{"id":763498,"date":"2026-06-27T10:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/763498\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T10:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:12:38","slug":"every-nfl-teams-most-valuable-trade-chip-and-if-they-should-be-traded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/763498\/","title":{"rendered":"Every NFL team’s most valuable trade chip (and if they should be traded)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re a long way from the NFL\u2019s<\/a> trade deadline, but if the start to the NFL’s offseason<\/a> is telling is anything, it\u2019s that blockbuster moves are always a day away. Now this piece isn\u2019t to identify the blockbuster move for every NFL team<\/a>, rather identify the players that might have the most trade value for every team. Believe it or not, every team has one and regardless of who they are, they could be on the move if an offer their team can\u2019t refuse comes about. Here\u2019s all 32 teams\u2019 best trade chip and if they should part ways with them this offseason.<\/p>\n

One trade chip for every NFL teamAFC North<\/a>AFC South<\/a>AFC East<\/a>AFC West<\/a>NFC North\u00a0<\/a>NFC South<\/a>NFC East<\/a>NFC West<\/a>AFC NorthCleveland Browns: CB Denzel Ward<\/p>\n

The Cleveland Browns shocked everybody with the Myles Garrett trade<\/a> and there\u2019s a chance they do it again with Denzel Ward. Ward has said he wants to stay in Cleveland, but if the Browns start to spiral before the trade deadline, he could very well be trade bait. The Green Bay Packers feel like the most obvious move here, but if the Browns decide to trade Ward, there won’t be a shortage of teams interested in landing him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Cleveland trade Ward? Yes<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Myles Murphy<\/p>\n

The Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> don\u2019t really have a lot of players worth trading. Like yes, they have Ja\u2019Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but neither is going to get traded. Myles Murphy probably has the most to offer on the Bengals for a couple of reasons. For one, they have a bit of a surplus of pass rushers, so if they needed to offload one of them, Murphy would be the better option available.<\/p>\n

Should Cincinnati trade Murphy? Yes<\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman\"Baltimore<\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman | Tina MacIntyre-Yee\/Democrat and Chronicle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Rashod Bateman<\/a> is giving off Hollywood Brown vibes. Not from a production standpoint, but from the fact that the hype was there, but the production didn\u2019t match it. Just like Brown, that could very much get Bateman traded either later this offseason and preseason or before the trade deadline. The Ravens went and drafted two receivers in Ja\u2019Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. If either one of them works out, he could very much be out in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

Should Baltimore trade Bateman? Yes<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Steelers: EDGE\/LB Alex Highsmith<\/p>\n

The Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> gave Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million contract this offseason, meaning Alex Highsmith is as good as gone. The Steelers re-signed T.J. Watt last year, and with Herbig\u2019s contract, Highsmith has to be the odd one. The good thing is finding a new home for a pass rusher that had 9.5 sacks in 2025 shouldn\u2019t be difficult to do. I think Pittsburgh will wait until the deadline to trade him, but I would be surprised if he played all of 2026 in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

Should Pittsburgh trade Highsmith? Yes<\/p>\n

AFC SouthIndianapolis Colts: QB Anthony Richardson Sr.<\/p>\n

I feel like a broken record every time I speak of Anthony Richardson<\/a> because it always centers around him getting traded. In this case, it doesn\u2019t make sense for the Indianapolis Colts<\/a> to trade anybody else, as they don\u2019t have a first-round pick and could benefit from draft capital. The Colts clearly don\u2019t have a future for Richardson, and they certainly didn\u2019t show any patience with him. They need to trade him now and just end that relationship rather than let it linger just for the sake of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Richardson get traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Jacksonville JaguarsWR Brian Thomas Jr.<\/p>\n

The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> have long been linked to possibly moving on from Brian Thomas Jr. It started after the Jags drafted Travis Hunter and resurfaced after they traded for Jakobi Meyers and ultimately signed him to an extension. Thomas regressed significantly from his rookie season. In the 2024 season, he had 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Last year, he had just 707 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. The Jags aren\u2019t deep at receiver, so it might not be worth it, but they could try and get something for him if they don\u2019t plan on extending him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Thomas be traded? No<\/p>\n

Houston Texans: DT Sheldon Rankins<\/p>\n

The Houston Texans<\/a> had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, if not the best. They decided to add to that by drafting Kayden McDonald, Rankins\u2019 replacement. Rankins is 32 years old and not a major part of this defense’s success. Not saying he\u2019s easily replaceable either, but the Texans already handpicked who they want to succeed him. If he\u2019s ready to start now, why delay his development?<\/p>\n

