NFL Draft Day trades are a time-honored tradition in the NFL, and the 2023 NFL Draft is sure to be no exception expect to see some massive deals go down.
The Carolina Panthers will set everything off with the 2023 NFL Draft. They didn’t wait until Draft Day to make a massive deal to move up to the No. 1 overall pick. Once the Panthers make their pick, expect some massive deals to go down. Draft fans know trades are inevitable. Just look at the 2022 NFL Draft, so memorable where wide receivers were the belle of the ball. The Baltimore Ravens traded Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals, a move that could pay dividends for both teams in the future.
The Philadelphia Eagles shocked everyone by trading with the Tennessee Titans to land Pro Bowl wide receiver AJ Brown, a move that proved beneficial for their quarterback. In the second round, the Houston Texans made a savvy move by trading with the Cleveland Browns to select John Metchie III, a speedy player who will undoubtedly help their future quarterback. And the New Orleans Saints traded up to select Chris Olave, who dominated as a rookie and is expected to have an even better season with Derek Carr at quarterback.
This year won’t be any different but don’t expect to see a Lamar Jackson trade on this list. The NFL made it clear, quarterback-needy teams are not interested in trading for a 26-year-old quarterback and former MVP who became the life of a franchise.
5 trades that could go down during the 2023 NFL Draft
5. Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets
Wake me when this is over because the Aaron Rodgers trade to the New York Jets has been a long time coming. However, what makes this deal interesting is the Green Bay Packers’ desire for top-tier compensation. It’s not hard to see why, given Rodgers’ multiple MVPs, Pro Bowl appearances, and All-Pro selections. It doesn’t mean they will get it. There is no way the Jets are coming off of that No. 13 pick. After all, the Jets have been smartly adding more draft capital to their arsenal. Currently, the Jets have three picks in the first two rounds.
The Jets shouldn’t have to offer more than their two second-round picks for Rodgers and a conditional pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After all, Rodgers is a one- or two-year rental, and the Packers can’t expect much more than that. While the Jets aren’t in a rush to make a move, they know the Packers are desperate to move Rodgers and there aren’t any other teams in play. Being patient and waiting until after the first round of the draft is a smart play for the Jets.
Ultimately, draft day may be the perfect time for the Jets to pull the trigger on the Rodgers trade, but only after they’ve made their first-round pick. The Jets shouldn’t budge on their offer, as they have the leverage in this situation. With their draft capital and patience, the Jets are well-positioned to make a move that could pay off big in the short term while not sacrificing their future.
4. Arizona Cardinals trade out of the No. 3 spot
Teams trade up all the time on draft day. Most of the time it’s because they want… they need a quarterback. In the case of the Arizona Cardinals, they are sitting pretty with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Better than having the No. 3 pick — they don’t need a quarterback. Kyler Murray has shown he’s capable of doing amazing things in the NFL and earned himself a contract.
While he’s recovering from an injury, the Cardinals can focus on building around him. The best way to do that is to trade out of the No. 3 overall pick. Of course, it takes two to tango, and there are a few teams who may want to take that pick off of the Cardinals’ hands.
The Indianapolis Colts are a team desperate for a franchise quarterback. They’ve traded for Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan over the last two seasons, both wielded underwhelming results. Sure, the Colts can wait around for a quarterback to fall to them, but what if the Las Vegas Raiders don’t want to wait? Arizona can afford to trade down and collect draft capital to build for the future. Their two prime contenders are the Colts and Raiders. One of them will pull the trigger.
3. DeAndre Hopkins traded to the Cleveland Browns
Deandre Hopkins doesn’t want to be in Arizona. The only reason why teams haven’t traded for him is the contract. However, the Cleveland Browns can afford him. It would be amazing to see DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson reunited. These two guys were an unstoppable force when they played together on the Houston Texans, and now it’s time for a reunion.
Hopkins and Watson had an incredible connection on the field. Watson could always count on Hopkins to make the big plays, no matter how tightly he was covered. They were like two peas in a pod, a dynamic duo that could take on any opponent.
Adding Hopkins to a roster that has another elite route runner in Amari Cooper would give the Browns the second-best wide receiver core in the AFC North behind the Bengals. Watson needs a weapon that can help him continue to adjust as he gets his legs back under him. What better player to have than Hopkins?
If the Browns were able to pull off a trade for Hopkins, it would give their offense an extra boost. The guy is a game-changer, and he would make the Browns even more dangerous. It shouldn’t take more than a second-round pick, if that, to pry Hopkins from the Cardinals.
2. The New York Giants trade for Jerry Jeudy
Trading for Darren Waller gave the New York Giants a dynamic tight end that can flex out wide, but they still need another weapon. Daniel Jones took a step forward in his first season under Brian Daboll. Jerry Jeudy is the ideal fit for a team in need of an elite route runner. We’ve seen what Daboll can do with a guy with No.1 wideout potential when the Bills acquired Stefon Diggs. Well, adding Jeudy could bring similar results.
We’ve seen how dynamic of a playmaker Jeudy is. He can stretch the field and create mismatches with his speed and route-running ability. He is also a reliable target who can make tough catches in traffic and move the chains on critical downs.
Everyone saw the Giants’ lack of a true number-one option who can consistently make big plays down the field. The former Crimson Tide wideout would instantly become the team’s top receiving threat and provide Jones with a reliable target to help him continue his development. Jeudy would fill that void and give Jones a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
Jeudy’s skill set would complement the Giants’ over-achieving receiving corps. Jeudy is a vertical threat who can stretch the field and create big plays down the sideline. He would give the Giants a much-needed deep threat and open up more opportunities for their other receivers to work underneath.
With a dangerous receiver on the outside, defenses would be forced to respect the deep ball and play more conservatively. This would open up running lanes for Saquon Barkley and allow the Giants to establish a more balanced offensive attack.
Of course, the Giants would need to give up assets to acquire Jeudy, and the Broncos are supposedly looking for a first-round pick. So why not? Jeudy would be an excellent addition to the New York Giants’ offense. He would give Daniel Jones a reliable target, open up the field for the team’s other receivers, and benefit the running game. The potential rewards make it a move worth considering for a team that needs to help its young quarterback continue to develop.
1. Derrick Henry gets traded to the Philadelphia Eagles
Mock drafts everywhere have the Eagles taking a back, but why draft a rookie? Instead, they need to make Derrick Henry an Eagles. Adding him to the Eagles would easily make them one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. One of the reasons why Henry would be such a good fit for the Eagles is their read-option quick pass offense. Henry will never have to worry about facing eight or nine men in the box. That means he could be even more effective than he already is, which is saying something considering he’s already one of the most dominant running backs in the league.
The Titans are likely to demand a significant return for their star player, and the Eagles would have to be willing to part with a second-round pick, and third next year to get it done. With their offensive line already being one of the best in the league, adding a player like Henry could create a dominant running game that could help the Eagles control the clock and keep their defense fresh.
Ultimately, the decision to trade for Derrick Henry would be a bold move for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it could be the move that gets them back to the Super Bowl. With their read-option quick pass offense and a talented receiving corps, Henry could thrive in Philadelphia and lead the Eagles to the promised land.