Veterans Who Could Be Traded Before Week 1 – 2024 NFL Outlook

Mike Fanelli takes a look at 12 veteran players who could get traded before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Unfortunately, the 2024 NFL season is still a few months away. However, mini camp starts next month, while training camp isn’t too far behind.

Much will change between today and Week 1 of the regular season, including the shape of every NFL roster. Teams must get to the 53-man roster limit before the start of the regular season. Most of the players who don’t make the team will get cut. However, some will get traded the closer we get to opening week.

Let’s look at 12 veteran players who could get traded before the start of the 2024 regular season.

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Taylor Heinicke – Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons surprised everyone when they took Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after signing Kirk Cousins to a massive free-agent contract. While the rookie won’t start anytime soon, Penix should be the backup in 2024. That leaves Heinicke stuck in the No. 3 quarterback role. However, he could get dealt in August to a team that needs a proven backup quarterback like the Chicago Bears.

Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh declined the fifth-year option on Harris’ contract earlier this month. The move surprised many, as the former Alabama star has had at least 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns every season of his career despite playing behind a poor offensive line. The Steelers have high hopes for Jaylen Warren, which could lead to them trading away Harris over the next few months. Reportedly, the Dallas Cowboys are interested in trading for him.

🚨 UPDATE

The Dallas #Cowboys are REPORTELY interested in a trade for #Steelers Pro Bowl RB Najee Harris pic.twitter.com/RPmKIIv67x

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 6, 2024

Miles Sanders – Carolina Panthers

Unfortunately, Sanders was a massive bust in his first season with the Panthers. After a career year in 2022, the veteran lost his starting job to Chuba Hubbard while setting career lows in rushing attempts (129), yards (432), and yards per attempt (3.3). Carolina spent an early second-round pick in the NFL Draft on Jonathon Brooks. The former Texas star will be the featured back once he is healthy. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers trade Sanders in August for a late-round pick swap.

Khalil Herbert – Chicago Bears

The Bears’ backfield was a fantasy nightmare in 2023. Herbert was the lead guy, but Roschon Johnson and D'Onta Foreman had roles too. While Foreman is gone, Chicago spent significant money in free agency on D'Andre Swift. Since the current regime didn’t draft Herbert, many believe the Bears could trade the veteran over the next few months. The Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders are potential trade partners for Herbert.

Tee Higgins – Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins requested a trade from the Bengals earlier this offseason after the team used the franchise tag on the star wide receiver. However, the team has refused to entertain trade offers for Higgins. Yet, things could change over the next few months, especially if the veteran receiver refuses to show up for training camp without a long-term deal. Don’t be surprised if Higgins’ former offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, and the Tennessee Titans trade for the star wide receiver.

Schefter: Tee Higgins requests trade from Bengals.

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) March 11, 2024

Deebo Samuel Sr. – San Francisco 49ers

Reportedly, the 49ers explored trade options for Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 NFL Draft. Those reports became more aggressive after the team used its first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall. While neither veteran got dealt, don’t be surprised if Samuel gets moved over the next month. San Francisco can save $22 million in salary cap space by trading Samuel after June 1, allowing them to use that money to sign Aiyuk to a long-term contract.

JuJu Smith-Schuster – New England Patriots

New England has arguably the worst wide receiver room in the NFL despite adding a pair of impressive rookies during the NFL Draft. They signed Smith-Schuster to a three-year deal last offseason and immediately regretted it. The veteran has never been the same since he suffered a knee injury a few years ago. With multiple young wide receivers on the roster and more reliable veterans like K.J. Osborn and Kendrick Bourne, Smith-Schuster likely gets cut or traded as part of roster cutdowns.

Treylon Burks – Tennessee Titans

The Titans made significant additions to their wide receiver room this offseason, signing Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency. With DeAndre Hopkins still around, Burks is the No. 4 wide receiver on the team. New head coach Brian Callahan has no allegiance to the former first-round pick. While Tennessee wants to put multiple weapons around Will Levis, expect them to trade away Burks if they can get a mid-round pick for him.

WR Tyler Boyd signing with the Titans on a 1-year deal worth up to $4.5M. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/xpUqMd41X1

— NFL (@NFL) May 7, 2024

John Metchie III – Houston Texans

Many had high hopes for Metchie when the Texans used a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on him. However, injuries and leukemia have limited the former Alabama star to only 16 receptions in 16 career games. Houston traded for Stefon Diggs earlier this offseason, pushing Metchie further down the depth chart. The Texans will have many wide receivers on the roster, which could lead to the third-year player getting traded before Week 1.

Phidarian Mathis – Washington Commanders

Mathis was a second-round pick by the Commanders in 2022. Unfortunately, a torn meniscus ended his rookie season after one game. Furthermore, he only played in 10 contests last year because of injury, totaling eight tackles. Washington spent a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Jer'Zhan Newton despite having Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on the roster. Mathis was a pick by the previous regime and could be the odd man out come August.

Marshon Lattimore – New Orleans Saints

New Orleans traded up in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select Kool-Aid McKinstry. The move led many to think that Lattimore’s time with the team could be over, especially with Paulson Adebo coming off a breakout season. While the Saints swear they have no intention of trading away the star cornerback, Lattimore has struggled with injuries over the past few years.

The #Saints have traded up with the #Packers and are taking Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry.

And now we have a CB run. pic.twitter.com/srRFdBmYJV

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2024

James Bradberry – Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles spent their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft in secondary, adding Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Furthermore, they made a significant trade with the Washington Commanders to move up for DeJean in the second round. Meanwhile, Bradberry allowed a career-worst 114.3 quarterback rating when targeted last season. While you can never have too many talented cornerbacks, Philadelphia could trade away Bradberry if the rookies are ready for a significant role in 2024.

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