Should Rankins be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Tennessee Titans: DT Jeffrey Simmons<\/p>\n

There\u2019s been speculation as to whether the Tennessee Titans<\/a> would explore trade options for Jeffrey Simmons or not. None of that materialized, which leads me to believe the Titans have no intentions of trading him. That said, he still is their best trade piece, especially when you look at what he can do as an interior defensive lineman. I doubt the Titans move on from Simmons when he\u2019s too good and is young enough to still be productive once they get out of this rebuild.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Simmons be traded? No<\/p>\n

AFC EastBuffalo Bills: WR Khalil Shakir\"Buffalo<\/p>\n

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Buffalo Bills<\/a> have been desperately looking for receiver help since they traded Stefon Diggs to Houston. Keon Coleman hasn\u2019t turned out to be the weapon they expected, and now D.J. Moore has the pressure of carrying this receiver room. That said, Khalil Shakir has been a welcomed addition and steady contributor to the offense. Buffalo needs perimeter weapons too badly to trade Shakir, but he is the one player with a lot of value on this roster aside from Josh Allen and James Cook.<\/p>\n

Should Shakir be traded? No<\/p>\n

Miami Dolphins: RB De\u2019Von Achane<\/p>\n

The Miami Dolphins<\/a> just re-signed De\u2019Von Achane to a four-year extension earlier this offseason. He is not getting traded anytime soon, but if he did, he would get a decent return. Achane has been one of the best receiving backs since he was drafted in 2023. There was speculation the Dolphins might have been forced to trade Achane, but they ultimately decided to give him an extension. For now he\u2019s safe, but it doesn\u2019t make him untouchable.<\/p>\n

Should Achane get traded? No\u00a0<\/p>\n

New York Jets: RB Breece Hall<\/p>\n

Breece Hall was another running back that had a lot of trade speculation amid the New York Jets<\/a> not being in a position to extend a running back. The Jets franchise tagged him and then later gave him a three-year extension. He\u2019s staying in New York\/East Rutherford for a little bit longer, but the Jets are in a decades-long rebuild and may realize Hall is better off turning into draft capital rather than being on the roster.<\/p>\n

Should Hall be traded? No<\/p>\n

New England Patriots: WR Kayshon Boutte\"New<\/p>\n

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The New England Patriots<\/a> revamped this receiver room, turning to Romeo Doubs in free agency and A.J. Brown via trade. This offense shouldn\u2019t be a problem now. That said, New England now has a logjam at receiver after their busy offseason, which is why Kayshon Boutte will probably end up dealt before the season starts.<\/p>\n

Should Boutte get traded? Yes<\/p>\n

AFC WestDenver Broncos: WR Courtland Sutton<\/p>\n

Courtland Sutton has seen it all in Denver. As much as he has witnessed with this team and as important as he\u2019s been, it might be time for Denver to move on from him. The Broncos<\/a> traded for Jaylen Waddle ahead of the NFL Draft, and that should give them the true No. 1 target that Bo Nix needs. Now the Broncos just re-signed him last year, and he\u2019s playing some of his best football. He probably won\u2019t get traded, but if Denver felt the need to add draft capital, Sutton could ultimately be the option.<\/p>\n

Should Sutton be traded? No<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers: WR Ladd McConkey<\/p>\n

It was hard trying to find a trade chip on the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>. They don\u2019t have an overwhelmingly deep roster, and at the same time, any position they\u2019d want to upgrade would require them to make another one weaker. Trading Ladd McConkey just isn\u2019t a good option for the Chargers. I don\u2019t think they\u2019d move him because this team has terrible weapons for Justin Herbert as is.<\/p>\n

Should McConkey be traded? No<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs: WR Rashee Rice\"Kansas<\/p>\n

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> need to figure out their receiving core. That\u2019s the only reason they\u2019re going to keep Rice for the time being. He\u2019s been more of a liability than reliable and might not ever reach the level he was in his rookie season. The Chiefs probably won\u2019t get much from him which is why they\u2019ll continue to be patient with him. But if some team comes along to bail them out of their Rice problem, don\u2019t be surprised to see him on the trade block.<\/p>\n

