The first round of the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books with a majority of the best players and biggest names being selected on Thursday night. As Day 2 of the draft begins, fans should look forward to the possibility of marquee players being traded on Friday night.
It’s obvious who some of the big names are that we’ve already seen in NFL trade rumors. DeAndre Hopkins, Budda Baker, Dalvin Cook and Chase Young have been thrown into the rumor mill. While it’s possible at least one of those big names gets dealt, it’s also worth keeping an eye on several other players who could find themselves being traded on Friday night.
Related: Day 2 NFL mock draft
With that in mind, here are 10 players who could be traded during Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft with ideal landing spots for each of them.
Malik Willis, quarterback, Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are out on Malik Willis. If that wasn’t clear after the in-season firing fo general manager Jon Robinson or the decision to sign Josh Dobbs and immediately start him over Willis, the front office’s deep dive into the 2023 quarterback class proves it. Tennessee will likely take a quarterback on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, with Ran Carthon bringing in his own guy. It makes Willis expendable and it should cost very little to acquire him. As for who should be interested, any NFL team that likes its starting quarterback but wants a young talent to develop. Willis is a great buy-low talent and there will be suitors.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers
Related: NFL trade tracker
DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have clearly been listening to trade offers for DeAndre Hopkins in recent weeks, including on Thursday night. To this point, no deal has come to fruition and the All-Pro wide receiver’s contract is the biggest reason for it. However, the lack of depth at receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft could ultimately push a Super Bowl contender to make an aggressive move on Friday night, adding a No. 1 weapon to one of the NFL’s top offenses.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills
Dalvin Cook, running back, Minnesota Vikings
It’s pretty evident that Dalvin Cook’s days with the Minnesota Vikings are numbered. The Pro Bowl running back has already been shopped around the league and there’s no better time to move him than the 2023 NFL Draft. Because of his contract and Minnesota’s strong desire to clear cap space, any team interested in Cook would likely only need to sacrifice an early Day 3 pick for him. He’s still got enough gas in the tank to be a high-end starter in 2023, making him a great fit for a team that’s willing to be more aggressive about winning now.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders
Related: NFL offense rankings 2023
Cedrick Wilson, wide receiver, Miami Dolphins
Following a breakout season in 2021 with the Dallas Cowboys – 602 receiving yards, 13.4 ypc – Cedrick Wilson signed a lucrative deal with the Miami Dolphins. One year later, he’s being floated in NFL trade rumors and badly needs a change of scenery. Wilson could be acquired for a late Day 3 pick, providing a quality NFL offense with an excellent No. 4 receiver for the upcoming season.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys
Related: Takeaways from Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft
Jonah Williams, offensive tackle, Cincinnati Bengals
A number of veteran players requested trades in the weeks leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, including Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Jonah Williams. Heading into a contract year, Williams wants out for the same reason his replacement at left tackle (Orlando Brown Jr) requested a trade a few years ago. There’s a lot more money to be made playing left tackle than on the right side of the offensive line. Williams wants a shot to prove himself and there might be a few teams willing, but he’d also be a great fit with a club like the San Francisco 49ers if he’s willing to compromise.
- Ideal Landing Spots: San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots
Chase Young, edge rusher, Washington Commanders
An ACL tear limited Chase Young to 1.5 sacks and five quarterback hits across 12 games in the past two seasons. Unsurprisingly, the Washington Commanders declined his fifth-year team option. While it seems unlikely Washington would sell low on the 6-foot-5 edge rusher, they already have depth on the defensive line and Montez Sweat has earned an extension. More than a year removed from his ACL surgery, multiple NFL teams would be willing to roll the dice on Young given his outstanding play in his rookie season. Of course, the return for Washington will be limited because Young is a one-season rental.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans
Budda Baker, safety, Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker wants out, both because of his below-market-value contract and the fact that the Arizona Cardinals are rebuilding. The need to sign him to a long-term contract extension diminishes some of his trade value, but this is also a 27-year-old All-Pro safety who could transform the backend of a playoff contender’s defense. Arizona might prefer to keep him, but the right offer on Friday night could change that mindset for a front office focused on the future.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers
Related: 2023 NFL Draft order Day 2
Ed Oliver, defensive tackle, Buffalo Bills
Sportsnaut’s Benjamin Allbright reported on April 14 that Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver could be acquired at a reasonable price. The 6-foot-1 defensive lineman never fulfilled his selection as the ninth overall pick in 2019. Heading into the final year of his contract, he could be a useful addition for teams razor-thin on the interior defensive line.
- Ideal Landing Spots: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Chargers
Related: Winners, losers from Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft
Devin White, linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ideal Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins
Heading into a contract year, Devin White requested a trade because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t willing to make him one of the highest-paid NFL linebackers. While the Bucs are very reluctant to move him, that stance could change based on the number of off-ball linebackers available on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. White has had two down seasons, but the motivation of playing on a contract year and a change of scenery could help him be a spark for another club.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans
D’Andre Swift, running back, Detroit Lions
Just a few years removed from being selected with the 36th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, running back D’Andre Swift now has no role with his team. Jahmyr Gibbs does everything better than Swift in the same role, except the Detroit Lions just used the 12th overall pick on Gibbs. Swift had 1,000 scrimmage yards in 2021 and offers some juice as a pass-catcher, but he’s a one-year rental. Third on the depth chart in Detroit, the Lions would get a Day 3 pick for him.
- Ideal Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles