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2023 NFL Season: Players who need traded before season starts

By Lou Scataglia

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 07, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 07, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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There are a few players in the NFL who need to be traded before the 2023 season begins, as their current teams are not in a good spot.  For the sake of their careers and their ability to continue to win and produce, their respective teams should, no, need to trade them.

There may be more candidates than this, but I think there are three obvious players who need to be traded before the season starts, as I think there would be a ton of suitors for their services.

2023 NFL Season: Players who need traded before season starts

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry is set to enter his age-29 season and is on a Titans’ team that is clearly rebuilding for the future.  The best thing the Titans could do would be to trade Henry and recoup some draft capital to further their rebuild.

They took Will Levis in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft and cut ties with a few veteran players.  This team is clearly in a transition period, and Henry is entering the last year of his contract extension.

The smart move for both sides is a trade.  A team, perhaps the Miami Dolphins or Buffalo Bills, might be willing to give up a mid-round pick for Henry to help their running games.

DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

DeAndre Hopkins seemed like he was surely going to be traded this offseason, but now that does not seem to be the case.  Between Hopkins’ potential production and likely desire to win a Super Bowl, a  trade makes sense.

The Arizona Cardinals are likely not going to be a good team at all in 2023 and may even end up with the first overall pick.

They could get a mid-round pick back for Hopkins, an aging receiver who is surely not going to be there for the long-term.  A team like the Chiefs could very well use Hopkins in their offense.

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans is a future Hall of Fame receiver who has been in the NFL for nine years and has nine straight 1,000 yard seasons.  The Buccaneers are fooling themselves if they think that Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask could help lead them to the playoffs, even in a weak division.

They should do right by Evans and trade him to a team who’d want his services.  He’s one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL and would provide a great boost for a team like the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens.

Perhaps players want to remain on their current teams out of loyalty, but I think in these three cases, I don’t see a good reason for them to stay in their current situations.

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