The NFL offseason has entered its quietest period, one where teams go through OTAs and other workouts and plan for training camp and beyond.
Although, teams are also known to pull off some trades this time of year since the post-June 1 trades typically net more salary cap relief for players with big contracts.
As we look around the NFL and see what players might could be available, there are some promising scenarios that could hypothetically unfold.
These are just our ideas, but these five possible NFL trades could really help multiple franchises in the now and in the later.
The summer can get boring for football fans, so let’s have some fun and think of what NFL trades would catch our attention in the coming months.
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Buccaneers WR Mike Evans to the Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans has been a staple of their offense for nearly a decade. However, as he approaches his 30th birthday in August, he might be curious what life is like on a team not destined for a rebuild.
The Bucs could save $14.6 million for 2023 and more in the future by trading Evans after June 1, a move that certainly would make snagging the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft all the easier.
The Ravens have added wideouts in Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers this offseason, and the team drafted Rashod Bateman in 2021. However, the team lacks a true No. 1 for its offense unless Flowers or Bateman breaks out this fall.
Let’s say Baltimore sends a 2024 second-round pick and 2020 third-round wideout Devin Duvernay to the Buccaneers in exchange for Evans, who could sign an adjusted contract with the Ravens.
A quartet of Evans, Beckham, Flowers and Bateman could give quarterback Lamar Jackson the best receiver room of his career and help Baltimore keep pace in a treacherous AFC.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Baltimore sends a 2024 second-round pick and Duvernay to Tampa Bay for Evans.
Texans DE Jerry Hughes to the Eagles
Veteran edge rusher Jerry Hughes has been too good for too long without a Super Bowl to show for it.
At the moment, Hughes is stuck in Houston with a rebuilding organization. Unless the Texans want him around as a mentoring presence and really plan to contend in 2023, the team could add some draft capital for 2024 in a trade.
The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best defensive fronts in football last season, but the team could use some depth at edge rusher after some offseason shuffling. Hughes had nine sacks last season, which Philly would certainly love to even get half of next season.
Philadelphia could send a 2024 fifth-round pick Houston’s way for Hughes and bolster its edge group for another playoff run. The Texans could clear $5 million in cap space if the trade is done after June 1 and add a nice draft pick in the process.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Philadelphia sends a 2024 fifth-round pick to Houston for Hughes.
Titans S Kevin Byard to the Chargers
The Tennessee Titans are entering a new era with general manager Ran Carthon leading the franchise.
Carthon recently confirmed that he asked All-Pro free safety Kevin Byard to take a pay cut this season, although nothing transpired between the two parties. Would Tennessee be open to dealing Byard for a nice draft haul or even an asset for the passing game?
Let’s say the Los Angeles Chargers, who lost free safety Nasir Adderley this offseason, makes the offer Tennessee can’t refuse.
L.A. head coach Brandon Staley probably knows this year is key for him and his future with the program. Perhaps he’d lobby the Chargers front office to send a 2024 third-round pick and wide receiver Josh Palmer to the Titans?
It’d be a hefty price, but it’d be for one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Palmer, a former Vol, could immediately slot in as Tennessee’s second wideout, and the Titans would have a third-round pick to use next year.
The Chargers would have the best safety tandem in the NFL with Byard and strong safety Derwin James and could adjust Byard’s deal before quarterback Justin Herbert needs a new contract.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Los Angeles sends a 2024 third-round pick and Palmer to Tennessee for Byard.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz to the Bengals
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the name that many feel could be a trade candidate for the Arizona Cardinals. However, the team moving on from its veteran tight end Zach Ertz might be more likely at the moment.
The Cincinnati Bengals lost tight end Hayden Hurst this offseason and tight end C.J. Uzomah the offseason before that. While Cincinnati added tight end Irv Smith Jr. on a prove-it deal this offseason, adding Ertz could be a major boost.
Ertz won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and could be the type of veteran safety valve that quarterback Joe Burrow would utilize plenty. Cincinnati has the league’s best wideout trio, and adding Ertz to the mix would be a heck of a way for the Bengals to continue to assert themselves as Super Bowl 58 contenders.
The Bengals could send Arizona a 2024 fourth-round pick for Ertz, which isn’t a bad return for the Cardinals. Arizona would also save around $9 million on the cap if the trade was processed after June 1.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Cincinnati sends a 2024 fourth-round pick to Arizona for Ertz.
Commanders DE Chase Young to the Falcons
Washington’s 2020 second-overall pick Chase Young hasn’t yet materialized into the elite pass rusher many expected he’d be.
He’s struggled with injuries in his last two seasons with the Commanders and didn’t have his fifth-year option picked up for 2024. He’ll be entering a contract year and could be a trade candidate for a team who wants to give him a place to grow.
Trading Young wouldn’t be a bad move for the Commanders, who are in the midst of figuring out what their future looks like on both sides of the ball.
Let’s say a team like Atlanta that needs pass rush help comes calling. Consider that Falcons personnel executive Kyle Smith was with Washington when the team drafted Young.
Also consider that Atlanta has already traded a draft pick for a 2020 first rounder/Ohio State alum who has struggled so far with injuries in the NFL (cornerback Jeff Okudah).
New Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has been able to develop pass rushers as well as anyone in the NFL, and Young could get a fresh start in Atlanta and learn from Nielsen and a wise veteran like Calais Campbell.
A couple of future draft picks and a player could get this deal done.
The Falcons need to start winning games, and perhaps Young could help them get there. Atlanta could send linebacker Mykal Walker to Washington, a team that needs some help at the position. Walker has 20 career starts in three seasons and could also benefit from a change of scenery.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Atlanta sends a 2024 fourth-round pick, a 2025 fifth-round pick and Walker to Washington for Young.
