NFL Trade Deadline Predictions
Every season, the NFL trade deadline brings about team management and the movement of marquee players. Competing teams use it to make their last-minute tweaks, sellers search for their next window of competitiveness, while other teams hang onto their players. Last year's trade deadline featured significant transactions including players like Christian McCaffrey, Roquan Smith, and TJ Hockenson. I looked at 25 possible trade targets and ranked the probability that they will be wearing new threads on Tuesday at 4 PM.
100%:
Carl Lawson | DE | New York Jets: Lawson's time in New York has been marred by injury, but he also needs a change of setting. The defensive end will get a fresh start, this time away from a packed Jets defensive line.
Dalvin Cook | RB | New York Jets: Cook has complained of his usage, but has been wildly inefficient and replaced by Breece Hall in the backfield. Any team that acquires him will be hoping for the 2020 version of him, where he ranked second in the league in rush yards.
Hunter Renfrow | WR | Las Vegas Raiders: After being usurped in the depth chart by fellow receiver Jakobi Meyers, this longtime Raider needs a new home. Renfrow can serve as a sneaky gadget player to any contending team trying to push themselves over the top.
Montez Sweat | DE | Washington Commanders: Part of the fearsome unit that is Washington’s defensive line, this 27 year olds time in the nation’s capital is up. A competitive team will pay a high price for his services, gaining a good role player for their defense.
UPDATE: Montez Sweat has been traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 2nd round pick. - Ian Rappaport
Leonard WIlliams | DE | New York Giants: Leonard Williams is 29, in the final year of his contract, and just isn't living up to his expectations. With a retooling New York team, there's no reason he should be wearing Giants blue beyond Tuesday.
UPDATE: Leonard Williams has been traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2024 2nd round pick & 2025 5th round pick. - Ian Rappaport
Likely:
Darnell Mooney | WR | Chicago Bears: This former 1,000 yard receiver just hasn’t been himself the past two years. A shift in environment might be beneficial for him, as he is only 26 years old.
DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Tennessee Titans: This offseason, Hopkins—a first ballot Hall of Famer—surprisingly found himself in Tennessee, passing on other contending and receiver-needy teams. Following a three touchdown day, Hopkins could be the perfect rental to push a team over the top. There will be no shortage of potential suitors.
Danielle Hunter | DE | Minnesota Vikings: This is the best player who can most realistically be traded by the deadline, in my opinion. After Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending injury, the Vikings' season seems to be practically finished. This raises the issue of Hunter's future. At 29 with one year left on his deal, now would be the perfect time to move this stud who already has 10 sacks on the season.
Josh Uche | LB | New England Patriots: This former Michigan Wolverine had a stellar 2022 season, but has regressed in all aspects this year. For a New England team in the midst of a major rebuild, he'll most likely be wearing new gear by Tuesday.
Ryan Tannehill | QB | Tennessee Titans: Tannehill is most likely nearing the end of his Titans career after rookie quarterback Will Levis’ amazing performance. Teams in need of a quarterback, such as the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, or Atlanta Falcons, might be able to utilize his talents.
50/50:
Derrick Henry | RB | Tennessee Titans: The Titans stated publicly that Derrick Henry was no longer available for trade, but I'm not convinced. Tennessee has already drafted Tyjae Spears as a potential replacement for Henry, and the Titans may be looking to build a new core around rookie quarterback Will Levis. It’ll be interesting to see if Henry remains in Titan blue past Tuesday.
Saquon Barkley | RB | New York Giants: Similar to Henry, Barkley has been presented to the public as untouchable, but is he really? With only one year left on his deal, the Giant’s would gladly accept a Christian McCaffrey type-of-return for this superstar.
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Denver Broncos: It seems like something is off about the former first-round pick in the Mile High City as he approaches the last year of his rookie deal. Despite Russell Wilson having an incredible season, Jeudy has regressed from the previous year. I support both of the Broncos' options, whether they decide to keep him or trade him.
Preston Smith | LB | Green Bay Packers: Smith, 30, just doesn't fit in this Packers' core going forward. Having recorded 62 career sacks, this seasoned player has the ability to improve any defense he plays on.
Donte Jackson | CB | Carolina Panthers: Jackson has been a reliable player in the Panthers' secondary, but he might be traded. Because the Panthers don't have their own pick, they shouldn't be selling, but Jackson may be a great asset for any club at the proper price.
Skeptical:
Chase Young | DE | Washington Commanders: I don't think the Commanders are going to let go of Chase Young. The previous number-two pick has performed well this year, having a high pressure-rate and 5 sacks. Instead of dealing away their young assets, Washington should hold onto them.
UPDATE: Chase Young has been traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2024 3rd round pick. - Ari Meirov
Darren Waller | TE | New York Giants: Given that Waller has a three-year contract and that fantastic tight ends are hard to come by, I don't think the Giants will trade their valuable receiving threat. However, if the Giants decide to embark on a major rebuilding project—which is not completely out of the question—Waller will be traded.
Courtland Sutton | WR | Denver Broncos: Sutton is clearly the best Broncos receiving threat, leading in every major category. In addition to Sutton's long-term contract, Denver needs to hold onto someone for Russ to pass the ball to. Not buying the rumors.
Justin Simmons | S | Denver Broncos: This Broncos defensive mainstay has been linked to trades, but after Denver's shocking upset of Kansas City, I believe he will stay. The Broncos want to compete, as demonstrated by their trade for coach Sean Payton, and it appears that they are on the right track.
De’Vondre Campbell | LB | Green Bay Packers: Over the years, Campbell has been an important leader in a fantastic Packers defense, but there are speculations that he may be moving. Because of his reliable play and affordable salary, I believe the Packers will keep Campbell.
No Shot:
Jaylon Johnson | CB | Chicago Bears: After a string of dominant performances, Johnson has gone from viable trade candidate to close to untouchable. It will take a stunning offer to take this feisty defensive back away from Soldier Field.
Patrick Surtain | CB | Denver Broncos: SImilar to Johnson, Surtain is too young and talented to be packing his bags on Tuesday. He’ll be staying in Denver for the foreseeable future.
Brian Burns | DE | Carolina Panthers: If the Panthers declined to deal Burns for the first overall pick in the offseason, why would they trade him now? This trade deadline's crown-jewel will come at a high cost, and one that the Panthers will be hard-pressed to accept.
Maxx Crosby | DE | Las Vegas Raiders: His cost, like Burns', would be too expensive for any team to justify trading for him. As exciting as the prospect is, it's just not going to happen.
Kyler Murray | QB | Arizona Cardinals: Would be insane, but not happening.