New Titans CB L'Jarius Sneed Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Projecting Extensions for NFL's Top Trade Targets After L'Jarius Sneed Contract

Kristopher Knox

Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed has found a new long-term home with the Tennessee Titans after signing a four-year, $76.4 million contract with them on Tuesday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Sneed, who was given the franchise tag before the start of free agency, was due for an extension this offseason. But, after locking up Chris Jones on a five-year, $158.8 million contract, the Kansas City Chiefs weren't in a good position to provide it.

The Titans were willing to pay the big bucks, though, and landed the talented corner for a 2025 third-round pick and a swapping of 2024 seventh-round selections.

This wasn't the first time that a player has cashed in after a trade this offseason—Brian Burns landed a five-year, $141 million deal after being traded by the Carolina Panthers to the New York Giants—and it may not be the last.

Here, we'll examine some of the top potential 2024 trade targets whose contract situations could lead to a change of scenario. We'll dive into those situations, some potential suitors and how upcoming extensions might look.

Edge Haason Reddick

Ryan Kang/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Two years, $43 million with $29 million guaranteed

Philadelphia Eagles pass-rusher Haason Reddick is entering the final year of his three-year, $45 million deal and could be on the move.

On Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggested that the 29-year-old could be the "odd man out" after Philadelphia signed Bryce Huff and extended Josh Sweat.

"The expectation leaguewide is that he is moved at some point," Fowler told SportsCenter (h/t Bleacher Report's Adam Wells).

Fowler mentioned the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons as potential landing spots, and both are logical.

Former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is now head coach in Arizona, and the Falcons are ready to win now after signing quarterback Kirk Cousins but could use pass-rushing help on the other side of the ball.

Reddick is set to earn a base salary of $14.3 million in 2024, so an extension that lowers his cap hit could follow him if traded, especially if he goes to a cap-strapped team like Atlanta.

The Falcons have just $2.7 million in cap space available.

As for how an extension might look, Leonard Williams' three-year, $64.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks should be a good starting point.

Williams is three months older than Reddick and was acquired by Seattle in a 2023 trade before being re-signed in free agency.

Potential Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons

WR Tee Higgins

Jeff Dean/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Three years, $71 million with $47 million guaranteed

Like Sneed and Burns, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was given the franchise tag this offseason. Shortly after, he requested a trade, and teams believe Cincinnati may be willing to at least listen to offers, according to Fowler.

There are reasons for teams to believe this. Higgins wants out and is due a lucrative second contract. The Bengals signed quarterback Joe Burrow to a massive extension last offseason, and No. 1 receiver Ja'Marr Chase is now extension-eligible.

Financially, it may not be reasonable for Cincinnati to extend both Higgins and Chase.

While Higgins has largely filled the No. 2 receiver role in Cincinnati, he's shown plenty of signs that he could be a No. 1 elsewhere. Despite splitting the target share with Chase, the 25-year-old had 1,000-yard campaigns in both 2021 and 2022.

The New England Patriots need a No. 1 target and are open to trading for receiver help, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.

"One hundred percent. We're still open on the trade market," he told reporters.

The Patriots just happen to lead the league in available cap space. The Los Angeles Chargers have the third-most cap space after parting with both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.

L.A. might not seem like a logical landing spot after it traded Allen, but it's worth noting that he is six years older than Higgins.

Higgins, 25, would give the Chargers a young, ascending receiver to pair with quarterback Justin Herbert.

Contract-wise, the three-year, $70 million deal that 26-year-old Michael Pittman Jr. just signed with the Indianapolis Colts is probably a good starting point for Higgins.

Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots

Edge Josh Allen

Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Five years, $143 million with $88.5 million guaranteed

The Jacksonville Jaguars used the franchise tag on pass-rusher Josh Allen this offseason, and for now, it seems they'd prefer to keep him.

"We certainly value Josh's leadership on the field, in the locker room and in the community," general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "Our objective to keep Josh in Jacksonville in the coming years remains unchanged and negotiations will continue."

Of course, if Jacksonville cannot work out a long-term agreement with the 26-year-old, it may consider a trade. If an extension isn't reached before July 15, his only option will be to play on a one-year deal or not play at all in 2024.

Burns' extension is a good starting point for Allen. Both pass-rushers were first-round picks in 2019, both are two-time Pro Bowlers, and both have produced similar sack numbers—Burns has had 46 sacks in 80 games, while Allen has produced 45 sacks in 74 games.

If the Jaguars aren't willing to meet Allen's price point, other teams will.

The Detroit Lions added pass-rusher Marcus Davenport in free agency but only inked him to a one-year deal. Detroit has $21.6 million in cap space available and could view Allen as a long-term complement to Aidan Hutchinson.

