Top Five NFL Trade Candidates and Where They Could End Up
Before the season starts, there are some top names that could be on the move. From star corners possibly reuniting with their former team or potential-filled skill position players garnering interest from rebuilding squads, there are a plethora of options on the trade block. These moves could benefit one side more than the other, but teams are going to be willing to take a swing on a veteran in the latter half of his career. Here are five trade candidates in the NFL as training camp looms.
Jalen Ramsey, CB Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey have both publicly announced that his tenure in Miami is over, and now it is just about where he lands. The 30-year-old Ramsey is a seven-time pro-bowler and three-time all-pro, but he has started to show regression in coverage, and his ability to lock down an offense’s number one option has taken a severe hit. The former Seminole and first-round pick’s 71.9 coverage grade ranked 39th in the league last year, per PFF. He also missed 14 tackles, reinforcing his inability to do the things he used to be able to do with his eyes closed. With that being said, he is still a fantastic press corner, and his physicality has only increased. The Dolphins quit trying to have him travel with the opposing team’s star wideout and plugged him into the slot, where he did show shades of his old self. The former Jaguar and Ram is also a fantastic blitzer, another reason why he is the best fit in the slot, wherever he ends up. Ramsey is a leader and would be a great mentor for young cornerback rooms like Las Vegas, Los Angeles (Rams), and Carolina. The pitch for Vegas starts with how much Ramsey would mean to such a young room. The team drafted Darien Porter and signed Eric Stokes, two guys who could use a veteran presence like Ramsey. It would also make a ton of sense for him to land back with the Rams. This is because they have money left over from trading Cooper Kupp, and it would make little to no sense for them to just put it in their pocket, as they have all the makings of a team ready to make a playoff push. If he were to land in Carolina, they would quickly become one of the league’s more improved secondaries. He would fill a void in the slot, where second-year player Chau Smith-Wade is listed as the starter on the depth chart.
Kyle Pitts, TE Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts was classified as a blue-chip prospect to many when he entered the league in 2021, when he was the fourth overall pick in the draft. The 24-year-old has not lived up to expectations over the first four years of his career, and Atlanta might try to see what they could get in return for the former unanimous All-American. His lone 1,000-yard season was his rookie year, where he impressed pretty much everywhere except the red zone. If his redzone scaries don’t steer teams away, it is almost certain that multiple squads would drool over the idea of adding a guy like Pitts to their locker room. Some potential landing spots include Denver, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville. The Broncos did just get Evan Engram, but the depth behind him is almost nonexistent. Pitts would add an interesting down-the-seam target for Bo Nix, as the ex-Gator can line up everywhere, including the slot. The Steelers have been in contact with the Dolphins in regards to Jonnu Smith, and Pitts is an eerily similar player to the lone Dolphins pro-bowler in 2024. They are another team with a solid tight end, but adding a versatile target who can line up in multiple spots would really help this offense, especially after trading George Pickens. Jacksonville has no true starter on this roster at TE, and they have a superhero-filled wide receiver room. The reason this would make an immense amount of sense is because of how valuable combining a vertical threat TE with two deep-threat wideouts. It would take much of the attention off of rising superstar Brian Thomas Jr., as well as allow Travis Hunter to work against single coverage more often than not.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
Jaire Alexander has played 14 games since 2023, but when he is playing, he is a top corner in this league. The repercussions of trading a top talent like the ex-Louisville star are nonexistent simply due to his inability to stay on the field, and if the Packers can get a day two pick for him, it would be a massive win. The reason teams would be willing to give that up for Alexander is because of how dominant he is when he isn’t hurt. He is a two-time All-Pro, both coming in seasons where he played every game. In 2020 and 2022, he was a top-ten graded cornerback in the NFL by PFF, again in seasons where he played in every game. The two most likely landing spots are the Raiders and Vikings, both teams that lost a corner or two over the offseason and are both starting inexperienced guys this upcoming season. Losing Nate Hobbs is going to be felt in Vegas, as they are now almost required to start rookie Darien Porter, who has only one starting season under his belt at Iowa State. As for Minnesota, they like Isaiah Rodgers on the boundary, but have listed Mehki Blackmon as the opposite starter. Blackmon is coming off a major injury and has very little pro experience. Acquiring Alexander would be immense for this already stout defense, especially after losing both Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin in free agency.
Tyrann Mathieu, S, New Orleans Saints
Tyrann Mathieu is in the latter years of his career, and his production has certainly taken a dip. With that being said, it is very possible the Saints are willing to eat his contract and try to get what they can for the Honey Badger. His versatility would benefit multiple squads, as he can play up top, in the box, and occasionally in the slot. He is not a guy who can play every down anymore, but his leadership qualities and experience would mean a lot to a plethora of locker rooms across the league. The fit that is most likely is Pittsburgh, a team that likes to use their safeties all over. Yes, the Steelers already have two well-above-average safeties in Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliot, but adding the three-time All-Pro gives them another option in the slot and even a guy who can line up next to Patrick Queen, serving as an exclusive TE-marker and honorary off-ball linebacker.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Breece Hall has shown glimpses of really great play, but his inconsistency on the ground could prove to be worrisome for New York. The team also reportedly loves what second-year player Braelon Allen can do, so Hall’s playing time might see a significant decrease. He flashes serious speed and underrated patience, and vision, but an injury-riddled past has somewhat limited his quickness and change of direction. A team like Chicago makes a lot of sense because of how young they are and the real possibility of a D’Andre Swift release.
As these names continue to circulate around the trade market, it will be interesting to see where they go. Training camp is right around the corner, and if these guys are going to get moved, it could happen sooner rather than later. All of these players could be in new colors when 2025 begins, but they could also prove themselves over the offseason. Time will tell if these five can produce at a higher level, whether it is on a new team or in their normal uniforms.
