Wide receiver trades dominated the NFL last offseason, with Kansas City’s deal of Tyreek Hill to Miami serving as the headliner. Several big-name wide receivers could be on the move this offseason, too.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers must prepare for the future when QB Justin Herbert, who’s still on his rookie deal, receives a raise. They would save $16.3 million in 2023 and $23.1 million in 2024 by trading Allen before June 1, per Over the Cap.
Herbert is entering the final year of his rookie contract and set to count $8.5 million against the cap. Per his 2022 valuation from Over the Cap, he is worth $36.9 million annually. If he continues his upward trajectory, he won’t get any cheaper.
Potential destination: Chicago Bears. Allen would fit into the budget of the Bears, who have $94 million-plus in cap space and QB Justin Fields on a rookie contract for two more seasons.
Tyler Boyd (or Tee Higgins), Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati is in a similar spot as the Chargers with its franchise QB, Joe Burrow, set for a substantial pay increase. He’s due to make $11.5 million in 2023 while his 2022 Over the Cap valuation puts him at $44 million annually.
The Bengals have a trio of wide receivers who could be No. 1 targets on other teams. Ja’Marr Chase is locked in after the team drafted him fifth overall, but the team’s second and third options — Boyd and Higgins — could be available.
Both are entering the final years of their contracts. Higgins, 24, would likely be more valuable in a trade while Boyd, 28, should be more affordable if the Bengals are stuck choosing between the two.
Potential destination: Green Bay Packers. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky suggested the Bears should trade for Higgins. He would be a fit there or with the Packers should Aaron Rodgers return in 2023.
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Cooks was upset after not being traded at the trade deadline this past season. If he gets his wish, he may have to wait after June 1. The Texans would save $34.9 million over the next two seasons as opposed to only $26.8 million if they were to trade him prior to June 1.
Potential destination: Baltimore Ravens. While Baltimore must manage what should be a big payday for QB Lamar Jackson, there are ways for the front office to get enough cap room for both Jackson and a star wide receiver.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Receivers Evans and Chris Godwin give the Bucs two great targets for a QB, should they land a viable one. If Tampa strikes out on a veteran QB, it may want to begin a teardown. Evans, who has 81 TD passes over nine seasons, could fetch multiple draft picks.
Potential destination: New York Giants. The Giants must improve their middling wide receiver core, and they have more than $40 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, to make upgrades.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals can’t seem to stop adding receivers, so it may be hard for the organization to part with their best one. Arizona still will likely explore a trade involving Hopkins. The team traded for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Robbie Anderson over the past 12 months and also has budding talent Rondale Moore.
Potential destination: Dallas Cowboys. ESPN’s Marcus Spears said on “Get Up” that if the Cowboys are serious about winning a Super Bowl with Dak Prescott, they should trade for Hopkins.
