Surprise 2026 NFL Offseason Trade Candidates

'Tis the season. 

Every year at this time, several impactful NFL trades make headlines as the wildness of March expands beyond free agency. And oftentimes, we get a surprise blockbuster. 

On the brink of the launch of the new league year, let's look at half a dozen surprise trade candidates based on their circumstances following the 2025 campaign. 

Salary information courtesy of Spotrac

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

C.J. Stroud

Why a Surprise?: Just two years ago, Stroud was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in one of the greatest debut seasons in NFL history. And there's also that thing about their general manager saying talk of a potential Stroud trade is "moronic."

The Trade Logic: The 24-year-old has fallen off a cliff since that 2023 campaign, and he may or may not have hit rock bottom when turning it over seven times in two playoff games this January. The Texans are arguably wasting a window with an elite defense, and Stroud will become much more expensive very soon. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: He'll only cost the team $11.5 million if they don't extend him this offseason. The 2027 campaign will be a different story ($25.9 million option if not a lot worse via a new contract or a tag), but it makes some sense for Houston to use 2026 as a do-or-die season for Stroud. 

Potential Suitors: Jets, Steelers, Cardinals, Dolphins 

Potential Return: The equivalent of at least two first-round draft picks 

Pittsburgh Steelers WR DK Metcalf

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

DK Metcalf

Why a Surprise?: The Steelers just acquired Metcalf a year ago, and proceeded to hand him a four-year, $132 million contract before trading away former top receiver George Pickens. Bailing on the 28-year-old now would be somewhat shocking. 

The Trade Logic: Metcalf fell short of dominating in 2025, with just 59 catches (his lowest total since he was a rookie) and six touchdowns. Statistically, it's becoming increasingly apparent that he peaked in 2020 and 2021, when he scored 22 times (he's found the end zone just 25 times in the four seasons since). Plus, Aaron Rodgers' future is again up in the air and the Steelers could be in reset mode in search of a new quarterback for their new head coach, anyway. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: Word is that Rodgers is more likely than not to return for at least one more season. If that comes to fruition, the team has little choice but to give Metcalf another year as well. On top of that, the pre-June 1 trade salary-cap savings wouldn't be substantial ($7 million). 

Potential Suitors: 49ers, Broncos, Commanders, Patriots, Giants, Jets, Raiders

Potential Return: Multiple Day 2 draft picks 

Buffalo Bills OT Dion Dawkins

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Dion Dawkins

Why a Surprise?: He's been a staple as Josh Allen's blind-side protector for the entirety of Allen's professional career and is coming off five consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns. 

The Trade Logic: Remember how the Bill Belichick-era Patriots famously knew exactly when to cut bait on so-called staples? This might be that time for Buffalo and Dawkins, who gave up a career-high 42 pressures and posted the worst Pro Football Focus pass-blocking efficiency grade of his career in 2025. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: The Bills don't want to take a step backward for no reason, and Dawkins is still a strong player at 31. The cap savings would also be negligible unless they deal him after June 1 (in which case they'd pocket $16.3 million in 2026). And projected replacement Ryan Van Demark isn't awful, but is far from a guarantee. 

Potential Suitors: Texans, Jaguars, Bears

Potential Return: Multiple Day 2 draft picks

Las Vegas Raiders Edge Maxx Crosby

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Maxx Crosby

Why a Surprise?: As a 28-year-old five-time Pro Bowler who signed a nine-figure extension just a year ago, he's arguably the face of the franchise.

The Trade Logic: That's about to change anyway, with the team likely to draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall next month. Meanwhile, Crosby seems to have peaked when he put up 27 sacks in 2022 and 2023, compared to just 17.5 in the two seasons since that run. And the kicker is that a trade now would free up $30.7 million in salary-cap space for the rebuilding Raiders. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: It certainly still indicates a short-term step backward for a team hoping to turn this around quickly and has plenty of support for Mendoza on offense, as well as significant cap space. 

Potential Suitors: Commanders, Bengals, Patriots, Ravens 

Potential Return: A first-round draft pick

Cleveland Browns Edge Myles Garrett

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Myles Garrett

Why a Surprise?: As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year who signed a nine-figure extension just a year ago, he's undoubtedly the face of the franchise. 

The Trade Logic: Garrett broke the single-season sack record despite the fact that the Browns won just five games in 2025. By the time this rebuilding team is potentially competitive again, the 30-year-old will likely be well beyond his prime and unaffordable. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: You don't trade away the best defensive player in the game in his prime, right? And doing so would not save the Browns any money immediately, unless their trade partner were to work with them on that specifically. 

Potential Suitors: Eagles, Commanders, Patriots, 49ers, Chargers

Potential Return: Jalen Carter from the Eagles, or at least two first-round draft picks from someone else

Philadelphia Eagles DL Jalen Carter

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Jalen Carter

Why a Surprise?: Well, he's a 24-year-old top-10 pick who was a key part of the 2024 Super Bowl team and is still widely expected to dominate up front for another decade. 

The Trade Logic: Micah Parsons seemed to suggest on his Bleacher Report podcast that Carter might have been on the table in trade talks with Dallas last offseason. He's actually coming off a down year, but an otherwise-loaded defensive team could use his trajectory and still-low salary to command one hell of a return. 

The Anti-Trade Logic: That still-low salary—he'll count just $6.9 million against the cap in 2026—increases his value on the trade market but also makes him less of a burden on the Eagles. Plus, they'd need an absolute haul in return. 

Potential Suitors: Browns, Jets, Bengals, Jaguars 

Potential Return: Myles Garrett from the Browns, or a star and at least one first-rounder from someone else