Way too early NFL predictions for every team in 2023

Cincinnati Bengals: Trade Tee Higgins, sign Dalton Schultz

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to be entering an interesting spot soon. They’re not anywhere near the salary cap ceiling but as soon as Joe Burrow gets paid, they’re going to have to watch their spending. So this offseason, they’re going to still be able to go all-in but still need to think long-term.

That leads to this prediction where they ship off Tee Higgins, knowing he wants a big deal. Their belief is that Burrow can elevate another wideout to play alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. However, they don’t just sit on that money. Instead, they fork out a bunch of cash to bring in Dalton Schultz on a three-year deal.

Adding a top-tier tight end can be dangerous in that offense and won’t cost as much as extending Higgins.

Baltimore Ravens: Trade for DeAndre Hopkins

For years, the Baltimore Ravens have been in need of wide receiver help and they finally land that in 2023. Here, they trade for DeAndre Hopkins as they get a No. 1 receiver from the Arizona Cardinals just one year after sending their former No. 1 — Marquise Brown — to the Cards.

Hopkins has been one of the top wideouts in the NFL for years but his frustration with Arizona surfaced this past season. He might not be the youngest player anymore but he can still get it done and Baltimore could land a top-10 pass-catcher who can help them over the next three years or so. It’s not a permanent solution but it helps — especially if they have to move on from Lamar Jackson.