The Biggest Potential NFL Trades That Could Still Happen in 2026

It may feel like the NFL has moved past the early offseason and is exclusively focused on this month's draft. While some big-name free agents may have to wait until after the draft to find new homes, the trade market remains active and open.

Just this past week, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to acquire wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers for a pair of 2027 Day-3 draft picks.

Wicks might move the needle for many casual fans, but more noteworthy deals can, and likely will, still happen in 2026.

Here, we'll examine eight logical trade candidates, why they could be moved in the coming months, trade values, and likely landing spots, based on factors like team needs, scheme fit, and any relevant recent buzz.

New Orleans Saints Trade Alvin Kamara to the Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Alvin Kamara

Denver Broncos Get: RB Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints Get: Conditional 2027 6th-round pick

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara may be coming off the worst season of his career, but he's still one of the bigger names who could be moved this offseason.

Kamara will turn 31 in July and is and coming off a sprained MCL. However, he remains a very capable receiving back who logged 33 passes in 11 games this past season. He may be viewed as expendable by the Saints, who signed Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency and who could save $3.4 million—or $11.5 million after June 1—by trading Kamara.

The Denver Broncos are the team that would make the most sense for Kamara. Denver has a promising young starter in RJ Harvey but could use a third-down specialist to pair with him and J.K. Dobbins. Kamara would fit the description.

And while Kamara hinted last season that he'd prefer to retire than play outside of New Orleans, a reunion with Sean Payton and a shot at a Super Bowl might convince him to make the move.

Detroit Lions Trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Kayvon Thibodeaux

Detroit Lions Get: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux

New York Giants Get: Conditional 2027 3rd-round pick

The New York Giants aren't actively shopping pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, but he still looms as a prime trade candidate. With Brian Burns and 2025 first-round pick Abdul Carter on the roster, Thibodeaux is somewhat expendable.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Thibodeaux is also about to get very expensive. Moving him now would make more sense than losing him for nothing in a year.

According to The Athletic's Ian O'Connor, the Giants are "fine" with keeping Thibodeaux, but they could be "compelled" to make a deal with "an offer of a late second-round pick or early third-round pick."

The Detroit Lions could desperately use a standout edge-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. If they miss out on one in the draft, offering a conditional 2027 third-rounder that could become a second-round pick in order to get one would be logical.

New York Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence to the Chicago Bears

AP Photo/John Locher

Dexter Lawrence

Chicago Bears Get: DL Dexter Lawrence

New York Giants Get: 2026 4th-round pick, Conditional 2027 3rd-round pick

The Giants may not be actively shopping defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence either, but the three-time Pro Bowler is looking to be moved. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Lawrence "has requested a trade, and he will not be participating in the team's offseason workout program."

The timing of the reported request seems to indicate that the 28-year-old Lawrence is looking for a new contract. He has two years remaining on his current deal, but his annual salary of $21.9 million ranks only 13th among interior defenders.

If the Giants make Lawrence available at a reasonable price point, the Chicago Bears should be inclined to pounce. Chicago emerge as a legitimate contender this past season, but its defense needs improvement.

Adding Lawrence could help Chicago bolster a run defense that ranked 29th in yards per carry allowed and a pass rush that generated only 35 combined sacks.

Dallas Cowboys Trade George Pickens to the Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

George Pickens

Baltimore Ravens Get: WR George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys Get: 2026 1st-round pick

The Dallas Cowboys slapped the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens. While the two sides are not actively negotiating an extension, the Cowboys—at least publicly—insist they want to keep the star pass-catcher long-term.

"Make no mistake about it, we have long-term plans in mind," franchise owner Jerry Jones said, per ESPN's Todd Archer.

Given Pickens' age (25) and proven production (1,429 yards in 2025), teams will likely inquire about him just before or during the draft. The Cowboys, who are already paying CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year, might listen.

