The 2023 NFL season is closing in fast with the summer delivering training camp and preseason games for football fans to enjoy. While the primary focus is on position battles in training camp and standout rookies, there will be several NFL players traded this summer.
We see fairly significant NFL trades every summer. The New York Jets traded All-Pro safety Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks in 2020, the Houston Texans dealt Pro Bowl left tackle laremy Tunsil in 2019 and NFL players like Khalil Mack (2018) and Randall Cobb (2021) have all been traded at this time of year.
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Here are five NFL players who could be traded this summer.
Yosh Nijman, offensive tackle, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Yosh Nijman has proven to be an absolute steal for the franchise, starting 21 games in the last two seasons after entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The 6-foot-7 offensive lineman from Virginia Tech proved adept in pass protection last year, earning a 74.4 PFF pass-blocking grade and he earned high marks in ESPN’s pass-block win rate last season
However, left tackle David Bakhtiari is healthy entering training camp and 2022 fourth-round pick Zach Tom projects as the starter at right tackle. It leaves Nijman at the swing position, but Green Bay could view now as the time to trade him before he leaves as an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Nijman is owed $4.3 million this upcoming season, a reasonable salary for a starting-caliber right tackle. He could be appealing to a team like the Tennessee Titans, who just lost Nicholas Petit-Frere to a six-game suspension. The Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders also stand out as teams that need more reliable options who can play either tackle spot.
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Budda Baker, safety, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker will be with the team for training camp, but there are still NFL trade rumors surrounding the All-Pro safety. Arizona is clearly in a rebuild and its five-time Pro Bowl selection still wants an extension and to play for a contender.
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Baker remains a standout run defender (40 TFLs in six seasons) and he’s proven to be fairly dependable in coverage for a strong safety. If Arizona fully commits to rebuilding, trading Baker away for future draft picks, the Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals and
Nick Folk, kicker, New England Patriots
It’s a bit unusual for kickers to be traded and they never are floated in trade rumors, but deals do happen from time to time. Looking ahead to New England Patriots training camp, it’s pretty clear that kicker Chad Ryland will have an opportunity to win the starting job. Once things starting shifting in that direction, New England should explore the market for Folk.
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Not only did New England draft Ryland with the 112th overall pick, but it also traded up to acquire him. The Patriots aren’t wasting that kind of capital and two roster spots on a kicker, not in the modern NFL. So, Folk gets put on the chopping block and there should be some interest for him because several contending teams are weak at the position.
We’d identify the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys as four teams that should have interest in Folk if he becomes available. It wouldn’t cost anything more than a late Day 3 pick to acquire him and he remains very accurate, plus he can kick outdoors.
Chase Young, edge rusher, Washington Commanders
On the one hand, it makes sense why the Washington Commanders would at least entertain Chase Young trade offers this summer. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and with Montez Sweat also a candidate for the franchise tag, the Commanders wouldn’t want to lose Young for nothing.
Young has only played in three games since Nov. 21, 2021 and he didn’t look the same in his first action back from an ACL tear. Prior to the injury, though, Young was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection in 2020. If he returns to form, he can be a premium pass rusher and NFL teams typically pay $25-plus million annually for those. There’s an obvious risk with trading Young and we’d advise the Commanders to keep him, but he should be the most coveted NFL player on the trade block.
Hunter Renfrow, wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
The moment the Las Vegas Raiders signed Jakobi Meyers, it became harder to understand what role Hunter Renfrow would serve on this team in 2023. Realistically, he could be fourth in line for targets behind Davante Adams, Meyers and potentially Michael Mayer. Plus, some of the pass-catching work underneath will go to Josh Jacobs.
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The problem for Las Vegas is that there doesn’t seem to be much of a trade market for Renfrow, or at least there wasn’t in the spring. He’s fine for what he is and there’s no true long-term financial commitment, but a $13.1 million cap hit is a lot for the role he plays. However, NFL players suffer season-ending injuries every year in training camp and that could create suitors for Renfrow.