For Detroit, a lot might hinge on how its cap situation looks after working out extensions for quarterback Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Head coach Dan Campbell has deemed both as "priorities."

The Las Vegas Raiders, who have $25.5 million in cap space, could also be interested.

Partnering Allen with Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby, Malcolm Koonce and 2023 first-round pick Tyree Wilson could give Las Vegas the pass-rushing power needed to contend with Herbert and Patrick Mahomes in the AFC West.

Potential Suitors: Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders

DT Jonathan Allen

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Two years, $49 million with $36 million guaranteed

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen voiced his frustration with the franchise's lack of winning late last season but seemed reinvigorated by the offseason hiring of general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

The Commanders, meanwhile, don't seem eager to move Allen as part of the rebuilding process—something they did with pass-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young at last year's trade deadline.

"We are not interested in trading him," Peters told reporters.

This doesn't mean teams won't inquire about the two-time Pro Bowler, though, or that Washington's stance—or Allen's—won't change in the coming months. His contract could become a factor, as he has two years left on a four-year, $72 million extension but has no guarantees remaining and is largely underpaid.

Allen's deal is worth $9.5 million less annually than the contract Christian Wilkins—who is roughly one year younger—signed with the Raiders this offseason. Allen deserves a pay bump, even if franchises aren't eager to renegotiate deals that favor the team.

The Chicago Bears, who acquired and extended Sweat, would be a sensible suitor for Allen if Washington is willing to make him available. They had a stout defensive front after adding Sweat last season, and bringing in Allen could give them a truly elite defensive line.

The Los Angeles Rams could also be interested after losing defensive tackle Aaron Donald to retirement. The Bears and Rams have $23.3 million and $17.7 million in cap space, respectively.

Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams

WR Brandon Aiyuk

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Four years, $97 million with $51 million guaranteed

The San Francisco 49ers have to sort out the future of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is coming off a career year (1,342 yards) and entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Extending the 26-year-old could be difficult for San Francisco, as the team is already paying big money to wideout Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey—plus quarterback Brock Purdy will be extension-eligible next offseason.

Like Higgins, Aiyuk is likely to top the $23.3 million Pittman is now making annually with the Colts. For now, though, the 49ers aren't actively shopping the talented young receiver.

"[General manager] John Lynch said the 49ers are actively talking with Brandon Aiyuk and there has been no trade discussions," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area posted on X. "All those reports are not accurate, Lynch said. He said the team would be OK with Aiyuk playing on the fifth-year option."

However, things could change if the 49ers and Aiyuk reach an impasse and/or the receiver decides he doesn't want to play on his rookie deal—a stance Deebo Samuel took two offseasons ago.

If Aiyuk becomes available, the Pittsburgh Steelers could be interested. Pittsburgh traded away Diontae Johnson this offseason and could use another wideout to aid new quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

According to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, the Steelers have "looked into" Aiyuk.

As previously noted, the Patriots are open to trading for receiver help, and they'd undoubtedly be interested should Aiyuk become available.

Potential Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Justin Jefferson

David Berding/Getty Images

Contract Projection: Four years, $126 million with $78 million guaranteed

Justin Jefferson becoming the league's highest-paid receiver feels inevitable. What's unknown is whether he earns that honor before or after Ja'Marr Chase does and whether his extension comes from the Minnesota Vikings or another franchise.

For now, Minnesota appears committed to keeping Jefferson for the long term.

"Justin Jefferson is a unique talent. Best in the game, and we're excited that he's a Minnesota Viking," franchise owner Mark Wilf told Steve Wyche and Tom Pelissero of The NFL Report. "...We're looking forward to some real positive conversations."

The Vikings appear to have a budding star in wide receiver Jordan Addison, though. We can't ignore the fact that they traded wideout Stefon Diggs five years into his career, and with Addison in the fold and Minnesota desperate for a new franchise quarterback, a Jefferson trade can't be entirely discounted.

Minnesota already traded for the 23rd overall pick in a trade with the Houston Texans. According to ESPN's Matt Miller, "the feeling" is that the Vikings will try moving up to the No. 4 or No. 5 spot to target Michigan quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy.

Including Jefferson in a trade package would certainly get the attention of the Cardinals and Chargers, who own the fourth and fifth picks, respectively. Both franchises lack a No. 1 receiver and should have an interest in Jefferson—as should every receiver-needy team—should he become available.

Theoretically, trading Jefferson would also allow Minnesota to keep at least one of its first-round picks and dip into a loaded 2024 receiver class to replace him.

When talking contract dollars, Tyreek Hill's four-year, $120 million contract is the starting point for Jefferson. Hill's annual earnings of $30 million lead all NFL receivers, and Jefferson's extension is sure to top that.

Potential Suitors: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.

   

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