2022 NFL Trade-Block Big Board Entering Week 7
The 2022 NFL trade deadline is set for Nov. 1, meaning teams have less than two weeks to put together proposals. Unsurprisingly, the market has begun to pick up.
Last week, the Cleveland Browns acquired linebacker Deion Jones from the Atlanta Falcons. On Monday, the Arizona Cardinals got wideout Robbie Anderson from the Carolina Panthers. The Anderson deal came together after Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Inevitably, more deals will come through before next month's deadline.
As we've done all season, we're here to check in on the top potential trade candidates based on factors like salary-cap situations, contract status, player roles, past performances, roster depth and any relevant recent buzz.
We'll also examine logical landing spots based on factors like team needs, positional value, cap space and team projections.
The Selection Process
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To create our top 10 list, we have gathered 15 names that are on the trade block, could realistically land there or could become enticing trade targets based on the aforementioned criteria.
After making the list last week, Anderson is off for obvious reasons. Taking his spot is former teammate Matt Ioannidis, a versatile defensive lineman who is set to be a free agent in 2023.
We're also adding Washington Commanders cornerback William Jackson III, who requested a trade late last week.
To make room for Jackson, we've removed New England Patriots wideout Nelson Agholor. While Agholor—who, like Ioannidis, is a 2023 free agent—makes some sense as a trade candidate, the Patriots are coming off back-to-back wins. At 3-3, they may be more interested in buying than selling at the deadline.
Another new addition is Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, who "could be on the way out," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Tennessee Titans tight end Austin Hooper is out to make room for Akers. While Hooper has been a very small part of the game plan in Tennessee (six catches, 55 yards), the 3-2 Titans and their 31st-ranked offense can ill afford to part with former Pro Bowlers right now.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram also joins teammate Clelin Ferrell on our list.
"I'm told Vegas has had talks with teams on both players in recent months, with Abram's name circulating a lot," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote Tuesday.
Once we established the top 15 players, we ranked them on their past production, upside, positional value and their likelihood of being traded. This week's honorable mentions, in no particular order, are:
- Clelin Ferrell, Edge, Las Vegas Raiders
- Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams
- Michael Schofield, G, Chicago Bears
- Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
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The Washington Commanders could keep defensive tackle Daron Payne if they believe they can dig out of a 2-4 hole. Payne has been one of the brighter spots on Washington's defense, tallying 21 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He's on track for perhaps his best season as a pro.
"You see those little detail things of his game starting to come out; that's what you're looking for," head coach Ron Rivera said, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.
However, Payne is also in the final year of his contract and was the subject of trade interest in the offseason.
"Teams have recently inquired about a possible Payne trade, but Washington has rebuffed such discussions," Ben Standig of The Athletic wrote in June.
If the Commanders decide to sell, teams will be interested. Cleveland could be one of them. The Browns are also 2-4 but have already shown a willingness to buy with the Deion Jones deal. They also rank 30th in scoring defense and lack proven depth on the defensive interior.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed a league-high 5.6 yards per carry, could also use help on the interior. Payne's $8.5 million base salary isn't insignificant, but the Chargers have $6.2 million in cap space and wouldn't need to create a ton of room. Cleveland has $34.2 million to work with.
Best Fits: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Denzel Mims, WR, New York Jets
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While the New York Jets are 4-2 and may not be looking to sell, there's still a solid chance that Denzel Mims could be had at the deadline.
Mims, a 2020 second-round pick out of Baylor, continues to be inactive on game days. He was also a player who drew trade interest during the offseason. With the Jets flying high and Mims being a non-factor, New York might be willing to deal.
"The Jets' asking price was a fourth-round pick," SNY's Connor Hughes reported in late August. "No team was willing to offer that, so Jets kept Mims."
The big question is whether the Jets will lower their asking price. If they do, Mims could be on the move. The Green Bay Packers would be a logical landing spot. Their offense has struggled in the post-Davante Adams era, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers expects general manager Brian Gutekunst to be active at the deadline.
"There's the possibility if certain guys emerge of us having a chance to make a run. I know Brian believes the same thing," Rodgers said, per Jason Wilde for the State Journal. "But if there's an opportunity, I would expect that Brian will be in the mix."
The Rams could also make sense for Mims. Los Angeles has struggled to find a reliable second option next to Cooper Kupp. Mims is far from reliable, but he's the sort of budget option L.A. could take a flier on.
The Rams have only $4.9 million in cap space, but Mims has a mere $1.5 million cap hit this season.
