The clock is quickly ticking toward August 27 for every NFL franchise. That's the ominous deadline for teams to pare down their rosters from around 90 players to just 53 on the active roster.

Most teams will be cutting players to get down to the magical number. It's an unfortunate part of the process that a lot of the players who have been fighting to make a roster will find themselves on a practice squad or looking for a new home entirely.

For some smart teams, this is a good time to shop players on the trade market. In some cases, teams can build up their draft pick stockpile by simply trading away players who may not have made the roster anyway.

Here, we'll look at some players around the league who should be up for trade. They aren't all cut candidates. Some might just be better suited on another roster because they are at a position of depth for their current team, while others might not be a good fit.

CB/S James Bradberry, Philadelphia Eagles

Why He Should Be Traded

The Eagles have spent a lot of resources this offseason restructuring their secondary. The unit was a major contributor to the Birds' collapse over the second half of the season, and the moves may have left James Bradberry without a role.

Bradberry was at fault for some of the secondary's woes last season. He surrendered a passer rating of 114.3. Since then, the Eagles have drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean and Bradberry has been playing safety in training camp.

The Eagles would be fortunate to find a trade partner willing to give Bradberry a fresh start. They could save $1.2 million against the cap this season and clear up reps for their younger players.

Desired Return: Day 3 Pick Swap

The downside is that the Eagles aren't going to be able to get much. The team willing to trade for him would essentially be doing the Eagles a favor and hoping he can find a fraction of the elite production he had in 2022.

The Eagles would at least save a little money on his contract and improve their draft capital for 2025.

QB Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons

Why He Should Be Traded

The decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. after signing Kirk Cousins was one of the most scrutinized moves of the offseason. The one thing it made clear for the team moving foward was that Taylor Heinicke is expendable.

The new rule surrounding emergency quarterbacks essentially lets every team carry three, but Heinicke's $4.5 million cap hit is simply too big for a third quarterback. The Falcons could at least trim $1.2 million off the cap and make it clear that Penix is their backup by trading away Heinicke.

Desired Return: Day 3 Pick, Edge-Rush Help

We found out last year just how valuable a backup quarterback can be. The 2023 season was marked by several major quarterback injuries. Those who had a capable backup were able to stay relevant. Those who did not (looking at you, Jets) were not.

Heinecke isn't a starter, but he's done enough in the league to be considered a competent backup. He's 13-15-1 as the starter with a career passer rating of 84.2.

The Falcons could look at two different deals to figure out compensation. Desmond Ridder was traded for wide receiver Rondale Moore earlier this offseason in a player-for-player deal. We also saw the Jaguars acquire Mac Jones for a sixth-round pick.

Heinicke is a little older than both of those quarterbacks, but getting a Day 3 pick or someone who could join their edge-rusher rotation would be ideal.

CB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints

Why He Should Be Traded

Given the choice between setting themselves up for future success or simply being the best they can be in a given season, the New Orleans Saints rarely choose the long-term vision. The Saints manage the cap more aggressively than any team in the league.

The latest example is how they approach Marshon Lattimore heading into Week 1. The Saints utilized a unique restructure of his contract early in the offseason that made it possible for them to trade him before the season starts.

Instead of a traditional bonus, he has an option bonus that would be paid by his new team in the event of a trade up to the week before the season starts. Lattimore is a good player, but he has only started 17 games over the last two seasons.

The Saints also have enough depth to have a reasonable secondary without him. It would free up money to extend Paulson Adebo's contract.

Desired Return: At least a third-round pick

This desired return is based on the compensation the Chiefs got for L'Jarius Sneed this offseason. The Titans gave up a third-round pick in 2025 along with a seventh-round pick swap to get Sneed.

They also had to give him a new contract for the deal to make sense as Sneed was on the franchise tag.

Lattimore has proved he can play at an elite level when he's healthy. It makes sense for the Saints to get a valuable pick in return for him, clear up some cap space and build toward the future when the roster doesn't look good enough to contend in 2024.

S Israel Mukuamu, Dallas Cowboys

Why He Should Be Traded

The best trade candidates this time of year are the ones who could be playing bigger roles on a different team. Most teams would easily find a role for Israel Mukuamu as a 6'4" safety who weighs in at over 200 pounds.

