5 Trades Likely to Happen Before the 2022 NFL Draft

The initial wave of 2022 NFL free agency has come and gone, and trades have been a huge part of the equation. We've seen stars like Khalil Mack, Russell Wilson, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill change teams via trade, and more noteworthy deals could be on the way.

The way this wild offseason has gone, nothing can be ruled out.

Which trades are likely to happen over the next few weeks? That's what we're here to examine. We'll dive into some of the latest trade-related buzz and five potential deals that feel more than just possible between now and the 2022 draft.

We took factors like team fit, cap space, contract situations and team needs into consideration, and the rumor mill also played a large role.

James Bradberry to the Kansas City Chiefs

Rich Schultz/Associated Press

Kansas City Chiefs Get: CB James Bradberry
New York Giants Get: 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 135)

The Kansas City Chiefs gave themselves both extra draft capital and cap space when they sent Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. They got a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick out of the deal and now have $22.8 million in cap space.

The Chiefs could use a large chunk of that newfound capital to help reload a secondary that ranked 27th in passing yards allowed last season and lost starting cornerback Charvarius Ward in free agency.

According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, Kansas City is interested in free agent Stephon Gilmore and New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry. According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, the Giants are open to moving Bradberry and running back Saquon Barkley.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported the Giants are believed to be asking only for a late-round pick for Bradberry. If Kansas City can get him for the No. 135 overall pick—its last 2022 draft pick before the seventh round—that's a deal worth pursuing.

Bradberry is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $21.9 million. If New York is willing to eat his $11.7 million dead-cap charge in a trade, the Chiefs could conceivably add both Bradberry and Gilmore this offseason.

While acquiring Bradberry wouldn't help the Chiefs replace Hill, the 2020 Pro Bowler could make them a more well-rounded team. Thanks to the Hill trade, the option is on the table.

DeVante Parker to the Philadelphia Eagles

Willfredo Lee/Associated Press

Philadelphia Eagles Get: WR DeVante Parker 
Miami Dolphins Get: 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 124)

While the Tyreek Hill trade has given the Chiefs options that they didn't previously have, it may have created too many options for the Miami Dolphins at wide receiver. Miami already released Allen Hurns, and it could be primed to part with 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker next.

As things currently stand, Parker would be either the third or fourth receiver behind Hill and 2021 first-round pick Jaylen Waddle. He would likely either split reps or play behind free-agent addition Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The Dolphins could save $3.3 million by cutting or trading Parker. If Miami can get something of value in return for him, trading him would make perfect sense—and teams are reportedly interested.

"Several teams have shown interest in DeVante Parker, who's under contract. Eagles reportedly among them. Unclear what Dolphins will do with him," Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweeted.

The Philadelphia Eagles could use another downfield target to pair with 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith. The Eagles utilized a run-heavy offense last season, but they ranked a mediocre 13th in net yards per pass attempt.

Parker could help quarterback Jalen Hurts continue to grow as a pro signal-caller. He missed seven games in 2021 with a hamstring injury but still finished with 40 catches, 515 yards and two touchdowns.

The Dolphins surrendered a lot to get Hill. Recouping a fourth-round pick might be enough for Miami to deal a wideout who no longer figures to be a big part of the offense.

Baker Mayfield to the Seattle Seahawks

David Richard/Associated Press

Seattle Seahawks Get: QB Baker Mayfield
Cleveland Browns Get: 2022 third-round pick (No. 72)

After acquiring Deshaun Watson and signing Jacoby Brissett, the Cleveland Browns view 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield as expendable. They aren't looking to get a first-round pick back for Mayfield, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, but they "are actively trying to trade him as soon as possible."

Cleveland has two main problems, though. For one, the wild quarterback carousel has left few teams without a viable 2021 starting option. The other issue is Mayfield's contract. He is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $18.9 million this season, and teams don't want to pay that.

