With NFL training camps opening around the league, fans can finally look forward to some real on-field football news. Teams will spend the next several weeks preparing for the 2024 season, getting players up to speed, installing schemes and making late roster additions.
Inevitably, some of those additions will come via the trade market. The 2024 trade deadline (November 5) is a long way off, but the summer often provides a window of activity, not wholly unlike the start of the offseason or the lead-up to the NFL draft.
Teams will identify needs during training camp, and those cannot always be filled by the dwindling free-agent player pool.
Here, you’ll find a look at the 10 top trade targets, based on factors like player upside, past production, cap situation, contract status and any relevant offseason buzz.
You’ll also find a look at realistic trade values and some logical landing spots based on team needs, positional value, cap space and very early team projections.
During the regular season, our trade board starts with 15 players who have already been the subject of trade speculation or who would be logical trade candidates due to contract status and/or roster makeup. Those players are then ranked based on past production, upside, positional value and their likelihood of being traded to get to our top 10.
Since we’re examining the trade market in July, however, we’re placing extra emphasis on contract situations, cap space and roster depth. Teams must trim rosters to 53 players by August 29, which will lead to some lingering potential cap casualties being moved instead of outright released.
Players like Boogie Basham, Dustin Hopkins, Trey Lance, Joshua Dobbs, Noah Igbinoghene and Kendrick Green were traded last August during the cutdown to 53 players.
Our honorable mentions, in no particular order, are:
- Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers
- Trey Lance, QB, Dallas Cowboys
- Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
- Maurice Hurst Jr., DT, Cleveland Browns
- Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward ranks low on our list because he won’t be readily available at this point in the offseason. The Steelers are searching for their first playoff win since 2016 and won’t actively shop one of their defensive leaders.
Yet Heyward’s impact potential is too great to leave him off the list proper. The six-time Pro Bowler battled a significant groin injury last season but produced 163 tackles and 20.5 sacks over the previous two seasons.
Heyward may become a more realistic trade target closer to the deadline, depending on his contract status and how Pittsburgh’s season unfolds. He’s worth a mention now, though, because he is seeking a new deal and has yet to receive an extension from the Steelers.
“I have always attended these, but at this time, it’s just contract negotiations,” Heyward said after skipping organized team activities (OTAs) on his Not Just Football podcast. “Ya know, I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Steelers typically don’t negotiate during the regular season, and if Heyward doesn’t have a new deal by the end of August, they may listen to offers for the 35-year-old. Moving him would save $16 million in cap space. Actually prying him away, though, would likely take a second-round pick at a minimum—possibly more if Heyward agrees to sign an extension upon his arrival.
The Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that would be sensible suitors for Heyward. Both are entering 2024 with a win-now mentality, both had defensive issues in 2023, and both rank inside the top 10 in terms of available cap space.
Potential Landing Spots: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Trade Value: 2025 Second-Round Pick, 2026 Fourth-Round Pick
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke took a pay cut to stay with the Atlanta Falcons following the free-agent signing of Kirk Cousins. His cap hit of $4.5 million isn’t egregious for a backup QB, though he may not even fill that role in 2024.
A little more than a month after Cousins was signed, Atlanta used the eighth overall pick on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The rookie is the future, Cousins is the present, and Heinicke has largely become expendable.
While last year’s league-wide rash of quarterback injuries will incentivize teams like Atlanta to keep three signal-callers on the roster, if Heinicke is traded, undrafted rookie John Paddock could serve as the Falcons’ emergency QB at the low price of just $796,666.
Heinicke can likely be had for a price. A Day 3 draft pick would probably get a deal done right now, as moving Heinicke would also save Atlanta $1.2 million in cap space. The Cleveland Browns flipped Joshua Dobbs and a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick last offseason.
While his availability is high, Heinicke ranks low on our list because his trade value will remain low until/unless another team loses its starter to injury—or fails to find one during training camp. With 29 starts on his resume and a low cap hit, Heinicke would quickly draw interest as a bridge or spot starter.
It’s hard to nail down potential landing spots until a job becomes more open, but a couple of teams do make sense.