Unfortunately for him, he's involved in a really deep safety room in Dallas. Mukuamu has been competing with Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell for snaps.

Bell was moved to linebacker last season, but switching to Mike Zimmer from Dan Quinn at defensive coordinator has shifted him back to safety. Dallas has needs that could take priority over keeping a fifth safety despite Mukuamu's clear upside.

Desired Return: Wide Receiver, Running Back or Edge-Rush Help

Given the Cowboys' inactivity in the offseason, they shouldn't just be looking to dump a player for a draft pick. This is a pivotal offseason, and the Cowboys need players who can help them win right now.

On offense, adding at least one more receiver or running back into the mix would be nice. With CeeDee Lamb still holding out for a new contract and Brandin Cooks getting another year older, the depth in the receiver room could be an issue.

The running back room would be another place to look to improve. The combination of Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle will not strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenses, and Sam Williams' torn ACL and MCL means the Cowboys could use another edge-rusher.

Edge Haason Reddick, New York Jets

Why He Should Be Traded

This is a complicated one.

Haason Reddick is a highly productive player at a premium position. The Jets are all-in on winning this season and they traded a conditional third-round pick that could become a second to acquire the veteran.

Unfortunately, the Jets' decision to trade for Reddick has not turned out well thus far. The veteran has not shown up to training camp and continues to hold out for a new contract. The player has since requested a trade, per The Athletic.

The Jets have publicly stated that they aren't going to trade the pass-rusher. They expect him to show up and play under his current contract.

They might want to reverse that stance. Capitulating to Reddick's demands would mean signing a player about to hit 30 to a multiyear extension that might not age well. Continuing to wait it out could mean they get a less effective version of Reddick when he does finally show up.

Desired Return: Third-round pick

This whole situation will look like a disaster for the Jets if they don't at least recoup the pick that they gave up for Reddick. They might not be able to get the same parameters for a conditional pick that becomes a second, but Reddick is still worth a third-round pick to someone who could get him before the season starts.

Reddick is aging and signing him to a longer contract is risky, but a team should still be willing to give up a third to do it. He has 50.5 sacks over the last four seasons.

RB Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

Why He Should Be Traded

If there's one thing the league has shown over the last few seasons, it's that the free-agent market is tough for running backs. Fewer running backs are getting multiyear contracts when their rookie deals are done.

There are some notable exceptions. Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs both got paid this summer and have some security. They both had to deal with the franchise tag and didn't re-sign with their old teams, though.

So when a running back like Javonte Williams goes into the final year of his rookie contract with major questions, it might be better to cut bait and get some return for the player.

Williams' career started with a strong rookie season. However, he tore his ACL in 2022 after just four games and didn't look like the same player in 2023.

The Broncos drafted Audric Estimé in the fifth round of the draft, and Jaleel McLaughlin showed he can be a good change-of-pace back last season. Add in Samaje Perine, and the Broncos could afford to move on from Williams.

Desired Return: Day 3 Pick

Williams is a former second-round pick, but the Broncos don't have a ton of leverage. The running back market has been relatively weak, and Williams won't get the kind of contract that would trigger the compensatory formula a year from now.

The Broncos might be better off getting a Day 3 pick in return and potentially targeting another back in the draft next offseason.

WR Robert Woods, Houston Texans

Why He Should Be Traded

When the Houston Texans signed Robert Woods in 2023, they were looking for some stability in the wide receiver room. Nico Collins hadn't broken out, Tank Dell was just a third-round pick, and Stefon Diggs wasn't even on the roster.

It's safe to say things have changed a lot since then.

C.J. Stroud unlocked the potential of Nico Collins and developed instant rapport with Tank Dell. Then the Texans made the aggressive move to trade for Diggs. The offense has evolved beyond the role that Woods was brought in to play.

Rather than continuing to pay Woods, they could save $6.5 million against the cap by finding someone else to take the 31-year-old.

Desired Return: Day 3 Pick Swap

Woods could be a useful player for several NFL offenses. He's not the player he once was, but he did have 40 receptions for 426 yards and one touchdown in 2023. Still, Woods' contract is going to be a hard sell for a lot of teams.

If the Texans want to save money on the contract, they will probably have to cut Woods. A team that wants to acquire him shouldn't have to spend much in draft capital.