NFL trade grades: Evaluating deals for Simmons, Nelson, Buckner

With the NFL's Nov. 10 trade deadline fast approaching, teams have started to pull the trigger on high-profile midseason moves.

Three notable trades took place this week, including a blockbuster deal that sent All-Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans to the Chicago Bears.

Here, we hand out grades for the biggest deals of an eventful week in the NFL, starting with Simmons.

Jump to:
Quenton Nelson | DeForest Buckner

Jeffery Simmons ➡️ Bears

Bears

Chicago went all-in for a difference-maker who should be a great fit. Simmons, who had a career year in 2025, is one of the sport's most complete interior linemen, boasting standout ability as a pass-rusher and run defender. He's the type of star who's capable of improving a defense that's far from great. The Bears rank 14th in EPA/play allowed, and although Chicago is ninth in points allowed, it's dead last in yards/play.

With head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears boast a prolific offense. And Simmons should elevate the defensive unit's floor and ceiling. Did Chicago give up too much for the 29-year-old, though?

General manager Ryan Poles is banking on the Bears' picks becoming late first-round selections. Still, this is the first time since 1967 that a defensive tackle has been traded for multiple first-rounders, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Chicago is taking an unprecedented risk here, but at least Simmons' contract is favorable.

Last year, Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers) and Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts) were involved in similar trades for Round 1 picks. Injuries have been a huge factor for Parsons, but the Gardner deal is getting worse by the day. The Los Angeles Rams acquired Myles Garrett for essentially the value of two first-rounders in June, and he's barely been available this season.

Grade: C+

Titans

If there's a good way to part with a franchise cornerstone and fan favorite, it's how the Titans did it.

Granted, Simmons was Tennessee's best player. He set career highs of 11 sacks and 21 quarterback hits in 2025, yet the club won just three games. The Titans hoped they could build a winning team around him under new head coach Robert Saleh, but that hasn't been the case.

Despite another strong start from Simmons, the Titans are 1-6 and nowhere near contention. Getting a pair of first-round picks (and more salary cap space in future years) for a 29-year-old defender is great value for a rebuilding team, no matter how good Simmons is.

Grade: A

Quenton Nelson ➡️ Seahawks

Seahawks

This deal has everything to do with Sam Darnold's play, and when viewed through that lens, Seattle's trade for Nelson was a no-brainer for general manager John Schneider.

The Seahawks have struggled to generate a consistent rushing attack and protect the pocket, both of which have resulted in nightmarish consequences for Darnold. Seattle averages just 3.9 yards per carry (23rd in the league), while Darnold's EPA/dropback when pressured ranks 32nd out of 33 qualified quarterbacks this season, per TruMedia.

Although two draft picks is a somewhat of a premium price for a rental, Nelson should immediately improve those areas of weakness and hopefully get Darnold back on track.

Grade: B+

Colts

Indianapolis officially put up an "open for business" sign by trading Nelson. As difficult as it is to part with a franchise icon, this was the right move.

Whether the Colts should've gotten more for a Pro Bowler who's still playing at a high level is debatable, but acquiring a pair of draft choices for an expiring contract is a decent return.

By dealing Nelson, the Colts get the compensatory pick they would've received if the veteran guard departed in free agency, only the selection comes a year earlier with another draft choice too. The 2027 third-rounder might prove to be very important as Indy heads toward a full rebuild.

The Colts will need to bring in a wave of young talent in the offseason, and without their own first-round pick (which belongs to the New York Jets), they did well to get what they could.

Grade: B

DeForest Buckner ➡️ 49ers

49ers

Buckner made a lot of a sense as a trade target for San Francisco, and the 49ers only gave up a Day 3 pick. Their smart move got even better two days later when the Bears gave up an immense haul for another defensive tackle in Simmons.

Buckner, 32, is older than Simmons, and he isn't as dominant. However, he still offers upside as a pass-rusher; Buckner has collected four sacks in seven games this season, putting him on track for his most productive campaign in that department since 2020.

The 49ers needed more depth, star power, and experience up front, and reuniting with Buckner is a quality move, even if he ends up being a rental. At 6-1, the Niners had to be aggressive as they continue to battle injuries. Buckner first became a Pro Bowler in San Francisco in 2018.

Grade: A

Colts

The Colts opting to ship off Buckner wasn't a surprise; they've positioned themselves to be sellers. It is surprising, however, that Indianapolis traded away one of its key assets well ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline for a moderate return.

Using the benefit of hindsight, there's apparently a significant market for interior pass-rushers, based on the seismic return the Titans got for Simmons. That begs the question: Why did the Colts feel it was necessary to make this trade now for a fourth-rounder?

That's not to say the 32-year-old Buckner would've fetched a return like Simmons did. Nowhere close, in fact. But surely the franchise could have waited a bit longer and squeezed slightly more out of another general manager for a very productive interior defender who already has four sacks this year.

Grade: B-