Updated Trade Landing Spot Predictions for Top NFL Stars During 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL draft will bring with it a frenzy of trading activity. While picks are sure to be dealt, some of the league's biggest names could be on the move as well.

Several stars have already been traded during the leadup to this week's big event. The New York Giants made waves when they sent Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals late last week, returning the No. 10 overall pick for the stud defensive tackle. The Denver Broncos package up several picks, including the No. 30 overall selection, to pry Jaylen Waddle away from the Miami Dolphins last month.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, fans should expect more standout talent to get traded on draft day. The NFL insider highlighted a slew of trade candidates in his recent article, a list that includes Pro Bowlers and other noteworthy players.

With that in mind, let's highlight some of the trade candidates Schefter mentioned and make some predictions on where they'll land if they get moved during the 2026 NFL draft.

WR Brandon Aiyuk to Washington Commanders

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Brandon Aiyuk has likely played his last down for the San Francisco 49ers, but it remains to be seen if a trade offer will surface before the team elects to release him.

Although rival teams could try to wait for Aiyuk to hit free agency before negotiating with him, a receiver-needy squad like the Washington Commanders may want to get a leg up by offering San Francisco compensation for the disgruntled star during the 2026 draft.

While Aiyuk hasn't suited up for an NFL game since he suffered a gruesome knee injury in October 2024, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2022-23 and scored 15 total touchdowns in that span. The 2020 first-rounder had developed into a legitimate No. 1 wideout and helped the 49ers reach a pair of NFC Championship Games and Super Bowl during his first three seasons.

The Commanders aren't swimming in picks, but do possess four Day 3 selections. One of these could be used to reunite Aiyuk with Jayden Daniels, recreating a pairing that found success at Arizona State in 2019. Aiyuk led the Sun Devils with a team-high 65 catches for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns during that season.

That established rapport could help Aiyuk find his footing and return to form quickly following an extended layoff. Washington would benefit heavily from a healthy Aiyuk too, as the club has little in the way of proven pass-catchers outside of aging Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin.

This low-risk, high-reward move would provide a massive boost to a Commanders receiving corps in dire need of some additional talent going into the 2026 campaign.

TE Kyle Pitts to Tennessee Titans

The Atlanta Falcons placed the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts earlier this offseason, but that maneuver doesn't mean the tight end is guaranteed to suit up for the franchise in 2026.

There's been rumblings that Pitts could be on his way out, whispers that grew louder after Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham admitted late last month that he would listen to offers for the star tight end.

Since being selected No. 4 overall in 2021—becoming the highest drafted TE in league history—Pitts has had his ups and downs. While his career started strong, injuries, inconsistencies and poor offensive systems limited his contributions between the 2022-24 seasons.

Pitts finally bounced back last season, earning second-team All-Pro honors by posting career highs in targets (118), catches (88) and touchdowns (five) to go along with a respectable 928 receiving yards.

The Tennessee Titans could look to capitalize on a rejuvenated Pitts being available in a trade. Tennessee allowed incumbent starter Chig Okonkwo to depart in free agency this offseason and doesn't have a viable replacement on the roster. While fourth-round rookie Gunnar Helm showed some promise last year, Pitts would immediately slot in as the team's TE1 and become a focal point of the offense.

If the Titans want to build around rising star Cam Ward, it would behoove the organization to put a strong offer for Pitts on the table during the 2026 draft. The tight end would be an ideal red area target and safety valve in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system, while still being young enough at 25 to continue improving alongside Ward if he receives a contract extension from the Titans.

Tennessee is sitting on nine total selections—including four within the first 101 slots—and should not hesitate to parlay some of these into one of the league's most uniquely talented tight ends.

Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux to Dallas Cowboys

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The New York Giants seemed to have a star on their hands when they drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall a half-decade ago. Unfortunately for the G-Men, the edge rusher has only regressed since his breakout 11.5-sack sophomore campaign.

With Thibodeaux missing 12 total games over the last two seasons and failing to perform at a high level when he's been on the field—he notched just 2.5 sacks in the 10 games he was available for in 2025—his tenure in the Big Apple may be nearing an end. The roster has undergone a major shakeup in wake of head coach John Harbaugh's hiring and Thibodeaux might be the next domino to fall.

Although there's been reports that Big Blue is "less likely" to move Thibodeaux now that Dexter Lawrence has been dealt, Adam Schefter still pointed to him as a player who will generate plenty of trade interest during the draft.

The Dallas Cowboys make sense as a landing spot for the talented but underperforming edge defender, even if it means working out a deal with a bitter NFC East rival to acquire him.

With Thibodeaux playing out the final year of his rookie deal and set to hit free agency next spring, the Giants don't have a ton of leverage in trade negotiations. Given the contract situation and fading production, New York isn't likely to garner any offers better than a late-Day 2 or early-Day 3 pick for his services.

Dallas has several draft picks in this range it could use to make a run at Thibodeaux, including Nos. 92 and 112 overall. While his recent efforts don't quite warrant that sort of capital, Thibodeaux is still only 25 years old and has shown he can be a double-digit sack contributor when healthy and motivated.

Trading for Thibodeaux is the type of gamble the Cowboys must make if they are going to make significant defensive strides in 2026 following last year's abysmal showing.

WR Keon Coleman to San Francisco 49ers

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Keon Coleman became one of the most surprising trade candidates of the 2026 offseason thanks to some shocking comments by Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pagula.

Following his team's disappointing playoff exit and decision to move on Sean McDermott, Pagula revealed that the former head coach pushed the club to draft Coleman and noted the wide receiver "wasn't [general manager Brandon Beane]'s next choice".

With McDermott out of the picture and Adam Schefter speculating that Coleman will draw trade interest during the draft, there's a real possibility that the 2024 second-rounder could be on the move ahead of his third NFL season.

If Coleman is available, the San Francisco 49ers should come calling.

The Niners came into the offseason needing to reload the receiver's room and largely accomplished that goal with an aggressive approach to free agency. The team plucked both Mike Evans and Christian Kirk off the open market, adding two proven veterans to make up for the departure of Jauan Jennings and near-certain loss of Brandon Aiyuk.

Despite the marquee pickups, San Francisco would be wise to add an insurance and developmental option to the mix. All three of the team's top wideouts—Evans, Kirk and 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall—are prone to injury and missed significant time last season.

While Coleman has been sidelined for stretches with injuries of his own, he's an ideal buy-low player who head coach Kyle Shanahan can rehabilitate within his high-octane offense. Coleman has a meager 67/960/8 stat line over his first 26 career games, but still has plenty of unrealized potential at the age of 22.

The Niners are only holding six total picks in the 2026 draft, but giving up one of their three fourth-rounders for an athletic, 6'4", 215-pound prospect with good hands and the potential to develop into a high-volume X receiver is worth the price of admission.

The combination of Coleman and Pearsall would set a foundation that San Francisco can build its receiving corps around for the foreseeable future.

CB Kenny Moore II to Carolina Panthers

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The Indianapolis Colts and Kenny Moore II appear to be heading towards a breakup, one that could come as soon as the 2026 NFL draft.

Moore is entering the final year of a three-year, $30 million extension but has no guaranteed dollars left. Adam Schefter reported that Moore and team mutually agreed to explore trades that would see the cornerback depart an organization he spent nearly a decade playing for.

Colts GM Chris Ballard hinted that Moore may be outright released in a maneuver that would shed approximately $7 million in cap room and allow the player to choose his next employer, but Schefter believes there might be some trade interest in the aging corner.

While Moore is on the wrong side of 30 and has regressed in recent years, he's still a serviceable defensive back who contributed 55 tackles, six pass defenses, two forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks and an interception in 2025. He's racked up 20 picks and 68 pass breakups across his nine seasons and can still chip in as a part-time playmaker who rounds out the secondary for a contending club.

The Carolina Panthers would benefit from adding a defensive leader like Moore to the mix. Carolina is attempting to build on a surprise NFC South championship and desires to put what became a lengthy rebuilding process in the rearview, an endeavor that a low-cost veteran pickup can greatly assist with.

The Panthers came to terms with several marquee defensive free agents this offseason, most notably signing Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, but there's still room for improvement. The team's nickel corner spot currently leaves much to be desired and can be easily upgraded by trading for Moore.

Given Moore is likely on his way out of Indy via a release if a trade doesn't emerge during the draft, the Panthers should be able to get him for little more than a sixth-round pick swap.