NFL Trade Deadline Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertOctober 30, 2022
© USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACKS

Mason Rudolph (PIT, 27)

Deadline Salary: $1.6M

The 27-year old is in the final year of a 2-year contract in Pittsburgh, and has been relegated to QB3 duties. The Steelers would take on a $2.44M dead cap hit here.

Jameis Winston (NO, 28)

Deadline Salary: $666,666

Winston appears to have lost his footing on the QB1 job in New Orleans (for a minute). With $5.8M of his 2023 salary guaranteed for injury, there’s a bit of risk in putting him out there right now, but another franchise could think differently. The Saints would take on dead cap hits $3.3M in 2022, and another $11.2M in 2023.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Alvin Kamara (NO, 27)

Deadline Salary: $575,000

Kamara’s been a late addition to the trade rumor hot stove with contenders looking to pounce on the versatile weapon. His contract contains 3 years, $47.8M after 2022, and $5M of his 2023 salary is already fully guaranteed - but a potential looming suspension would void those guarantees immediately. A deadline trade means $5.55M of dead cap in 2022, and another $14.3M in 2023 for New Orleans.

Kareem Hunt (CLE, 27)

Deadline Salary: $2.75M

Hunt requested a contract/trade before the season started, but the Browns wouldn’t bite on either. He’s a little more expensive than most backs at this deadline thanks to $200,000 in per game roster bonuses, but he’s also one of the more proven weapons on the block. Acquiring teams could just opt to guarantee those per game bonuses, and convert the remaining salary into signing bonus, using void years to greatly decrease the 2022 cap hit.

Josh Jacobs (LV, 24)

Deadline Salary: $1.1M

The Raiders declined Jacobs’ $8M 5th-year option for 2023, so he’s operating on a pretty friendly expiring salary here. He’s been a huge part of the Las Vegas offense, so as long as they believe they’re in the playoff hunt, shopping Jacobs is likely off of the table. But with $1.1M to be acquired at the deadline, it’s easy to imagine there’s a suitor or two out there.

Melvin Gordon (DEN, 29)

Deadline Salary: $1.32M

Gordon is posting a career-low 3.5 yards per attempt right now for a stagnant Broncos’ offense, and is scheduled for free agency after the 2022 season. A loss in London could mean a firesale for Denver before the 11/1 deadline.

Cam Akers (LAR, 23)

Deadline Salary: $650k

Akers fell out of favor with the Rams about as quickly as any player has. His rookie contract has a year and a half remaining on it, but none of it is guaranteed. He's a $650k rental at the deadline if someone is willing to bite, leaving behind dead cap hits of $1.03M in 2022, and another $512k in 2023.

Antonio Gibson (WSH, 24)

Deadline Salary: $588,011

With Brian Robinson back in the fold, Gibson’s role is certain to be reduced. His rookie contract runs non-guaranteed through 2023, so teams could be gaining a year and a half of decent value with a deadline move. Washington would take on dead cap hits of $757,252 in 2022 & $286,843 in 2023.

Jeff Wilson (SF, 26)

Deadline Salary: $575,000

McCaffrey’s arrival immediately had teams calling the Niners about Wilson, who are certainly listening. He comes with a minimum salary on an expiring contract for the next 10 weeks, so there’s real bang for buck potential here. San Francisco would retain a $510,000 dead hit per this move.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

Brandin Cooks (HOU, 29)

Deadline Salary: $914,081

Cooks signed a 2 year extension with Houston this past April, but the Texans appear poised to sell anyone for parts right now (as they should be). He’s relatively cost-controlled for the remainder of 2022, but a fully guaranteed $18M salary for 2023 likely has some teams staying away - barring a restructure.

Kendrick Bourne (NE, 27)

Deadline Salary: $3.09M

Bourne is one of the more expensive players being rumored at the deadline, at least for the remainder of 2022. His contract contains a non-guaranteed $5.5M salary in 2023, so there’s a chance this can be more than just a rental for an acquiring team. The Patriots would take on dead cap hits of $3.28M in 2022, and another $1.4M in 2023.

Jerry Jeudy (DEN, 23)

Deadline Salary: $1.1M

Jeudy hasn’t lived up to this #15 overall selection to date, and the Broncos could be one of the more aggressive teams at this deadline from a selling stance. Jeudy’s contract carries fully guaranteed salaries of $1.1M to finish 2022 & $2.6M through 2023, with a 5th-year option available for 2024.

