The 2022 NFL offseason was highlighted by a number of high-profile trades, with the wide receiver position playing a starring role.
Three of the most explosive playmakers in football -- Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and A.J. Brown -- were moved in just over a month's time last spring. Interesting that two of those trades involved the teams that would go on to face off in Super Bowl LVII. The third? Well, Adams' relocation from Green Bay to Las Vegas didn't exactly work out as planned for either squad, as the Packers and Raiders both missed the playoffs. But hey, maybe those two teams will strike another deal this offseason, with Aaron Rodgers following in Davante's footsteps!
At the moment, though, with Rodgers currently contemplating life in a den of darkness, who knows what's next on that front? In the meantime, I'd like to spotlight five other notable players who should be dealt this offseason. And what do you know? I have two WRs right off the bat -- prime candidates to continue the trend from last offseason.
DeAndre Hopkins
The Cardinals have a new general manager and a new head coach, but when will Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon actually get to see their $230.5 million quarterback back on the field of play? That's unclear, with Kyler Murray currently recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December.
"My understanding is he is going to take his time and make sure this thing is 100 percent right," NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport recently reported. "He is young. He's got a long career. He's not going to rush, so do not be surprised if we don't see him to start the season or maybe even by the midway point. This injury has to heal perfectly."
Long story short: This is a franchise undergoing great change, with no real sense of urgency in 2023. Doesn't feel like the best fit for Hopkins, who turns 31 this summer and is set to make nearly $20 million next season. Arizona can clear up cap space by dealing a five-time Pro Bowler who should still be in high demand in this pass-happy league, with the Cardinals receiving some valuable draft currency for the rebuild. It'd make sense for Arizona. It'd make sense for a trade partner looking to really compete in '23. And it'd make sense for Hopkins, who's too good a player to wind down his prime years on a team in transition.
Mike Evans
I've seen trade chatter pop up around Tee Higgins, but the Bengals should re-up the young stud, not move him. D.J. Moore and Jerry Jeudy were two other wide receivers who crossed my mind, but no: Evans is the right guy for this slot.
In the wake of Tom Brady's retirement, I'm not sure how close the Buccaneers are to being competitive. Even if they were to nab an accomplished veteran signal-caller -- like, say, Derek Carr -- I'm not sure how high the ceiling is. Winning a watered-down NFC South again? Alright, yeah, maybe. But actually competing for a title? Hard to see. Thus, moving on from the 29-year-old Evans in the last year of his contract makes too much sense.
