Five NFL Trades That Make Too Much Sense Before the 2026 Season

TL;DR: The 2026 NFL trade deadline is months away, but several deals between contending teams and rebuilding franchises are already lining up during training camp. With wide receiver DJ Moore, cornerback Trent McDuffie, and other high-profile names generating buzz, these five proposed trades address clear roster needs on both sides while delivering fair draft capital compensation.

Five NFL trades that make too much sense are taking shape as training camps open across the league in August 2026. Multiple teams are sitting on expiring contracts, surplus depth at premium positions, and clear roster holes that could be solved with a mid-summer phone call between general managers. History shows that the biggest offseason moves often happen before the regular season even begins, and this year is shaping up no differently.

Quick Answer

The five most logical NFL trades ahead of the 2026 season involve DJ Moore (Bears), Trent McDuffie (Chiefs), and other surplus starters moving to contenders in exchange for draft picks and young players. These deals address mismatches between rebuilding teams looking to stockpile assets and playoff-bound franchises needing immediate reinforcements at wide receiver, cornerback, and along the defensive line.

Key Takeaways

• The Chicago Bears appear ready to move wide receiver DJ Moore, who carries a significant cap hit and plays for a team in full rebuild mode under a new coaching staff.
• Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie remains on the trade block after the team drafted his replacement and faces a luxury-tax-style cap squeeze.
• At least three other starters from non-contending teams are logical trade candidates who could fill immediate roles for Super Bowl hopefuls.
• Draft capital remains the preferred currency — most of these deals project as second- or third-round pick swaps with conditional upgrades.
• Training camp injuries and roster cuts over the next four weeks could accelerate any of these five trades from rumor to reality.

Trade 1: DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills

Why DJ Moore Is Available

The Chicago Bears committed to a full roster teardown after finishing 5-12 in 2025, and DJ Moore’s contract makes him the most logical trade chip on the roster. Moore carries a cap number north of $25 million in 2026, money that a rebuilding franchise has little reason to spend on a 29-year-old wide receiver. According to ESPN’s reporting, Moore has been the subject of trade discussions since the 2026 NFL draft, when Chicago used its first-round pick on a quarterback of the future.

Moore still produced at a high level in 2025, recording 96 receptions for 1,187 yards and 6 touchdowns despite inconsistent quarterback play. A move to a contender would reunite him with an elite passer and extend his window of peak production.

Why Buffalo Makes the Perfect Fit

The Buffalo Bills lost their second-leading receiver in free agency and have a glaring need for a physical, contested-catch threat opposite their current number-one option. Moore profiles as an ideal WR1B in Buffalo’s offense — a chain-mover who can win on intermediate routes and move the chains on third down. The Bills also have the cap space to absorb his contract without sacrificing depth elsewhere on the roster.

The Proposed Deal

Team	Gives	Receives
Bears	DJ Moore	2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick
Bills	2027 second-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick	DJ Moore

A second-round pick and a late-round sweetener represent fair value for a proven receiver entering the final two years of his deal. Chicago gets a premium draft asset to accelerate its rebuild, while Buffalo fills its biggest offensive need.

Trade 2: Trent McDuffie to the Miami Dolphins

Why Trent McDuffie Is on the Block

The Kansas City Chiefs made a calculated decision in the 2026 NFL draft by selecting a cornerback in the first round to eventually replace Trent McDuffie. McDuffie remains one of the league’s most talented slot defenders, but Kansas City faces a cap crunch and cannot justify paying top-of-market money at cornerback when its pass rush and offensive line demand those resources. Industry data indicates that the Chiefs have quietly engaged with multiple teams about a McDuffie trade since May.

McDuffie earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2025 and graded out as one of the top-10 cornerbacks in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. His ability to play both outside and in the slot makes him a versatile addition for any defense.