Elijah Moore (NYJ, 22)

Deadline Salary: $592,435

Moore’s request to be shipped out of NY has been denied by the Jets (thus far), but deadlines spur actions and teams are likely still calling. Moore’s remaining contract stands at 2 ½ years, $3.94M, with $1.6M of that fully guaranteed.

Chase Claypool (PIT, 24)

Deadline Salary: $673,000

Claypool still hasn’t found footing in Pittsburgh, despite 4 quarterbacks attempting to gel with him. None of the $673,000 remaining in 2022 or the $1.5M slated for 2023 are guaranteed, so a late round draft pick might make sense for a team looking to bulk up depth in their WR room with little risk. The Steelers would take on dead hits of $1.1M in 2022, and $593k in 2023.

Marquez Callaway (NO, 24)

Deadine Salary: $497,222

The Saints can’t stop adding players to the trade block, and Callaway might be the best “value” of them all. He’s eligible for restricted free agency after 2022, keeping him cost-controlled for a year and a half.

 

TIGHT ENDS

Mike Gesicki (MIA, 27)

Deadline Salary: $6M

Gesicki went from arguably the Dolphins’ best pass catching threat the past few years, to almost non-existent in 2022. While the price is a bit hefty for a deadline move, a big name injury in the next few weeks can spur some action (Dallas comes to mind early on). It’s a 1 year, fully guaranteed $6M deal at the deadline.

Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN, 24)

Deadline Salary: $497,222

He’s played only 25% of the Broncos’ snaps to date, and appears certain to be on the move in the coming days. The acquiring team takes on a less than $500k salary for the remainder of 2022, and a $1.01M option for 2023 - none of it guaranteed. Denver will retain dead cap hits of $585,038 in 2022, $187k in 2023,

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Isaiah Wynn (NE, OT, 25)

Deadline Salary: $5.785M

The former #23 overall pick has been in and out of favor with the Patriots, but it appears he’s not long for this roster one way or another. His 5th-year option salary makes him somewhat expensive for a deadline move, but it only takes one team.

 

DEFENDERS

Bradley Chubb (DEN, LB, 26)

Deadline Salary: $7.06M

Chubb seems to be the big fish on the market this weekend, as contenders identify him as the “Von Miller” of the class. There aren’t many teams with $7M+ of cap space out of the gate, so Denver might be eating quite a bit of this remaining salary in order to buy a better draft package. 

Josh Allen (JAX, LB, 25)

Deadline Salary: $1.9M

Jacksonville hasn’t made it clear that Allen is available, but that’s not stopping teams from calling. The contract carries a fully guaranteed $1.9M through 2022, then a fully guaranteed $11.5M 5th-year option in 2023, so this is more than just a rental move.

Brian Burns (CAR, DE, 24)

Deadline Salary: $1.3M

Carolina claims that Burns is still off limits - but a couple of first round picks can change that tune quickly. He’s fully guaranteed at $1.3M through 2022, with a fully guaranteed $16M 5th-year option in 2023.

William Jackson (WSH, CB, 30)

Deadline Salary: $3.17M

Jackson and the Commanders have been at odds most of the season, so they’ll be thrilled to find a partner in the next few days. $2.7M of the remaining salary for 2022 is fully guaranteed, but none of the $12.75M scheduled for next season is.

Roquan Smith (CHI, ILB, 25)

Deadline Salary: $5.4M

The Bears and Smith agreed to “live with each other” after offseason trade demands went nowhere. Chicago should be looking for as many draft picks as possible down the stretch these days, so adding Smith and his expiring contract back to the trade block (amongst others) makes the most sense. They’ll take on $4.3M of 2022 dead cap to ship him out at the deadline.

Sidney Jones (SEA, CB,  26)

Deadline Salary: $1.26M

Jones has been relegated to a depth role in Seattle, and could garner the Seahawks another draft asset this weekend. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next March.

Sean Bunting (TB, CB, 25)

Deadline Salary: $1.4M

Bunting is on an expiring contract, scheduled for unrestricted free agency in a few months. His deadline salary is a little pricier than some teams will be willing to spend for depth, but he sees a likely move regardless. The Bucs will take on a $1.9M dead cap hit per this trade.


Top