Mayfield "is unlikely to be traded at $18 million," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "If the Browns are able to eat some money, if the agent and the new team can work it out and comes up with some sort of answer to how to split or deal with Baker Mayfield's salary, then I believe he will be traded."

Mayfield has been inconsistent, but he's shown plenty of ability. He set a since-broken rookie record with 27 touchdown passes. If the financial commitment comes down, the Seattle Seahawks are interested, per Cabot.

Seattle traded longtime starter Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos and acquired Drew Lock as part of the deal. Bringing in Mayfield to compete with Lock would make a ton of sense at the right price.

Jimmy Garoppolo is another trade option, but the San Francisco 49ers are extremely unlikely to trade a quarterback to a division rival.

Cleveland could potentially get a second-round pick if it eats a large portion of Mayfield's cap hit. However, the Seahawks don't appear to have any real competition on the trade market, so a third-round pick probably gets this one done.

Nick Foles to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Bruce Kluckhohn/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars Get: QB Nick Foles
Chicago Bears Get: 2022 sixth-round pick (No. 180)

While Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo are the two big names to watch on the quarterback trade market, Chicago Bears backup Nick Foles could be on the move as well. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Bears have explored trades involving the former Eagles Super Bowl MVP.

"The Bears have explored trades for Nick Foles," Garafolo tweeted. "With the addition of Siemian, expect that to continue, as the writing is on the wall for Foles, who has $1m of his base salary guaranteed in addition to the $4m roster bonus Chicago just paid him this month."

Chicago signed Trevor Siemian earlier this month, and he should replace Foles as the veteran backup behind Justin Fields. The Bears would save only $3 million by cutting Foles and $4 million by trading him, so getting even a late-round pick for him would be better than releasing him outright.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the most logical landing spot for Foles. Jacksonville has 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence under center and could use a veteran mentor behind him. Current backup C.J. Beathard has 12 games of starting experience, but Foles has 56 regular-season starts, one Pro Bowl and a Lombardi Trophy on his resume.

Foles also has experience with new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. He would be a tremendous presence in the quarterback room as Pederson introduces his schemes and concepts to Lawrence this offseason. He could help guide Lawrence from the sideline and be a reliable spot starter if necessary.

Adding Foles might not be the spiciest move for Jags fans, but it would be worth it to help ensure that Lawrence can succeed in his second season.

No. 3 Pick in the Draft to the Carolina Panthers

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Carolina Panthers Get: 2022 first-round pick (No. 3)
Houston Texans Get: 2022 first-round pick (No. 6), 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 137), 2023 second-round pick

While most trade rumors are centered around players, we'll inevitably see trades involving draft picks. When picks are traded ahead of time, they're usually acquired with a quarterback in mind.

With Trevor Lawrence in the fold, the Jacksonville Jaguars aren't taking a quarterback at No. 1. The Detroit Lions may take a signal-caller—likely Liberty's Malik Willis—at No. 2, which could lead to a scramble to land the next signal-caller.

If the Carolina Panthers, who missed out on Deshaun Watson, are intent on drafting a quarterback, they might be inclined to move up to No. 3 ahead of the draft. In 2018, the New York Jets traded up to No. 3 knowing that one of the top two or three quarterbacks would still be available there.

The Panthers have been linked to Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. Carolina sent a large contingent to Pickett's pro day, and it was reportedly interested long before then.

"We think he's going to Carolina. That where I would mock him," one AFC scout said of Pickett in February, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

"Whether it's through the draft, trade, whatever it may be, we're going to add to the room," Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said, per Nick Shook of NFL.com.

The Panthers' issue is that a team could jump them at No. 6. The Giants are open to trading one of their two first-round selections, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. The New York Jets, who have two first-round picks, could also be open for business.

The Jets and Giants hold the fourth and fifth picks, respectively. If another team wants Pickett, it can probably go get him.

This trade with the Houston Texans would land the Panthers the No. 3 pick and virtually guarantee them a shot at either Willis or Pickett. However, a team trading up to No. 1 could potentially cause that plan to backfire.

Cap and contract information via Spotrac.