We’ve got plenty to talk about with the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline right around the corner.
While we’re not exactly sure how this all might go down, we’ve decided to get bold with things and make five big predictions that probably won’t happen but could absolutely shock the NFL.
Some of these predictions are a bit bolder than others, and forgive us if your jaw drops too far to the floor with our final prediction.
We’re just trying to have some fun with these, so buckle up and check out some bold predictions for this year’s trade deadline.
If any of these actually come true, we’re going to feel really smart.
1
The Minnesota Vikings don't make any moves
While the 1-4 Vikings seem like a team primed to make some noise at the NFL Trade Deadline as a seller, what if they still feel like this season is salvageable?
It’s not, y’know, likely, but we could see Minnesota standing pat at Halloween and keeping guys like quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Jordan Hicks for the rest of the season.
The NFC isn’t necessarily settled, and maybe a 13-win team in 2022 feels like it could scrape together enough late momentum to snag a Wild Card spot?
2
The Denver Broncos trade both WR Jerry Jeudy and WR Courtland Sutton
The Broncos are having a terrible season, but this could easily be a team looking much more to the future than staying in the past.
If the team ignites a fire sale, we’re wondering if they’d be able to find suitors for both Jeudy and Sutton.
They are both solid receivers who could help contending teams, and they’d both net decent compensation for a Denver team that is probably eyeing a complete offensive overhaul sooner than later.
We’re going to wager that both Jeudy and Sutton play for different teams by November.
3
The New York Giants trade RB Saquon Barkley
The Giants are really bad this year, but they could turn things around for the future by snagging one of these top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Now, that’d mean that they’d be willing to deal at the trade deadline, and the biggest player they could move would be Barkley.
Only on a one-year extension, Barkley could be a very attractive option for a Super Bowl team that needs more on the ground once he gets healthy.
We’re guessing the Giants could get a second-rounder (or maybe even a first from a desperate contender) for Barkley, which could help New York add more young talent to the roster down the road.
Imagine a team like Ravens or Bills giving the Giants a call and making the offer they couldn’t refuse. It could happen!
4
The Seattle Seahawks trade for DE Brian Burns
The Seahawks are a legitimate Super Bowl contender that desperately needs more pass rush off the edge, and the Panthers are an 0-5 disaster that needs to get quarterback Bryce Young some help.
We wonder if Seattle general manager John Schneider gives his old pal Scott Fitterer (now the GM in Carolina) and sends a first-round pick to the Panthers to get Burns and get the piece this Seahawks defense needs.
Burns would flourish in Seattle, and he’d be a huge part of what helps the Seahawks make a serious January run. The Panthers could get that 2024 first that they desperately need to build up a better offense for Young.
5
The Kansas City Chiefs trade for WR Cooper Kupp
The Rams see the future, and it is wide receiver Puka Nacua.
If the Chiefs start getting really nervous at the trade deadline at how this wideout group could hold them back, we’re wondering if they’d be willing to just throw caution to the wind and send a massive offer (like two first-round picks massive) to Los Angeles for Kupp.
If Los Angeles feels that they can make Nacua the long-term starter and get a bunch of draft picks from Kansas City for Kupp, we could see it happening.
Is this likely? No, not at all, but these predictions are for the bold.
This is the kind of Hail Mary boldness we could see a team like the Chiefs making. Kupp could get this Kansas City team a third ring.