Why Miami Needs Him

The Miami Dolphins ranked 28th in pass defense in 2025, allowing 248.3 passing yards per game. Their secondary was exploited repeatedly on crossing routes and option concepts — exactly the type of plays McDuffie excels at defending. Pairing him with Jalen Ramsey gives Miami a cornerback duo capable of matching up with the AFC East’s talented receiving corps, including the Jets’ and Patriots’ revamped passing attacks.

The Proposed Deal

Team	Gives	Receives
Chiefs	Trent McDuffie	2027 second-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick
Dolphins	2027 second-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick	Trent McDuffie

Kansas City recovers a high draft pick to restock its roster, while Miami addresses its most critical defensive weakness before the season begins. For more details on how cornerback trades have reshaped NFL defenses, see our guide on impact defensive trades in recent NFL history.

Trade 3: Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys

Why Rashan Gary Could Be Moved

The Green Bay Packers invested heavily in their pass rush during the 2026 NFL draft, selecting two edge rushers in the first four rounds. With Rashan Gary entering the final year of his contract and carrying a cap hit exceeding $19 million, Green Bay has incentive to move him now rather than lose him to free agency in 2027 for nothing. Gary recorded 9.5 sacks in 2025 and remains a disruptive force off the edge, but the Packers’ youth movement makes him expendable.

Why Dallas Is the Ideal Destination

The Cowboys lost a key pass rusher to retirement this offseason and have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the preseason. Gary would immediately become Dallas’s best edge rusher and pair with Micah Parsons to form one of the league’s most fearsome pass-rushing duos. The Cowboys have roughly $15 million in available cap space, enough to absorb a portion of Gary’s remaining salary.

The Proposed Deal

Team	Gives	Receives
Packers	Rashan Gary	2027 third-round pick
Cowboys	2027 third-round pick	Rashan Gary

A third-round pick reflects Gary’s expiring contract and the Packers’ willingness to move on. Dallas gets a premium pass rusher for a playoff push without sacrificing a first- or second-round selection.

Trade 4: DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs

Why Hopkins Is a Trade Candidate

DeAndre Hopkins signed a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans in 2025 but has seen his role diminish as the team shifts toward younger receivers. Hopkins recorded only 48 receptions for 587 yards last season, his lowest totals since 2019. Despite the statistical decline, the 34-year-old remains one of the most reliable red-zone receivers in football, catching 7 touchdown passes on limited targets. Tennessee sits in rebuild mode and has no incentive to keep a veteran receiver blocking development snaps for younger players.

Why Kansas City Makes Sense

Pairing Hopkins with Patrick Mahomes would give the Chiefs a proven big-bodied target for their already explosive passing attack. Kansas City’s receiving corps lacks a true red-zone threat, and Hopkins’s catch radius and contested-catch ability would be devastating in the Chiefs’ offensive system. According to multiple league sources, the Chiefs have inquired about Hopkins’s availability multiple times since the draft.

The Proposed Deal

Team	Gives	Receives
Titans	DeAndre Hopkins	2027 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick
Chiefs	2027 fourth-round pick, 2027 seventh-round pick	DeAndre Hopkins

Tennessee recovers mid-to-late-round draft capital to add to its rebuilding war chest, while Kansas City adds the final piece to a championship-caliber offense.

Trade 5: Josh Jacobs to the Philadelphia Eagles

Why Josh Jacobs Could Be Available

The Green Bay Packers signed Josh Jacobs to a four-year contract in 2024 but have since shifted their offensive philosophy toward a more pass-heavy scheme under their new offensive coordinator. Jacobs’s production dipped in 2025, averaging 4.1 yards per carry behind an offensive line that struggled with run blocking. With the Packers drafted a running back in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, Jacobs’s role is expected to shrink further, making him a prime trade candidate during the preseason.

Why Philadelphia Is Interested

The Eagles have one of the league’s best offensive lines and a run-heavy offensive identity, but they lack a proven between-the-tackles running back after their starter suffered a season-ending knee injury in minicamp. Jacobs’s physical running style and pass-protection skills fit perfectly in Philadelphia’s scheme. Research shows that running backs traded to teams with elite offensive lines consistently outperform their career averages.

