2023 NFL Trade Deadline Match-Maker

 With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, today we play matchmaker for some of the biggest potential names on the market. I’m not even predicting that some of the names on here actually get moved, but anyone I mention and any team I mention trading for that player is not out of the realm of possibility of being moved. Lets have some fun here.

KIRK COUSINS TO THE JETS

Jets get: Kirk Cousins (QB)

Vikings get: 2024 second rounder, 2025 third rounder

What happens with Minnesota has to be the most interesting storyline approaching the deadline. Just mere months ago, the Vikings were thought to be real Super Bowl contenders, now, they look on the verge of blowing up the team with only names like Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, and Jordan Addison looking fully safe. With Cousins in the final year of his deal, aging, and the Vikings looking lost, a move for him makes sense. And the Jets look like the perfect team to take him on for the rest of this season. At 2-3, the Jets are not out of the playoff race by any stretch. Their defense is so damn good and they have an array of playmakers on offense. With Aaron Rodgers out for the year, the coaching staff cannot afford to just throw away another season with all the talent on this team. Adding Cousins would be expensive, but if they can avoid giving up a first, which I believe is very possible here, it would be a worthy move. Cousins would have his go-to-guy in Garrett Wilson, an elite RB duo in Breece Hall and Calvin Cook (reuniting) and the hungry defense behind them. If Cousins goes to the Jets, it really shakes up the AFC East race and AFC playoff picture as a whole. I hope to see this happen. 

BRIAN BURNS TO THE RAMS

Rams get: Brian Burns (EDGE)

Panthers get: 2024 first & third rounders

If only the Panthers came to their senses a year earlier. It has been reported that the Rams made a mega-offer to the Panthers around the trade deadline a year ago that included multiple first-rounders and MORE for Carolina’s young stud rusher Brian Burns. The Panthers declined. Fast forward a year later and the Panthers are in an absolute bind. They are 0-5 and have pretty much no draft capital or talent on their team, in part due to the mega-package they gave up to Chicago to move up to no. 1 for Bryce Young in this year’s draft. Burns is now a year older and the Panthers are more desperate than ever. I don’t see Burns going for close to two 1sts and more, but he is still damn good and could likely fetch at least one and maybe a third. I think the Panthers would move him this time around as they know they need picks to build this thing back up and being the worst team in the league with no first-rounder to look forward to is quite daunting. The Rams may be 2-3, but the NFC is weak and they are still very much in play for a wildcard berth down the stretch. Sean McVay has been unwavering in his confidence that this team can make a push in the winter and the Rams have been known to move picks for proven talent like no other team in the league. Burns would boost a mediocre pass rush and improve the run defense a lot as well. Having Burns and Aaron Donald on the same D-line a scary prospect.

DERRICK HENRY TO THE RAVENS

Ravens get: Derrick Henry (RB)

Titans get: 2024 second & third rounders

This would be a perfect match! The Ravens are one of the most well-known run first teams in football, but aside from their superstar run first QB Lamar Jackson, they actually have made-do with some pretty sub-optimal runners over the years. With JK Dobbins rarely in the lineup due to injury, the Ravens have seemed to rotate Gus Edwards and Justice Hill for years, and it has worked. Now insert arguably the best pure runner in the league: Derrick Henry. The RPOs and read options this team could run would be lethal. How do you account for Lamar Jackson AND Derrick Henry in one backfield?! I really don’t know the answer to that. Henry is getting older and slowing down ever so slightly, but he still has a bit left in the tank and could boost any contender’s Super Bowl chances exponentially. The Ravens are 3-2 and a known contender, but have let multiple wins slip away from them. I think they will be more eager to make winning moves at the deadline than people might think. The Titans are entering rebuild mode and will likely blow things up at the deadline/off-season. A second and third for an aging RB is good value and the team will get to let Tyjae Spears run the show. Henry and Spears are already splitting the work almost evenly this season, so it makes all the sense in the world for both sides. 

DANIELLE HUNTER TO THE LIONS

Lions get: Danielle Hunter (EDGE)

Vikings get: 2024 first round pick

These two divisional rivals have made multiple blockbuster trades in the past year, so why can’t they do it again? The Lions moved up more than 20 spots in the 2022 NFL draft with Minnesota for the right to snag WR Jameson Williams. Then the Vikings gave up a war chest of draft picks at the deadline last year for superstar TE TJ Hockenson. Now the two teams swap again as the Lions add to their defense which has looked vastly improved as a whole thus far in 2023 as it is. Danielle Hunter is in the midst of his prime and is putting together an elite 2023 season with 6 sacks (top 5 in the NFL). He is on the final year of his deal and Minnesota is likely going to be a big seller at the deadline (see above). Detroit could use some more firepower in their pass rush department and pairing an All-Pro level rusher opposite DPOY candidate Aidan Hutchinson would be lethal. A first rounder is a big price to pay, but for the 5-1 contending Lions, it will be all the worth as they look to not just return to the playoffs, but go on a deep run. I could see this one happening.

