5 Players Likely to Be Traded During the 2023 NFL Draft
Deadlines often drive deals in the NFL, whether it's the franchise-tag deadline or the trade deadline. The yearly NFL draft is another flash point for trades.
Plenty of teams will trade up or down the board throughout the three days of the 2023 NFL draft. Some current players could wind up on other teams by Saturday, too.
The rumor mill has been churning in recent weeks, but there haven't been many big trades yet. With the opportunity to get picks in this year's draft dwindling, some teams might need to feel the pressure of the ticking clock before they make a move.
Based on trade rumors leading up to the draft and the logic behind a player's availability, these five players could be on the move during this week's draft.
RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
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For teams that may be looking to upgrade their backfields this offseason, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler and Dalvin Cook might be options.
In early March, Mike Silver of Bally Sports reported that the Tennessee Titans were shopping Henry. Former Titan and current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown did his best to campaign for a trade to Philly. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported a Henry trade to the Eagles "won't be happening."
Ekeler requested a trade earlier this offseason after extension negotiations with the Chargers stalled, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, he said in an interview with SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio that he remains open to returning to the Chargers.
The Chargers don't have a legitimate backup plan if they trade Ekeler, which suggests he'll be back in Los Angeles this fall. Cook, meanwhile, is in far more danger of changing teams this offseason.
In an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported "all options are on the table" as it pertains to Cook and that "he could be released closer to the draft if things don't work out."
Cook is due to cost $14.1 million against the cap this season. The Vikings could save roughly $5.9 million against the cap by releasing him or $7.9 million by trading him by June 1.
Unlike the Chargers, the Vikings already have a succession plan in place for Cook. Alexander Mattison, whom they re-signed to a two-year, $7 million deal in March, has rushed for 477 yards and scored five touchdowns in the six career games he has played without Cook, per StatMuse.
A team like the Cincinnati Bengals, who could be looking to replace Joe Mixon and remains a Super Bowl contender, might be interested in paying up for Cook. This year's rookie running back class is strong, but Cook is still a top dual-threat talent at the position.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
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In January, Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that the Arizona Cardinals planned to trade star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. Team owner Michael Bidwell reportedly expressed that to general manager candidates, according to Schultz.
Yet here we are in April, and Hopkins still remains a Cardinal.
Given the general weakness of this free-agent class of wide receivers and the number of teams who could use a talent like Hopkins, it's surprising that this trade hasn't happened already. One sticking point could be that the Cardinals are reportedly looking for a "Christian McCaffrey package" for Hopkins, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The Panthers acquired second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024 from the San Francisco 49ers for McCaffrey at the trade deadline last season. That would be a huge haul to give up for a 30-year-old receiver who is set to have a $30.75 million cap hit this coming season.
Once top wide receiver prospects such as TCU's Quentin Johnston and Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba come off the board, some receiver-needy team may be more willing to fork over draft capital for Hopkins.
Despite missing the first six games of the season for a performance-enhancing-drug suspension, Hopkins led the Cardinals with 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns in only nine games last year. With quarterback Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL, the Cardinals figure to trade Hopkins to a receiver-needy contender to expedite their rebuild.
QB Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
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Two years ago, the San Francisco 49ers gave up two future first-round picks and a third-rounder to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select quarterback Trey Lance. They could be looking to recoup some of those picks, as they have "fielded calls" about his availability, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
It's tricky to gauge Lance's trade value. He played sparingly as a rookie and suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2 this past year. He hasn't started and played two full back-to-back games since 2019, when he was a redshirt freshman at North Dakota State.
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy's play last season muddled Lance's future with the Niners. Purdy went 7-1 as a starter last season, including two playoff wins, with 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions. His lone loss came in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he tore the UCL in his throwing elbow in the first quarter.
Purdy underwent surgery on his elbow in early March, but it's unclear when he'll be cleared to return to play. The Niners signed Sam Darnold, the No. 3 pick of the 2018 NFL draft, as a hedge against Purdy's health and a potential Lance trade.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Minnesota Vikings discussed a Lance trade with the Niners at the combine. The Niners have 11 picks in this year's draft, but their first one isn't until the end of the third round (No. 99 overall).
If San Francisco wants an earlier pick, it may have to trade Lance and roll with Darnold under center until Purdy comes back.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
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A trade between the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets for Aaron Rodgers has been in the works for weeks. The draft could provide the impetus for both sides to reach a deal.
The Jets own both the 42nd and 43rd overall picks in this year's draft. According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, one of those picks is considered to be a "foundational piece of the trade." He also wrote that chances are "very high" that Rodgers will be a Jet by Friday night.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport gave additional credence to that Sunday. He reported that the Jets and Packers have resumed negotiations and hope to reach a deal sometime this week.
The last hurdle appears to center on compensation in the future. Breer mentioned that the Jets don't want to be in a similar position to the Denver Broncos, who traded several future draft picks for Russell Wilson, only for Wilson to struggle.
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Packers want the Jets to include their 2024 first-round pick in the trade. However, the Jets would like some protections since Rodgers is 39 years old and has contemplated retirement in each of the last two offseasons.
It makes sense that the Jets would prefer not to give up a first-rounder in a draft where they could be looking for Rodgers' replacement should he retire. However, the pressure of getting the deal done before the draft is over could incentivize them to relent on those hesitations and do what they have to do to get their quarterback.
LB Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White requested a trade this offseason, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. One source told Laine that he had "grown increasingly frustrated with the team and is "fed up,'" while another said "White's frustrations stem from negotiations over a new contract."
Laine's ESPN colleague, Adam Schefter, reported that the Buccaneers "do not want to trade" White. That's what a team has to say to maintain any kind of leverage in trade negotiations.
On one hand, White is a young building block on a team with a lot of older veterans. The 25-year-old could be a pillar of the defense for years to come as the Buccaneers try to rebuild out of the Tom Brady era.
On the other, White does not play a premium position and is due for a contract extension. He's set to earn $11.7 million this season, which is the final year of his rookie contract.
Spotrac projects White's market value to be $20.1 million annually. That price tag might make sense for a Super Bowl contender, but it's less appealing when you're coming off an 8-9 season and may be starting Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask under center instead of Brady.
The Bucs might be open to trading White to a team that's willing to give up substantial draft capital and pay him.
All contract and salary info via Spotrac.
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