The NFL offseason is almost (mercifully) over, but that doesn't mean the trade winds are going to stop blowing anytime soon.
As we get closer to the 2026 season, teams are going to take inventory of their rosters, and when training camp opens up, they will finally be able to see what they've assembled on the field and in shoulder pads. And that's where things might start brewing.
As teams evaluate their rosters, injuries happen during practice, players don't live up to expectations, and 53-man rosters start to get set, more big moves could be made around the league. Although it's rare to see blockbuster deals happen past this point, teams have proven they are more and more willing to do it in recent years (Micah Parsons just last year, for example). We've already taken a look at the top trade candidates in the AFC, but who are the top trade candidates in the NFC?
Whether these players are on the trade block or teams will be calling about their availability, we put together a list of guys who could have value for all 16 NFC teams (organized by 2026 NFL Draft order).
Top trade candidates in the NFC heading into training camp in 2026
Arizona Cardinals: Budda Baker, safety
The Arizona Cardinals might not be inclined to trade Budda Baker at this stage, but they could save over $15 million in cap space by moving him before the start of the season. Given the fact that they are entering a rebuilding year, if they could get those salary cap savings along with a decent draft pick, it might not be the worst idea.
The Cardinals already have Dadrian Taylor-Demerson at one safety position and they signed Andrew Wingard in free agency this year, so they have replacement options on the roster. Over the past two seasons, he's been an absolute tackling machine. He has racked up 284 total tackles over the last two seasons combined, and has now made 7 straight Pro Bowls.
He only has one interception over the last three seasons and is 30 years old, so if the right offer comes along, the Cardinals might listen.
New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge rusher
There have actually been quite a few rumors about a potential Kayvon Thibodeaux trade this offseason, and you can understand why.
The Giants used their top pick in last year's draft on Abdul Carter. They used their top pick in this year's draft on Arvell Reese. They already have an established star off the edge in Brian Burns. Obviously, they subscribe to the idea that you can never have too many pass rushers, but they're really putting that idea to the test.
Thibodeaux isn't exactly redundant, but entering a contract year -- and still just 25 years old -- he's not in the best position to thrive with the Giants unless it's at the expense of another top draft pick. Teams in need of pass rushers should be calling throughout the course of camp.
Washington Commanders: Daron Payne, defensive lineman
The Washington Commanders probably aren't going to be jumping at the first opportunity to trade one of their best defensive linemen after allowing more yards than any other team in the NFL last season.
But you never know.
Washington could save over $17 million by trading him, he's entering the final year of his contract, and if they don't want to pay him a long-term contract, maybe they will want to get something for him while they still have a chance.
Dean Jones of Riggo's Rag feels like the only way Payne is getting traded is if GM Adam Peters gets an offer he can't refuse, and that's fair. But if teams make exploratory calls in the preseason, and the Commanders are trending down by the deadline, keep his situation in mind.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, running back
If there is one running back in the NFC that's been discussed as a trade candidate more than the others so far this offseason, it would have to be Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints.
After the Saints went out and signed Travis Etienne in free agency, Kamara -- especially with a cap hit of $10.45 million -- seems to be superfluous. The Saints not only have those two veterans, but they also have a number of intriguing young players like Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Audric Estimé, and now former Vikings running back Ty Chandler in the mix.
Kamara probably doesn't have a lot of value on the trade market, which is why he's still a Saint at this point, and he's made no real indication of wanting to leave, either. If teams suffer injuries at the running back position during camp and the preseason, the Saints should be expecting calls.
Dallas Cowboys: Sam Williams, edge rusher
There are always a few different criteria you look for with players who could be trade candidates before the start of the season. Of course, teams needing players as injury replacements will always be a primary reason. Players who were former high draft picks who had high grades could be coveted by teams at a discounted rate.
But it's almost always contract situations as the first and foremost reason. Players entering contract years can become reclamation projects elsewhere, and that's what we have here with Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Sam Williams.
Williams was a 2nd-round pick once upon a time, and has impressive athletic traits. He contributes on special teams. But the Cowboys have a reloaded and revamped edge group with the arrival of players like Rashan Gary and 1st-round pick Malachi Lawrence.
