Realistic Trade Packages for veteran players before the NFL Trade Deadline

Even though we’re only a few weeks into the 2022-23 NFL season, the NFL trade deadline is only two weeks away. The NFL’s trade deadline is November 1, 2022. Over the next two weeks, many veterans on struggling teams will be involved in trade rumors. In recent years notable veterans like Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Williams, Quandre Diggs, Marcus Peters, Amari Cooper, and Jimmy Garoppolo have been moved within a week of the trade deadline. There are plenty of notable impact players that could be moved in the next two weeks.

Here are a couple of notable players that could be moved at the NFL trade deadline and realistic trade packages that interested teams could offer their current teams for their services.

Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Christian McCaffrey has been in the conversation for being the best running back in football since his second season in the league. When healthy McCaffrey is the best offensive skill player in the league. In 2019-20 he became the third player in NFL history to record 1,000+ rushing yards and 1,000+ receiving yards in a single season.

His major issue over the past few seasons had been his health. McCaffrey has missed 23 of 33 games over the past two full seasons. His outstanding ability when healthy and lack of durability recently have made him a prime target for trade rumors recently.

Now that Carolina is officially shopping veterans McCaffrey feels like the most likely veteran to get moved before the deadline. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Christian McCaffrey is on the trade block. It would make a lot of sense for multiple reasons for the Panthers to move McCaffrey by the trade deadline.

There are multiple teams rumored to be interested in McCaffrey including the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams. The team that makes the most sense for McCaffrey’s services is the Los Angeles Rams. They are also the team that has shown the most willing to move draft assets for elite veterans. Matthew Stafford, Brandin Cooks, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Jalen Ramsey, and Von Miller are all examples of Pro Bowl-caliber veterans the Rams have traded high draft picks to acquire during the Sean McVay/Les Snead administration.

A potential acquisition of McCaffrey wouldn’t be made to get this team over the top but to instead keep this team relevant in a loaded NFC. This team has experienced a major Super Bowl hangover starting the year 2-3 and regressing on both sides of the ball. For the first time in the Sean McVay era, Los Angeles’ offense looks boring and sloppy. Their offensive line is atrocious and is a major reason for their offensive regression. They cannot pass or run block with any confidence at the moment. Since Los Angeles cannot run the ball with any efficiency they are passing at a high rate which is forcing Matthew Stafford to make errors and get hit at an extremely high rate.

Los Angeles not only needs a running back capable of overcoming their offensive line flaws, but they may need a new starting running back altogether. Third-year running back Cam Akers will be missing this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers because of a personal matter. It is unclear why Akers is being held out but there is speculation that he or the team could be interested in parting ways.

Adding McCaffrey to this offense would add a new element to Los Angeles’ offense. They would be adding an elite pass-catching running back that has shown the ability to have success behind below-average offensive line play. The Rams would have Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown, and Kyren Williams (when he is activated off IR) to compliment McCaffrey in this backfield. Los Angeles wouldn’t be as reliant on McCaffrey on offense as Carolina. However, McCaffrey could be the second-star offensive skill player this team has lacked behind Cooper Kupp. An addition like this could save Los Angeles’ season.

Potential Trade Package: Carolina Panthers trade Christian McCaffrey to the Los Angeles Rams for a 2023 third-round pick and Cam Akers

Kadarius Toney, New York Giants

One of the final mistakes of the David Gettleman era for the New York Giants was taking Kadarius Toney with the 20th overall pick after trading back from the 11th overall pick. Despite being in the league for less than a season and a half, this pick looks awful. Rumors have serviced that Toney hasn’t clicked with New York’s new coaching staff. Reports have revealed that prior to the season Toney did not report to pre-draft minicamp and did not know the playbook. On top of all of that, he is seemingly never healthy based on the lack of practice and overall playing time during his career so far. Toney has missed 10 of his first 22 NFL games. The combination of the three and the new coaching staff has been an awful start for Toney’s career and has given him a short leash with this staff.

There are a couple of teams around the league that could be willing to take a chance on a consensus top-40 player in the 2021 NFL Draft. An interesting team that could call New York about Toney is the New England Patriots. The Patriots have had great success coaching up former high draft picks who many have not started their careers on the right foot with the team that drafted them.

For a number of years, the New England Patriots have lacked an explosive element to their offense. In the past two seasons, New England has added veterans like Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, and DeVante Parker to their offense. None of the three has made a consistent impact since joining the team.

Around a month ago, reports started to come out that veteran Kendrick Bourne is in the doghouse of offensive play-caller Matt Patricia. Those reports have been confirmed by Bourne’s lack of playing time despite his solid play last season. It’s not doing New England any good to have Bourne’s $5 million per year contract sitting on the bench.

