We’ve reached offseason mode in the NFL, which is sure to spark plenty of roster movement. Of course, once NFL free agency opens on March 15, there will be a flurry of roster activity from players signing with new teams. But as we approach the start of the new league year (Mar. 15), we could also see several trades that tentatively get agreed to.
There are already plenty of rumors swirling around big-name players like Aaron Rodgers, Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, and Jalen Ramsey. If even one of these Pro Bowl players gets traded, it will surely steal headlines for the day. Our latest piece dives into five big trades we’d love to see at some point this offseason.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2023: From 1-400, Derek Carr, Bobby Wagner join growing market
Los Angeles Chargers trade for Pro Bowl linebacker
- Los Angeles Chargers trade: 126th overall pick, 2024 sixth-round pick
- Minnesota Vikings trade: Eric Kendricks
The Minnesota Vikings are like many other teams at this stage in the offseason, needing to cut costs. They’re over $20 million over the 2023 spending limit, yet they have plenty of players they’d like to retain. Not to mention, a potential Justin Jefferson record-breaking contract extension may be looming.
A 13-win season is something to celebrate, but if you think the Vikings are headed toward blowing up their roster, guess again. One area they could move some money around is at the middle linebacker position, where All-Pro tackling machine Eric Kendricks is set to cost $11.4 million in the final year of his contract. One potential solution would be extending, cutting, or trading the 31-year-old defensive leader.
If the Brian Flores-led defense decides they’d like to embrace a youth movement, giving Brian Asamoah, the 66th pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, a shot, Kendricks could be considered expendable. If so, Minnesota’s loss could be Los Angeles’ gain.
The Chargers haven’t gotten ideal production out of Kenneth Murray II since making him the 20th pick in 2020, and he could be on the way out after the season. Adding Kendricks, who brings eight years of experience, many of which he graded positively in coverage, could either help teach Murray the finer points he’s not picking up on or possibly replace him altogether.
Oddly enough, Kendricks struggled in coverage after switching to a 3-4 defense for the first time in his NFL career in 2022, but he managed to put forth his second-best grade as a run defender. Perhaps going back home to his native state of California can help Kendricks get back to being one of the better linebackers in coverage in the NFL.
Related: 2023 NFL mock draft: Indianapolis Colts trade up to No. 1, Raiders move up for QB
Jalen Ramsey gets a trade and a new contract
- Las Vegas Raiders trade: 39th overall pick
- Los Angeles Rams trade: Jalen Ramsey
One player who continues to be mentioned in trade discussions is the Rams’ three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. While he still remains one of the best shutdown corners in football, he reportedly wants a new contract.
Chances are, there will be plenty of teams willing to pay both the trade cost and the financial rate that Ramsey is seeking. For the Rams, they get a chance to start recouping some of original draft capital lost when trading for Ramsey. While they also have a Super Bowl ring to show for it, the bottom fell out last year when injuries hit.
- Jalen Ramsey stats in 2022: Third-highest graded CB per PFF (min. 50% snaps), 88 TKL, 4 INT, 18 PD, 2 FF, 2 sacks
Now the Raiders could look to benefit from LA’s loss, by adding a player who’s still in the prime of his career. After allowing the fourth-most passing yards, while intercepting just six passes as a team in 2022, the Raiders have a desperate need for a playmaker like Ramsey. Then again, who couldn’t use the six-time Pro Bowler who’s still just 28-years-old?
Related: NFL insider reveals 2 teams to watch for Jalen Ramsey trade
DeAndre Hopkins becomes Daniel Jones’ alpha receiver
- New York Giants trade: 26th overall pick
- Arizona Cardinals trade: DeAndre Hopkins, 97th overall pick
Expect the New York Giants to invest in a couple of pass-catchers this offseason, and we wouldn’t be surprised if one is a major acquisition. After witnessing a struggling team morph into a playoff contender as Daniel Jones came closer to realizing his potential, it’s time to see how good the former first-round QB can become.