The New York Giants could look for added insurance as Daniel Jones recovers from a torn ACL—that’s where the Cardinals were with Kyler Murray when they traded for Dobbs. The Las Vegas Raiders could have interest in Heinicke if they aren’t thrilled with how the competition between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew is unfolding.
Raiders passing game coordinator Scott Turner was the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022, when Heinicke made 24 starts for the franchise.
Potential Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants
Projected Trade Value: 2025 fifth-round pick
Pass-rusher Haason Reddick is another player who won’t be actively shopped in the coming days. The New York Jets traded a conditional third-round draft pick to acquire him in April—one that can become a second-rounder if he meets certain metrics—and won’t willingly let him walk before he’s played a snap.
However, the Jets may ultimately have no choice. They added the 29-year-old on the final year of his contract, and Reddick is looking for more long-term security. Unhappy with his situation, Reddick skipped all of New York’s offseason program.
According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, the Jets are reluctant to extend Reddick, who will turn 30 in September, and will instead “try to satisfy him by sweetening his current deal.”
If a bump to Reddick’s $14.3 million base salary isn’t satisfactory, the seasoned sack artist could try forcing his way out of New York.
Should Reddick become available for the second time this offseason, he’ll draw interest. He recorded double-digit sacks in each of the last four seasons and tallied 27 sacks and 49 quarterback pressures over the last two. The Jets should have little trouble recouping their third-round investment.
The list of interested teams should include those who believe they can win in the near future and who have the cap space to sign Reddick long-term. The Lions, for example, could use another complement to Aidan Hutchinson and have the second-most cap space in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers have a strong pass-rushing tandem after adding Leonard Floyd in free agency to complement Nick Bosa. However, a team with Super Bowl aspirations—which the 49ers clearly have—cannot have too many good pass-rushers, and San Francisco remains $30.4 million below the cap.
Potential Landing Spots: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers
Projected Trade Value: 2025 third-round pick
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a season-ending knee injury (torn ACL, MCL) in Week 1 of last season, but rookie Dawand Jones played extremely well in his stead—until he too was lost for the season with a knee injury.
The Browns won’t be eager to part with Conklin, who is under contract through the 2026 season. However, Jones’ presence could force the Browns to at least listen to offers for the two-time first-team All-Pro.
Trading Conklin would save just $3.1 million in 2024 cap space but would net Cleveland a fair return and open the door for Jones to start permanently. Conklin will only turn 30 in August and, if fully recovered, should command a high Day 3 draft pick from a tackle-needy team.
While Conklin did play left tackle at Michigan State, he’s been a right tackle as a pro, which limits his market some.
The Raiders could have interest in Conklin, depending on how they view 2022 seventh-round pick Thayer Munford Jr. internally. Munford allowed four sacks across 521 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Conklin has allowed four sacks since the start of the 2021 season, per PFF.
With right tackle Colton McKivitz serving as a weak link on their offensive line, the 49ers could also have interest in Conklin if he becomes available. McKivitz received a two-year, $4.6 million extension this offseason but was also responsible for nine sacks allowed in 2023, according to PFF.
Both San Francisco and Las Vegas rank inside the top 10 in terms of available cap space.
Potential Landing Spots: Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers
Projected Trade Value: 2025 fourth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick
Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Jackson Carman doesn’t carry nearly as much trade value as Conklin does. However, the 2021 second-round pick should be considered much more readily available.
The Bengals have tried to get Carman reps at guard and tackle, but the 24-year-old has struggled to get on the field. He played just 24 snaps over the past two seasons.
“It’s just a matter of being consistent down after down. And we still believe in him,” director of player personnel Duke Tobin said of Carman last offseason, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
While the Bengals haven’t given up on Carman yet, he should be firmly on the roster bubble entering Year 4. Releasing or trading Carman would save $1.7 million in 2024 cap space. At this point, Cincinnati would likely take anything it can get as opposed to cutting Carman for nothing.
Carman should still be viewed as a developmental player, but a team may be willing to take a flier on the physical potential that made him a highly valued draft pick a few years ago. He’s an intriguing target for any team looking to go bargain-hunting for line depth.
