NFL teams will begin making more and more trades as cut-down day gets closer. Expect mostly minor trades as teams get a jump on waivers and send late-round picks for players that would be released. These are three higher-profile trades that could shake up NFL teams’ seasons.
Anthony Richardson recently lost the battle with Daniel Jones for the Indianapolis Colts’ starting job. This move indicates they have given up on their former fourth overall pick. The next reasonable step? Likely a trade.
Kellen Moore and the New Orleans Saints seem to be a perfect fit for Richardson as they look to find an answer at quarterback. Sending a mid-round pick for a young QB with tons of upside sounds like the best decision.
Richardson would get to start and develop under a head coach coming off a Super Bowl victory. Moore’s experience coaching strong runners like Jalen Hurts and QBs with incredible arm talent like Justin Herbert would benefit Richardson in a big way.
Adam Thielen is sliding down the depth chart of the Carolina Panthers, and the veteran receiver doesn’t fit their timeline in any way. A trade to a familiar place may be the way to go for the 34-year-old.
Thielen going back to the Minnesota Vikings makes sense for both sides. The Vikings have been rumored to be looking for a veteran wide receiver to fill in for Jordan Addison, who will begin the season serving a three-game suspension. Thielen would get a fresh start and go back to the place where he had his most successful NFL seasons.
Rashid Shaheed is an explosive receiver for the New Orleans Saints who was amid a breakout last year before an injury ended his season. The Saints have many questions going on with their team, but one thing is for sure: they won’t be good.
Trading away Shaheed won’t do any harm as New Orleans continues its rebuild. It could also perhaps use the pick it gets in return for Shaheed to send to Indianapolis for Richardson. This trade is less about the Saints and more about the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers have been searching for receiver help and have been linked to numerous WRs throughout the offseason. After losing Deebo Samuel in the offseason and likely missing Brandon Aiyuk for a couple of weeks to injury, they are without a big-play receiver. Shaheed would solve that problem instantly and add another layer to one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
Trades and cuts are expected to flood the NFL in the next two weeks. These moves would greatly benefit the receiving teams. A potential franchise QB is being dealt. A storybook reunion occurs for a franchise great. An explosive addition happens for one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses. These are some trades to watch out for as the countdown to the regular season continues.
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