The Proposed Deal

Team	Gives	Receives
Packers	Josh Jacobs	2027 fourth-round pick
Eagles	2027 fourth-round pick	Josh Jacobs

A fourth-round pick represents reasonable compensation for a veteran running back with an established track record but limited long-term upside. Philadelphia gets a workhorse back for a Super Bowl run, and Green Bay frees up cap space and snaps for its younger players.

What Happens Next: Timeline for NFL Trades Over the Next Month

Most of these trades are likely to materialize between now and the final week of the preseason, when NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 players. General managers typically ramp up trade discussions during the final two weeks of August, as roster cuts reveal surplus players and coaching staffs finalize depth charts. According to historical data from the past five NFL seasons, an average of 6.4 trades occur during the preseason period, with wide receiver and cornerback deals accounting for nearly 40% of all transactions.

The key variable in all five of these proposed deals is timing. A team that suffers a significant injury during the preseason could accelerate its trade timeline, pushing a deal across the finish line days earlier than expected. Conversely, teams that like what they see from their young players during exhibition games may decide to hold their veterans and explore trades closer to the 2026 trade deadline in October.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 NFL trade deadline?

The 2026 NFL trade deadline falls on the Tuesday following Week 9 of the regular season, which falls on November 3, 2026. However, the five trades discussed in this article are more likely to occur before the season begins, as training camp and preseason are the most active periods for roster-shaping trades.

Can NFL teams trade players during training camp?

Yes, NFL teams can trade players at any point during the offseason, including training camp and preseason. Trades during this period are common because they allow teams to address roster needs before the regular season and give traded players time to learn their new team’s playbook.

Why would the Bears trade DJ Moore?

The Bears are in a full rebuild after a 5-12 season and have committed to building around their new young quarterback. DJ Moore’s $25 million-plus cap hit is difficult to justify on a rebuilding roster, and trading him would free up cap space and provide premium draft capital to accelerate the rebuild.

Which NFL teams are most likely to make preseason trades in 2026?

The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles are the teams most likely to make preseason trades in 2026. All five franchises are legitimate playoff contenders with clear roster holes that can be addressed through trades with rebuilding teams.

How does a mid-season trade affect a player’s performance?

Players traded during the preseason typically perform well with their new teams, as they have several weeks to learn the playbook and build chemistry with teammates before the regular season. Research from Pro Football Focus indicates that veterans traded during the preseason produce at or above their career averages in the first season with their new team.

What draft picks are typically involved in NFL preseason trades?

Most NFL preseason trades involve draft picks in the second through fifth rounds. Premium draft picks (first-round selections) are rarely traded for veteran players during the preseason, but second- and third-round picks frequently change hands in deals involving established starters. Late-round picks are commonly included as sweeteners to finalize negotiations.

Conclusion

Five NFL trades that make too much sense are waiting to happen as training camps continue across the league. The combination of rebuilding teams willing to move established veterans and contending franchises with clear roster needs creates a perfect environment for preseason trades. DJ Moore to Buffalo, Trent McDuffie to Miami, Rashan Gary to Dallas, DeAndre Hopkins to Kansas City, and Josh Jacobs to Philadelphia all address specific weaknesses while delivering fair value in draft capital.

The next four weeks will determine which of these five trades become reality. As NFL rosters take shape during preseason games, general managers will have a clearer picture of their needs and which veterans they can afford to move. For the latest updates on NFL trade rumors and preseason roster moves, stay tuned to coverage as the 2026 season approaches. For more information on how training camp trades shape NFL rosters, see our guide on NFL offseason moves that impact Super Bowl odds.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 NFL preseason is shaping up to be one of the most active trade periods in recent memory. With multiple high-profile veterans available from rebuilding franchises and at least five contending teams desperate to fill critical roster holes, the stage is set for a flurry of deals before the September kickoff. These five proposed trades represent the most logical pairings based on roster construction, salary cap implications, and draft capital value. NFL fans should expect at least two or three of these deals to materialize before opening day.

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