The Carolina Panthers would likely be near the top of the list of interested teams. Carolina added Damien Lewis and Austin Corbett to the offensive interior this offseason, but reshaping its offensive line remains a work in progress.
The Tennessee Titans may also want to take a flier on Carman as they look to rebuild a line that surrendered 64 sacks in 2023. Former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan now serves as Tennessee’s head coach. His father, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, is one of the best in the business and might just be able to get Carman’s career back on track.
Potential Landing Spots: Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 seventh-round pick
The Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins failed to agree to an extension before Monday’s deadline passed. This means that Higgins, who did sign his tender, can only play on a one-year contract in 2024.
This reality hurts Higgins’ trade value and leaves him a bit lower on our list than his talent would suggest. A two-time 1,000-yard receiver, Higgins has flashed the potential to be a No. 1 receiver in a different offense—Ja’Marr Chase is firmly entrenched in that role for Cincinnati.
The problem is that trading for a tagged player is risky. Any team acquiring Higgins wouldn’t be guaranteed of his services beyond this season, unless it is willing to tag him again in 2025.
The Seattle Seahawks traded for a franchise-tagged Jadeveon Clowney back in 2019, only to lose him in 2020 free agency.
Unless a team is willing to gamble big on its chances of keeping Higgins—likely with a second-round pick, at a minimum—Cincinnati probably won’t listen to offers. The Bengals are hoping that a healthy Joe Burrow can lead them back to the Super Bowl this season, and Higgins is an important piece of the offensive puzzle.
That said, a Day 2 pick could entice the Bengals, especially if rookie third-round pick Jermaine Burton develops quickly in camp.
The New England Patriots could be willing to bet on Higgins, given their longstanding lack of a true No. 1 receiver. The Jacksonville Jaguars could also take a chance on Higgins in an effort to reunite him with college quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence appears more than open to the idea.
“That’s a guy that I played with, we have a great chemistry, great player,” he told Yahoo Sports (h/t Adam Stites of Jags Wire). “I would not be upset at all if he came to Jacksonville.”
Jacksonville is one of the few teams that may feel confident about its chances of keeping Higgins long-term, given the preexisting QB-WR relationship.
Potential Landing Spots: Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots
Projected Trade Value: 2025 second-round pick
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton skipped part of the offseason while seeking a new contract. While he didn’t get a new deal, he did receive a contract adjustment that added some 2024 incentives.
“We got done what we needed to get done and I’m just looking forward to getting back to playing ball,” Slayton said in May, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
There’s still no guarantee that Slayton will play his ball in New York this season. The Giants used a first-round pick on Malik Nabers, added Allen Robinson II in free agency and have young receivers with upside in Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt. Releasing or trading Slayton would save the Giants $3.4 million in 2024 cap space.
Slayton has never reached 800 receiving yards in a season, and the Giants could value the cap savings—and an open role—more than his services on the final year of his contract. For a team with less receiver depth, however, he could be a fine complementary option.
The Steelers could have some interest in Slayton as they continue their search for a No. 2 receiver. Slayton has shown that his ceiling is limited, but Pittsburgh has its top option in George Pickens.
The Titans may also consider adding Slayton, even though they added Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency. DeAndre Hopkins is entering the final year of his contract, and the 27-year-old Slayton could be worth signing long-term. 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks has also been a massive disappointment and could land on the trade market without an impressive camp.
Tennessee receivers coach Tyke Tolbert previously coached Slayton in the same role with the Giants.
Potential Landing Spots: Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
Projected Trade Value: 2025 fifth-round pick
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back James Bradberry isn’t the most enticing player on our list. He struggled at cornerback in 2023, allowing an opposing passer rating of 114.3 in coverage, and Philly is now trying to salvage some value with a position switch.
The Eagles started the process of moving Bradberry to safety earlier this offseason, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Yet, Bradberry ranks high on our board because he can likely be had for a bargain.
Bradberry is set to carry a cap hit of only $4.3 million this season, but he has $15.1 million in dead money remaining on his deal. He’s a potential cut candidate after the Eagles drafted both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, even though releasing Bradberry would create no additional 2024 cap space.
