NFL rumors: 5 players who should be traded during the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is going to be chaos and, after seeing two big-name players traded last year, which five players are trade candidates this year?

Especially in the case of the 2023 NFL Draft, things are going to get chaotic on draft day. We’re pretty sure that the Carolina Panthers are going with Bryce Young at No. 1 overall — but after that, it’s best encapsulated by the shrug emoji with just about everyone guessing what will happen.

There has been a lot of talk about teams trading up or down in the 2023 NFL Draft, which is surely going to happen. However, what about the players who could also be traded in moves that affect the draft?

Just last year, we saw A.J. Brown get traded to the Eagles and Marquise Brown traded to the Arizona Cardinals, two players at the end of rookie deals and looking for new contracts. With several big-name players looking for new deals this offseason, there could be more trades in that ilk during the 2023 NFL Draft.

With that in mind, these five players should be traded at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft and there is buzz that they very well could be, so let’s also look at possible landing spots for each of these players if they are, in fact, traded.

Table of Contents

• Commanders could trade a former Top 5 pick during the NFL Draft
• The DeAndre Hopkins trade should happen during the NFL Draft
• Vikings could have a big trade cooked up for the NFL Draft
• Another running back should be traded during the NFL Draft
• It probably won’t happen but this blockbuster trade should go down in the NFL Draft

NFL Rumors: Chase Young should be traded during the 2023 NFL Draft

Figuring out what the Washington Commanders are doing this offseason is like playing the most difficult game of Clue imaginable. It was definitely Dan Snyder in some room as he sells the team, though.

One thing we do know for certain, however, is that Washington is not picking up the fifth-year option of former second-overall pick Chase Young as that news came out on Wednesday about the pass-rusher.

As a result, ESPN insider Dan Graziano reported on Wednesday that the Commanders could be looking to trade either Young or Montez Sweat. Given that the team is now in more danger of losing Young for nothing after not picking up the option, though, he seems to me to be the more likely trade candidate — and a roster with numerous needs would benefit from that trade happening during the draft.

Entering year four, Young has played just 12 gams over the past two seasons due to injury. As a rookie, though, he captured Defensive Rookie of the Year honors with a standout season that featured 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. There’s a reason he was taken No. 2 overall — the talent is there.

Teams looking to take a roll of the dice on a pass-rusher given his recent injury history would be wise to give Washington a call and perhaps give up a Day 2 pick in order to get a Young trade to go through so the Commanders can recoup some value instead of losing him for nothing.

Possible Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens

Vikings Trade | Star RB Trade | Pipe-Dream Trade

NFL Rumors: DeAndre Hopkins trade should happen during the 2023 NFL Draft

We’ve heard rumblings of a DeAndre Hopkins trade for quite a while now. Yet, there hasn’t been a deal done yet. The reports have indicated that the contract of the Arizona Cardinals wide receiver (he has a $19.45 base salary in 2023) presents a big roadblock for getting a deal done.

And yet, the Cardinals are in a terrible situation and should be compelled to do whatever is possible to get more draft capital. This may very well be the worst roster in the NFL right now and they are now going to play at least the majority, if not all of the 2023 season without quarterback Kyler Murray on the field.

That should push Arizona to try and make a trade for Hopkins in which they are willing to eat a good deal of the 30-year-old’s contract for the 2023 season in order to get a Day 2 pick and perhaps a pick in the 2024 draft as well to add to their roster moving forward to best set up Kyler Murray.

Former NFL cornerback Pacman Jones said on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday that a Hopkins trade to either the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills is going to happen soon. For the sake of the Cardinals, they need it to happen during the NFL Draft in order to best help the state of the roster moving forward.

Possible Landing Spots: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills

Commanders Trade | Star RB Trade | Pipe-Dream Trade

NFL Rumors: Dalvin Cook trade should be on deck for the 2023 NFL Draft

Dalvin Cook has been one of the best running backs in the NFL over the past few seasons, hands down. He’s been a key cog in the Minnesota Vikings offense but, as the franchise has taken steps to start rebuilding their roster, his cap hit ($14.1 million in 2023) and the desire for an extension have led to his future in the Twin Cities looking short.

