NFC North Roundtable: One trade for each team that could alter the division's winner

The NFC North is a loaded division going into the 2025 season. Each team has a lot of talent on their rosters, including three teams that combined for 40 wins and made the playoffs.With four teams with a realistic chance to make the playoffs, there are going to be discussions about potentially making a move […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Sep 22, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) and defensive tackle Elijah Chatman (94) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrate after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (not pictured) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field.
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The NFC North is a loaded division going into the 2025 season. Each team has a lot of talent on their rosters, including three teams that combined for 40 wins and made the playoffs.

With four teams with a realistic chance to make the playoffs, there are going to be discussions about potentially making a move to fortify the roster. What trades could each team make to take the roster to the next level?

Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: Indianapolis Colts CB Julius Brents

The Vikings are lucky enough to have a really good roster that doesn't have a lot of holes. The one spot where they could use some real improvement is at cornerback, but after both Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey found new homes, the market isn't flush with high-end talent.

With that in mind, the Vikings take a big swing on upside, and it's something that we explored with a seven-team trade last week.

He's the perfect type of player for the Vikings to take a chance on and one that fits exactly what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah likes to do consistently. Plus, it fits the perceived need the Vikings have at cornerback in terms of depth. The difficult part for Brents is his lack of playing time so far in the NFL.

Brents is interesting. He's only played in 11 games over his first two seasons and is likely on the chopping block for the Colts. A simple pick swap could end up netting the Vikings a high-upside cornerback with elite length and athleticism, two things that they don't currently have in the position group.

Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: New York Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux

Brian Gutekunst has said he doesn't believe in windows, and while there's a certain level of untrue to this (they did stretch the salary cap in Aaron Rodgers twilight years), sustainable process over all-in is in fact the Packers' preferred roster-building model. That's why it's rare for them to pull off trades for veteran players, since the combination of draft picks and a big contract makes it murky. However, Thibodeaux is a realistic exception for several reasons.

He is an edge defender, at a premium position where the Packers have a clear need, is only 24 years old, and is a former top-5 draft pick with a track record of success in the NFL. Also importantly, he is slated to make around $25 million over the next two seasons, so the financial investment is fairly reasonable. Thibodeaux could easily become the best edge rusher on the roster, and at worst he would be a non-expensive rotational edge rusher behind Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness.

Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

Ryan Poles isn’t afraid to upgrade a major need on the roster leading up to the start of the regular season. In 2024, he went out to acquire two defensive linemen in Chris Williams and Darrell Taylor to boost the defense. In 2023, he took a swing on some wide receiver help in N’Keal Harry.

Those trades put some bodies in the room, but it wasn’t a needle-moving transaction. Heading into camp, the biggest need on the roster is still at running back and it’s time Poles makes another considerable move. Ben Johnson has expressed confidence in D’Andre Swift being the guy, but his scheme is built on having two lead backs. Making a splash on a power player like Kenneth Walker makes sense for a one-year rental. Seattle’s backfield is already crowded with Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, and rookie Damien Martinez. It’s worth the call to have another difference-maker in the backfield to support Caleb Williams and this offense.

Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: Baltimore Ravens EDGE Odafe Oweh

I’m sure Lions fans would love a higher-tier edge rusher like Trey Hendrickson, but with that comes the higher tier of money, too. This is a team that’s soon expected to give top-of-the-market deals to Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, and Jack Campbell. They’re just not going to go out there and make a high-dollar trade that could disrupt that.

That’s what Oweh makes a lot of sense. In Oweh, the Lions could get an edge rusher who has starting ability at best and rotational value at worst. He wouldn’t break the bank with his contract, and he wouldn’t cost a ton of assets to move for. That’s something right up Brad Holmes’ alley.

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