NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of offseason training regiments.
This part of the calendar could pay off in a big way. Last year,Seattle signed Sam Darnoldand he powered them to a Super Bowl title over theNew England Patriots. The teamSeattleplayed in the NFC championship game - theLos Angeles Rams- made a splash in free agency as well bysigning wide receiver Davante Adams.
This year's free agent class has good players at other positions. Pro Bowl players at center (Tyler Linderbaum), linebacker (Devin Lloyd) and edge rusher (Trey Hendrickson) lead the way. There are also many options at running back and wide receiver for teams to choose from.
But this won't necessarily be the only way a player changes teams in this portion of the offseason. Trades could play a huge role in changing the league landscape.
Players on the move:When does NFL free agency start in 2026 and what to watch
Money to spend:How much salary cap space does each NFL team have in 2026?
TheChicago Bearssurged to a division title in 2025 behind an improved offensive line. Chicagosigned center Drew Dalmanin free agency but also used trades to acquire starters on either side of him inJoe ThuneyandJonah Jackson.Dallas acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers via tradeand he became a second-team All-Pro.
Player movement doesn't need to be limited to the open market. Here are four trades involving veteran players that could be made around the start of free agency:
NFL free agency 2026:LB tops Tyler Dragon's top 32 free agents
CBTrent McDuffieto theLos Angeles Rams
McDuffie is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract. His cap number jumps from $4.46 million to $13.63 million, per OverTheCap figures, which is no small deal for the Chiefs who are looking to add to the roster and had to release starting tackle Jawaan Taylor to get under the 2026 salary cap.
McDuffie is a year away from free agency. Chiefs outside cornerback Jaylen Watson is heading to free agency this season. This feels like a Kansas City roster in transition with key free agents at all levels on the defense and multiple spots on offense. The biggest piece on the defense, defensive lineman Chris Jones, is another year older.
Kansas City can rely on developing secondary talent. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Co. have a track record of turning Day 3 or undrafted players into viable starters or even Pro Bowlers (e.g. Watson and Charvarius Ward). Spending big money at the cornerback position may not be the best use of their resources knowing this.
That makes offloading McDuffie a year before he hits free agency more lucrative. Los Angeles' needs at cornerback were exposed at times in the playoffs and they have an extra first-round pick this year. If they don't want to use that to find Matthew Stafford's successor or another piece to develop, they could maximize Stafford's post-MVP year with a splash trade. Los Angeles is running out of time before their young defense gets expensive. They've found and developed talent on the defensive line and this could balance that out ahead of key contract decisions.
EdgeMaxx Crosbyto theSan Francisco 49ers
Las Vegas is starting over in 2026 with a new head coach (Klint Kubiak) and starting quarterback (presumably Fernando Mendoza). This isn't exactly a team for a veteran defensive lineman looking for his best success after years of individual accolades and recognition.
San Francisco's reaching the twilight years of many of their stars. It's unlikely Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner can keep up All-Pro level production for much longer. Plus, an ironman who rarely misses games would be a welcome sight for a 49ers team that constantly navigates injuries.
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San Francisco would likely have to send at least a first-round pick to the Raiders for Crosby depending on how much salary they take on. The 49ers have a decent amount of cap space and can create more by restructuring deals with Nick Bosa and Brock Purdy. It'd certainly paper over some concerns about the interior defensive line with Bosa and Crosby on the edges.
For Las Vegas, it'd help turn the page to a new era of Raiders football. Crosby doesn't quite match up with their current timeline as the team is likely at least two years away from properly contending. Another asset in the form of a first-round pick could lay the groundwork for a more complete turnaround.
2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
9. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Spencer Fano, Utah" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
11. Miami Dolphins – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – WR Denzel Boston, Washington" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
14. Baltimore Ravens – DL Caleb Banks, Florida" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Makai Lemon, USC" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
17. Detroit Lions – OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
18. Minnesota Vikings – S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
19. Carolina Panthers – DT Peter Woods, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – OLB/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
22. Los Angeles Chargers – G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
23. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
30. Denver Broncos – WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
31. New England Patriots – DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine
WRMichael Pittman Jr.to thePittsburgh Steelers
Alec Pierce enjoyed a breakout year for theIndianapolis Coltsin 2025 and is hitting free agency this offseason. Dallas put the franchise tag on Pickens which makes Pierce arguably the top option on the free agent market this year – if he gets there.
Looking at the 2026 NFL Draft, there are many big-bodied outside receivers in the mold of Pittman who the Colts could target as a successor and instead use the money they'd save to retain Pierce. Pittman's on the final year of a three-year extension he signed in 2024 and will count $29 million against the cap in 2026. Indianapolis would save $24 million by trading him before June 1 which would free up space to sign Pierce as well as quarterback Daniel Jones.
For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside beyond D.K. Metcalf. He's a vertical threat thanks to his speed and Pittman would bring another physical skillset to the offense. The Steelers have a dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected five combined selections in Round 3 and Round 4. If they're willing to take on most of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of those selections back in a deal that may be worthwhile for both teams.
WRA.J. Brownto theBuffalo Bills
Neither Eagles coach Nick Sirianni nor general manager Howie Roseman completely shut the door on potentially moving on from Brownwhen asked about a potential tradeduring the NFL scouting combine.
"Will A.J. be here next season?" Sirianni said. "I think we're still in a spot, like, I can't guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season. I'm thinking I'm going to be the coach next season but you can't guarantee anything past tomorrow."
If the team is open to a deal, Buffalo may be the team who comes calling.
The Bills have struggled to find consistent high-level production from the wide receiver position since Stefon Diggs' peak in 2021 and 2022. With New England now viewed as contenders following a breakout run to the Super Bowl, Buffalo can't cruise to an AFC East title and wait to make noise in the playoffs.
Brown is entering his age-29 season and holds a $23.39 million cap hit in 2026. The Bills would have to move money around to make this work but it could be worth it to make a statement in Year 1 of the Joe Brady tenure. Buffalo has just seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft so it may have to be a package of multiple picks to make it work, especially if they cannot take on all of Browns' owed money for 2026. It would take some work but could in the end be very worth it for both parties.
DTJordan Davisto theJacksonville Jaguars
If Brown stays put, the Eagles could make a different move. Like Pittman and McDuffie, Davis is one year away from free agency and thePhiladelphia Eaglesalways seem to plan ahead. They drafted and developed Moro Ojomo in the likely (and ultimately true) event of Milton Williams signing elsewhere in free agency last season. They may execute a similar playbook this offseason.
Davis is in the final year of his rookie contract and counts for $12.93 million against the cap in 2026. Philadelphia may judge the current state of the roster and prioritize retaining trade deadline acquisition Jaelan Phillips, who could cost upwards of $18 million per year on his next deal.
Jacksonville doesn't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but does have 10 total selections over seven rounds. After making a run to the playoffs in 2025, Jacksonville has some work to do to maintain that postseason presence in 2026. Improving the interior defensive line between Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker should be one of the priorities.
They could flip one of their projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks to the Eagles in return for Davis. The Jaguars would need to shift money around to make it work but could move money around on current deals for Hines-Allen, Patrick Mekari and Walker Little to create some space for this move.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL trade predictions: A.J. Brown, Trent McDuffie find perfect fits
NFL free agency is almost upon us. The first major movement of the new league year comes months ahead of the start of off...
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