Surprise NFL Players Who Could Get Traded, Cut After 2024 Draft (2024)

NFL Analysis

5/2/24

5 min read

By Ari Meirov

NFL Insider

With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, rosters for all 32 NFL teams are taking shape. But as we all know, roster building is a year-round process. Teams will make more moves in the coming weeks and months as they prepare for training camp in August. With a bunch of rookies coming in, other players look like the odd man out.

Let’s look at some players in that situation after this past week’s draft.

Surprise Cut, Trade Candidates

New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore

There have been on-and-off discussions around the league about whether or not the New Orleans Saints would trade Marshon Lattimore this offseason.

The Saints quietly renegotiated his contract last December to allow the possibility of a trade, but it would only make sense from a cap standpoint if it happened after June 1. The speculation will only grow with New Orleans trading up in the second round for Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Carolina Panthers RB Miles Sanders

The Carolina Panthers used a second-round selection on Texas RB Jonathon Brooks, who will team up with Chuba Hubbard.

The Panthers signed Miles Sanders last offseason to a four-year, $25.4 million contract, and he has $6 million guaranteed this season. If Carolina trades him, it’d likely need to absorb some of that money.

Philadelphia Eagles CB James Bradberry

The Philadelphia Eagles made it clear they needed to improve the secondary in the draft, and they did, selecting Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell in the first round and trading up for Iowa’s Cooper DeJean in the second round.

James Bradberry was a disappointment last season, and it’s fair to wonder what his role will be if Mitchell and/or DeJean prove they deserve to be on the field right away alongside Darius Slay.

Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks

The Tennessee Titans signed Calvin Ridley to a massive contract in free agency, adding him alongside DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks.

Despite that, they still have quietly been in the receiver market, and there was some talk in league circles that they considered Rome Odunze with the No. 7 pick before settling on Alabama OT JC Latham.

Since the draft ended, they have scheduled a meeting with Bengals free agent WR Tyler Boyd. Tennessee’s actions seem to indicate that this front office, which didn't draft Burks, and this new coaching staff aren’t too high on the former first-round pick, so he could be available.

San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

During draft week, the San Francisco 49ers dabbled with the idea of trading Deebo Samuel but never received a good enough offer.

The plan is to retain Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. If a team becomes desperate for a receiver in the coming months because of an injury and shows interest in Samuel, the San Francisco 49ers could move him. The only scenario I see that happening is if the trade involves a player returning to San Francisco.

Otherwise, the 49ers are prepared to run it back.

New England Patriots QB Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe started the final six games of last season, but he clearly didn’t show enough for the new leaders in New England.

The New England Patriots signed Jacoby Brissett, drafted Drake Maye at No. 3 and took a flier on Tennessee QB Joe Milton in the sixth round. That makes Zappe the odd man out.

It’s hard to envision there being much of a trade market for Zappe, who was cut last year and went unclaimed on waivers. His time in New England could be nearing an end, barring something unforeseen.

Carolina Panthers WR Terrace Marshall

Terrace Marshall has been trying to leave Carolina since last season and received permission to seek a trade, only to find there wasn’t much of a market.

After adding free agent Diontae Johnson and drafting Xavier Legette, it’s hard to see Marshall getting much playing time entering the final year of his rookie contract. A fresh start just makes too much sense.

Miami Dolphins RB Jeff Wilson

The Miami Dolphins drafted Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright in the fourth round, adding him to the mix with De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert.

Miami, which is tight against the cap, would clear $1.2M if they moved on from Jeff Wilson.

Pittsburgh Steelers OT Dan Moore Jr.

Dan Moore Jr. has started 49 games in three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his time as a starter could end with the addition of Troy Fautanu.

Moore had his fair share of struggles, but Pittsburgh could consider keeping him as a reserve option. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract.