Ten NFL veteran moves to make after the 2023 NFL Draft: Trey Lance to Vikings, Dalvin Cook to Bills

After three days and 259 picks, the 2023 NFL Draft is officially over. But that doesn’t mean teams are done with moves as we head deeper into the offseason. In fact, finalizing the blueprint can only speed up the next steps for veterans still lingering in free hands or trade blocs, as teams look for last-minute reinforcements where they’re needed.

With that in mind, here are 10 steps that might make sense now that the draft is in the books:

To be clear, we don’t really think the 49ers should sell such a naturally gifted quarterback just two years after they drafted him No. 3 overall. Brock Purdy was a heroic rookie of 2022, but he’s also come off a serious injury and let’s not forget he’s only just finished Seven starts in the NFL. However, all signs point to San Francisco already being mad at Lance after two seasons plagued by injuries. If they’re really averse to using it, the Vikings make all the sense in the world as their next target. As well as playing in Lance’s home state, they are poised to conquer the QB market as Kirk Cousins ​​enters a contract year and forward-thinking general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may have a more dynamic successor in mind. The Vikings, who field a fifth-rounder on BYU’s Jaren Hall, barely change the equation, only emphasizing Minnesota’s interest in expanding the position.

Not unlike Lance, Willis doesn’t really deserve to be banned from the team that just drafted him. But a year after they spent a third-round player to land him, the Titans have evidently moved on, and this year have spent the number 33 on Will Levis, another athletic but unpredictable challenger to Ryan Tannehill. The Cardinals, on the other hand, already have a young starter in Kyler Murray, but he may not be ready to start in 2023 due to an injury, leaving just a bunch of aging reserves — Colt McCoy, Jeff Driskel, David Blough — to hold the fortress. New coach Jonathan Gannon saw Jalen Hurts grow into a dual threat in Philadelphia and he might be willing to recommend Willis as a development project behind Murray.

The Vikings have basically already campaigned for their quick but expensive back and a late-round pick for DeWayne McBride, a potential powerhouse for newly signed Alexander Mattison, could help nudge them into a split. Buffalo’s AFC East rivals, the Dolphins, have stronger ties to the Miami native Cook, but they just conceded a third-round game for Devon Achane and already signed both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. The Bills, on the other hand, could relish any opportunity to bolster an already explosive offense in their hunt to remain the division leaders. They’ve re-signed ex-patriot Damien Harris, but he’s little guarantee of staying on the field or landing a starring role. And while Cook’s brother James may be able to hold down a full-time job, he might prefer to share the backfield with his siblings if it means improving their Super Bowl chances.

The Bills could probably use Hopkins more as Gabriel Davis is under some pressure to move up as No. 2 over Stefon Diggs. But the Chiefs’ top offseason investment in wide receiver — second-rounder Rashee Rice — isn’t the technically sound possession goal Hopkins has gotten into high gear. Kansas City is more than able to stay cheap at this point with Patrick Mahomes leaning on Travis Kelce and whoever else they field. But when you’re in a perpetual Super Bowl window, you take big swings too, and Hopkins has already suggested he’d welcome a move to Arrowhead. The Cardinals could certainly keep the veteran if Kyler Murray returns, but they’d certainly prefer to get a decent draft pick for the expensive pass catcher while they can.

Philadelphia already has both rookie and veteran talent in store this draft weekend, but Howie Roseman has never taken a low-risk, high-reward trade that he wouldn’t take. Hamler is relatively redundant in Denver after the Broncos drafted the smaller but speedy Marvin Mims Jr. in the second round, and the Eagles could afford to add downfield competition for Quez Watkins. They’ve also signed ex-Falcons WR Olamide Zaccheaus, but he’s considered more of a No. 3/4 possession target.

Houston took care of business early in the draft, adding his future quarterback and pass rusher. The next step is to give CJ Stroud better protection and better weapons. Laremy Tunsil gives the Texans a high-paying and mostly reliable left tackle, but this team could still use some reinforcements from the inside. Risner, on the other hand, remains unsigned after four solid, if unspectacular, seasons with the Broncos. Would be worthwhile as a summer competitor at Wache too.

Washington picked up the vaunted No. 2 overall Ohio State pass rusher in 2020, and before a string of injuries he proved he can be an impressive starter. But the commanders are already paying top dollar to fellow D-linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, with Montez Sweat next on deck. After turning down Young’s fifth-year option, they could simply attempt to sell him as a notable reclamation project while they focused on rebuilding the secondary – and the inevitable future pursuit of a QB. The Bears, meanwhile, are still flush with space on the cap and have committed to replenishing their own front. Despite the signing of ex-Titans starter DeMarcus Walker, they were still able to leverage a presence with elite attributes to put themselves in front of their lucrative new linebacker corps.

Detroit added significant pieces on both sides of the ball in a bizarre but productive draft; LB Jack Campbell and S Brian Branch should only bring more physicality to an ascending defense. However, the one area they didn’t address was pass rusher, where Aidan Hutchinson could use a superior running mate. John Cominsky flashed in late 2022, but Clark, unsigned by the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs after a cap-saving release, could make for a more experienced addition, especially in playoff push time. As a bonus, the former Pro Bowler joined the NFL from Michigan, which gave him a connection to his hometown.

Los Angeles didn’t address the D line until the sixth round of the draft, and if the team is serious about fighting their way out of the AFC West, they could use more reinforcements there. Ford, who has spent the last five seasons with the Seahawks, isn’t exactly a spoilsport, but he’s a long-lived, gap-filling veteran who could beef up their current roster for a reasonable price.

Baltimore just said goodbye to an aging cover man in Marcus Peters, who is not yet signed, so the team may not rush to trade for Fuller, who has had mixed results as a well-paid starter for the Commanders. But the Ravens didn’t touch the position until the fifth round of the draft and could still use some help for Marlon Humphrey as they look to win in the AFC North now. Fuller, 28, could be a Cap victim in Washington, where Ron Rivera and co. just spent a first-round winner against Emmanuel Forbes and have gradually brought more youth into the secondary school.