Ranking the NFL's Best Trade Pieces of the 2024 Offseason

Although the trade deadline has passed, the 2024 offseason will reignite the rumor mill around the NFL.

Every spring and summer, big moves happen. Prior to the 2023 campaign, for example, the New York Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers, the Miami Dolphins picked up Jalen Ramsey and the Dallas Cowboys added both Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore.

What might happen in 2024 is purely conjecture, of course. Several well-known players could be on the block, though.

These choices are subjective but factor in a player's contract and his team's cap situation, along with a player's projected future role and potential NFL draft considerations.

8. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 17: Tre Avery #23 of the Tennessee Titans tackles Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

Looking ahead to 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers are already $27.4 million over the cap. Yes, a combination of cuts, trades and restructures will inevitably make them cap-compliant.

But they'll probably need to make at least one significant move.

As of today, four players—Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Mike Williams—have a cap number north of $32 million for 2024. Justin Herbert and Derwin James are a shade below $20 million, too. It's possible, but very expensive, to keep all six of them.

Williams, who is recovering from an ACL injury, may be the most expendable of the group.

Allen is two years older, but he's still producing at a high level. Plus, the Chargers just drafted Quentin Johnston and Derius Davis. Josh Palmer is under contract for another season, too.

Williams—whose deal expires after 2024—is worth a gamble for a receiver-needy team. That option is even more realistic if he agreed to a restructure/extension, easing the cap impact on both sides as Williams sets himself as a potential clear-cut WR1.

7. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots

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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 12: Mac Jones of New England Patriots controls the ball during the NFL match between Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots at Deutsche Bank Park on November 12, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Whether you believe in Mac Jones is a fair discussion, but the more important one is that the New England Patriots apparently do not.

After a quality rookie year, this relationship has crumbled. New England failed him in 2022 by not hiring an offensive coordinator and benching him temporarily anyway. It hasn't improved with Bill O'Brien calling plays in 2023, and Jones has reportedly lost the support of most teammates.

Jones played well enough in 2021 to suggest that he can be a starter in a quality environment. In all likelihood, that turnaround needs to happen at a new organization.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan is an ideal person for a reclamation project, and Los Angeles Rams boss Sean McVay also has that upside. Both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants have injury concerns with Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones, respectively.

Those are simply four options for New England to consider in a seemingly inevitable breakup with Jones.

6. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos

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DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 29: Jerry Jeudy #10 of the Denver Broncos runs a route during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Welcome back to one eternal piece of the rumor mill.

Although the Denver Broncos exercised the fifth-year option on Jerry Jeudy, his future has continually looked uncertain. He'd been a popular trade candidate at the 2023 deadline, but Denver kept him.

Jeudy's production has been modest at best, though. He's averaged just 46.4 yards through eight appearances this season.

Denver only needs to clear $3 million, so cap space isn't a major concern. But the Broncos are unlikely to keep Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jeudy. Sutton is presumably the least likely to get moved, and Patrick has limited value after consecutive season-ending injuries.

Jeudy showed real upside in 2022 and will only be 25 next season, so plenty of teams should be willing to give him a fresh start.

5. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 05: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 05, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

In fairness to Justin Fields, his inclusion on this list is not set in stone.

What if the Chicago Bears win a few more games and the Carolina Panthers play themselves out of a top-two pick? Maybe the Bears won't actually be in a position that requires them to weigh Fields against the idea of drafting Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

If they draft a first-round QB, however, Fields' time in Chicago will be finished. He wouldn't stick around as a backup, and there undoubtedly will be coaches who are interested in working with him.

Fields has struggled with decisiveness, and that's a legitimate concern for his future. He's also lined up behind a few shoddy offensive lines in exasperating systems with little help from the defense, so the lingering optimism about unlocking his skill set is understandable.

Where the Panthers and Bears finish the season in the standings will largely influence Fields' place in Chicago.

4. Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos

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DENVER, COLORADO - OCTOBER 29: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos intercepts a ball intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Prior to the 2023 deadline, the Broncos reportedly were willing to entertain offers for Justin Simmons.

As with Jeudy, nothing came of the discussions. But it doesn't mean an interested team won't re-engage Denver this offseason.

Simmons has been a fixture in the secondary and is a three-time second-team AP All-Pro selection. His value is evident, especially with four 80-tackle seasons and 30 career interceptions.

However, the safety's contract expires after 2024, and the Broncos might not be willing to work out a second big-money extension for Simmons. If that's the case, Denver must be ready to trade him instead of losing him for nothing. (Given the way Sean Payton traditionally spends on free agents, a compensatory pick is unlikely, too.)

Simmons should be a quality player once again next season, but it just might not be in Denver.

3. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 12: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) lines up for a play during the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

At this point, the consensus opinion is likely that the 49ers should prioritize Brandon Aiyuk over Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk is trending toward the most productive year of an already promising career.

The problem, as you can imagine, is about money.

Aiyuk is headed for a very pricey extension once his contract runs out after 2024. Samuel is already signed for more than $20 million through 2025 and presents a dilemma. His breakout 2021 season looks unattainable, so he'd be difficult to trade—yet he's too valuable to cut.

Are the Niners willing to commit $45-plus million to Aiyuk and Samuel? If not, they presumably could land a first-round pick in a trade for Aiyuk and quickly draft his potential replacement.

2. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 26: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Highmark Stadium on October 26, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The short version is that the Buffalo Bills should have absolutely zero interest in trading Stefon Diggs. He was a crucial piece of Josh Allen's rise and remains one of the NFL's most productive receivers.

We cannot be blind to the signs, though.

Diggs didn't show up to the opening day of training camp, and then Allen and head coach Sean McDermott made concerning statements. Diggs' frustration had lingered after another early playoff loss, and it's only rational to believe discontent is brewing amid a 5-5 start to 2023—which has already led to the Bills firing offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

Right now, the financial implications of trading Diggs are immense. Buffalo realistically would need the wideout to restructure his contract or wait until after June 1 for a move.

I'm not saying Diggs will request a trade. But he's been traded before, and the Bills aren't exactly thriving.

1. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after making a catch during the 2nd quarter of the game against the New York Jets at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Davante Adams landed on the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 after requesting a trade from the Green Bay Packers. But what's happened since then is certainly not what he envisioned.

Adams reunited with college teammate Derek Carr, whom the Raiders then released this offseason. Las Vegas continued to struggle in 2023 with Jimmy Garoppolo, whom Las Vegas benched after firing head coach Josh McDaniels at the beginning of November.

Soon approaching his age-31 season, Adams might not be a fan of toiling in mediocrity in his late-prime years.

Perhaps a second trade request is coming. Similar to Diggs, Adams' contract is easier to move after June 1.

Even if the Raiders keep Adams, it's a safe bet that several teams will inquire. Oh, and be ready for an offseason of rumors connecting him with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.