Analysis
10/18/23
8 min read
2023 NFL Trade Deadline: Players Who Could Get Moved This Month
The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 31, and there's a leaguewide belief that this year's deadline could be an active one, similar to last year. Players such as RB Christian McCaffrey, Edge Bradley Chubb, WR Calvin Ridley, ILB Roquan Smith, TE T.J. Hockenson, WR Chase Claypool and WR Kadarius Toney were among those traded last year.
>>READ: Caleb Williams Could Change a Franchise
The 2024 NFL Draft has a deep class that includes USC's Caleb Williams and UNC's Drake Maye, and there has been plenty of talk among executives about teams potentially selling off as many pieces as possible to acquire more draft capital with an eye toward the future. Teams are well aware of how the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars went from laughing stocks of the league to contenders after drafting quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence.
Taking the lumps now in exchange for sustained success is a trade many franchises are willing to make, and this could lead to an active couple of weeks.
Teams, Players to Watch
Denver Broncos Veterans
The Denver Broncos have already moved on from defensive ends Frank Clark and Randy Gregory, and more moves are on the way. Veteran players such as wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, safeties Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, LB Josey Jewell, IDL Mike Purcell and LT Garrett Bolles are names to watch.
Coach Sean Payton has full control over what's happening in Denver. Yes, there's a general manager in George Paton, but Payton is the one calling the shots. With only one win so far, more changes are likely coming in Denver. Expect teams to call on Patrick Surtain, and the Broncos would get a haul for the third-year cornerback, but that move seems highly unlikely.
WR Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders signed Hunter Renfrow to a two-year, $32 million extension last offseason with the expectation that he would play a pivotal role in Josh McDaniels' offense. However, his role has decreased dramatically. He has just six catches for 59 yards through six games.
There has been chatter for weeks that Renfrow would like a fresh start, and the Raiders would be more than open to it. His salary remains a complicated part of making a trade. In 2021, Renfrow had 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
DE Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Danielle Hunter has been a potential trade candidate for the past couple of years due to his contract, but each time, he's gotten his deal reworked so he could stay in Minnesota. Now he's in the final year of his contract, and the Minnesota Vikings also gave him a no-tag clause, which guarantees him a shot at free agency in March. Hunter's eight sacks are tied with T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the league lead, and the Vikings could get good value for him if they were to trade him.
WR K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings
K.J. Osborn is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the Vikings still need to pay Justin Jefferson a huge contract that should exceed $30 million per year. In addition, they drafted Jordan Addison in the first round in April. If Minnesota could get proper value, it might consider trading Osborn before he becomes a free agent in March.
S Budda Baker, TE Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have played hard and have remained competitive in games this season, which is important given the expectations for this roster. Zach Ertz, who will turn 33 in November, has one year left on his contract, but none of the money is guaranteed.
It's reasonable to believe he likely wants to be on a winning team at this point in his career. The Cardinals have second-year tight end Trey McBride, who played a season-high 44 snaps in Week 6.
Meanwhile, Budda Baker requested a trade this offseason before eventually having his contract sweetened to repair the relationship. The new regime in Arizona values Baker's ability and leadership, but they'll likely receive trade inquiries about him.
DEs Montez Sweat or Chase Young, Washington Commanders
Chase Young and Montez Sweat are in the final year of their contracts, and the Washington Commanders face a problem: there's only one franchise tag they can use in the offseason, and unless they extend one of them, the other is guaranteed to reach the open market.
Washington's issue with extending one of them is that the same agent represents both players. He's well aware that he's on track to get one of his guys to the open market, which rarely happens with young stud edge rushers
>>READ: Which Commanders DE Makes Sense to Trade?
So, trading one for good value would make sense if Washington falls behind in the standings. However, few people I've spoken to don't think either will be dealt because coach Ron Rivera and GM Martin Mayhew are fighting for their jobs with new ownership in place. At this point, future draft capital is not necessarily the emphasis; keeping as many good players for this season is.
What's happening in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Titans hired GM Ran Carthon last offseason, and early in his tenure, it felt like they would rebuild. They cut OT Taylor Lewan, LB Zach Cunningham and WR Robert Woods, among others. There was chatter that they would also move on from QB Ryan Tannehill.
Then, as the offseason progressed, they signed free agents, added void years to contracts, and even signed WR DeAndre Hopkins. They initially took a step back but then decided to take a big step forward, which confused some in the league.
Now, six weeks into the season, they find themselves in the middle of the pack, not a bad team, but certainly not a good one. RB Derrick Henry, IDL Denico Autry and CB Kristian Fulton are impending free agents and could be made available.
At the same time, the base salaries of Hopkins and safety Kevin Byard are not guaranteed after this season. If the Titans decide to rebuild, those are names to watch. Tannehill's ankle injury likely means he won't be traded.
WR Darnell Mooney, CB Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney and Jaylon Johnson are in the final year of their rookie contracts and extension talks with both have not gone far. Chicago is having another tough season, and unless it changes its approach in contract talks, considering a trade for one of them could be an option.
DE Carl Lawson, New York Jets
The New York Jets are expected to be buyers on the trade market, but there are a couple of players they'd be open to moving.
WR Mecole Hardman already was dealt to Kansas City, and Carl Lawson is another one to keep an eye on. The former big-ticket free-agent addition has found himself as the odd man out in a deep and talented edge-rush rotation.
Lawson has been a healthy scratch twice through six weeks. A team can never have enough pass rushers so that the Jets could keep him. However, Lawson would be an attractive player for another team, and if the Jets could get value for someone who is going to leave as a free agent in March, they will likely consider it.
WR Terrace Marshall, Edge Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
Terrace Marshall didn’t play a single snap in Carolina’s Week 5 loss to the Lions, and coach Frank Reich took the blame for that. Marshall saw 22 snaps in Week 6, but his stat line was empty. “He just wants to play,” one source said. “He’s a Matt Rhule draft pick and doesn't have a future there.” Carolina will sell some players, but it’s tough to see them getting much value for Marshall.
Carolina doesn't want to trade Brian Burns, but they don't have a first-round pick in 2024, and their extension talks with Burns have not been smooth, so he's headed toward a franchise tag in the offseason, barring something unforeseen.
WR Cedrick Wilson, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins signed Cedrick Wilson Jr. to a three-year, $22 million deal a year ago before discovering Tyreek Hill was available for trade. Once Hill entered the picture, Wilson had no fit on the roster. Wilson’s $5 million in guaranteed salary this season has made a trade difficult, but Miami would be open to doing something if a team called.
RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Cordarrelle Patterson has played a total of 16 offensive snaps this season, mainly because the Atlanta Falcons drafted Bijan Robinson eighth overall in April. Patterson is still a weapon as a returner and could be used in multiple different ways on offense. It’s just not going to happen in Atlanta.
Other names to keep an eye on
- Carolina Panthers CB Donte Jackson
- New England Patriots TEs Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki
- New York Giants WR Parris Campbell
- Minnesota Vikings DL Dean Lowry
- Minnesota Vikings LB Jordan Hicks
- New England Patriots CB Jalen Mills
- Arizona Cardinals LB Dennis Gardeck