It would make a lot of sense for New England and New York to swap receivers in a deal before the deadline. New England gets rid of the rest of Bourne’s contract and takes on a second-year receiver with promise that could be the explosive pass catcher they need. New York moves a former first-round pick that clearly wasn’t in their long-term plans after taking Wan’Dale Robinson in the second round this past year. They also add a veteran receiver in Bourne on a fairly cheap deal who could play a role for this team right away considering the lack of depth at the position due to health.

Former New York Giants head coach Joe Judge is now an offensive assistant and the quarterbacks’ coach for the New England Patriots. He must have had a plan for Toney when he took in in the first round over the likes of Rashod Bateman, Elijah Moore, and Rondale Moore. He could have an opportunity to execute that plan if his new team acquired Toney within the next two weeks.

Potential Trade Package: New York Giants trade Kadarius Toney to the New England Patriots for Kendrick Bourne and a 2023 fourth-round pick (via the Los Angeles Rams)

Williams Jackson III, Washington Commanders

Last offseason William Jackson III was one of the premium free agents to hit the market. He signed a three-year $42 million deal with the then Washington Football Team, now Washington Commanders. Despite playing at a near Pro Bowl level during his five seasons in Cincinnati, he struggled during his first two seasons with Washington. Jackson had a 59.5 PFF coverage grade last season. This season he has played worse posting a 49.6 grade four games this year.

Reports came out this week that Jackson would like a ‘fresh start’ and could be traded before the trade deadline. It appears that the Commanders may be willing to part ways with their major free agent acquisition from 2021. It is no secret that Jackson has not played well and hasn’t lived up to his $14 million per year deal that is in the top 15 highest contracts at the position.

Back in 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers were targeting William Jackson III with the 24th overall pick. Instead, their division rival the Cincinnati Bengals sniped Pittsburgh by taking Jackson one selection before the Steelers were on the clock. Pittsburgh panicked and chose the next highest cornerback on their board Artie Burns who many did not believe was worth the 24th overall pick.

Six years later the Steelers once again have a need at cornerback despite investing in a few veterans this offseason. Pittsburgh signed both Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon to plug up their holes in the secondary. Neither has played extremely well nor should either of them have been trusted with covering an opposing team’s number-one wide receiver this year. Both Wallace and Witherspoon were considered second or third cornerbacks that have been solid opposite a reliable number-one cornerback.

Pittsburgh has an opportunity to acquire a cornerback in Jackson who has been trusted to cover opposing number-one receivers in the past with varying success. He would be an immediate upgrade over Wallace and Witherspoon on the outside.

Despite having a poor record the Steelers are not going to just roll over and waive the white flag on this season. Mike Tomlin will fight to keep this team competitive every week. An acquisition like this could spark better play from this defense and team overall for the rest of the year.

Potential Trade Package: Washington Commanders trade William Jackson III and a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2023 fifth-round pick

* Update: the Carolina Panthers traded Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2024 sixth-round pick & 2025 seventh-round pick*

Robbie Anderson, Carolina Panthers

The most proven wide receiver that is expected to hit the trade market is Carolina Panthers’ wide receiver, Robbie Anderson. The undrafted free agent reunited with his college coach Matt Rhule by signing with the Carolina Panthers after emerging as the number-one receiver for the New York Jets during his time with the team. Anderson signed a two-year $20 million deal with Carolina in 2020.

After posting over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career the Panthers signed Anderson to a two-year $29.5 million extension. Since Anderson signed that extension he has struggled to produce at the level he did during his first year with the Panthers. This past offseason he has been the subject of trade rumors because of the team’s depth at the position, his lack of production, and his public comments about the team’s quarterback situation. There was even a time this summer when many thought Anderson was going to retire.

Now that Anderson’s former college coach Matt Rhule has been fired it is only a matter of time before when Anderson asks to part ways with the team via trade or release. His actions during Carolina’s game against the Los Angeles Rams sent clear messages that he no longer wants to be a Carolina Panther.

Carolina may also want to part ways with Anderson to give an opportunity to the young receivers on their roster to possibly step in as the team’s second option after D.J. Moore. Those receivers include 2021 second-round pick Terrece Marshall Jr., former Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 second-round pick Laviska Shenault Jr., and 2021 sixth-round pick receiver Shi Smith. Despite being a sixth-round pick in 2021 Smith has risen up the depth chart and emerged as the team’s starting slot receiver this season.

A team that could use a deep threat on their offense is the Tennessee Titans. Over the past three seasons, the Titans have parted ways with Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith, and Julio Jones, and traded away A.J. Brown. This past offseason they traded a sixth-round pick for Robert Woods and drafted Treylon Burks in the first round. Neither has been extremely impressive to this point of the season.

Tennessee’s offense has been as impressive as it has over the past few seasons because of the presence of a deep threat. When Tennessee had A.J. Brown it forced opposing defensive coordinators to make a decision. Either they could stack the box leaving Brown in single coverage downfield or they could play coverage downfield which opens up the opportunity for Henry to make a big play.

