by NFL trade candidates 2025 are becoming a major talking point as the November 4th deadline approaches, with two standout veterans dominating the conversation: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Both players bring elite talent to teams that are currently navigating challenging seasons, making them prime candidates for potential trades. For non-contending teams, the opportunity to leverage expiring or trade-friendly contracts is a strategic move that could reshape rosters and provide valuable assets for the future.
Hendrickson’s pass-rushing prowess and Kamara’s versatile offensive skill set make them highly coveted across the league, and any move involving them would be considered blockbuster. Analysts and fans are closely monitoring their teams’ performances, injury situations, and contract dynamics to gauge whether a trade is likely. As speculation intensifies, these two stars remain at the forefront of discussion among NFL trade candidates 2025.
Trey Hendrickson: The Elite Pass Rusher for Contenders
The Cincinnati Bengals, currently struggling with injuries and a middling record, might be pushed toward being sellers, making their star defensive end one of the most intriguing NFL trade candidates 2025. Trey Hendrickson, known for his relentless motor and elite production—including two consecutive seasons with 17.5 sacks—is precisely the kind of player a Super Bowl hopeful would covet. His ability to immediately bolster a pass rush is unmatched, which is why rumors of him being a prime target for the San Francisco 49ers after Nick Bosa’s injury are currently swirling.
Hendrickson’s contract situation adds fuel to the fire. He recently signed a revised one-year, $29 million deal, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2026. While the deal included a substantial raise for 2025, it means the Bengals risk losing a top-tier asset for nothing more than a compensatory pick next year if they do not trade him now. The cap structure is favorable for a trade: a pre-June 1st trade would still leave the Bengals with a sizable dead cap hit of approximately $15.7 million, but for an acquiring team, his 2025 cap charge of around $25.2 million is manageable for an elite player, positioning him high among potential NFL trade candidates 2025.
Alvin Kamara: A Dual-Threat Weapon on the Trade Block
In New Orleans, the situation with running back Alvin Kamara involves a different set of financial and organizational complexities. The Saints, off to a disappointing start and consistently battling cap issues, have had multiple teams inquire about the veteran Pro Bowler. Kamara, who turns 31 next summer, remains one of the league’s premier dual-threat running backs, a rare commodity that instantly upgrades any contender’s backfield.
Despite the interest from outside organizations—like the Chiefs being mentioned in early speculation—Kamara has reportedly expressed a strong desire to finish his career with the Saints, adding a layer of personal complication to any trade talks for the veteran. From a financial perspective, trading Kamara remains a challenge for New Orleans, even with their desire to clear cap space. He signed a two-year extension in October 2024, which complicated his cap situation.
A pre-deadline trade would result in a substantial dead cap charge for the Saints, around $22.3 million according to some reports. However, his NFL trade candidates 2025 value is boosted by his relatively low 2025 cash payout of under $3 million. The Saints must weigh the dead cap cost against the value of draft capital and the potential emergence of younger running back options like Kendre Miller. If New Orleans opts to prioritize future assets over immediate emotional ties, Kamara will undeniably move up the board of NFL trade candidates 2025.
The Deadline Decision: Future Assets vs. Current Hope
The looming November 4th deadline forces both the Bengals and Saints to make pivotal decisions that will shape their immediate futures. For Cincinnati, trading Hendrickson signals a clear shift toward focusing on the 2026 season and beyond, maximizing the return on a star rental whose time with the team may be ending anyway.
The compensation for a player of his caliber would likely be significant, possibly a first or high second-round pick. This makes him one of the most valuable NFL trade candidates 2025 on the defensive side of the ball. For the Saints, the decision on Kamara is less about his current contract year and more about long-term cap relief and rebuilding.
While his current cap hit is relatively low, his future salary commitments, combined with the team’s continuous financial juggling act, suggest that moving on now for draft capital is the fiscally responsible path. Ultimately, the question for both organizations revolves around their belief in a playoff push in 2025. If the losses continue to pile up, expect to see both Trey Hendrickson and Alvin Kamara join the list of major names moved as prominent NFL trade candidates 2025 before the clock hits zero.
