Saints CB Marshon Lattimore Cooper Neill/Getty Images

1 Trade Each NFL Contender Should Consider to Fill Biggest Weakness

Maurice Moton

Three weeks into the 2024 NFL year, and we're starting to shift our attention from the aftermath of free agency to the draft. But general managers should always be open to doing business.

Even the top teams can add another veteran or two to strengthen weak areas across the depth chart before April's draft.

While most of the veterans on the open market would be bargain-bin signings at this point in the offseason, front offices could take bigger swings with trades.

Using DraftKings Sportsbook odds, we'll list the top 10 Super Bowl contenders and highlight one possible trade that can fill each team's major weakness.

Baltimore Ravens Trade for CB Marshon Lattimore

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The Baltimore Ravens gave up the fewest points last season, but the unit will undergo changes and needs a couple of playmakers to maintain a stingy pass defense.

Baltimore lost defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who's now the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, and the club will turn the unit over to first-year play-caller Zach Orr.

Orr may do a fine job as a play-caller, but the Ravens need to help him out with playmakers up front or on the back end.

Baltimore lost Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, and Kyle Van Noy is still on the open market. They logged 18.5 sacks combined last season.

Teams rarely trade high-end pass-rushers, so the Ravens should focus on bolstering their secondary by acquiring a starting boundary cornerback.

Baltimore could call the New Orleans Saints to inquire about Marshon Lattimore, who only has one year of guaranteed money left on his deal.

The Saints may be willing to part ways with the four-time Pro Bowler as they continue to develop Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor.

Lattimore, 27, has missed 17 games over the previous two years because of injury, which makes this a risky deal for the Ravens. If he can stay healthy, though, Baltimore would have an upgraded secondary to compensate for a questionable pass rush.

The Ravens may be able to acquire Lattimore in exchange for middle- and late-round picks similar to what the Detroit Lions sent to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Carlton Davis.

Buffalo Bills Acquire DE Tanoh Kpassagnon

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Last season, we may have witnessed the beginning of edge-rusher Von Miller's decline. In 2023, he returned to the field after tearing his ACL late in the 2022 campaign but didn't log any sacks.

The Bills restructured Miller's contract, per ESPN's Field Yates, and signed A.J. Epenesa to a two-year extension, which means we could see the former take a backseat to the latter in the upcoming season.

Though Epenesa could make a fifth-year leap in production, Buffalo should add another veteran in case Miller continues to provide little impact off the edge.

The Bills may be able to toss a late-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for Tanoh Kpassagnon.

New Orleans signed Chase Young in free agency, and though he's recovering from neck surgery, general manager Mickey Loomis seems excited about the 24-year-old.

The Saints also have Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, 2023 second-rounder Isaiah Foskey and 2021 first-rounder Payton Turner at defensive end. Perhaps they could trade Kpassagnon to allow a younger player an opportunity to take on a bigger role.

As a rotational defender, the 29-year-old has recorded 9.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss over the previous three terms. He can fill the same role in Buffalo behind Greg Rousseau, Miller and Epenesa on the edge.

Cincinnati Bengals Trade for WR Tyler Lockett

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The Cincinnati Bengals have a major uncertainty at wide receiver.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, wideout Tee Higgins has requested a trade.

The Bengals have franchise-tagged the 25-year-old, and they'll likely sign fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase to an extension before the 2024 season.

Head coach Zac Taylor sees Higgins in the team's future plans, but the four-year receiver may want to chase a big-money multiyear extension elsewhere. As a solution, the Bengals could trade him and acquire a veteran on a cheaper deal in a separate transaction.

The Seattle Seahawks' new regime may view Tyler Lockett as an expendable asset with 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba behind him on the depth chart.

If the Bengals don't think they will retain Higgins, the club can acquire Lockett to complement Chase in the passing game.

At 31 years old, the three-time All-Pro could be highly productive as the primary slot wideout. He's racked up at least 894 receiving yards in six consecutive terms.

Because of Lockett's age, Cincinnati may be able to acquire him in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Dallas Cowboys Acquire RB Khalil Herbert

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Who's going to handle the lion's share of carries out of the Dallas Cowboys backfield?

The Cowboys can answer that question with an early-round draft pick, but most teams use a committee of running backs in today's NFL.

Currently, Dallas has running backs Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn atop the depth chart, two backups who logged 112 rush attempts combined last year.

Though the Cowboys passed on an active free-agent running back market, they can try to acquire Khalil Herbert to lead their backfield.

In three seasons, the 25-year-old has recorded 364 carries for 1,775 yards and eight touchdowns. He's also caught 43 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bears signed running back D'Andre Swift in free agency, and they selected Roschon Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. With new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in place, Herbert, who has one year left on his deal, could be the odd man out.

Dallas should offer a late-round pick to Chicago for the Virginia Tech product, who could be a featured ball-carrier.

Detroit Lions Trade for WR Tutu Atwell

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In two seasons under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Detroit Lions offense has become a juggernaut loaded with playmakers.

On the surface, the Lions offense isn't the biggest problem, but they have a moderate need at wide receiver.

Jameson Williams has developed gradually, and he's only played in 18 contests because of injuries and a gambling policy violation that resulted in a suspension. The Lions lost Josh Reynolds to the Denver Broncos in free agency.

Of course, quarterback Jared Goff can rely on All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the passing game, and tight end Sam LaPorta had a promising rookie campaign, but Detroit can add another dynamic playmaker to round out its pass-catching group.

Johnson can exercise his creative play-calling juices with Tutu Atwell.