Should Rice be traded? No<\/p>\n

Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Maxx Crosby<\/p>\n

The Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> might not have a choice but to trade Maxx Crosby at the NFL trade deadline at the latest. The Raiders could absolutely benefit from having Crosby, but it feels like they\u2019ll capitalize on the draft capital that can come from moving him. For now, the two sides seem keen on figuring it out. If the Raiders aren\u2019t even division contenders by the deadline, it\u2019s probably best they trade Crosby while he still has some value.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Crosby be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

NFC North\u00a0Chicago Bears: TE Cole Kmet<\/p>\n

It was honestly surprising to see Cole Kmet survive last season with the Chicago Bears<\/a>. When Chicago drafted Colston Loveland, it felt pretty clear the Bears were keen on replacing Kmet immediately. They didn\u2019t get it done in 2025, but they\u2019re getting it done this year. Kmet had a decent role with the offense last year with 347 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. He\u2019ll carve out a niche with another team this year, especially if the Bears want to upgrade their defensive line.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Kmet be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions: TE Sam LaPorta\"Detroit<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions tight end Sam Laporta | Junfu Han \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Sam LaPorta isn\u2019t on the trade block, so this isn\u2019t happening. But if the Detroit Lions<\/a> truly wanted to add an elite pass rusher next to Aidan Hutchinson, they could dangle LaPorta as a valuable trade asset in a deal. The same could be said if they want to add an elite cornerback in light of the Terrion Arnold legal situation. The Lions probably won\u2019t trade any player of value, but if they did, LaPorta is the one I\u2019d watch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should LaPorta be traded? No<\/p>\n

Green Bay Packers: WR Matthew Golden<\/p>\n

Crazy enough, Matthew Golden went from a potential long-term piece to a player that could be traded before his rookie contract is up. The Green Bay Packers<\/a> extended both Christian Watson and Jayden Reed this offseason. That speeds up Golden\u2019s timeline, and if he doesn\u2019t show signs of progress, a team like the Chiefs could probe into Golden\u2019s availability. I think the Packers will be patient with Golden, but his leash is a whole lot shorter going into 2026.<\/p>\n

Should Golden be traded? No<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings: QB J.J. McCarthy<\/p>\n

J.J. McCarthy is going to be the most talked about backup quarterback aside from Ty Simpson at this point. McCarthy\u2019s days are numbered in Minnesota. The Vikings<\/a> even thinking about pursuing Anthony Richardson could very well be the end of McCarthy in the Twin Cities. It\u2019s not a matter of if McCarthy will get traded, it\u2019s when. Depending on how he plays this offseason, he\u2019ll either get dealt before Week 1 or closer to the deadline.<\/p>\n

Should McCarthy be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

NFC SouthTampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Chris Godwin Jr.\"Tampa<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

This is a tricky situation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>. Keeping Chris Godwin Jr. means you\u2019re banking on him to be fully healthy and expecting him to play at the level he has when he is healthy. Trading him means they\u2019re accepting the risk of him possibly being healthy with a contender. Either way, I think Godwin has to be on the move. If he\u2019s healthy for the first half of the season, the Bucs can jack up the price on him. This team has had Godwin in the lineup for just 16 games across the last two years. It might be time to move on, even if he does bounce back in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Godwin be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Atlanta Falcons: QB Michael Penix Jr.<\/p>\n

If the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> were turning to Tua Tagovailoa, of all quarterbacks, to save this offense, that\u2019s a sign to me that Michael Penix Jr.\u2019s job security is near zero. He\u2019s old considering he\u2019s still on a rookie contract and he has a grocery list worth of injuries in his playing career. The Falcons put themselves in a tough position with Tagovailoa and Penix, two of the most injured quarterbacks in the NFL. But the Falcons chose Tagovailoa, which feels like a bad omen for Penix.<\/p>\n

Should Penix get traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers: WR Xavier Legette\"Carolina<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure what type of value Xavier Legette has, but the Carolina Panthers<\/a> need to take whatever they can get from Legette. Maybe there wasn\u2019t as much pressure for him because he was a late Day 1 pick, but he\u2019s still a player that\u2019s been disappointing throughout his NFL career. In his first two seasons, he doesn\u2019t have more than 500 receiving yards in either season and hasn\u2019t had a season with at least 50 receptions. He just hasn\u2019t had the impact Carolina has needed from him, and with Tetairoa McMillan stepping up to a bigger role, Legette could be the odd one out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Legette be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

