Off-season moves have always been an integral way for NFL franchises to improve the future of the each respective team. While star players getting cut is nothing new, blockbuster trades have become a key way to acquire players and picks in recent years, further evident by 2019 deals such as for OBJ, AB, Clowney, Ford, and Clark, among others. The NFL has become a business to where no player is safe from potentially being involved in a move that makes jaws drop around the world. Being in a hard cap league forces teams to make the toughest of decisions to move on from talent that is quality enough to still contribute. Deals have already begun to unfold even though the new league is 12 days away from beginning. The roller coaster that is the 2020 off-season is about to take off, so with that being said, here are 10 notable players that could be wearing new colors come September.

Important upcoming dates

• 2/25-3/10 – Franchise Tag Period
• 3/16-3/18 – Clubs are permitted to negotiate with unrestricted free agents
• 3/18 at 4pm ET – New league year begins; all teams must be under the salary cap; players are free to sign with teams.
• 4/17 – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
• 4/23-4/25 – 2020 NFL Draft

2020 deals already made (Trades do not become official until the new league year begins):

(3/3) Jacksonville Jaguars trade CB A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos for a 2020 4^th round pick

(3/4) Los Angeles Chargers trade OT Russell Okung to the Carolina Panthers for OG Trai Turner

10. WR Alshon Jeffery (Cut)

Age: 30

2019 Stats: 10 games, 43 rec, 490 rec yards, 11.4 YPC, 58.9 Catch Pct., 5 Total TDs, PFF Grade: 74.8

Potential Suitors: Colts, Bills, Redskins

The eight year veteran’s tenure with the Eagles appears to be coming to a close after three seasons.  Jeffery has not lived up to his contract after agreeing to a $52 million dollar extension towards the end of the 2017 season. He has failed to surpass 850 receiving yards in each of the last two years, while missing nine games over that time span. The Eagles will have a tough time getting his contract off the books after restructuring his deal last off-season in order to have additional cap space for free agency. Due to that restructure, Jeffery now accounts for a whopping $26 million in dead money against the cap for 2020. This will likely lead to Philly giving up additional compensation in order to take some, or all of his contract off the books. Two perfect suitors that have the cap space to do so are the Bills and Colts. The latter could be an intriguing fit, seeing as thought Indy’s Head Coach just so happens to be the offensive coordinator during the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run. Jeffery would fit nicely alongside a healthy T.Y. Hilton to become a formidable tandem for whoever the Colts decide to run the offense through next year.

9. RB Devonta Freeman (Cut)

Age: 28

2019 Stats: 14 games, 184 carries, 656 rush yards, 3.6 YPC, 3 Fumbles, 59 rec, 410 rec yards, 6 Total TDs, PFF Grade: 60.8

Potential Suitors: Buccaneers, Ravens, Bears

A few weeks ago, it was reported the Falcons will likely cut ties with Freeman. The two-time Pro Bowler has struggled to stay healthy over the last two seasons, and has lacked the shiftiness we were accustomed to seeing over the first few years of his career. The Falcons have merely $4 million to work with this off-season as of March 1^st and there are not many players making top dollar that I believe Atlanta will be willing to part ways with just yet. While cutting the running back would accrue $6 million dollars in dead money for 2020, it will open up $3.5 million and $6.3 million over the next two years, respectively. I believe Freeman is best utilized as a part of a 1-2 punch, and due to his pass catching abilities, he could thrive in a pass happy environment. Perhaps moving back to the home state of Florida and reuniting with former Florida State teammate Jameis Winston could do wonders and put the careers of both players back on track.

