We are moving closer and closer to the NFL regular season, as training camps are now open around the league. The competition will be fierce as players will be fighting to earn spots on rosters throughout the league.
We are going to see plenty of player movement over the next few weeks. The first cut-down date in the NFL is August 17th and then there will be more cuts made each week following that up until the regular season.
In addition to cuts, teams could still make trades to either bolster their roster or unload from a position of strength on the roster.
Which players could be on the move? Here are seven trades we’d like to see before the 2021 NFL season.
6. David Njoku to Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers acquired Sam Darnold this offseason from the New York Jets. He is already coming into a situation better than what the Jets provided him his first three seasons in the league.
Robby Anderson and D.J. Moore are both 1,000-yard receivers. Terrace Marshall Jr. was selected in the second round and veteran David Moore was added this offseason as well. Christian McCaffrey is one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL.
The only thing missing is a tight end. To fill that hole, the Panthers should give a call to the Cleveland Browns for David Njoku. Njoku was selected in the first round in 2017 but finds himself competing for snaps with Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. Carolina would be an excellent landing spot for him to truly break out in his fifth season in the NFL.
5. Jordan Hicks to Cleveland Browns
Jordan Hicks has been a very productive linebacker with the Arizona Cardinals the last two seasons. However, the Cardinals have selected a linebacker in the first round of the last two drafts, making him expendable.
Hicks has been permitted to seek a trade according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Looking to build a Super Bowl contending roster, the Cleveland Browns would make for a good landing spot for Hicks.
Cleveland could use some help bolstering their pass defense, which finished 22nd last season. Hicks was solid in this area, allowing a passer rating of 85.4. Even with the addition of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, there should be room for Hicks, who can be a good mentor for the Notre Dame product.
4. N’Keal Harry to Chicago Bears
The New England Patriots selected N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State with the final pick of the first round in 2019. Through two seasons, he has been unable to break through with New England and it looks like it will be difficult to do this season.
New England revamped its pass-catching group this offseason, signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne at wide receiver. Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry were signed to upgrade the tight end position as well.
With Jakobi Meyers also brought back, Harry looks like he will be the odd man out. A wide receiver needy team, such as the Chicago Bears, taking a shot on him would be nice to see. Beyond Allen Robinson, the Bears don’t have much to get excited about in the passing game outside second-year receiver Darnell Mooney.
Adding a big-bodied player with the draft pedigree of Harry would be a low-risk, high-reward move for Chicago.
3. Zach Ertz To Arizona Cardinals
Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid offense has been rounding into shape the last few seasons. They have a dark horse MVP candidate in Kyler Murray running the show and some legitimate depth at the wide receiver spot.
DeAndre Hopkins leads the way, with veteran A.J. Green came over from the Cincinnati Bengals behind him. Christian Kirk is a strong third with KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella rounding out the depth chart. Chase Edmonds and James Conner are a good combo at running back.
The only thing lacking is a tight end. Acquiring veteran Zach Ertz from the Philadelphia Eagles could help take this offense to another level. Ertz had a tough 2020, but it was not long ago that he was considered a top-three tight end in the league. Even if he is not at that level any longer, he is still a top-10 option when healthy and would make for a great target for Murray over the middle.
2. Gardner Minshew to Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have suffered some major losses in recent days. Quarterback Carson Wentz injured his foot in practice and will undergo surgery that will keep him sidelined for 5-12 weeks. All-world offensive lineman Quenton Nelson will also miss 5-12 weeks with a foot injury of his own.
Replacing Nelson will be virtually impossible, as he is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. However, there are some options to replace Wentz should the team go outside the team.
If they do look to make a trade, Gardner Minshew would be an excellent target. Minshew was pushed aside by Trevor Lawrence but has shown well with the Jacksonville Jaguars despite the team looking like they are actively tanking.
Minshew would be motivated to stick it to the Jaguars and has shown through his first two NFL seasons that he is a serviceable starter. With an improved supporting cast, he could produce some good numbers.
1. Stephon Gilmore to Seattle Seahawks
The New England Patriots are notorious for getting rid of players one year too early instead of one year too late. That could be the case with cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 before falling off a bit in 2020. He is turning 31 this year and is in the final year of his contract and is seeking a raise on his next deal. If New England isn’t willing to pay that, flipping him for some future assets, such as draft compensation, makes sense.
The Seattle Seahawks are one team that should get in on the Gilmore sweepstakes should he be put on the block. Seattle could not stop the pass last season, finishing 31st in passing yards allowed per game. Shaquill Griffin departed in free agency, further diminishing the unit as well.