But Jones won’t take another leap without being surrounded with more playmakers. They could try and identify immediate contributors via the draft, and they may very well do so, but picking so late, at No. 26, and then again at No. 58, there’s no guarantee they can land a gem.
If the G-Men want to go further than last year’s Divisional Round appearance, they’ll need to find a No. 1 receiver. Right now, they don’t have anyone on the roster with that type of ceiling. Isaiah Hodgins proved he’s capable of cracking the lineup, and Wandale Robinson could emerge as a No. 2/slot-type receiver, but who’s the alpha?
This is where DeAndre Hopkins could be a quick revelation in the Big Apple, as he’s not far removed from being one of the best receivers in football. Even last season, while he only played nine games, Hopkins averaged 79.7 yards per game, which would amount to 1,354 yards.
The Cardinals may be a year away from competing again as they await Kyler Murray returning from a torn ACL, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Hopkins wanted to seek a win-now situation instead of playing with a backup QB for what could be half of a season. Trade rumors are already flying, and we like his fit with the Giants, as he’d be easily the top target for Danny Dimes.
Related: Bold predictions for 2023 NFL free agency: Destinations for more than 50 top players
Derrick Henry touches down in Buffalo
- Buffalo Bills trade: 28th overall pick
- Tennessee Titans trade: Derrick Henry
Imagine if we could take one of the most proficient passing offenses in football, and plug in one of the best running backs in the NFL into that same scoring attack? Yeah, we’re excited too. The thing is, Henry could be the perfect remedy for Buffalo’s recent woes.
Josh Allen‘s redzone inefficiencies were on full display last season (5 INTs), thanks in part to trying to do to much. But near the goal line is where Henry can shine, putting his enormous 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame to work crushing defenders who dare step in his path.
The Bills do have 2022 second-round pick James Cook waiting in the wings, and he could very well emerge as the team’s starter, but having a thunder and lightning duo, with Cook operating mostly on passing downs could work wonders for the Buffalo offense.
As for the Titans, they’re starting fresh with a new general manager Ran Carthon calling the shots. Henry is entering the final year of his contract and is surely looking for an extension. While it was a different regime, the Titans didn’t want to pay A.J. Brown, will that be any different for Henry who’s now 29 years old?
He’s a running back, with a lot of wear-and-tear, how much longer will Henry be at his peak? Is now the time to cash in, if the right offer comes along? The Bills, who may feel they’re just a contributor or two away, may see Henry as one of the final pieces to their Super Bowl puzzle.
Related: 4 ideal Derrick Henry trade scenarios from the Tennessee Titans
Aaron Rodgers finally gets traded, to San Francisco 49ers
- San Francisco 49ers trade: Trey Lance, 2024 second-round pick (becomes a first if 49ers win SB)
- Green Bay Packers trade: Aaron Rodgers
We may finally be entering the time when the Packers are willing to part with Rodgers, their starting QB of the past 16 seasons. As you can imagine, there will be plenty of teams trying to add the four-time NFL MVP to the mix. But expect contenders to be the frontrunners.
Rodgers won’t go anywhere he feels isn’t prepared to take him back to titletown. Meanwhile, we have the 49ers who, when compared to any other team that may be a QB away, may have the best case of all.
Who knows what could have happened had Brock Purdy not injured his throwing elbow in the NFC Championship? Rodgers, who infamously was passed over for Alex Smith back in 2005, could come back home for a fairytale finish to his career. Hitching their cart to Rodgers could still leave the possibility for Purdy to be the QB of the future, and since he’s still recovering from his elbow injury, who knows how ready he will be by training camp.
The downside of all of this, would be possibly moving on from Trey Lance. While the Packers feel they have one QB with “high upside“, Jordan Love is far from a sure thing. The same goes for Lance.
Chances are, the Packers may prefer draft picks, whether they come this year or the next for Rodgers, or possibly even another piece from the talented roster the 49ers have assembled. But if the 49ers could land one of the most accomplished QBs of the past two decades, it would be hard not to at least consider it.