NFL trade rumors are always rampant near the NFL Draft, and this year is no different. In 2022, we saw veterans like A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown get traded during Round 1. Which players could get moved this week? Let’s check in on the latest on potentially available players like Dalvin Cook, Austin Ekeler, DeAndre Hopkins, Budda Baker, and Jonah Williams.
Latest NFL Trade Rumors Ahead of 2023 NFL Draft
Two veteran running backs might be on the block. The Cardinals have critical decisions to make. And the Bengals have a disgruntled offensive lineman.
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Cook’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors this entire offseason, and there’s almost no chance he’ll return to the Vikings at his scheduled $10.4 million base salary. Minnesota “hasn’t shopped” Cook, but if they draft a running back in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, the Vikings could move Cook by Saturday, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
In March, Minnesota re-signed fellow running back Alexander Mattison to a two-year, $7 million deal with $6.35 million guaranteed. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently indicated that both Cook and Mattison could stick on his club’s roster.
“You know, I think that’s — I think in theory they could exist, of course,” Adofo-Mensah said. “Different style of backs. Again, we talk about the systems we’re trying to play. Together, they’re different style of backs. They could fit complementary together, for sure.”
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Breer also suggested that the Vikings are “receptive to the idea” of bringing Cook back, but it would have to be at a lower salary. Minnesota is among the most cap-strapped teams in the NFL, with just $1.2 million in available space, and reducing Cook’s pay is a clear way to create extra funds.
Cook has posted four consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage, but he’s entering his age-28 campaign, which is dangerous territory for a running back. As such, the Vikings might only be able to get a Day 3 pick in return.
The Dolphins have been heavily linked to Cook, who has $2 million in guaranteed salary for the upcoming season. Speaking to reporters last week, Miami executive Marvin Allen said the Dolphins are “looking at all opportunities to bring in good football players.” Meanwhile, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports “some people think Miami could get aggressive” on Cook if the Vikings draft another RB this week.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Cook isn’t the only veteran running back who could be traded this week. Ekeler, whom the Chargers granted permission to explore a trade earlier this offseason, might be on the move during the draft.
Per Fowler, there are teams “interested in potentially trading” for Ekeler, but those might be scared off by the 27-year-old’s request for a new contract. Ekeler is scheduled to earn just $6.25 million as he enters the final year of his deal.
Ekeler has been a driving force of the Los Angeles offense, averaging nearly 1,600 total yards and 19 touchdowns per season from 2021-22. But his contract’s average annual value ranks just 13th among running backs.
Teams might be willing to send draft capital to Los Angeles to pick up Ekeler, but it might be difficult for the Chargers to find a club open to sacrificing picks and giving the RB a new contract that takes him into his 30s.
Meanwhile, the Chargers won’t allow Ekeler’s trade request to alter their draft plans. General manager Tom Telesco, who recently said there haven’t been any updates on Ekeler since the owners meetings, mentioned 2022 third-round RB Isaiah Spiller as a player who could step up behind Ekeler this season.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Hopkins has been available for some time, but thus far, no team has put in an offer to the Cardinals’ liking. Per ESPN, interested clubs want Arizona to pay a portion of Hopkins’ $19.45 million base salary. It might not make sense for the Cardinals to trade him unless they receive the “full benefit of cap relief.”
Arizona could create nearly $9 million in 2023 salary cap savings by releasing Hopkins, which could be an option if they can’t find a trade partner. A nearly 31-year-old wide receiver probably doesn’t make sense for a rebuilding roster like the Cardinals’, so cutting Hopkins might be the move.
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Meanwhile, former NFL cornerback Pacman Jones, known to be close with Hopkins, indicated on The Pat McAfee Show that there is a “strong possibility” that Hopkins could be dealt this week. Jones has previously listed a number of teams that could be interested in Hopkins but has specifically identified the Ravens as a potential landing spot.
Meanwhile, Bills edge rusher Von Miller recently said that Hopkins is open to playing in Buffalo.
“I talk to Hop all the time, and it’s kind of like the same thing with OBJ,” Miller said, according to the Buffalo News. “You just never know until you know. Hop said he wanted to be a Buffalo Bill, and you never know until you get that DeAndre Hopkins signature on a contract.
Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker, who requested a trade from the Cardinals earlier this month, reportedly wants to become “among the highest-paid safeties” in the NFL, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Baker’s $14.75 million average annual value currently places him seventh at his position.
Baker is “wary” of playing under another new coaching staff in Arizona, per Breer, who speculates that Baker might be willing to play under his current contract. It’s unclear what sort of package the Cardinals might hope to get in return for Baker, but a mid-round pick might make sense for the 27-year-old three-time All-Pro, even if he wants a new deal.
“I’d say the conversations that I’ve had with Budda, I want those to remain between Budda and I,” first-year Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said last week. “Those are private, and I’m not going to get into a situation when I am handling those in a public forum. I think I’ve been clear how I feel about Budda as a person and as a player, and nothing about that has changed.”
Jonah Williams, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
A 42-game starter at left tackle over the past three seasons, Jonah Williams will no longer be protecting Joe Burrow’s blindside moving forward. Williams was reportedly “blindsided” by the Bengals’ decision to sign free agent left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. this offseason and doesn’t sound amenable to moving to the right side.
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Williams quickly requested a trade after Cincinnati added Brown, but Armando Salguero of Outkick reported that the Bengals hadn’t found a team willing to give them a “high pick” in exchange for their tackle. Williams didn’t show up at the beginning of Cincinnati’s offseason program and is recovering from February surgery intended to fix the dislocated kneecap he suffered last season.
The Bengals’ draft plans could theoretically alter their willingness to move Williams. If Cincinnati emerges from Day 1 or 2 with a new right tackle like Darnell Wright or Dawand Jones, the Bengals might be open to trading Williams for a mid-round pick or a 2024 selection.