At 5'9", 165 pounds, the 24-year-old isn't going to win many jump ball opportunities or routinely come down with contested catches. On the flip side, he can make big plays with his speed, which may open up the field for other Lions pass-catchers.

Over the last two years, the Los Angeles Rams found ways to get Atwell the ball in space, and he's caught 57 passes for 781 yards and four touchdowns since 2022.

Though undersized, the Louisville product has lined up on the boundary and been effective in spots. He could mesh well with St. Brown, who lines up in the slot and on the outside as well.

This offseason, the Rams re-signed Demarcus Robinson, so Atwell could be available via trade for a late-round pick.

Green Bay Packers Acquire S Budda Baker

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The Green Bay Packers allowed safeties Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens to walk in free agency. They signed versatile defensive back Xavier McKinney to fill that void.

The Packers can go a step further to field one of the best safety tandems in the league with the addition of Budda Baker.

Typically, safeties rank low on the priority list of roster needs, but Packers cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes have struggled to stay on the field. Last season, they missed 24 games combined.

When starting cornerbacks sit out, safeties usually become a little more important in the defensive scheme.

Along with McKinney, Baker can patch up holes in the secondary whether the Packers play at full strength or take the field short-handed.

Over the last two years, the six-time Pro Bowler has experienced some struggles in pass coverage while playing with a subpar supporting cast, but the Packers can use him in the box to compensate for a need at inside linebacker.

In seven pro seasons, the 28-year-old has been a reliable tackler. He only missed 6.5 percent of his tackle attempts last season.

Because of the modest market for safeties, Green Bay should be able to acquire Baker from the Arizona Cardinals with a late-round draft pick, even though he's earned Pro Bowl nods in five consecutive terms.

Kansas City Chiefs Trade for OT Cam Robinson

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The Kansas City Chiefs addressed a glaring need at wide receiver in free agency, when they signed Marquise Brown. Now, they can shift their attention to the offensive line.

The Chiefs haven't re-signed left tackle Donovan Smith, which creates a void at a premium position.

Tackle Lucas Niang, a 2020 third-rounder, played most of his snaps on the right side in his rookie campaign, so the team doesn't have a viable in-house replacement for Smith.

Kansas City can exercise some patience and draft a left tackle or make an aggressive move to acquire a veteran with starting experience to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side.

The Chiefs should make a call for Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Cam Robinson, who's started in 84 games through seven seasons.

The 28-year-old has missed games because of injuries and a suspension, but he's a solid plug-in play option if Kansas City wants a proven starter.

Jacksonville could look to Walker Little to take over at left tackle, which could make Robinson expendable and available for a middle-round pick.

Miami Dolphins Acquire OLB Lorenzo Carter

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Miami Dolphins edge-rushers Bradley Chubb (torn ACL) and Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles) are coming off second-half season-ending injuries. They may not be at full strength for Week 1 of the upcoming term.

The Dolphins have signed edge-rusher Shaquil Barrett, who can fill in gaps for their starters on the mend, but he's going into his age-32 campaign and saw a significant drop-off in production after his injury-riddled 2022 term.

Miami can make sure it has insurance for Chubb and Phillips with another veteran addition to its pass-rushing group.

Lorenzo Carter can help Barrett patch up the Dolphins' pass rush. Though he's been an inefficient starter, he carved out a decent role as a rotational defender with the Atlanta Falcons last year.

Over the previous three years, the 28-year-old has lined up at inside and outside linebacker, logging 143 tackles, 18 for loss, 42 pressures and 12 sacks.

The Dolphins can acquire the Georgia product to generate a spark in their third-down pass rush and supplement the run defense.

As the Falcons go through coaching staff changes, Carter could be available for a sixth-round pick. If that's the case, the Dolphins should inquire about him.

Philadelphia Eagles Trade for DL Greg Gaines

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Under general manager and executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles have fielded defensive lines with deep rotations on the edge and on the interior. That's probably not going to change any time soon.

So, we should expect Roseman to find a replacement for defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who retired this offseason.

Even though the Eagles have defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, they're both young, entering their third and second season, respectively.

Philadelphia can acquire a veteran defensive lineman who can be the glue that holds the interior group together, and Greg Gaines fits the bill.

In five seasons, four with the Los Angeles Rams and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 27-year-old has moved up and down the front line, lining up as a defensive tackle, nose tackle and defensive end.

Gaines put together his most productive years as a primary starter along the Rams defensive line between 2021 and 2022, recording 91 tackles, 10 for loss, and 8.5 sacks.

Last year with the Buccaneers, the Washington product accepted a lesser role behind Vita Vea.

Alongside Carter and Davis, Gaines could shine again with a heavier workload as the wily veteran of the group. The Eagles should offer the Buccaneers a late-round pick for him.

San Francisco 49ers Acquire DB Jabrill Peppers

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The San Francisco 49ers need more competition at right tackle. Colton McKivitz and Brandon Parker are likely to battle for the starting spot, but teams rarely trade starting-caliber tackles. The Niners are better off addressing that position in the draft.

San Francisco can explore the trade market for a playmaking defensive back, though. It needs a third safety with Talanoa Hufanga recovering from a torn ACL and Ji'Ayir Brown going into his second season.

For veteran insurance, the 49ers could acquire Jabrill Peppers, an athletic defensive back who's played both safety spots and slot cornerback in seven campaigns.

Last year with the New England Patriots, the 28-year-old had one of his best seasons, logging 78 tackles, five for loss, a sack, eight pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing a 72.7 passer rating in coverage.

The 49ers can slowly bring along Hufanga without giving Brown more than he can handle if they add Peppers to the roster. San Francisco could get this deal done with a late-round pick.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.

   

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