Trading for a running back on an expensive contract is a bit tricky, and it could be difficult for the Vikings to pull off. Having said that, Cook is a player who has had over 1,100 yards in each of the last four seasons and has totaled 43 rushing touchdowns over that span as well. If there’s a running back to do it for, it’s Cook, even if there have been several minor injuries recently.

It’s also looking like this trade might happen. Thor Nystrom of SKOR North said recently that he’s heard that Minnesota already has the framework for a post-June 1 trade in place with an AFC team, a move that would save the Vikings more money against the cap.

Meanwhile, there were rumblings on Wednesday that the Miami Dolphins, a team that could use an upgrade at the position and has been investing heavily in getting weapons around Tua Tagovailoa, is the AFC team in question.

Even if it’s designated to not be official until June 1, having the trade agreed upon and getting draft picks would be highly advantageous for the Vikings and there should be teams, even outside of the Dolphins, ready to make this trade.

Possible Landing Spots: Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills

Commanders Trade | The D-Hop Trade | Pipe-Dream Trade

NFL Rumors: Austin Ekeler trade should transpire during 2023 NFL Draft

Earlier this offseason as contract negotiations with the Los Angeles Chargers seemingly hit an impasse, star running back Austin Ekeler requested a trade. Since that time, though, there has been little word or movement regarding any sort of deal that would give the ultra-productive back a new home and set him up for a new deal.

However, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that there are numerous interested teams looking into an Austin Ekeler trade. The big holdup right now, however, has been the back’s desire for a new contract, which could be costly to any team that does end up making a trade with the Chargers.

At the same time, though, Ekeler has been one of the most productive running backs in the league over the last three years, particularly as a dual-threat player. While he hasn’t eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in a season ever, he’s average 1,375 all-purpose yards per season, 4.5 yards per carry, and has scored 41 touchdowns over 43 games started in the past three years (he started just 10 games in 2020).

Soon to be 28 years old, Ekeler hasn’t shown signs of slowing down and, for an offense looking for a dynamic weapon in the backfield, he could be a real asset. The Chargers would surely love to find a trade partner for the running back to aid their draft haul and could get aggressive trying to make that happen.

Possible Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins

Commanders Trade | The D-Hop Trade | Vikings Trade

NFL Rumors: Trey Lance should be traded during the 2023 NFL Draft

Now we get to the portion of the proceedings where we’re basically talking about conjecture.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said this week amid the rumors that quarterback Trey Lance could be on the trade block that he expects the former No. 3 overall pick to be on the team this season. That should seemingly shut down all of the trade talk, especially with the uncertainty around Brock Purdy’s availability for the 2023 season.

Again, it should shut it down — but then again, it’s hard to ignore the other signs.

For whatever reason, the 49ers appear extremely unsold on Lance, despite trading up to draft him initially and having him start the 2022 season under center. They signed Sam Darnold this offseason and have indicated that he will have a chance to compete for QB1 while Purdy is recovering. Moreover, the team appears dead-set on Purdy being the starter after the way he filled in after injuries last year.

While having Lance as injury assurance while Purdy is out does stand to reason, the fact of the matter is that San Francisco doesn’t have a pick in the 2023 NFL Draft until the 99th overall selection. Yes, the roster is ready to contend as is, but they can get more aggressive and add more talent if they were to deal Lance, a quarterback it truly doesn’t seem like they like.

For teams like the Vikings, Raiders, Commanders and even Buccaneers that have uncertain futures at quarterback but are likely outside of the range to draft one early this year, there has to be a call placed to the 49ers about a Trey Lance trade. Even if his availability his questionable, a former No. 3 overall pick who still has massive upside doesn’t even become that available all too often, so exploring the trade would make complete sense.

Possible Landing Spots: Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders

Commanders Trade | The D-Hop Trade | Vikings Trade | Star RB Trade