Deadlines often drive deals in the NFL, whether it's the franchise-tag deadline or the trade deadline. The yearly NFL draft is another flash point for trades.
Plenty of teams will trade up or down the board throughout the three days of the 2023 NFL draft. Some current players could wind up on other teams by Saturday, too.
The rumor mill has been churning in recent weeks, but there haven't been many big trades yet. With the opportunity to get picks in this year's draft dwindling, some teams might need to feel the pressure of the ticking clock before they make a move.
Based on trade rumors leading up to the draft and the logic behind a player's availability, these five players could be on the move during this week's draft.
RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
For teams that may be looking to upgrade their backfields this offseason, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler and Dalvin Cook might be options.
In early March, Mike Silver of Bally Sports reported that the Tennessee Titans were shopping Henry. Former Titan and current Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown did his best to campaign for a trade to Philly. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported a Henry trade to the Eagles "won't be happening."
Ekeler requested a trade earlier this offseason after extension negotiations with the Chargers stalled, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. However, he said in an interview with SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio that he remains open to returning to the Chargers.
The Chargers don't have a legitimate backup plan if they trade Ekeler, which suggests he'll be back in Los Angeles this fall. Cook, meanwhile, is in far more danger of changing teams this offseason.
In an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported "all options are on the table" as it pertains to Cook and that "he could be released closer to the draft if things don't work out."
Cook is due to cost $14.1 million against the cap this season. The Vikings could save roughly $5.9 million against the cap by releasing him or $7.9 million by trading him by June 1.
Unlike the Chargers, the Vikings already have a succession plan in place for Cook. Alexander Mattison, whom they re-signed to a two-year, $7 million deal in March, has rushed for 477 yards and scored five touchdowns in the six career games he has played without Cook, per StatMuse.
A team like the Cincinnati Bengals, who could be looking to replace Joe Mixon and remains a Super Bowl contender, might be interested in paying up for Cook. This year's rookie running back class is strong, but Cook is still a top dual-threat talent at the position.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
In January, Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that the Arizona Cardinals planned to trade star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. Team owner Michael Bidwell reportedly expressed that to general manager candidates, according to Schultz.
Yet here we are in April, and Hopkins still remains a Cardinal.
Given the general weakness of this free-agent class of wide receivers and the number of teams who could use a talent like Hopkins, it's surprising that this trade hasn't happened already. One sticking point could be that the Cardinals are reportedly looking for a "Christian McCaffrey package" for Hopkins, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The Panthers acquired second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fourth-round pick in 2024 from the San Francisco 49ers for McCaffrey at the trade deadline last season. That would be a huge haul to give up for a 30-year-old receiver who is set to have a $30.75 million cap hit this coming season.
Once top wide receiver prospects such as TCU's Quentin Johnston and Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba come off the board, some receiver-needy team may be more willing to fork over draft capital for Hopkins.
Despite missing the first six games of the season for a performance-enhancing-drug suspension, Hopkins led the Cardinals with 717 receiving yards and three touchdowns in only nine games last year. With quarterback Kyler Murray recovering from a torn ACL, the Cardinals figure to trade Hopkins to a receiver-needy contender to expedite their rebuild.
