With the NFL about to return for the 2023-24 season, it’s worth wondering if any trades could be in the works ahead of training camp.
We’ve gone through some free agency fits we like for certain NFL teams going into the last weeks of July, but we’re now going to run through five possible trades that could help some contending teams out.
Some of these guys have requested trades, while others could use a change of scenery going into the season. We’re not sure if any of these guys play elsewhere in the fall, but if these trades could happen, they might be ideal for all parties involved.
Let’s get the trade machine going and see what we find.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Devin White to the Buffalo Bills
The Bills are in a strange spot, a Super Bowl contender that still feels just a step behind the other AFC heavyweights despite having an elite quarterback on the roster.
The team drafted linebacker Dorian Williams in the third round this past April, but an elite talent like White just doesn’t come around often as a trade possibility.
After White requested a trade in the spring, the Bills could send a first-round pick to Tampa Bay and lock in White for the future next to Williams. It’d give the Bills a nasty combo at inside linebacker, and it’d give the Buccaneers another first rounder to use in the post-Tom Brady days.
TRADE DETAILS: White to Buffalo for a 2024 first rounder
Arizona Cardinals SS Budda Baker to the New York Giants
The Giants have a definite need at strong safety going into training camp, and the Cardinals have an elite strong safety who requested a trade back in April.
New York could strengthen its secondary for the long haul and give Don “Wink” Martindale a really formidable chess piece on the back end as the team tries to cement itself as a strong NFC contender.
Arizona could recoup some key draft capital and maybe even a young strong safety in Dane Belton to develop for the future.
TRADE DETAILS: Baker to New York for a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick and Belton
Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs to the Baltimore Ravens
Jacobs and the Raiders don’t seem like they’re on great terms in trying to negotiate the former’s new contract as he remains on the franchise tag for the 2023 season.
The Pro Bowl running back could be the missing piece for the Ravens on offense, an elite rushing threat to take pressure off of quarterback Lamar Jackson and keep Baltimore’s offense apace in the treacherous AFC.
The Ravens could send two draft picks and running back Gus Edwards to Las Vegas, giving Edwards a chance to be the feature rusher for the Raiders.
TRADE DETAILS: Jacobs to Baltimore for a 2024 second-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick and Edwards
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill to the New England Patriots
It’s going to be Will Levis time in Tennessee sooner than later, and this will undoubtedly be Tannehill’s last season with the Titans if he stays.
If the Titans wanted to maximize his value, they could trade him to a quarterback-needy team ahead of training camp and let him get acclimated to a new system. Levis could compete with 2022 third-round pick Malik Willis for the starting job, and those two could make up the Titans’ quarterback room for the next couple of seasons.
As for Tannehill, he could go to the Patriots and battle it out with quarterback Mac Jones for the starting role. Honestly, Jones’ tenure in New England seems tenuous, and Tannehill could possibly be what New England needs to get it back to the playoffs if Jones falters.
The former 2021 first-round pick could also learn behind Tannehill for the future if New England still has faith in him.
TRADE DETAILS: Tannehill to New England for a 2024 fourth-round pick
New York Jets WR Corey Davis to the Atlanta Falcons
If we’re trying to get Falcons head coach Arthur Smith back together with some of his former Titans who underwhelmed after signing big free agent deals, Davis would be another good candidate.
After Jonnu Smith went from the Patriots to the Falcons, Davis could make the same move after falling behind on a Jets depth chart that features Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb.
The Falcons could send a mid-round pick New York’s way for Davis and rework his contract for the next couple of seasons. The Jets could free up a bit of cap space and get a pick for a player who might not play a ton this season now that New York has such depth at receiver.
TRADE DETAILS: Davis to Atlanta for a 2024 fourth-round pick
