As we get closer to the start of 2024 NFL free agency, some teams might try to land star talent by acquiring them in a trade.
It’s not uncommon to see teams make moves for elite talent this time of year, so we’ve found five players who might make sense playing elsewhere in 2024. They’d all be major moves for the franchises in question, and they’d undoubtedly add some intrigue to how the 2024 season would play out.
We’ve assembled five trades, purely hypothetical, but they do fascinate us in theory. If you’re a fan of these teams and aren’t thrilled with the idea, take heart. This merely represents a speculation of what could feasibly happen, not what’s imminent for your favorite franchise.
Let’s dive in.
Bills WR Stefon Diggs to the Giants
AP Photo/Matt Durisko
The Giants desperately need more firepower for their offense, and the Bills might not hurt from trying to reset its passing game in a draft heavy in talented young wide receivers. New York coach Brian Daboll coached Diggs for two seasons as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator.
It’s not hard to imagine the Giants sending some assets to Buffalo to secure Diggs as the team’s new top receiver … especially if New York wants to use its first-round pick on a quarterback and help out Daniel Jones in 2024 in a year that might be key to Daboll’s future with the Giants. As for Buffalo, it’d free up some cap space and add ammo to stock receivers in the draft.
TRADE: Buffalo sends Diggs to New York for a 2024 second-round pick (No. 39), 2025 third-round pick
Broncos S Justin Simmons to the Rams
The Broncos, like the Bills, are in a cap mess and might consider unloading some veteran talent for financial relief. Unlike the Bills, the Broncos aren’t close to contending for a title. However, the Rams are, and that defense would take a real step in the right direction with Simmons in the fold.
As Los Angeles tries to capitalize on having quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald on the same team and star wideout Puka Nacua on a rookie contract, add all the elite talent you can and don’t worry about the money right now. This trade would be a huge boost to a Rams team that can reasonably contend for a Super Bowl in 2024. Denver sheds Simmons’ salary and secures a second-round selection.
TRADE: Denver sends Simmons to Los Angeles for a 2024 second-round pick
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore to the Lions
AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski
Speaking of teams in cap heck, the Saints might consider parting ways with their top cornerback in Lattimore, who is on a pricey deal but has struggled with injuries the past two seasons. There might be a contending team out there willing to take a risk on a high-upside cornerback who still plays at a high level while he’s on the field.
If New Orleans designates it as a post-June 1 trade, we’ll say the Lions swoop in and offer a second-round pick this year and a fourth-round pick next year. Detroit needs a top corner, and they can develop the necessary depth to handle a Lattimore injury. New Orleans gets cap relief and a path for cornerback Alontae Taylor to start on the outside.
TRADE: New Orleans sends Lattimore to Detroit for a 2024 second-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to the Titans
AP Photo/Kirk Irwin
The 49ers, like everyone else on this list, could benefit from freeing up cap space. With the future of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk firmly in question with his contract needed an extension soon, San Francisco general manager John Lynch could call up his old co-worker in Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon.
The Titans could really use a strong top receiver to grow with quarterback Will Levis in the years to come, and perhaps Tennessee could interest the 49ers in a veteran receiver in DeAndre Hopkins on an adjusted contract to pair with Deebo Samuel for 2024? If the 49ers process it as a post-June 1 trade, they could save a good bit of cap and amend Hopkins’ contract for a lower hit.
TRADE: San Francisco sends Aiyuk to Tennessee for Hopkins, a 2024 fourth-round pick, a conditional 2025 second-round pick
Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed to the Steelers
Steph Chambers/Getty Images
With Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed possibly on the trade block, Kansas City could help solve some of its offensive issues while trading Sneed to a spot where he could sign a well-deserved contract extension. The Pittsburgh Steelers could be the perfect suitor, adding Sneed to its Super Bowl-caliber defense to replace free agent Levi Wallace opposite of Joey Porter Jr.
Pittsburgh could send veteran receiver Diontae Johnson and a 2024 second-round pick to the Chiefs, who could send back Sneed and a mid-round pick. It’d be a perfect fit for both sides in areas of need on their rosters.
TRADE: Kansas City sends Sneed and a 2024 third-round pick to Pittsburgh for Johnson and a 2024 second-round pick