8. TE Hayden Hurst (Trade)

Age: 26

2019 Stats: 16 games, 30 rec, 349 rec yards, 11.6 YPC, 76.9 Catch Pct., 2 TDs, PFF Grade: 74.1

Potential Suitors: Patriots, Jaguars, Redskins, Falcons

The 2018 first round pick has one for the most interesting cases among the players that could potentially cut ties with their current team. He is a versatile tight end that played well on a Ravens team that posted a 14-2 record in 2019. The thing Hurst has against him isn’t the play, but more or less the situation that he was put in. Along with drafting Hurst with the 25^th pick, the Ravens also selected fellow Mark Andrews in the third round of the same draft. Due to a stress fracture, the former was forced to miss the first month of his rookie season and was ultimately unable to unseat the former Sooner during that campaign. In 2019, Andrews was a break out star among his position group, earning a Pro Bowl nod after establishing himself as 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson’s favorite target. Considering Hurst is three years older, the Ravens have a valuable asset on their hands that several franchises lack, which could lead to the team dealing him for rather solid value. The Patriots desperately need an upgrade, seeing as though they never found an adequate replacement for Rob Gronkowski, however the Ravens could have a reluctance of dealing with a rival. The Jaguars did not have a tight end that surpassed 200 yards last season, signaling an immediate need for an upgrade. Hurst would likely welcome a fresh opportunity, especially with the franchise located in his hometown.

7. QB Andy Dalton (Trade)

Age: 32

2019 Stats: 13 games, 3494 pass yards, 16 TDs, 14 INT, 59.5 Comp. Pct., 6.6 YPA, 40.1 QBR, PFF Grade: 66.3

Potential Suitors: Bears, Jaguars, Panthers

Dalton has been a very formidable option as a signal caller throughout his career. He has more or less a victim of a bad circumstances last season, playing without wide receivers John Ross and A.J. Green for essentially the entire year. Playing behind one of the least talented offensive lines did not help matters, either. The three-time Pro Bowler needs a fresh start elsewhere, as the Bengals are looking likely to select Joe Burrow with the 1^st pick of the 2020 draft. The Bears have reportedly spoken with the Bengals about a potential trade for the former Horned Frog. Adam Schefter reported a trade Dalton would likely warrant a mid-round round pick. New Bears’ offensive coordinator Bill Lazor worked with Dalton as a QB coach and offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2018, so this could ease the move to Chicago and allow the veteran to potentially become the 2020 version of Ryan Tannehill.

6. WR Sammy Watkins (Cut)

Age: 26

2019 Stats: 14 games, 52 rec, 673 rec yards, 12.9 YPC, 57.8 Catch Pct., 5 drops, 3 TDs, PFF Grade: 66.5

Potential Suitors:  Eagles, Redskins, Cardinals, Raiders

It is hard to believe a former top five pick that is only 26 years old could be looking at a run with a 4^th franchise, but this is the case we could potentially be having with Watkins. The former Clemson Tiger is set to have the highest cap it for his position in 2020, and considering the man has not surpassed 700 yards since his lone 1,000 yard season in 2015 is plenty of reason to warrant a release. The Chiefs will save $14 million in cap space by cutting him this off-season and will have no financial ties to the receiver past next season. Plenty of teams could line up for Watkins’ services at the right price, including several with young quarterbacks in desperate need of weapons.

5. Josh Rosen (Trade)

Age: 23

2019 Stats: 6 games, 567 pass yards, 1 TDs, 5 INT, 53.2 Comp. Pct., 5.2 YPA, 18.4 QBR, PFF Grade: 46.0

Potential Suitors: Chargers, Patriots, Panthers

It is safe to say that Rosen’s start to his career has been less than ideal. Aside from the rather disappointing numbers he has put up over his first two years, much of the struggles have been tied to being put in poor situations, at best. After being selected with a first round pick in 2018, the Cardinals opted to move on after just one season, opting to select Kyler Murray with the first pick of the 2019 draft. Rosen was dealt to Miami, however the franchise embraced the youth movement, trading away three of their best assets (Tunsil, Fitzpatrick, and Drake) for draft picks, leaving Rosen with an uninspiring team that seemed destined for the number one pick after an atrocious start to the year. The Dolphins finished with a 5-11 record and early reports suggest they are looking to take a quarterback in the 2020 draft, ultimately leaving the former Bruin as the odd man out for the second consecutive year. There is no guarantee third time will be the charm with Rosen, but there is no denying he deserves an opportunity in a situation not on the brim of a top pick. A move back to the west coast next to his alma mater could become a low risk, high reward for a Chargers team that is two years removed from a 12 win season. It remains to be seen what direction L.A. will go, but this one could be the most cost efficient that would not warrant more than a mid-round pick to do so.

4. Cam Newton (Trade)

Age: 31

2019 Stats: 2 games, 572 pass yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 56.2 Comp. Pct., 6.2 YPA, 21.1 QBR, PFF Grade: 50.4

Potential Suitors: Bears, Chargers, Raiders

This scenario relies purely based on the health Newton. The 2015 MVP ended the last two seasons on IR due to injuries to his shoulder and foot and lost his previous eight starts dating back to November of 2018. Following the hiring of head coach Matt Rhule and abrupt retirement of Luke Kuechly, Carolina could opt to go in another direction and move on from the form Heisman winner this off-season. Rhule has stated he wants Cam to be in Carolina, however there is potential teams could step in with intriguing offers should they strikeout on the quarterback market in free agency. At this point, news can change by the day for Newton, however a change of scenery could benefit both parties involved. If health issues are not concerning, there is no reason the Panthers cannot receive a moderately high draft pick as compensation.

3. Stefon Diggs (Trade)

Age: 26

2019 Stats: 15 games, 63 rec, 1130 rec yards, 17.9 YPC, 67.0 Catch Pct., 6 drops, 5 carries, 61 rush yards, 6 TDs, PFF Grade: 78.8

Potential Suitors: Patriots, Raiders, Dolphins

Diggs’ trade potential is predicated solely on if a team is willing to part with high draft capital to land the star wide receiver. The relationship he has with the Vikings has been rocky to say the least in recent months. In October of last year, Diggs added further speculation to his displeasure with the franchise, stating there is “truth to all rumors” when talk of a trade request swirled after being fined for an unexcused absence during a practice leading up to a game. The former 5^th round pick played the duration of the season, but recently deleted all references to the Vikings from his social media, implying his frustration with the team is still present. Minnesota enters March in cap Hell, ranking dead last in the NFL with just $1.3 million dollars to work with this off-season. This does not guarantee the two part ways, but the Vikings would be smart to listen if an aggressive offer comes about. If the Patriots have any chance of retaining Tom Brady, they will likely have to commit to bringing in an established weapon, and Diggs could very well be the best option considering the lack of depth in free agency. Meanwhile, the Raiders and Dolphins have multiple first round picks in the 2020 draft and could look to be very aggressive in revamping their receiving corps.

2. DE Yannick Ngakoue (Trade)

Age: 24

2019 Stats: 15 games, 41 Comb. Tackles, 8 sacks, 13 TFLs, 15 QB Hits, 7 PD, 1 INT, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD, PFF Grade: 72.0

Potential Suitors: Dolphins, Ravens, Giants

Ngakoue was most recently looking to gain top dollar as one of the biggest free agents on the market until the Jaguars slapped a franchise tag on the edge rusher last week. The former third round pick was not happy, going to social media and informing the public he is no longer interested in continuing his career in Jacksonville. Considering the Jags just shipped cornerback A.J. Bouye off to Denver for a 2^nd rounder, it looks as though the franchise has decided to hit the reset button. In terms of compensation, the Jaguars can expect to receive something in the neighborhood of what the Seahawks received for Frank Clark last off-season (2019 1^st, 2020 2^nd, 2019 3^rd for Clark, 2019 3^rd) due to the similar production over the first four years. Not only does Miami have the most cap space this off-season, but also six picks inside the top 70 of this year’s draft, including three in the first round. Just based on assets alone gives plenty of reason for the Dolphins to be the hypothetical front runner in any type of trade talks that transpire.

1. Trent Williams (Trade)

Age: 31

2019: DNP (non-football injury list)

2018 Stats: 13 games, 1 Sack Allowed, 12 Penalties, PFF Grade: 75.6

Potential Suitors: Browns, Jets, Chargers

The ongoing saga of Trent Williams has died down in recent weeks, where it has been reported that no teams have contacted the Redskins about a possible deal. That could be due to Washington’s asking price, teams mulling over other options due to a rather strong class of offensive tackles, or both. It would be ideal for Washington to make a move sooner rather than later, so they will have the ability to find a quality replacement to protect the blind side of Haskins for the foreseeable future. The team has reportedly given the seven-time Pro Bowler permission to seek a trade, signaling a long awaited break up between the two parties. The Browns were the most notable team attempting to swing a deal for the tackle during the 2019 season and reportedly offered a first round pick, but the Redskins declined. The potential trade package could also dwindle the longer Washington waits, so it is best they figure out something soon, especially before the draft.