Sam Williams might be the odd man out and could be coveted by pass rush-needy teams who could give him a much better look than Dallas can this season.
Atlanta Falcons: Troy Andersen, linebacker
Troy Andersen was a 2nd-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft who, like many others on this list, has failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, for one reason or another.
Andersen played all 17 games as a rookie, but he's been limited to just 9 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.
He's got all of the size and athletic metrics you covet at the position (6-foot-2, 245 pounds, 4.42-second 40-yard dash time). Coming out of Montana State, there were a lot of folks who absolutely loved him in the pre-draft process. But this offseason could be the end of the line as the Falcons are no longer banking on the 2nd-rounder being in their starting defense plans.
It's a new era in Atlanta, so they might be more willing to say "out with the old" and go a different direction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ko Kieft, tight end
The Buccaneers might have been the most difficult team on this list to try and figure out a player who could be a trade candidate.
The Bucs have depth on their roster in certain places, but nothing you really feel great about when it comes to a guy being a legitimate trade candidate. One of the positions that ended up being an exception is the tight end position, where Ko Kieft is back on a one-year deal with less than $500,000 in total contract guarantees.
He played just three games last season due to injury, and has been a rotational player and special teams standout for a few years. The Buccaneers brought back Cade Otton in free agency. They've got Payne Durham as their TE2 right now, and then they've drafted tight ends in two of the last three classes (Bauer Sharp, Devin Culp).
Detroit Lions: Mekhi Wingo, defensive lineman
It felt like the Detroit Lions landed a steal in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they drafted Mekhi Wingo out of LSU.
Wingo was routinely projected to go off the board somewhere in the 3rd-4th round of the 2024 Draft, but he fell all the way to the 6th, and the Lions scooped him up. Unfortunately, he's only appeared in 13 games as an NFL player, including just two this past season.
He played in 48 percent of the snaps in those two games, so maybe the Lions have bigger plans for him in Year 3 than anyone realizes (present company included), but they also have other players they're trying to develop on the defensive front. With just 1 QB hit in his first 13 NFL games, maybe the pre-draft hype with Wingo was a bit overblown.
Minnesota VIkings: Jordan Addison, wide receiver
It's going to be very interesting to see how the Minnesota Vikings approach their long-term situation with Jordan Addison.
Of course, in the midst of a quarterback battle, it might not be the best idea to trade one of the top targets the team has in the passing game. With that being said, Jordan Addison's history of off-field issues could change things a little bit.
Since he got into the NFL, Addison was pulled over for reckless driving (140 mph in a 55 mph zone), and he's been arrested twice (DUI, trespassing). The Vikings picked up his 5th-year contract option, but after signing Jauan Jennings in free agency, that contract option might have just bought them some extra time.
Receiver-needy teams might still call the Vikings on Addison, knowing his situation, and force them to turn down strong offers before the start of the season.
Carolina Panthers: Xavier Legette, wide receiver
The Panthers just used a 1st-round pick last year on wide receiver Tet McMillan, and they extended Jalen Coker this offseason.
Xavier Legette is entering a make-or-break training camp in 2026. At least, that's what it feels like from the outside looking in.
Legette was the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he hasn't produced like a 1st-round pick. Up to this point, he's caught just 84 passes in his first two seasons, and has a respectable 7 touchdowns to go along with that.
Even though this can also benefit the Panthers, there will be teams interested in the one thing Legette still has at the age of 25: Upside. Even if the Panthers determine he's no longer a fit for their offense and their plans, teams would undoubtedly have interest in a guy who was picked in the 1st round just a couple of years ago.
Green Bay Packers: Luke Musgrave, tight end
Before the Tucker Kraft injury last year, there were some rumblings that the Green Bay Packers were close to trading Luke Musgrave already.
Musgrave came into the NFL in the same draft class as Kraft, but he was taken a round earlier. The expectations were higher, but when Kraft got his opportunity, he seized it, and it's left Musgrave with a cloudy long-term future in Green Bay.
