It’s always tough to predict trade targets because it takes two sides to want to make the deal, and a lot of these guys won’t even be on the market. But, there are always good places to look:
- Teams in cap hell, but these are usually the higher-priced guys
- Teams starting a rebuild, although they are usually overasking on draft capital return
- Players that just no longer have a fit with a team, either due to scheme, coaching changes, depth chart, or injuries
- Look for guys from the 2023 draft class in the final year of their rookie deal or 1st rounders from the 2022 class on their option, on teams in a bad spot
We know the Eagles’ needs, they are, many and several are going to be solved in free agency or the draft. But here I’ll try to unearth some interesting trade targets at the tough-to-get positions of need.
First, the teams that should be offloading players
Let’s start with the teams likely to be shedding players for various reasons:
The bad teams in bad situations (and they recognize it)…
Miami Dolphins
First on the list, they are entering a re-build as they fired their GM, fired their coach, are unsure on Tua, and will be moving on from multiple core players.
- $33M over the cap in 2026
- They do have good draft capital (+23% vs. league average) with 3 premium picks
Atlanta Falcons
A well-overdue firing of Terry Fontenot as the Falcons may have had the most puzzling front office strategy of any team (and there’s good competition here).
- They should not be settled with Michael Penix at QB
- Third oldest roster
- Second worst draft capital in 2026 with only five picks, the highest being pick 48
- While in a decent cap situation, they have a ton of roster turnover coming up with only 24 signed contracts in 2027, with a lot of offensive talent either leaving or chewing up the cap
The teams in bad situations but won’t admit it…
Minnesota Vikings
I had them as my top “under” last year and they did not disappoint… there is such a strong correlation between draft value over the prior two to three years and winning. The Vikings had the second-least draft capital between 2023-25 and drafted terribly with the little they had.
- $51M over the cap in 2026 and 28th in the league in cap space in 2027
- They’ve reloaded with picks in 2026 but they are all day three picks with only two premium picks and still 11% less capital than league average
- 2nd in the league in free agency spending from 2023-25, which was needed to make up for the worst draft value over expected in the league
Dallas Cowboys
Where to start… Last year I wrote about Dallas’ fragile organizational philosophy, which relies on perfect drafting as Jerry won’t spend in free agency and makes a mess of extensions by waiting too long. They continue to teeter on the edge, riding Dak’s contract, patching holes, and trying to get by. I don’t think you get rid of a player like Micah, but at least it was a step towards a reset. They need more, though.
- Worst cap situation in the league as the only team over the cap in both 2026 ($47M) and 2027 ($6.5M), with the obvious place to make this up in Dak and CeeDee restructures
- Big need to improve the defense but they have several starters or major snap count free agents, including three EDGEs, two LBs, and a SAF
- The offseason swings on free agent George Pickens who probably gets tagged, but they may also lose RB Javonte Williams
- Dallas at least has draft capital, gaining two extra firsts in the Micah Parsons trade.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tomlin took the blame, but their issue is roster-building, not coaching. I give them credit for competing every year, but I’m not sure how they can accept the year after year purgatory of 9-8 seasons and a first-round playoff exit. I give them credit for trading Pickens, but they need to do more of that.
- They don’t have (and haven’t had) a plan at QB
- Second oldest roster and one that is just not built to win a playoff game
- They have decent cap space and a bunch of picks this year, but a ton of upcoming roster turnover at some key positions, near the bottom of the league this year and next in signed players
Indianapolis Colts
Was Daniel Jones actually finally good, or was it temporary variance? He’s a free agent and they are going to have to make a big decision there.
- Third lowest draft capital in 2026 (66% less than average team capital with their highest pick being 47), also missing their R1 pick in 2027 after the Sauce Gardner trade
- The good thing is they have plenty of cap space, but they are going to have to take shots at a QB
Good teams in a bad situation
Kansas City Chiefs
“Bad” is overstating it for the Chiefs, but they have to look out two years with Mahomes likely out most or all of 2026. For as long as Mahomes is there, they will always be shooting for the Super Bowl, but they have some sneaky tough decisions coming, and some surprising names may leave:
- $60M over the cap in 2026, but have a ton of contracts that can be restructured and they can clean this up with just touching Mahomes, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Nick Bolton
- But, they only have 23 guys contracted for in 2027 with around $35M of cap space after restructures – it’s a lot of roster spots to fill
- And they are losing some key pieces given this year’s cap situation
Who could be on the block?
CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs
Up for free agency in 2027, his last year playing will be the Chiefs’ non-Mahomes year. He’ll be 26 for his next deal and his projection is going to be $26-27M AAV and up.
Young, elite CBs are one of the best-returning trade assets in the NFL – they almost never hit the trade market, but when they do, teams have been willing to give up two 1sts (Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey). The Chiefs probably won’t contend in 2026, and if they could get two 1sts while avoiding a massive deal, they should listen.
Eagles take: McDuffie is one of my all-time favorite draft prospects and probably my biggest draft crush in the last five years. You want to solve CB2, you can do it here, and if he does end up getting shopped, a lot of Eagles fans will say “make it happen”. But I’m not trading multiple firsts for anybody.
Offer: Pass, but I hate myself for it
CB Juju Brents, Miami
The Eagles had pre-draft interest in Juju and he’s been good when he’s on the field. The issue is he hasn’t been, playing only six games the last two seasons. He did play well for Miami this year before getting injured. He’s similar to Kelee in size but way better in change. of direction.
Eagles take: It would be another low-cost, upside add to the CB stable. Miami is well over the cap and starting a rebuild, this wouldn’t be more than a day 3 pick – the NFL is littered with day 3 pick swaps for these types of corners.
Offer: 6th for Juju Brents and a 7th
WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers
Up for free agency in 2027, the Chargers entertained trading him this year. His career got off to a slow start, but despite that, he has back-to-back 700+ yard seasons, cleaned up his drops, and provides good after-the-catch value.
Eagles take: The Chargers wanted a mid-round pick or offensive line help. What about flipping two guys on the last year of their rookie deals, offering RG Tyler Steen for Quentin in a win-win move? Steen would be the Chargers’ best interior lineman by a wide margin, Quentin isn’t an AJ replacement as we would still need speed, but would be an interesting piece.
Offer: Tyler Steen for Quentin Johnston
WR Roman Wilson, Steelers
He was fifth in WR snap count and buried on the depth chart and looks like a guy the org just doesn’t want for some reason. Tomlin is gone, they are losing Adam Thielen, and Calvin Austin is a free agent, so maybe Roman’s value is greater next year, but he has 20 targets in two seasons. He’s got speed and was a legitimate deep threat in college, but hasn’t translated to the NFL, although he is probably being misused in Pittsburgh (he should be a slot).
Eagles take: The Eagles did meet with Wilson at the Senior Bowl and there could be untapped potential here to be brought in as a speedy slot.
Offer: 6th rounder
Closest comp is Skyy Moore for a 6th
TE Josh Oliver, Vikings
The Vikings have $34.3M (almost 10% of the cap) going to TEs, most in the league, and that continues through 2027. They have four TEs on the roster, plus one on the practice squad, through 2027, including TJ Hockenson, Ben Yurosek, rookie Gavin Bartholomew, and Oliver. It would make sense to release Hockenson and his $21.3M cap number ($8.8M of savings) but again, Minnesota is in the “don’t know it” bucket above. Oliver is underused but better (1.33 YRR, 6.9 YAC per reception, good blocker). He would need to be traded after June 1, where he would save them $7M.
Eagles take: The TE trade market isn’t very interesting and I think the easiest and best place for the Eagles to get one is free agency (Charlie Kolar is my target).
Offer: Look to free agency and the draft, this would only be a post-6/1 move if no better options.
OT Brian O’Neill, Vikings
My personal favorite for last and a “break in case of emergency” trade idea… The Vikings are well over the cap, O’Neill is in the last year of his contract with a $23M cap hit and $19M of savings if moved. He is 31 years old but still very, very good – his top-10 run block win rate and top-15 pass block win rate in 2025 were both better than any Eagle.
Eagles take: You don’t take on a $20M+ AAV guy that you would have to restructure and extend unless you had a true need, and the only way that need materializes is if Lane Johnson surprises the Eagles and retires this offseason. If he does, Minnesota is the first place I’m calling. A career-long RT with almost 8,000 snaps, team captain, and freakish athlete that ran a 4.82 40 at 6’7″, he would be an amazing fit and give a known, top-tier RT while we figure out the long-term successor.
Offer: 2026 3rd, 2027 3rd, and Matt Pryor
Closest comp is Laremy Tunsil plus a 4th for a 3rd, 7th, future 2nd, future 4th