JERRY JEUDY TO THE PACKERS

Packers get: Jerry Jeudy (WR)

Broncos get: 2024 third round pick

We know the Packers have previously made offers for the young, promising Denver wideout Jerry Jeudy, but nothing materialized. This time around, I think it does. The Broncos may top the Panthers and Vikings for biggest sellers of the trade deadline. This team is doomed and they have really no choice but to blow it all up. Jerry Jeudy is young and has a lot of potential, but has not been able to get going at all in Denver. For the former first rounder still playing on his rookie deal, a third round pick is good value for both sides. A year ago, he might have gone for more, but the Broncos are now more desperate than ever, and the Packers will have leverage. Jordan Love needs to be surrounded by all the weapons he can so the Packer front office can see if he can be their long term answer at the game’s most important position. Adding Jeudy to a promising young receiving core featuring Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Luke Musgrave is intriguing, and I think both sides go for this deal.

JEREMY CHINN TO THE BILLS

Bills get: Jeremy Chinn (DB)

Panthers get: 2024 third round pick

While he may not be the biggest name on the market, if you watch the Panthers at all, you know that Jeremy Chinn is a damn good football player. Just a couple years into the league, Chinn has not yet even reached his prime, yet he is still so good already. He can play all over the secondary but is already a near elite safety/slot corner. The Bills are extremely banged up in the secondary and Chinn could not only fill in instantly, but be a building block for the future. Contending with teams like Miami, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, and others who love to go deep, the Bills cannot afford to stand pat at the deadline and not add. It will be what burns them in the playoffs (literally). The Panthers will be sellers like I mentioned in the proposed Brian Burns deal above, and getting back a quality pick for Chinn would be worthwhile. Sure, Chinn could be a building block for the Panthers’ future as well, but DB is not their biggest position of worry at the moment, and again, this team just needs capital. It will hurt, but this is a deal that makes sense for Carolina to accept. I have already seen multiple reports mentioning Chinn as a potential trade candidate. 

HUNTER RENFROW TO THE PATRIOTS

Patriots get: Hunter Renfrow (WR)

Raiders get: 2024 fifth round pick

Even though the Patriots sit at 1-4 and likely will not be making any type of late season run, it does not mean they can’t add for the future. Hunter Renfrow was amazing out of the slot for the Raiders for his first couple of seasons before falling out of favor in Vegas and now rarely seeing the field. Renfrow is still on his rookie deal and has a whole career ahead of him, one that likely won’t be in Vegas. It is the worst kept secret in the world that the Patriots have virtually NOTHING in terms of talent on their offense, and everyone knows they need to add playmakers. Renfrow won’t cost too much to acquire and would be a perfect slot receiver for Mac Jones in Bill O’Brien’s offense. Furthermore, the Raiders and Patriots have deep connections, mainly HC Josh McDaniels coming from New England. I’m sure they would pick up the phone if Bill Belichick called. The Patriots know what they have to do, it is just a matter of whether they do it or not.

CHASE YOUNG TO THE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks get: Chase Young (EDGE)

Commanders get: 2024 second & 4th rounders

This would certainly be a fun one. The former DROY winner who has since been oft-injured is having a stellar comeback year in DC right now. He is top 3 in the NFL in total pressures and has made an impact in the run defense as well. Young is still so young (no pun intended) but is playing on the final year of his rookie contract. With so many players to pay in Washington, including DL-mate Montez Sweat, the team may trade one or both of them in an effort to conserve costs. The Seahawks are one of the best teams in the league through the early season, sitting at 3-1 with a loaded roster. Their pass rush has picked up, but who knows how consistent it will be with mostly rotational guys getting meaningful snaps outside of stud rusher Uchenna Nwosu. Adding a young star like Chase Young would be a contending move by a team so desperate to beat the 49ers and make a deep playoff run for the first time since the Legion of Boom. If Washington is willing to move Young, then Seattle should pick up the phone here. This is a fair package in return for a guy with injury concerns and a looming big-time extension. 

NAJEE HARRIS TO THE COWBOYS
Cowboys get: Najee Harris (RB)

Steelers get: 2023 third round pick

The 8 trades above all feel a lot more likely than the Steelers moving Najee Harris, but I thought it would be fun to throw this one out here. The Cowboys have been bumbling of late, losing a bad one to the lowly Cardinals and then get romped by the Niners. Their offense is simply missing something. Could it be someone like Najee Harris? I think it is clear that they are missing that power running aspect of their offense that they had for so long with Ezekiel Elliott. Tony Pollard is great, but it is looking more and more like he needs a true running mate in the backfield. The Steelers are also 3-2 and probably feel solid about their playoff chances, but everyone outside that organization knows they have gotten pretty lucky to be 3-2 right now. Harris has not been producing in that offense and backup RB Jaylen Warren has been super promising. The Steelers could stand to add more high quality draft capital and a third rounder for Harris would be good. They could use the more productive Warren more and gain that pick. Dallas would be thrilled to add power to Pollard’s juice and hope it could help them elevate their offense before a once promising season slips away. Don’t rule out a Harris trade for the right price.

Some more names to watch at the deadline:

Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants | Patrick Surtain II, CB, Broncos | Garrett Bolles, OT, Broncos | Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons | Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots | Justin Simmons, S, Broncos | KJ Osborn, WR, Vikings | Kendrick Bourne, WR, Patriots |