It feels like anything is possible on the NFL trade market. Teams are more willing than ever to part with top-shelf players or even top draft picks who haven't earned patience.
Last offseason saw four starting quarterbacks -- Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold -- switch homes via trade. That activity feels like a mere appetizer for this cycle. Several top passers could be on the move, including Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson.
But we're instead here to outline sleeper trade candidates -- some obvious, some not. That means players who have failed to meet expectations or met enough to get paid too much. They need scheme changes or might be wondering why they aren't utilized correctly. Teams draft bad fits and begrudgingly admit the mistakes, realizing that clinging to hope too long can affect market value and morale in the locker room.
Most franchises are still emerging from the haze of the season and aren't combing this market yet. But it's never too early to set the stage for March 16, when trades can be consummated at the start of the league year. That's why we reached out to execs, coaches and veteran agents on what this market might look like. This isn't to predict trades or even suggest that these players will be moved but rather to outline names that come up in conversations. Here are 20 sleepers who could be part of trade discussion over the next two months, for one reason or another.
Gardner Minshew, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed through: 2022
Minshew has sneaky good value as a bridge starter. He has shown promise at two stops -- Jacksonville and Philadelphia -- and his $2.5 million salary is cost-effective. He wants to play. Who will give him a chance? Maybe the Colts add a passer to apply pressure to Wentz.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
Signed through: 2025
A brilliant player when in the lineup, McCaffrey essentially earned $30 million for just 10 games of action. That's a tough reality for the Panthers, who know they are a different team when he's on the field. Carolina hopes he turns an injury corner, but McCaffrey is still young enough (25) and affordable enough ($8.4 million salary in 2022) to garner trade interest. It would be a surprise if a few teams don't call in the coming months.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Signed through: 2022
After stepping away from football for 12 games to work on his mental health, Ridley's future remains uncertain. But he is knocking on the door of top-10-receiver status when on the field, and his $11.6 million option in 2022 easily could be flipped into a long-term deal. Atlanta needs the draft capital and the cap savings. A few sleepers to watch here: Buffalo, Chicago and New England.
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Signed through: 2024
Thomas holds a $24.7 million cap hit ($15.35 million in base salary) and has missed 26 games over the past two years. He's a great player, but those injury concerns are tough to overcome. The 49ers, who love to throw in-breaking routes, would be a good on-field fit for Thomas. But his contract is not one that teams are eager to absorb.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
Signed through: 2022
Something felt off this season with the Browns and Landry, a once-vocal presence who stopped talking to the media halfway through the season. Landry produced a career-low 52 catches in 2021 and will turn 30 in November. He can still help a contender with toughness and over-the-middle playmaking, and a short-term extension could lessen the $16.4 million cap hit for the 2023 free agent.
Grady Jarrett, DE, Atlanta Falcons
Signed through: 2022
The two-time Pro Bowler needs a new contract, and the cap-strapped Falcons won't be eager to absorb his $23.8 million cap hit. But the 28-year-old is still explosive, and plenty of teams see him as a top-10 interior player. The star-hungry Rams should pair him with Aaron Donald and wreck the NFC West.
Myles Jack, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Signed through: 2023
Rumors persisted about Jack at the trade deadline in November, and the ever-rebuilding Jacksonville could look to shed assets and salary yet again. Jack's $10.5 million salary is reasonable, and he's in his prime, turning 27 in September. The Rams need dynamic linebacker help.
Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins
Signed through: 2024
Howard wanted a trade over the summer absent a new deal, and Miami put a bandage on the issue, adding $3.5 million in incentives to his 2021 bottom line. But that doesn't solve this issue: Howard is seventh among cornerbacks in per-year average payout ($15.1 million), less than teammate Byron Jones ($16.5 million). The 49ers need corner help in the worst way. And elsewhere in the NFC West, the Seahawks can say the same.
L.J. Collier, DE, Seattle Seahawks
Signed through: 2022
What's funny is Collier became more of a factor after his name had swirled at the trade deadline and Seattle didn't trade him, as he averaged 22 snaps per game from Weeks 10 to 18. With Seattle transitioning to a new defensive coordinator, changes could be on the way. The Chiefs took a hard look at Collier in the 2019 draft, and like versatile 4-3 defensive ends who can slide inside, he might make sense as a flier.
Clelin Ferrell, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Signed through: 2022
It's doubtful the Raiders pick up Ferrell's fifth-year option after three years of underwhelming play in relation to his draft status (No. 4 overall pick in 2019). It's not like Ferrell doesn't have ability. He has produced eight sacks and 24 quarterback hits since entering the league. But a new home might help him shake the expectations that went with the high draft pick. The Raiders are set at defensive end with Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby, whom they must pay this offseason.
Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Signed through: 2022
The 49ers paid their top linebacker, Fred Warner, $95 million over five years. Allocating resources for a second linebacker is a tough ask. Greenlaw, a 2023 free agent, has played well enough to attract some teams willing to give up a mid-to-late-round pick and extend him. The Lions are among teams that need an infusion of talent in the middle of the field.
Chase Winovich, DE, New England Patriots
Signed through: 2022
Winovich was buried on the depth chart in Year 2, failing to crack 22 defensive snaps in any game and recording DNPs in December games. He gets knocked for his run defense but can be a situational pass-rusher somewhere. Perhaps new Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler -- the Patriots' de facto GM last year -- will look into Winovich in exchange for a late-round pick. It's possible Las Vegas switches from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive formation.
Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants
Signed through: 2024
He's cheap (entering second year of rookie deal) and incredibly talented, but new general manager Joe Schoen didn't draft him. Dave Gettleman did. So assessing his value doesn't hurt anything. "He's either going to be the best receiver in the league, or it completely won't work out, and I'm not sure there's much in-between," an NFC coach said. "He's electric with the ball, but there are still some concerns about focus and availability."
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Signed through: 2022
It might be time. It has been four years. Barkley has high-quality traits, but the Giants need to exhaust all options for their rebuild. Enough teams are still enamored by his skill set that they could be interested in a potential deal. Many still view Barkley as a top-shelf tailback when healthy. He's due $7.2 million on a fifth-year option, and doing a long-term deal in New York for the 2023 free agent just doesn't make sense for either side. Barkley in San Francisco's offense would be fun, and Tampa Bay could have an opening if free agent Leonard Fournette signs elsewhere.
Mekhi Becton, OT, New York Jets
Signed through: 2023
This feels like a long shot because GM Joe Douglas might have a tough time moving off his first draft pick in New York. Plus, concern about his fit in the Jets' zone-running scheme is a bit overblown. Becton is a major talent who should be scheme-transcendent, but his second year couldn't have gone worse. He came to camp overweight and missed 16 games with knee issues.
The Jets found something with George Fant and Morgan Moses at the tackle spots, though Moses is a free agent and upped his value. (No wonder the Jets tried to do a two-year deal with Moses last summer.) The Jets believe Becton is a good player who probably didn't respond to Year 2 adversity well enough, so how he responds this offseason will be crucial for him. Let's call this one a deep sleeper. Nothing is expected to happen, but his name bears watching.
Andre Dillard, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Signed through: 2022
Rumors of Dillard's availability at the deadline were rampant, and with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson entrenched as the tackles. Dillard is good enough to start somewhere, and the Eagles would be wasting him as a swing tackle. Dillard has two years left on his rookie deal at a combined $3.8 million, so interest should be there. The Panthers need offensive line help.
James Bradberry, CB, New York Giants
Signed through: 2022
Yes, another Giant on the list. Bradberry has battled in his two years in New York, producing four interceptions during a tough 2021 season for the whole franchise. He's a solid starting option for several defenses. But at $13.4 million in 2022 salary with a $21.8 million cap hit, Bradberry is an easy target if the Giants need cap relief.
Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Signed through: 2023
Claypool is a massive talent drafted by general manager Kevin Colbert, who is stepping down after the draft. A new GM might want to build around Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth on offense. While Johnson's targets increased every year, from 92 to 144 to 169, Claypool's dropped slightly from his first to second season, from 109 to 105.
Coach Mike Tomlin having to address Claypool's "missteps" and "growth and development" in the media due to the receiver's lack of awareness late in games or obvious maturity issues isn't ideal. The Steelers usually stand behind young players, but if there's a chance to acquire great value, Pittsburgh would be smart to listen.
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Miami Dolphins
Signed through: 2023
A first-round pick who can't get on the field in Miami, Igbinoghene needs a change of scenery in the worst way. He played 78 defensive snaps in Year 2. That's rough. The Dolphins might just have to cut him, but teams are always willing to take chances on premium positions, and cornerback is one. The Vikings and 49ers could be looking for young CB help.
Landon Collins, S/LB, Washington
Signed through: 2024
When a big-money player changes positions, that's usually not a good sign, though Collins' switch from safety to linebacker actually maximizes his skill set. He's best around the ball and is still a productive player. But Washington can save $11.5 million in salary and $6.6 million on the cap by releasing him, so if that's a consideration, working on a trade is the sensible first move. Another factor is that the Ron Rivera regime didn't sign Collins. That makes it easier to walk away.