This season defenses have stacked the box against Tennessee because they trust their secondaries to keep the Titan’s receivers from making huge plays downfield. Adding Anderson t may not make as big of an impact as Brown did with the Titans. However, he is one of the league’s best field stretchers that needs to be accounted for when he is on the field. He could bring an element to this offense that it has lacked this season.

Potential Trade Package: Carolina Panthers trade Robbie Anderson to the Tennessee Titans for a 2023 sixth-round pick

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery is one of the most underrated players at his position in the league. Throughout his career, Montgomery has shown he could be considered one of the top-10 running backs in the league. He has produced at a high level despite being a part of numerous lackluster offenses.

Montgomery could be a part of a loaded free agent running back class this offseason. Despite how well he’s produced there is a legitimate chance Chicago moves on Montgomery this offseason. This team is rebuilding under a different regime that drafted Montgomery. Also, the Bears have another running back on the roster in Khalil Herbert who has shown that he is more than capable of being an NFL starting running back. There were reports this offseason that Montgomery may not fit in with the new Bears’ coaching staff’s offensive scheme.

Based on the reports about Christian McCaffrey, there are clearly a couple of teams around the league that are interested in upgrading what they have at the running back position. The team who could make the most sense for Montgomery is the Denver Broncos. After second-year running back Javonte Williams tore his ACL, Denver now has one of the thinnest running back rooms in the league. Their running back room is made up of Melvin Gordon, Mike Boone, and Latavius Murray. Gordon has had a great NFL career but leads the league with four lost fumbles. Boone is primarily a special teams player. Murray was signed off New Orleans’ practice squad after Williams’ injury. He is a solid rotational back at this point in his career.

It is no secret that Denver’s offense has been a mess and one of the bigger disappointments in the league despite adding Russell Wilson this offseason. Their offense not only needs a running back but they need a spark to start producing near the expectations that had coming into the year. Montgomery is an inexpensive young talented running back on a one-year deal that could be a key contributor for this offense. If acquired by the Broncos, Montgomery could fill in the Williams role on this offense moving Gordon back into the change of pace or RB1B role he held earlier in the season. Montgomery would immediately be the best running back on the active roster. But he would have enough around him to take his time to learn the offense and cement his role in the running back rotation.

An acquisition of Montgomery could benefit Denver in the long term along with in the short term. Not only could he be a one-year rental to replace Williams until he is ready, but he could also replace Melvin Gordon in this offense next year and beyond if resigned this offseason. Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett comes from a Green Bay Packers offense that features two extremely talented running backs. He could have the opportunity to replicate that offensive backfield with two Pro Bowl-caliber running backs in Williams and Montgomery. That backfield could rival Cleveland’s duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt for the best running back duo in the league.

Potential Trade Package: Chicago Bears trade David Montgomery to the Denver Broncos for a 2023 fifth-round pick

Robert Quinn, Chicago Bears

It is extremely impressive that Robert Quinn has been able to consistently be among one of the best pass rushers in the league for over a decade. Last season Robert Quinn was voted to the Pro Bowl and was named Second Team All-Pro after posting 18.5 sacks despite losing his running mate Khalil Mack mid-season. This past season Quinn has struggled to adjust to Chicago’s new defensive scheme. He only has one sack on the year. Many factors including his age, lack of production this season, large contract, and unlikely long-term future with the team make him a prime candidate to get moved at the trade deadline.

The team that should acquire Quinn’s services plays out west in the same division where he started his career the NFC West. After letting Chandler Jones walk in free agency it is not shocking to see the Arizona Cardinals struggling to get after opposing quarterbacks. Going into Week 6 they were last in the league in sacks with six. Their lack of overall defensive production is the reason why they are currently near the middle of the pack and are considered a fringe playoff team in the NFC.

Arizona is currently starting veterans Markus Golden and Dennis Gardeck on the edge Neither rookie third-round pick pass rushers Cameron Thomas nor Myjai Sanders won the starting edge rusher job opposite Golden. Quinn would be an upgrade over Gardeck and a better fit in Arizona’s 3-4 defensive scheme than Chicago’s current 4-3 defense. Even though Quinn has played in many different defensive schemes throughout his NFL career, he had great success last season as a stand-up rusher. He is a Pro Bowl-caliber stopgap for this defense until Thomas or Sanders is ready to start for this defense.

Quinn may also want to go to a team like Arizona who is a lot more competitive than Chicago currently. He could have an opportunity to go to the playoffs with Arizona while Chicago would be lucky to be near .500 at the end of the year. Many veterans like playing out West in the later part of their careers for teams like the Arizona Cardinals because they consider living in warm weather states like Arizona post-retirement.

Potential Trade Package: Chicago Bears trade Robert Quinn to the Arizona Cardinals for a 2023 third-round pick

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