.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
We're only a month through the 2022 NFL offseason, and it already feels like we won't see so many blockbuster trades in such a short span again.
Future Hall of Famers Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Khalil Mack have swapped teams via trade. Robert Woods, Matt Ryan, Deshaun Watson, Yannick Ngakoue and Amari Cooper are among the other notable names who have been traded.
The regular season is still five months away, meaning we could see several more notable trades between now and Week 1. Here are 10 offseason trade ideas that make plenty of sense.
10
N'Keal Harry Gets Fresh Start In Arizona-1.jpg)
The 2019 first-round pick simply hasn't been a fit with the New England Patriots, and a fresh start is long overdue.
Harry has good size (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and a nice skill set that could make him an effective playmaker elsewhere. The Arizona Cardinals desperately need more receivers after letting Christian Kirk and A.J. Green walk to free agency.
Perhaps Kyler Murray is the answer to Harry living up to his expectations once and for all. The Cardinals should try to acquire the Arizona State product who should cost no more than a fifth-round pick at this point.
9
Chargers Pick Up Another Pro Bowler In Eric Kendricks
The Los Angeles Chargers acquired Khalil Mack (trade) and J.C. Jackson (free agency) to bolster their defense. Why should GM Tom Telesco stop there? Linebacker remains a weakness in that defense, but Minnesota Vikings veteran and one-time Pro Bowler Eric Kendricks could fix that.
Minny is up against the cap, and the 30-year-old Kendricks is under contract for two more years. The Vikings may be clean to move out Kendricks' pricey deal, and he should fit nicely in that star-studded Chargers defense. How about Kendricks for a fourth-round pick to finish up the Bolts' offseason defensive overhaul?
8
Chiefs Upgrade Secondary, Land James Bradberry
The New York Giants are entering year one of the Brian Daboll-Joe Schoen era. They've stayed quiet in free agency and appear keen on clearing out expensive contracts this offseason.
Veteran corner James Bradberry should generate plenty of interest on the open market, and the Kansas City Chiefs could use his playmaking skills. Their pass defense ranked 27th a year ago, and it could be even worse with Tyrann Mathieu and Charvarius Ward leaving in free agency.
Bradberry is just two seasons removed from his first career Pro Bowl nod. The Chiefs, greatly lacking in quality defensive backs, may as well take a chance on Bradberry when the price should be no more than a mid or latre-round selection.
7
Patriots Get Their New Star Corner In Marcus Peters
The ball-hawking specialist missed the entire 2021 season due to an ACL tear that was suffered in practice. The cap-strapped Baltimore Ravens may be nervous about bringing back a 29-year-old on a $15.5 million cap hit who's coming off a serious injury.
If the Ravens shop Marcus Peters, the Patriots should come calling. Bill Belichick needs a new starting corner after losing J.C. Jackson in free agency. Peters' leadership and big-time playmaking abilities would make him a beautiful fit in that stingy defense. Peters for a fourth-round pick makes sense for both sides.
6
Steelers Trade Up For Kenny Pickett
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky to a two-year contract, but he simply feels like a short-term solution at this time.
The Steelers hold the No. 20 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. There's a good chance Pittsburgh product Kenny Pickett goes inside the top 10, but if the Steelers are high on him, they should be willing to mortgage in the future in order to move up and grab him. Pickett would benefit from sitting behind Trubisky for a year or two before eventually taking over as the starter.
5 Baker Mayfields Lands In Emerald City
There aren't many teams that are still looking for a starting quarterback in 2022. Right now, only the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers make sense as landing spots for the top pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
It's only a matter of time until the Browns trade Mayfield, following the Deshaun Watson trade. Seattle is loaded with picks following the Russell Wilson blockbuster, so they can afford to give up a couple of selections to get Mayfield. Maybe Pete Carroll and Seattle's deep set of weapons (D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny) are the solutions for Mayfield to finally break out.
4 Falcons Trade Into Top 5 For Malik Willis
The Falcons own the No. 8 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. There's a good chance Atlanta will have to move ahead of the Carolina Panthers (they hold the sixth pick) to get the quarterback they want.
Liberty star Malik Willis and the aforementioned Kenny Pickett are the two best quarterback prospects in this class. Willis' dual-threat style of play would make him a fun fit in Arthur Smith's offense. Don't be surprised if the Falcons trade up into the top five to get Willis, who could immediately challenge Marcus Mariota for the starting job.
3 Panthers Land Their QB, Get Jimmy Garoppolo
If the Carolina Panthers don't end up wanting to use their luxurious No. 6 pick on a quarterback, why not make a play for Jimmy Garoppolo? The San Francisco 49ers will eventually deal the 30-year-old as they prepare to begin the Trey Lance era, and Carolina should be all over it.
Garoppolo isn't an elite quarterback, but you can win with him. A 33-14 career record is nothing to scoff at, and he would undoubtedly serve as an upgrade over Sam Darnold. If Carolina can get him for one or two mid-round picks, they should go for it and consider using the No. 6 selection on another organizational need.
2 Bills Go All-In For Saquon Barkley
The No. 2 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft appears to be on borrowed time in New York. The Giants haven't committed to Saquon Barkley long-term, and they may ultimately decide against keeping the injury-prone running back around for 2022.
If Barkley stays healthy, he's a top-five running back in the league. Let's not forget that he had 1,000-yard seasons in his rookie and sophomore campaigns. And in his defense, it's very difficult for anyone to run behind that woeful Giants' offensive line.
The Buffalo Bills feature a top-five offense and an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen. Imagine if opposing defenses had to account for Barkley and Allen as runners? Buffalo has lacked an elite running back for three years now, but acquiring Barkley for a third-round pick (maybe more) could take this offense to another level.
1
Jets Give Up A First-Rounder For D.K. Metcalf-2.jpg)
There are rumors that the Seattle Seahawks will trade D.K. Metcalf, which isn't surprising considering they just sent out the greatest player in franchise history.
Seattle could consider shopping Metcalf in order to regain valuable draft capital. The New York Jets need a superstar-level skill position player to help Zach Wilson's growth, and Metcalf would fit the bill. New York has a pair of first-round picks, so why not trade the No. 10 selection (from Seattle in the 2020 Jamal Adams trade) to get Metcalf? The offense would be set for years to come, and what are the odds the Jets would land a better impact player with the No. 10 pick than Metcalf anyway?