New Orleans Saints: QB Spencer Rattler<\/p>\n

There\u2019s not much value out there for Spencer Rattler, but there\u2019s certainly a market for quarterback scraps. Rattler could land with a team that would aid his development rather than hinder it, which is why he\u2019s most likely out in New Orleans. The Packers are a team to watch for Rattler, as well as a team like the Cardinals or even the Falcons could be in play. Regardless of who it is, the Saints<\/a> need to see who wants to bite on Rattler.<\/p>\n

Should Rattler be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

NFC EastWashington Commanders: DT Daron Payne<\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders<\/a> have been linked to possibly trading Daron Payne at one point, though those murmurs have quieted since. That said, if things either spiral out of control or the Commanders find out they can get a decent return for Payne, they could revisit those once-rumored possibilities. Payne has a hefty salary cap hit at nearly $28 million. The Commanders spent a lot this free agency, so if they did want to increase their cap space, it could be a move to watch at the deadline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Payne be traded? No<\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys: DT Kenny Clark<\/p>\n

The way the Dallas Cowboys<\/a> constructed this defense, I\u2019d be shocked to see Kenny Clark traded at this point. Clark can still be a key player on this defense, so trading him doesn\u2019t seem like the best move. He would probably be the only other player aside from George Pickens who could yield a really good trade deadline return. The Cowboys didn\u2019t trade Clark earlier this offseason, which leads me to believe they\u2019re going to hold onto him for now.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Clark be traded? No<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles: DT Jalen Carter\"Philadelphia<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

If the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> wanted to trade Jalen Carter, it would have already happened by now. That said, that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019ll survive the NFL trade deadline. He still wants a long-term deal, and the Eagles probably view him as a key part of their future on defense. The problem is they aren\u2019t close to a deal yet, which is why if things don\u2019t progress, a trade could be the ultimate move.<\/p>\n

Should Carter be traded? No<\/p>\n

New York Giants: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux<\/p>\n

The New York Giants<\/a> have had a Kayvon Thibodeaux problem for quite some time. If they didn\u2019t, they wouldn\u2019t have drafted both Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese in consecutive drafts. Sure Reese is probably an interior linebacker for New York, but the fact that he could be both a pass rusher and off-ball linebacker proves just how much faith they have in Thibodeaux. He\u2019ll probably get traded before the season and certainly won\u2019t survive the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Should Thibodeaux get traded? Yes<\/p>\n

NFC WestArizona Cardinals: QB Jacoby Brissett<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no need to have a contract dispute with a quarterback you\u2019re not committing a long term to. If Brissett wants to hold out, they might as well trade him to a team that could use him. The used quarterback market is always plentiful in the NFL. The Arizona Cardinals<\/a> don\u2019t need a massive return from Brissett, they just need to end this saga. He\u2019s right to demand more money, but Arizona is right to simply trade him away too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Brissett be traded?: YesSan Francisco 49ers: QB Mac Jones\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The longer the offseason drags on and the closer the preseason gets, the more likely it is that the San Francisco 49ers<\/a> should explore Mac Jones trade options. They have every right to hold on to him because Brock Purdy does have back injury luck. But it feels like any quarterback that makes it to the 49ers ultimately shines, so replacing Jones won\u2019t be a problem. The good thing about Jones too is the 49ers could possibly get something as high as a third-round pick for him, which isn\u2019t a bad return for a free agent signing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Should Jones be traded? Yes<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams: QB Stetson Bennett IV<\/p>\n

Stetson Bennett might be the only player on the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> roster that could be on the trade block, and even that\u2019s a maybe. The Rams have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, and there\u2019s nothing they can really give up that wouldn\u2019t dent their playoff hopes. There\u2019s probably not much the Rams are going to get in return for Bennett, but it\u2019s better than nothing. For now, Bennett probably stays put as the Rams figure out what Ty Simpson will become.<\/p>\n

Should Bennett get traded? No<\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks: CB Devon Witherspoon<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a long shot, probably not likely, but also possible. The Seattle Seahawks<\/a> and Devon Witherspoon have yet to agree on his rookie extension, which could prompt Seattle to send Witherspoon to a new team before the deadline. The Seahawks lost Riq Woolen to free agency this offseason so losing another cornerback on a team that just won the Super Bowl isn\u2019t ideal, but it could be the only solution if Witherspoon doesn\u2019t sign an extension soon.<\/p>\n

Should Witherspoon be traded? No<\/p>\n

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