NFL Trades That Should Happen in 2023
AARON RODGERS HEADS TO THE BIG APPLE
The Aaron Rodgers-Green Bay Packers era seems to finally be coming to an end as their seems to be growing traction of Rodgers heading to the New York Jets. New York has a ton of young talent on both sides of the ball including CB Sauce Gardner, DL Quinnen Williams and WR Garett Wilson but lack the most important on the roster, QB. This is where Aaron Rodgers would slot in perfectly.
The former MVP is coming off yet another productive season and could be the missing piece that the Jets surely lack, but the biggest question will be how many years does he have left. Rodgers is 39 years old and outside of a few QBs in recent memory, most QBs are retired by this age. The other question will be the compensation. While Rodgers is a lock Hall of Famer his age will be a big factor and could be the deciding factor on how much Green Bay receives. If Rodgers continues to play next season the best bet is that he makes his way to New York.
DANIEL JONES GETS HIS WR1 IN DEANDRE HOPKINS
New York secured their QB for the next few years with Daniel Jones and it only makes sense to get him a legit go-to WR which they have surely lacked last year. The best option for New York would be to call Arizona and make a trade for star veteran WR, Deandre Hopkins. The Cardinals playmaker has been one of the most productive WRs in the league over the last 5-7 years and while he is 30 years old, he can still be a productive weapon for a WR needy team. If sounds like Arizona is looking to shed some cap space and considering Hopkins has a cap north of $30 million, New York should consider biting the bullet and take the cap hit to get Jones as many top targets as they can for 2023 and beyond.
STEELERS GET KENNY PICKETT PROTECTION WITH RYAN KELLY
There is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers could use better pass protection for QB Kenny Pickett. While their OL did not allow that most amount of sacks, they lack consistency and could use a stable force in the middle like C Ryan Kelly. The Colts Pro Bowl C is reportedly on the trade block and if the Steelers want an upgrade at C, Kelly may be their best option. Not only is only 29 years old but he has missed very few games and could step in day 1 and be a great upgrade for Pittsburgh’s OL.
JALEN RAMSEY JOINS RAIDER NATION
Veteran star CB Jalen Ramsey sounds like he could be on his way out of Los Angeles and the best spot for him may be staying on the west coast and joining the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders are a team in flux with a lot of star talent but a true leader at QB and a hole at CB. Ramsey is only 28 years old and still one of the league’s premiere CBs and that is a position Las Vegas lacks in talent and depth. Regardless of what the Raiders choose to do at QB, they will continue to have a need a CB but adding a talent like Ramsey would turn that weakness into a strength.
BRANDIN COOKS PAIRS WITH AMARI COPPER IN CLEVELAND
One WR that has been on the trade block for what seems like forever is Houston’s Brandin Cooks. The journeyman receiver has had success everywhere he’s played and I think the next stop on his career may be in Cleveland to pair with another quality playmaker in Amari Cooper. The Browns have some questions at WR besides Cooper and while they have Donovan Peoples-Jones on the roster, adding a deep threat like Cooks could add another dimension to the Browns offense that would be beneficial to both the WR group and QB Deshaun Watson.
DALVIN COOK LANDS IN SOUTH BEACH
Last year the Miami Dolphins had one of the more exciting offenses headlined by their star WR duo in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle but they lacked a consistent run game and they could be on the lookout for a legit option like Vikings star Dalvin Cook. The workhorse RB is one the league’s complete backs but could be on his way out of Minnesota if they decide to look at Alexander Mattison as their starter moving forward. Not only would Cook fun to watch in the Dolphins offense but it would give them a shot at having one of the league’s most complete offenses and the best RB they’ve had since Reggie Rush.