NFL trade rumors will start to pick up steam now that the 2023 draft is a thing of the past. Teams enter the off-season programs with several question marks, including those who declined player options on rookie deals.
We’ve already seen some pretty big trades thus far this offseason, including the Miami Dolphins landing Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Dallas Cowboys picking up multiple veterans on the cheap. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers was finally sent to the New York Jets in another blockbuster.
As decision makers around the NFL figure out their rosters, we promise to see several trades between now and the start of the 2023 season in September. Bookmark. Do your thing. We will be providing updates throughout the spring and summer months.
Related: Top remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots
Budda Baker’s situation with the Arizona Cardinals
A five-time Pro Bowler and one of the most versatile defensive backs in the game, Cardinals safety Budda Baker requested a trade back in April. Outside of the finances, it’s all about the 27-year-old Baker wanting to play for a contender.
The former second-round pick has earned four consecutive Pro Bowl nods and is a three-time All-Pro performer. He can play both safety spots, slot cornerback and even on the outside in a pinch. The expectation is that Arizona will land something of value should it grant Baker’s trade request.
Update on Austin Ekeler situation with the Los Angeles Chargers
It was back in March that Los Angeles granted Ekeler permission to seek a trade. The RB1 is upset about his current contract, which is below market value at $6.12 million annually. Signed through just next season, Ekeler is coming off a two-year run that saw him tally 3,195 total yards and 38 touchdowns at a clip of 5.4 yards per touch.
Surprisingly, Los Angeles did not select a running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. Perhaps, the team thinks it can solve this situation with Ekeler. There is also a chance that the Chargers look to bring in a veteran such as Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott. Either way, this situation is far from settled.
Dalvin Cook still on the trade block
Despite Minnesota’s inability to trade Cook during the NFL Draft, the Pro Bowl running back remains firmly on the block. He had been linked to the Miami Dolphins more than any other team, but that now looks like a long shot. What we do know is that Cook has been among the most productive running backs in the NFL over the years.
- Dalvin Cook stats (2019-22): 5,024 rushing yards, 4.7 average, 170 catches, 1,399 receiving yards, 6,423 total yards, 46 TD
With that type of production, Cook should have a strong market moving forward in the offseason. Pure conjecture but a team like the aforementioned Chargers makes sense. We also wouldn’t be surprised if the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers found a way to get involved.
Related: NFL trade tracker with grades for each deal
Trey Lance trade rumors dying down
Leading up to the 2023 draft, NFL trade rumors pointed to San Francisco listening to offers for this former No. 3 overall pick. Internally, there are some questions about whether Lance can be that guy in San Francisco after the 49ers exhausted a ton of capital to move up for him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
With Brock Purdy’s status for Week 1 in doubt (elbow surgery) and Sam Darnold as the only other realistic option, it looks like Lance will remain with the 49ers. Of course, things can change on a dime during training camp should another team either see a quarterback injured or finds a hole in the quarterback room.
Related: Sportsnaut’s post draft NFL power rankings
Patrick Queen involved in NFL trade rumors
Baltimore’s decision to decline Queen’s option for the 2024 season was a bit of a surprise. However, it came after the team made former Clemson linebacker a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. For the Ravens, paying two linebackers huge deals just doesn’t seem to make sense. Remember, they extended Roquan Smith on a five-year, $100 million deal after acquiring him from the Chicago Bears last season.
There should be some solid interest in Queen’s services if the Ravens were to officially put him on the block. Though, the fact that he’s now set to hit free agency next March could impact the former first-round pick’s value.
Pair of former first-round picks on the trade block
Sportsnaut NFL insider Benjamin Allbright reported earlier this offseason that defensive tackles Ed Oliver (Buffalo Bills) and Javon Kinlaw (San Francisco 49ers) could’ve been had during the 2023 NFL Draft. Allbright went on to conclude that the two could be had relatively cheap.
Oliver, 25, is entering the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. He is not happy about his current deal and has made that known. The former Houston star has been a plus-level starter throughout his career. Meanwhile, Kinlaw has been limited to 24 games in three seasons. San Francisco will not pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Of the two, he’d be the cheapest to acquire moving forward in the offseason.
Related: Ranking NFL defenses post draft
Pro Bowler Devin White requests trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In what has to be considered surprising news, former Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker Devin White has reportedly requested a trade from the Buccaneers.
White, 25, has been seen as a potential franchise cornerstone since Tampa Bay made him a top-five pick back in 2019. That included earning his first ever Pro Bowl trip after recording 128 tackles and 18 quarterback hits in 2021. Set to enter the fifth-year team option on his rookie deal, White wants a lucrative contract extension. It seems that this is what spearheaded the trade request.
NFL trade rumors: Quick hitters
- The New York Jets will likely listen to offers for wide receiver Corey Davis moving forward this offseason. They added Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman for Aaron Rodgers earlier in the offseason. A free agent signing back in 2021, Davis is set to count $11.17 million against the cap next season. Moving off him would create a mere $667,000 dead cap hit.
- There was some talk that the Washington Commanders might look to move off former No. 2 overall pick, edge rusher Chase Young, after declining the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. It’s all about perceived value as NFL trade rumors pick up steam. Young, has appeared in just 12 games over the past two seasons (1.5 combined sacks) due to a torn ACL he suffered midway through the 2021 campaign.
- The Los Angeles Rams seriously considered a Matthew Stafford trade earlier this offseason. However, his bloated contract made that a near impossibility. With the Rams being seen as one of the least-talented teams in the NFL, it wouldn’t be a surprise if rumors popped up again in this regard should a contending team lose a quarterback to injury.
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