Best Fits: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams
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8. Kenny Golladay, WR, New York Giants
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New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay has barely played this season, including because of a knee injury. He has appeared in four games but has just two catches for 22 yards.
The 5-1 Giants may look to flip Golladay for draft capital or perhaps a player who can aid their surprising playoff push. They're reportedly willing to eat a large chunk of the $31.4 million in dead money remaining on his contract.
"The Giants could trade Golladay to an interested party, and likely the only way it would work is if New York pays the bulk of his contract in exchange for a late-round pick, sources say," Rapoport wrote last month. "That is a possibility."
If New York is also willing to take on a large portion of Golladay's $13 million base salary, the Rams could be the perfect landing spot. Golladay was a Pro Bowl receiver with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford when both were with the Detroit Lions.
L.A. isn't loaded with cap space, however, so Golladay's contract as written would be difficult to absorb.
The same is true for the Packers, who have just $7.6 million to work with. If New York will pay some of Golladay's contract, Green Bay might be able to add a player who led the league in touchdown receptions in 2019.
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers
7. Matt Ioannidis, DL, Carolina Panthers
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Several teams should be interested in Matt Ioannidis if he's available. He has experience playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, and his contract is ripe for a trade.
While Ioannidis is playing on a one-year, $9.5 million deal, he has a base salary of only $1 million in 2022. This means that even a cash-strapped contender could look to bolster its defensive front by acquiring the 28-year-old.
The Cincinnati Bengals, who have $2.8 million in cap space, could be one of those teams. The defending AFC champions are back in the playoff mix after winning three of their last four games. They could also use a little help up front after allowing 4.7 yards per rush over the first six weeks.
Cincinnati, it should be noted, lost defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi in free agency.
Ioannidis, who has 15 tackles and one sack this season, could help bolster the Bengals' run defense and their interior pass rush.
The Browns are unlikely to be contenders, but given their need at defensive tackle and their willingness to make a trade, they could be a logical landing spot if Ioannidis is the next Panther to be moved.
Best Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
6. Sidney Jones IV, CB, Seattle Seahawks
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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Sidney Jones IV has been a staple on our big board largely because he hasn't been heavily utilized in Seattle. Jones did deal with a concussion early in the season, but he has also been a healthy scratch twice.
Jones did appear in the Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but he played only 11 defensive snaps.
Last season, Jones was an 11-game starter and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 84.3 in coverage. That sort of reliable production should be attractive to cornerback-needy teams if the 3-3 Seahawks are willing to part with a valuable depth piece.
Jones' one-year, $3.6 million contract is reasonable. His $1.6 million base salary is even more so.
The Ravens might want to eye him as a budget piece for their secondary. While starting corners Marcus Peters (85.2 opposing passer rating allowed) and Marlon Humphrey (70.6) have been solid, their secondary as a whole has allowed 1,606 passing yards through six games and the fifth-most yards through the air per contest.
The Miami Dolphins should also be interested in Jones. Starting cornerback Byron Jones (ankle/Achilles) is still not ready to come off the physically unable to perform list. The Dolphins rank just 28th in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.5).
Miami has $7.7 million in cap space available.
Best Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins
5. Johnathan Abram, S, Las Vegas Raiders
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Raiders pass-rusher Clelin Ferrell isn't a player teams will be rushing to sign. He hasn't been a big part of Las Vegas' defensive game plan over the past couple of seasons and has seen only a rotational role in 2022.
If the Raiders are looking to deal, Abram will be the more enticing trade option. While he hasn't been a high-level defender, the Mississippi State product has started all 33 games in which he has appeared since being drafted at No. 27 overall in 2019.
This season, he has tallied 32 tackles and one pass defended. He has also allowed a career-low opposing passer rating of 93.4 in coverage.
Baltimore would be a logical landing spot for Abram given the recent injury to starting safety Marcus Williams. The 26-year-old landed on injured reserve with a dislocated wrist. With a base salary of $2.1 million, Abram would not be an unrealistic target for the Ravens.
If Cleveland is willing to stay aggressive in the trade market, Abram could also make sense there. The Browns have been plagued by miscommunications in the secondary, and the starting tandem of Grant Delpit and John Johnson III has been far from stellar.
It wouldn't be a shock if Browns GM Andrew Berry wants to see just what sort of upside Abram has.
Best Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns
4. William Jackson III, CB, Washington Commanders
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Jackson hasn't been a particularly reliable defender for Washington this season. In coverage, he's allowed an opposing passer rating of 121.9. However, his desire to find a new team—and some reported interest—lands him high on our list.
From Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network: "Sources say the former big-ticket, free-agent cornerback would like a new home, and the Commanders have engaged in trade talks centered around him with hopes of making that happen. There has been interest in Jackson from several teams, sources say."
