Potential Trent Williams trade destinations and packages

The Washington Redskins have had roughly twenty years of consistent left tackle play. They drafted Chris Samuels out of Alabama with the #3 overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Samuels retired after the 2009-2010 season, after accumulating six Pro Bowls in his Redskins career. They then proceeded to select Trent Williams out of Oklahoma with the #4 overall pick in the ensuing draft. Williams has since been named to seven Pro Bowls, but after his fallout with the Redskins last season, he has requested a trade.

The former All-Pro is already a coveted trade piece and has demanded some major attention. Which teams have been connected to a potential Trent Williams trade, and what would a package look like for each team?

The Redskins will be using the trade that saw the Houston Texans send left tackle Duane Brown to the Seattle Seahawks as a baseline for negotiations. Brown was moved for a third-round selection in the draft following that season, as well as a second-round pick the next year, so expect the Redskins to want at minimum a second and third-rounder. The Redskins currently lack a 2020 second-round selection, so expect them to put a premium on getting one in any Trent Williams trade.

Cleveland Browns

PFN Insider Ben Allbright has mentioned in our free agency tracker that the Browns have already been in contact with Williams. Cleveland hired former Redskins OL Coach Bill Callahan to fill that position for them. Williams was close with Callahan during their time together in Washington, and the Browns have major needs at both tackle spots. The Browns were connected to Williams during last season’s trade deadline, but a deal never materialized.

The Browns should currently be the favorite to execute a Trent Williams trade, as they have the cap space to offer him an extension, along with draft capital to satisfy the Redskins’ desires. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com mentioned that the Browns might have to move the 10th overall pick if they wanted to land Williams in a trade. This is highly unlikely due to the situation Williams has placed the Redskins in. He’s failed to play 16 games all but twice in his nine-year playing career.

He also chose to sit out for the entirety of last year, is looking for a new contract, and is adamant that he’d rather find a new team than play for Washington. All these factors play against the Redskins, and thus a first-round pick, specifically a top-10 pick, is likely out of the question.

The Browns possess two third-round selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, so they have the capital to make a trade without spending any future selections. Two potential packages I could see are the Browns packaging their second-round pick and the first of their two third-round picks, or their second-rounder and the later of their two thirds while adding a sixth-round selection.

Redskins get: Picks #41 and #74 or #41, #90, and #168.

Browns get: Trent Williams

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are another team that Allbright has connected to Williams. What makes the Texans a complicated destination is the fact that they recently sent two first-round selections to the Miami Dolphins for Laremy Tunsil. The total package was a 2020 and 2021 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round selection, CB Johnson Bademosi, and T Julien Davenport for Tunsil, WR Kenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round pick, and a 2021 sixth-round pick.

The Texans made an investment in Tunsil, and it’s hard to imagine they’d be so quick to add another tackle unless Tunsil is asking for substantially more money than they’re interested in paying him.

Tunsil will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021, at the age of 27. It’s easy to imagine Tunsil becoming the highest-paid tackle ever when his contract is up, and with the Texans having to extend QB Deshaun Watson soon, it’s not impossible to see them looking for a slightly cheaper option at left tackle.

A trade could develop where a swap of tackles takes place, as the Redskins need to upgrade their left tackle spot with Williams departing. It would cost the Redskins some draft capital, but if they can manage to get Tunsil for Williams while holding onto their 2021 first and second-round selections, they should jump at the chance.

Redskins get: Laremy Tunsil, Pick #154

Texans get: Trent Williams, Pick #66

New York Jets

The Jets have been heavily linked to tackles, whether it’s free agency, trade, or the draft. They have a major need at the position, and if Sam Darnold is to be the franchise guy, they must be able to protect him.

The Jets currently possess the 11th overall pick, and a trade for Williams would allow them to help Darnold in other ways, like adding an elite receiver prospect. Similar to Cleveland, the Jets also have two third-round selections, and likely wouldn’t have to spend any of their 2021 draft capital.

Redskins get: Picks #48 and #68 or #48, #79, and #172

Jets get: Trent Williams

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals just signed 2019 left tackle DJ Humphries to an extension that pays him $15 million a year. However, Humphries’ talent and performance probably suit right tackle better, as he’s not the most proficient pass protector.

Re-signing Humphries and trading for Williams would be a great way to invest in franchise QB and 2019 Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray. Similar to the Jets, this also allows the Cardinals to draft a wide receiver with the eighth overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, or take a defensive player if they wanted to go that route.

Unlike the Jets, the Cardinals do not possess multiple third-round selections. So they may not be so willing to move on from both their 2020 second and third-round selections. This means a 2021 selection is more likely to be moved, and that would naturally mean the Redskins will look for another Day three pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Redskins get: Picks #40, #135, and a 2021 third-round selection

Cardinals get: Trent Williams and Pick #194

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers recently traded left tackle Russell Okung for guard Trai Turner, leaving a noticeable hole on the blindside of the offensive line. The expectation is that the Chargers will spend the 6th overall pick on a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. If they do, they would also be wise to invest in someone to protect their new franchise quarterback.

The Chargers possess the 11th-most cap space in the league, and would likely have no trouble signing Williams to an extension, especially if their starting quarterback is on a rookie contract. Similar to Arizona, the Chargers only possess one second and one third-round selection in 2020, so expect them to spend some future draft capital on a Trent Williams trade.

Redskins get: Picks #37, #133, and a 2021 third-round selection

Chargers get: Trent Williams and Pick #194