The Packers don't have a ton of proven options behind Kraft right now, and he's still making his way back from a season-ending knee injury in 2025. With that in mind, Musgrave might not be on the move just yet, but he's one to watch as we get to roster cuts and even into the 2026 season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Carter, defensive lineman
This would be a major surprise player on the move at any point in the next 6 months or so, but as many times as his name has popped up, it doesn't feel impossible.
The Eagles have picked up Jalen Carter's contract option for next year, giving him a cap hit over $27 million in 2027. Even though they obviously understand that he's a tremendous impact player, they might not want to invest a contract that's going to reset the market in him.
Keep in mind, the reason Carter fell to the Eagles in the draft in the first place was due to his character concerns coming out of Georgia. Those have lingered into the NFL a bit regarding his maturity and discipline, and if the Eagles want to "sell high" on Carter, this might be the year to do it.
Especially if Howie Roseman can get something really good in return, like Maxx Crosby and a pick, he might be willing to say goodbye to a player of Carter's caliber and let someone else deal with him.
Chicago Bears: Cole Kmet, tight end
The Chicago Bears have one of the most enviable tight end groups in the entire NFL heading into the 2026 season. It might be good enough for them to trade from their surplus before the start of the season.
We know Colston Loveland isn't going anywhere, and is likely set to become one of the top 5 overall tight ends in the NFL based on what we saw last season. The Bears also made a bit of a surprise pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Stanford tight end Sam Roush with a 2nd-round pick.
Those investments in Loveland and Roush definitely raise some questions about Cole Kmet, who was the presumptive TE1 in Chicago right before the team selected Loveland in the draft. Now, Kmet's long-term future with the franchise is in question, and he would likely be coveted by teams if the Bears started taking calls.
He's under contract for the next two years with very reasonable base salaries of $1.25 million this year and $8.9 million next year. It would take a decent return to get him, but he seems to be in a situation where he could be available for the right price.
San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, quarterback
If there are any NFL teams that have playoff aspirations and an injury at the quarterback position at any point between now and the 2026 NFL trade deadline, you can expect Mac Jones's name to pop up.
Although the 49ers understandably have a high asking price for him (rumored to be a 1st-round value), there is always a chance that the asking price could be worn down, or the payments "split up" over multiple years.
Still, the 49ers have seen firsthand the value Jones brings, and he was one of the better starters in the league last year when he had to play in relief of Brock Purdy. At the pace he was playing at, he was on his way to over 3,100 yards with 20 touchdowns if he'd started all 17 games.
Even though the wide perception is that Jones is just a high-end backup in a favorable offense, the 49ers would absolutely start getting calls if teams needed a full-time starter for this season, and they'd probably be getting some great offers, at that.
Los Angeles Rams: Davis Allen, tight end
Although the Los Angeles Rams might have another blockbuster move or two up their sleeves this offseason (hello, Aaron Donald), I'm not sure they have another major trade in the works.
As far as players on the Rams' roster who could be coveted, it's difficult to find many that make a ton of sense for teams to have interest in, or the Rams to have any remote interest in trading. The tight end position is one where this team is absolutely loaded going into the season, and Davis Allen is a player who might not make sense anymore for Los Angeles.
You might be surprised to learn that Allen played 52 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps last year, but even as this team sets a new bar in terms of using multiple tight ends, they have other players who are set to dominate the snap share.
Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, and Max Klare all could be in line for snaps over Allen. It's possible the Rams would keep 5 tight ends on their roster, but if not, Allen could be a coveted option with some nice experience in Sean McVay's offense.
Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Milroe, quarterback
The Seahawks are another team that doesn't appear poised to be picked over all that much. The one situation that might be worth monitoring over the course of training camp and the preseason is that of quarterback prospect Jalen Milroe.
The Seahawks used a 3rd-round pick on Milroe in the 2025 NFL Draft, a surprising investment especially considering what they paid to get Sam Darnold.
Seattle is once again breaking in a new offensive coordinator, and Milroe wasn't exactly dominating the headlines for the right reasons at OTAs. Drew Lock is already entrenched as Darnold's backup for the time being, and while Milroe has phenomenal upside with his overall talent, it may not be realized in Seattle.