Aaron Donald Listed Among Possible All-Pro Players Who Could Be Traded During NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is upon us!
The uncertainty surrounding the next 259 drafted players over seven rounds between the days of April 27-29th in Kansas City is reality television played out live. The draft is also a period when teams elect to make some of their biggest off-season moves.
In 2002, the Patriots traded Drew Bledsoe to the Buffalo Bills after a nine-year career in New England as the team shifted from the former No. 1 pick overall in the 1993 NFL Draft to the lesser-known commodity in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft in Tom Brady.
Over twenty years later, that might not sound like much of a news story, but almost a year earlier, Bledsoe signed a then-record ten-year $103 million contract. That upcoming season in the second game against the New York Jets, linebacker Mo Lewis changed the complexity of the next two decades of NFL football with his hit on Bledsoe.
Bledsoe left the game, giving birth to Brady’s career—one of the most historic careers ever witnessed in any sport. Watching from the sidelines of Super Bowl XXXVI, Bledsoe would soon be traded on draft weekend to the Bills. To put that deal into a modern-day perspective, it would be like the presumed Aaron Rodgers trade to the New York Jets happening on day three of the NFL Draft but never being discussed until the actual trade was announced.
Another blockbuster deal unfolded last year as the Tennessee Titans traded receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles. An entire article could be written just on the topic of big-time trades involving players on draft day.
As if the excitement of the NFL Draft isn’t enough!
Seven rounds of player selections and another round of possible blockbuster deals with household names create another level of intrigue and help validate the love of the NFL off-season. This year provides us with an ample number of opportunities to witness some significant veterans changing teams via trades once the NFL Draft begins.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
In late March, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Arizona was allowing Hopkins to search for a trade partner. Hopkins will turn 31 on June 6th and, over the last two seasons, has appeared in 19 of the league’s scheduled 34 games. Hopkins has averaged 1,251 yards receiving over the course of his first eight seasons in the league. He has accumulated 1,289 yards over the last two years. While a first-round pick seems unlikely, day two of the NFL Draft could be the moment we find Hopkins' new destination in 2023.
Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals
This past week multiple outlets reported Baker has requested to be traded. One possible draft day trade possibilities reside in Denver. The Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph held the same title with the Cardinals and coached Baker in Arizona. Two names often rumored to be on the trading block are receivers Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy of the Broncos. If the listed trade of Hopkins comes to fruition, the Cardinals might be in play to acquire one of the two Denver wideouts.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
Sources revealed recently Sutton was almost a Baltimore Ravens receiver, but the deal broke down. Sutton’s name is often mentioned throughout these types of scenarios. Hence, it’s only applicable to include him as a player to monitor regarding a trade during the three days of the upcoming draft. According to Spotrac.com, the Broncos will have an option to get out of Sutton's contract after the 2023 season and end his deal with a dead cap hit of only $2.4 million in 2024.
Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams
Arguably the most dominant defensive player in the league has toyed around with the idea of retiring since the Rams won the Super Bowl in February of 2022. Los Angeles paid a heavy price of draft capital to acquire their coveted ring, and now the chickens are coming home to roost. The Rams traded Jalen Ramsey and Allen Robinson this off-season as the team enters its rebuilding phase. Donald turns 32 in May and is entering his tenth season in the National Football League. It should be addressed that the biggest compensation for the Rams of Donald’s value will happen during the 2023 NFL Draft. A star player in the twilight of his career possibly seeking an opportunity to chase down another championship ring could all unfold during the 2023 NFL Draft.