With a base salary of $5 million in 2022, Jackson wouldn't be ridiculously difficult to acquire financially.
The Dolphins should be interested given their struggles in the secondary and Byron Jones' continued absence. A return to Cincinnati could also make a ton of sense.
The Bengals drafted Jackson in the first round in 2016, and he had some solid years with the team. In 2020, for example, he allowed an opposing passer rating of 88.2.
Cincinnati could also benefit from some secondary depth for the stretch run. The Bengals haven't been putrid against the pass, but they do rank 13th in yards allowed through the air. A reunion would be fun to see if they can find the cap space to bring back a familiar face.
The team currently has $2.8 million to work with.
Best Fits: Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals
3. Robert Quinn, Edge, Chicago Bears
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If the Chicago Bears are willing to sell at the deadline, pass-rusher Robert Quinn is the biggest and most logical trade chip. Linebacker Roquan Smith, who is in the final year of his contract, might be more enticing. However, he's a potential building block Chicago should want to keep.
The 32-year-old Quinn, on the other hand, might not be around by the time the Bears are ready to contend again. He'd be attractive to contenders after racking up 18.5 sacks and 34 quarterback pressures last season.
The potential obstacle here is Quinn's contract. With a $12.8 million base salary, it won't be easy to take on unless Chicago is willing to split some of that money. Cleveland is the only team with the cap space to sign Quinn outright, and at 2-4, the Browns might not be aggressive enough to make that deal.
With $10.5 million in cap space, the Philadelphia Eagles wouldn't need to create a ton of room. The Eagles, who have 17 sacks on the season (a top-10 mark), aren't desperate for pass-rushing help. However, the 6-0 squad might be willing to make another win-now move to boost their Super Bowl chances.
After all, it worked for the Rams with Von Miller last season.
The Kansas City Chiefs might be willing to make a similar move, and they may already be gearing up for it. According to ESPN's Field Yates, Kansas City has restructured the contract of tight end Travis Kelce in order to free up $3.5 million in cap space.
If the Chiefs can clear enough room to add Quinn, he'd be a fun addition to a defensive front that already employs Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap and rookie George Karlaftis.
Best Fits: Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs
2. D'Ernest Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
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While the Browns may be looking to improve their squad, they should also be trying to deal running back D'Ernest Johnson. He proved in 2021 that he can thrive in a starting role, but he just isn't getting opportunities behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt this season.
Last year, Johnson finished with 534 rushing yards, 137 receiving yards and three total touchdowns. This year, he's seen a mere 10 offensive snaps. With a bargain-basement one-year, $1.2 million contract, Johnson should be on the radar of every running back-needy team.
The Rams would be a logical landing spot given their struggles on the ground and the situation with Akers. It wouldn't mark the first deal between Cleveland and Los Angeles this year either.
The Browns traded cornerback Troy Hill to the Rams in April.
The Denver Broncos would also make sense as a suitor. Javonte Williams is done for the season with a torn ACL, while Melvin Gordon III (three carries) fell out of the game plan during Monday night's loss.
"I felt like I could've helped make a difference but apparently not," Gordon told NFL Network's Bridget Condon after the game.
If Denver isn't going to use Gordon, perhaps it could use Johnson instead.
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
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Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is the biggest name on the trade block, and Carolina is reportedly willing to deal him.
"The Carolina Panthers are listening to other teams about a potential trade for star running back Christian McCaffrey, although a deal might not be easy to complete," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote Saturday.
While the return for McCaffrey isn't what it would have been before his injury-plagued 2020 and 2021 campaigns, Carolina could get something in return while creating future cap savings.
McCaffrey is playing on a four-year, $64.1 million contract that runs through 2025. Trading him would trigger significant dead-cap charges this season and the next. According to Spotrac, those charges would be $8.2 million for this season and $18.3 million in 2023.
However, McCaffrey is due to carry cap hits of $19.6 million and $15.5 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
With a $1 million base salary in 2022 and only $1 million guaranteed for injury next season, McCaffrey could be viewed as a half-season rental by a team like the Rams. L.A. could use the backfield help, and general manager Les Snead isn't shy about making deadline deals.
The Buffalo Bills could also look to further strengthen their dynamic offense. McCaffrey could be quite productive in a backfield that also includes Devin Singletary, James Cook, Zack Moss and dual-threat quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills have interest in McCaffrey, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. Buffalo also contacted Carolina about him in the offseason, according to Joe Person of The Athletic.
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills
Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Contract and cap information via Spotrac.
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