NFL trades have been the name of the game thus far during the offseason. Headlined by the blockbuster Aaron Rodgers deal from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets, we have seen multiple big-name players moved.
Even with things dying down heading into the summer months, there are a number of stars still on the block. That includes a Pro Bowl running back in Southern California and a couple still-elite defenders.
Below is a look at five NFL trades we could still see this offseason as teams evaluate their rosters following the 2023 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers send Austin Ekeler to the Carolina Panthers
Panthers get: Austin Ekeler
Chargers get: Chuba Hubbard, 5th-round pick in 2024
Ekeler’s status on the trade block shouldn’t be considered too surprising. Los Angeles’ RB1 was granted permission to seek a trade earlier in the offseason. He’s unhappy about his current contract and is slated to hit free agency next March.
While Los Angeles doesn’t have an internal replacement for Ekeler, there are several options potentially available to the team. That includes Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette in free agency as well as Dalvin Cook on the trade block.
As for the Panthers, they want to do everything possible to provide rookie No. 1 pick Bryce Young an ability to succeed out of the gate. While signing Miles Sanders to pair with Chuba Hubbard is a start, neither provides the receiving ability we’ve seen from Ekeler over the years.
- Austin Ekeler stats (2019-22): 323 receptions, 2,764 yards, 82% catch rate, 23 TD
To put this into perspective, Sanders and Hubbard caught a combined 34 passes a season ago. Adding Ekeler to the mix to go with recent additions Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Hayden Hurst and rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo would be a boon for the Panthers.
Za’Darius Smith heads to the San Francisco 49ers
49ers get: Za’Darius Smith
Vikings get: 4th-round pick in 2024
By now, it’s well known that the Vikings are listening to offers for Smith after he requested his release from the team following just one season. While nothing came to fruition during the NFL Draft, we’re expecting this to be one of the NFL trades that actually goes down between now and training camp.
- Za’Darius Smith stats (2022): 44 tackles, 24 QB hits, 10 sacks
Still productive at the age of 30, Smith has been linked to San Francisco over the past several weeks. For good reason. The defending NFC West champions don’t have a whole lot behind reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa out on the edge. Bringing in Smith as a situational pass rusher would be big time.
As for the Vikings, they have been in cost-cutting mode all offseason. Trading Smith ahead of June 1 would save Minnesota $12.16 million against the 2023 NFL salary cap.