Trading Bradberry could save $1.2 million in 2024 cap space. That’s not a large sum, but it’s $1.2 million more than the Eagles could get by releasing Bradberry outright. Given Philadelphia’s lack of leverage, a conditional 2025 Day 3 draft pick would probably secure Bradberry for the coming season.
Bradberry would be worth that, as he’s an experienced starter with a team-friendly $1.2 million base salary for this season.
The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Jonathan Gannon would be wise to take a flier on Bradberry. Gannon was the Eagles defensive coordinator in 2022 when Bradberry allowed an opposing passer rating of only 51.6 in coverage.
The Las Vegas Raiders may also be willing to take a low-risk flier on Bradberry. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham served as the New York Giants defensive coordinator during Bradberry’s 2020 Pro Bowl campaign in New York.
Potential Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2025 Sixth-Round Pick
Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon is entering the final year of his contract and reportedly won’t play it out with New England.
“What I can tell you is from the people I’ve talked to, he is not going to play under his current contract—at least for the Patriots,” Boston Sports Journal‘s Greg Bedard said on his Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast (h/t NESN’s Sean T. McGuire).
Judon has pushed back on the idea that he won’t play on his current deal.
“I didn’t say that. At all don’t let them make me the villain.” he posted on X on July 13.
However, this doesn’t mean that Judon is happy with his current contract situation. If he is (or remains) unhappy with his situation during camp, the Patriots could be inclined to move arguably their biggest trade chip.
Judon suffered a season-ending biceps tear this past season but recorded 15.5 sacks and 42 quarterback pressures the previous season. The 31-year-old should command at least a conditional third-round pick, which is what the Eagles got for Reddick.
The Baltimore Ravens should be very interested in pushing the Patriots for a trade now. Baltimore employed Judon for his first five seasons, is expected to be a Super Bowl contender in 2024 and lost 2023 leading edge-rusher, Clowney, in free agency.
Financially, trading for Judon’s $6.5 million base salary could be a challenge, as the Ravens have just $6.4 million in cap space. However, giving him the extension he wants with a backloaded contract could be a win for both parties.
The Lions have the cap space to offer Judon more money up front, and they could also use pass-rushing help to maximize their Super Bowl window.
Detroit added Marcus Davenport in free agency, but Hutchinson is the only returning defender who topped five sacks in 2023.
Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions
Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2025 third-round pick
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is the common-sense choice for our No. 1 spot. He possesses a fantastic combination of talent, youth and upside, and he’s interested in pushing his way out of San Francisco.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Aiyuk, who is seeking a new contract, has officially requested a trade
Schefter also noted that San Francisco has told interested teams that it has “no intention” of trading Aiyuk. Of course, that stance should be expected. The 49ers aren’t going to maximize Aiyuk’s trade value by telling teams they don’t want to keep him.
And Aiyuk does carry a lot of trade value. The 49ers probably won’t entertain any offer lower than first- and second-round draft picks—the package that Green Bay got for Davante Adams in 2022. Aiyuk doesn’t have Adams’ resume, but he’s also just 26 years old and coming off a 1,342-yard campaign.
If acquiring Aiyuk wouldn’t require also signing him to a massive extension—which it would—he might command multiple future first-round picks. It might anyway, especially if multiple teams engage in a bidding war.
The Steelers would provide a logical landing spot for Aiyuk for a couple of reasons. They’re looking to find a long-term answer at quarterback in either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields and have reportedly been looking for a veteran receiver to pair with budding star George Pickens.
“They’re going to add a wide receiver at some point between now and the trade deadline. That’s going to happen,” SportsLine’s Jason La Canfora told the In the Huddle podcast in June (h/t Noah Strackbein of FanNation).
The Steelers have just $15.9 million in cap space but could likely make a backloaded contract work.
The Patriots lead the NFL with $41.4 million in cap space and have an even bigger need at receiver. New England had arguably the league’s worst receiving corps last season and did little to improve it other than adding K.J. Osborn and rookie second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk.
The Patriots are looking to develop Drake Maye as their quarterback of the future and could use a proven No. 1 target of Aiyuk’s caliber.
Potential Landing Spots: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected Trade Value: 2025 First-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick, 2026 Fourth-Round Pick
*Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.