Blockbuster Trade Ideas Before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Season

July 20, 2024

Brant Henson breaks down five potential blockbuster trade ideas before Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Which teams could make a big move prior to the season?

We are only a few weeks away from training camp, which means that we are a few weeks away from injuries, crunch-time roster building, cuts, and trades as each NFL team whittles down to its 53-man roster before the August 27 deadline.

No team is done making moves at this point in the offseason with many impactful free agents still looming in the wild. Fantasy-relevant roster decisions will be made as Week 1 rapidly approaches.

A second wave of trades will happen as the 53-man roster deadline approaches. It’s no guarantee that we will see blockbuster deals to the pedigree of what we have lined out below, but these trades would be very fun for the league. Some of these are highly unlikely, but we're considering all options here!

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Brandon Aiyuk, Micah Parsons Find New Homes

49ers send Elijah Mitchell, Brandon Aiyuk, 2025 first-round pick to Cowboys for Micah Parsons

With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all due for contract extensions, the Cowboys had to let some impactful players walk in free agency this past season. Contract extensions are the main pain in Jerry Jones’ side right now with the team’s three biggest stars awaiting their payday.

Jerry Jones realizing he’s going to have to work out contract extensions for Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb all during this upcoming offseason#Cowboys pic.twitter.com/XMZBAPYlJs

— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) December 3, 2023

A trade of this degree between conference rivals is unprecedented, but hear me out. This trade would make a lot of sense for both parties.

Last year’s NFC champs made all the right moves this offseason to prepare for life without Brandon Aiyuk and Elijah Mitchell. Trading both players now would make perfect sense, as rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing could step up into Aiyuk’s role while Isaac Guerendo and Cody Schrader would join Jordan Mason as Christian McCaffrey’s backups. With Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa coming off the edge, San Francisco would be nearly a write-in to make it back to the Super Bowl.

For Dallas, moving on from its defensive cornerstone is not a move that fans would enjoy. However, trading Parsons would free up money to pay Prescott, Lamb, and Aiyuk to create a dynamic offensive core. Adding Mitchell to a backfield that lacks speed is an underrated move. By adding a second first-round pick, Dallas would enter a mini rebuild and could scoop up two players on the defensive side of the ball in 2025’s first round while allowing its young offensive line to gel in 2024.

Broncos Send Courtland Sutton to Steelers

Steelers send a mid-round 2025 pick for Sutton

After years of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton trade rumors, Denver finally moved Jeudy to Cleveland this offseason. Sutton could be next in line, and an AFC North team makes a lot of sense as a suitor.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚:
The #Broncos have traded WR Jerry Jeudy to the #Browns for a 5th and 6th round pick.

Andrew Barry continues to cook as the Browns GM pic.twitter.com/FVgO6nYW2L

— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) March 9, 2024

After losing Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh is attempting to replace him with rookie Roman Wilson and veteran Van Jefferson. With George Pickens as the clear-cut WR1, the Steelers could use some more pass-catching talent. Why not pair Sutton back with Russell Wilson? Pittsburgh could send Denver a fourth-round pick in exchange, grabbing Sutton with two more years on his contract while the Broncos shift to the future with Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. headlining the receiving corps.

Saints trade Marshon Lattimore to Packers

Packers send a Day 2 pick for Lattimore

Realistically, the Saints have a ways to go before they have a roster that is close to contending. While sneaking into the playoffs as the NFC South champ is certainly viable, it is unlikely that they have the firepower to make it past Wild Card Weekend. New Orleans has also faced salary-cap issues, making star cornerback Marshon Lattimore a trade candidate with his backloaded contract.

A team that would be more than happy to add Lattimore is the Green Bay Packers, who surged at the end of last season and are generating insurmountable hype going into 2024 after a productive offseason.

Eric Stokes is currently penciled in as a starter alongside Jaire Alexander, but both have struggled to stay healthy as of late. Adding another proven star cornerback to this room should be at the top of Green Bay’s priority list as it looks to round out the roster. With Lattimore’s contract being so expensive, it could likely send New Orleans a third-round pick to get the deal done.

Chargers trade Khalil Mack to Lions

Lions send a mid-round pick for Mack

Detroit’s defense took a huge step forward last season and appears primed for yet another step in the right direction after a great offseason. One way to ensure that it takes a step forward? Add an all-time great in Khalil Mack to pair with Aidan Hutchinson on the edge. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Khalil Mack potentially having a trade market: "Multiple teams I've spoken to have an eye on [Mack] because he had the 17 sacks a year ago. Huge cap hit and [Chargers] can save $20-plus million on their cap if they were to trade or move on. Maybe there's a… pic.twitter.com/NtrrMWk0uv

— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) February 25, 2024

Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers squad is not close to competing on paper in Year 1. With one year left on his contract, Mack makes a lot of sense as a trade candidate. Detroit could opt to go all-in for this season and could send a third- and fourth-rounder to Los Angeles in exchange for Mack’s services for a season.

Chargers trade Quentin Johnston to Titans for Treylon Burks

Titans send Burks, late-round pick for Johnston

This one isn’t much of a blockbuster by any means but would be fun within the fantasy community. Both Quentin Johnston and Treylon Burks have gotten off to slow starts in their careers and are already labeled as busts by some. 

Giving both former first-rounders a change of scenery could be exactly what is needed to kick-start their careers. We saw a similar trade back in 2013 as San Francisco and Kansas City swapped A.J. Jenkins for Jonathan Baldwin -- why not recreate it with Johnston and Burks?

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