The 2026 NFL season is still sitting on the horizon, but training camp always has a way of shaking loose a few surprises. Once teams start sorting out their depth charts, the trade talk gets real in a hurry.
That’s why a handful of names are already worth watching. Some are established stars.
Others are former high picks trying to find their footing. All of them, at least on paper, could be in play before the season gets rolling.
Maxx Crosby is the headliner here, and it’s not especially close. The Raiders edge rusher already had a Baltimore Ravens deal fall apart earlier in the year, and if Las Vegas gets an offer it can’t turn down, Crosby could be wearing a different uniform to open the season.
Vita Vea is another big one. The Buccaneers nose tackle has requested a trade because of a contract dispute, and his ability to wreck run games would make him a fit for plenty of contenders.
Quarterback movement could also be part of the summer conversation. Anthony Richardson Sr. probably isn’t going to be the Colts’ starter for long, which is why a change of scenery has always felt possible. Will Levis fits a different kind of trade profile: a borderline starter with enough raw talent to tempt a QB-needy team into taking a year to develop him.
A few other quarterbacks are on the list for similar reasons. Dillon Gabriel has started games, but his future in Cleveland doesn’t look strong, and a team with quarterback questions might be willing to send the Browns a late-round pick. Will Howard is in a similar spot with Pittsburgh, though his Ohio State résumé could help him land on a roster that needs depth.
At running back, Tyler Allgeier stands out as a player who may have been squeezed by circumstances in Arizona, where Jeremiyah Love was drafted as the de-facto starter and James Conner is also in the mix. Kaleb Johnson is another name to watch after not quite living up to the hype of being a third-round pick.
Wide receiver could be a busy spot, too. Keon Coleman has been an unfortunate miss for Buffalo so far, and if he slips behind on the depth chart under new coach Joe Brady, a fresh start elsewhere could make sense.
Kayshon Boutte has been productive in New England as a deep threat, but the Patriots added heavily at receiver in the offseason, so his name is one to monitor if he wants more snaps. Tank Dell could also draw interest from teams looking for slot speed, especially with Houston’s crowded depth chart and the fact that he hasn’t played since 2024.
There are several defensive names in the mix as well. Josh Sweat would be an easy fit for any team needing pass-rush help, though Arizona would have to be willing to talk.
Mike Hughes could become available if Atlanta’s draft of A.J. Terrell’s younger brother Avieon changes the cornerback picture.
Kristian Fulton is another corner who may not be starting for Kansas City, which makes him a logical target for teams with secondary issues. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is probably a rotational player now, but a trade out of Kansas City wouldn’t be a shock.
Then there are the former first-rounders still looking for the right break. Kris Jenkins Jr. hasn’t cracked Cincinnati’s starting lineup, and the Bengals have added veteran talent at defensive tackle.
Cedric Tillman hasn’t fully panned out in Cleveland, and a move to Atlanta would be interesting given the Falcons’ need for wide receiver depth and Kevin Stefanski’s presence there. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal and Deonte Banks all remain names to watch in New York, with Thibodeaux the biggest swing, Neal potentially fighting for a 53-man roster spot, and Banks another former first-rounder who could be on the move if the right deal comes along.
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For a coaching staff already focused on the season ahead, the news lands far beyond football. Jeff Ulbrich returned to Atlanta this offseason after previously working with the Falcons from 2015 to 2020 and spending time with the Jets, but for now the attention around him is understandably on family first, with the organization making clear that support matters more than anything else. [Read more 🡒]