jr. (who can transfer inside if wanted). By together with Newton within the deal, the Commanders can put collectively a possible package deal and not using a second-round decide — they misplaced their 2026 second-round choice as a part of the commerce for offensive deal with Laremy Tunsil. Newton could be interesting to the Bengals as fast assist.
1:21
Why Graziano suspects large paydays might 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 supply might get the job performed
Solak’s supply is superb for the Bengals. As an instance the Lions give Hendrickson a three-year deal price $90 million. It’s lower than what the Texans gave Danielle Hunter by way of common annual worth ($35.6 million), which might be a cut price for Detroit if Hendrickson continues his All-Professional kind. 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 an added bonus.
By buying picks 2026 and 2027, the worth of the commerce could be extended for the Bengals over the course of these gamers’ respective rookie offers. Based mostly on ESPN’s commerce fashions and the Fitzgerald-Spielberger foundation of commerce analysis, this supply really offers the Bengals a very good return. With Cincinnati tying up cash in Burrow and vast receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins by means of 2028, discovering high quality gamers at a price may help the Bengals maximize their championship window with this trio.
Buying and selling Hendrickson would place extra stress on Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy and Cam Pattern to extend their productiveness on the defensive position. The Bengals might additionally use their additional cap area so as to add depth to the unit, maybe with a delegated go rusher on third downs. — Child
The newest on a possible Jalen Ramsey commerce
Shortly earlier than the Dolphins took the sector for OTAs final week, coach Mike McDaniel declined to elaborate on Ramsey, whom the group determined to maneuver 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 his focus was on the gamers who’re on the sector training.
Ramsey is more likely to be traded earlier than the common season begins, regardless of signing a three-year, $72 million extension final September. Basic supervisor Chris Grier’s resolution to half methods with Ramsey factors towards an off-field disconnect between group 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 will not probably be a large commerce deficit when a deal materializes. The bigger difficulty is how a lot of Ramsey’s $20.2 million in assured wage will likely be lined by his new group. The Dolphins have already paid his $4 million roster bonus for 2025. — Marcel Louis-Jacques, Dolphins reporter
4 hypothetical commerce provides for Ramsey
Jeremy Fowler’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: This commerce supply doesn’t contain a premium decide partially due to the big 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 at the very least $12 million of that on this situation, serving to Miami transfer on from a disgruntled participant.
A Tremendous Bowl-sized reunion is sensible for Ramsey, because the Rams have a giant want on the surface and already know find out how to finest use him.
Daniel Graziano’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible for each side: My feeling is Ramsey will get launched quite 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 supply, it is sensible for the Rams to flip the decide they acquired from Baltimore within the Tre’Davious White deal.
Ben Solak’s supply:
Why this deal is sensible 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. Because the 30-year-old Ramsey enters the latter a part of his profession, security is perhaps a greater place for him.
If he has the legs to play nook, beginning roles on the surface and within the slot are up for grabs in Carolina. The group made enormous additions throughout its defensive entrance this offseason however nonetheless wants assistance on the again finish.
Seth Walder’s supply:
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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 sensible 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 area however greater than $118 million in 2026 cap area (essentially 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 increase the defensive ceiling for a group that might simply develop into a real contender.
The decision: Carolina’s supply offers Miami one of the best asset
Contemplating the Dolphins gave up solely a backup tight finish (Lengthy) and a third-round decide to amass Ramsey within the first place, Solak’s supply is the closest factor to breaking even by way of draft capital. A further fourth-round decide from Carolina offers Miami a whopping seven picks within the first 4 rounds of the 2026 draft, not together with any compensatory picks.
That is greater than sufficient capital to both stockpile younger expertise because the group continues to construct its monetary flexibility or put collectively a commerce package deal for a difference-maker. Both approach, a fourth-round decide is about pretty much as good a return as Miami might 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 stress on Smith to carry out after two underwhelming seasons. — Louis-Jacques
