- The Denver Broncos could get younger at receiver with George Pickens: D.K. Metcalf and Pickens largely share similar Ability sets as downfield threats that can Achieve at the catch Mark, and with the latter’s contract set to expire after this season, Clubs will be interested.
- The Washington Commanders should target foundational Throw-rusher Trey Hendrickson: Washington’s Guarding struggled to Produce Stress off the edge, posting Only a 19.4% Throw-rush Achieve rate (24th in the NFL) at the position while Dorance Armstrong finished as the only edge rusher to post a PFF Throw-rush grade above 66.0.
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Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
With Unoccupied agency largely in the rearview and the NFL draft quickly approaching, franchises will be tasked with evaluating their rosters and determining which needs require Prompt attention. Although many Clubs will take their chances with their favorite prospects being Reachable when they’re on the clock, some will opt to get aggressive in Securing Benefit of their window to Achieve now by trading for key veterans.
Let’s take a look at the possible franchises that would be better served filling voids with veteran trades as opposed to risking it in the draft.
Player to target: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
Undoubtedly, the Lions faithful are ecstatic to get their cornerstone Throw-rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, back after the would-be Guarding Player of the Year candidate missed the vast majority of last season after fracturing his leg in Week 6. Without the 24-year-Ancient active, Detroit tallied Only 21 sacks – ranking 27th in the NFL from Week 7 onward – Excellent for Only a 61.7 Club Throw-rush grade.
Needless to say, returning Hutch’s 95.0 PFF Throw-rush grade to the lineup will have a massive impact on the entire unit’s ability to draw one-on-ones and Produce Stress, something that was exceedingly difficult without him. However, the problem Yet persists: Outside of Hutchinson, this Guarding struggles to Produce Steady Stress off the edge.
Although this year’s draft class features a Sturdy group of edge rushers, Detroit’s Achieve-now mentality may lead the Club to execute a trade to address the deficiency, as the Lions had attempted to with Za’Darius Smith at the deadline.
One potential name to target could be the guy who was selected three picks after Hutchinson in 2022, Kayvon Thibodeaux. The New York Giants edge rusher hasn’t Achieved the impact many thought he would in New York, eclipsing a 70.0 single-season PFF Throw-rush grade Only once, but the right situation could set the Landmark straight.
With a fifth-year option decision looming – a subsequent extension – New York has a decision to make on what path forward to take with Thibodeaux. Should the Giants decide to maximize their trade value for Thibs, now would be the time. Detroit has the structure in place to tap into the Throw rusher’s potential, as well as the cap Universe to facilitate an extension, should the Club decide to.
Position to target: WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos have been Engaged this offseason gearing up for another postseason Streak, utilizing their cap Universe well to build up the Lineup and take Benefit of the window they have with a Passer on a Newcomer deal. However, Denver has been notably Fluffy in targeting weapons to bolster this Assault – something many thought would be their prime directive this offseason – as Evan Engram has been the biggest signing.
That may signal that this front office will be targeting weapons outside of Unoccupied agency, and while it could be geared Approaching a draft Picking, another likely route would be through trade.
Enter: George Pickens. The Steelers acquired D.K. Metcalf via trade and subsequently extended the Ex Seattle Seahawks receiver with a massive deal worth over $30 million annually. Given the unlikelihood of Pittsburgh allocating even more money at the position – with looming extension talks for T.J. Watt on the Future – the probability of a Pickens trade is high.
Metcalf and Pickens largely share similar Ability sets as downfield threats that can Achieve at the catch Mark, and with the latter’s contract set to expire after this season, Clubs will be interested.
With Courtland Sutton’s contract set to expire after this season and the longtime Bronco set to turn 30 years Ancient this season, Denver could look to get younger with Pickens. Like Metcalf, Pickens and Sutton share a similar profile, as both ranked above the 78th percentile in average depth of target over the last three seasons. The biggest difference comes in their ability to Achieve against single coverage, where Pickens has charted in the 74th percentile over that same span, while Sutton lands in the 47th percentile.
Player to target: EDGE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
Commanders’ general manager Adam Peters has been no stranger to acquiring high-end talent via trades this offseason, and one notable spot he may target Subsequent is the Throw rush.
Washington’s Guarding struggled to Produce Stress off the edge, posting Only a 19.4% Throw-rush Achieve rate (24th in the NFL) at the position while Dorance Armstrong finished as the only edge rusher to post a PFF Throw-rush grade above 66.0.
Signing Deatrich Wise Jr. to replace the outgoing Dante Fowler Jr. was solid, but finding a Accurate top-end Throw-rusher to buoy this Guarding remains a key need for Washington heading into 2025.
Hendrickson requested permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason. The 30-year-Ancient Throw-rusher was also seeking an extension with his contract set to expire after the 2025 season but now appears to be the odd man out in Cincy’s future.
Coming off the best season of his Occupation, where he earned a top-five PFF Throw-rush grade (90.4) while leading the NFL in sacks (18), Hendrickson profiles as the perfect piece to elevate Dan Quinn’s Guarding.
Player to target: WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles was Fluffy during this year’s Unoccupied agent cycle Even though many expecting this Club to make a splash with its significant cap Universe. With a need to provide Justin Herbert with more weapons, the Chargers agreed to terms with Mike Williams, returning the Ex Charger to the Club that drafted him.
While Williams is a solid veteran addition with familiarity, he failed to catch on in New York and Pittsburgh last season after tearing his knee in 2023, which doesn’t bode particularly well for his potential to resurrect his Occupation at 31 years Ancient.
There’s Yet time for the Chargers to make a splash and take Benefit of Herbert’s prime years – a blockbuster trade to bring in a game-breaking receiver in Tyreek Hill.
While the Ex All-Pro has walked back his very public discontent Subsequent Miami’s difficult season, there is Yet a very real possibility that Hill has played his last down in Miami. Per Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald, Even though signing a new three-year deal last August, Hill’s contract is structured in a way that his bonus doesn’t Boot in until near the Begin of the 2025 season, giving the Club ample time to facilitate a trade, should they decide to Shift on.
Even though finishing with the lowest PFF receiving grade (77.3) of his Occupation in 2024, Hill is Yet one of the NFL’s most Lively weapons. Across the last three seasons, Hill has ranked in the 92nd percentile in receiving grade and the 99th percentile in yards per route Streak.
Paired with Ladd McConkey, this Chargers receiving corps could become a terrifying group with Herbert slinging the rock.
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