Replacing Pickens with a receiver like Kevin Concepcion or Omar Cooper Jr.—on a rookie contract—would make plenty of financial sense. Snagging Pickens would make sense for a team like the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore could use a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and Pickens would certainly fill that need. He may also relish a chance to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers team that jettisoned him a year ago.

Chicago Bears Trade Cole Kmet to the Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Cole Kmet

Baltimore Ravens Receive: TE Cole Kmet

Chicago Bears Receive: Conditional 2027 4th-round pick

If the Ravens can't land a receiver like Pickens—or even if they do—they should have interest in Bears tight end Cole Kmet.

Kmet has been productive throughout his Bears tenure, but he may not be viewed as expendable due to the emergence of rookie Colston Loveland in 2025. Trading Kmet would save Chicago $7.4 million in cap space of $9 million if traded after June 1.

For Baltimore, adding Kmet would make a ton of sense. The Ravens lost tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar in free agency. Kmet is a solid pass-catcher who has tallied 2,939 receiving yards in six seasons and who just turned 27 years old in March.

Kmet also has experience under new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who held the same position last season in Chicago.

Dallas Cowboys Trade for Maxx Crosby

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File

Maxx Crosby

Dallas Cowboys Receive: Edge Maxx Crosby

Las Vegas Raiders Receive: 2027 1st-round pick, 2027 2nd-round pick, 2028 3rd-round pick

At this point in the offseason, a deal involving Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby feels unlikely. The Raiders had a deal in place with Baltimore, but it was voided by a failed physical. Crosby, who initially requested a trade, seems perfectly content to remain in Las Vegas.

"Everything Happens For A Reason," Crosby posted on X. "...Im a Raider. I'm back."

Still, it wouldn't be a total shock if the Raiders get offers that are difficult to refuse after the draft—when teams seeking a pass-rusher may have missed out. One team to watch is Dallas, which made multiple offers for Crosby earlier this offseason.

Dallas eventually acquired Rashan Gary from Green Bay, but if the Cowboys can't add pass-rushing help in the draft, they could make a strong push to pair Gary and Crosby together. The Raiders, sensing a chance to put more offense pieces around presumed No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, just might listen.

Philadelphia Eagles Trade A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

A.J. Brown

New England Patriots Get: WR A.J. Brown

Philadelphia Eagles Get: Conditional 2027 2nd-round pick

Trade chatter continues to surround Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. In the wake of the Wicks trade, Schefter called Brown's future in Philadelphia a "topic of conversation."

While we don't know exactly what's next for Brown, we do know that a trade before June 1 is extremely unlikely. Moving Brown before then would cost the Eagles an additional $20.1 million in cap space.

Trading Brown after June 1 would save Philly $7 million in cap space.

A trade isn't likely to happen until after the draft, and the draft itself could determine which teams are in the market for a 29-year-old (in June) wideout. That picture won't become clear for another couple of weeks, though the New England Patriots remain a logical destination.

Dianna Russini and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported last month that both the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams had been interested in Brown. According to ProFootball Talk's Mike Florio, the Rams have since "tapped out."

If Brown is available in June, a conditional third-round pick that could become a second-rounder should be enough to pique Howie Roseman's interest.

Tennessee Titans Trade for Brandon Aiyuk

AP Photo/Scot Tucker

Brandon Aiyuk

Tennessee Titans Get: WR Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers Get: Conditional 2027 6th-round pick

The release or trade of San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk feels like an offseason domino that will inevitably fall. Russini and Silver reported in November that Aiyuk and the 49ers clashed over his recovery from a torn ACL and that San Francisco had voided his 2026 guarantees as a result.

While most expected Aiyuk to be released at the start of the new league year, that hasn't happened. It seems that San Francisco is hoping that it can still recoup some value via a trade.

"Hopefully, we could get something for [him]. And I know we're in no rush to do that," head coach Kyle Shanahan said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

The Tennessee Titans would be a logical landing spot for Aiyuk if they don't load up on receiver help during the draft. Tennessee needs pieces around second-year quarterback Cam Ward, and head coach Robert Saleh spent last season as San Francisco's defensive coordinator.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.