Over the coming days and weeks, NFL teams will largely finalize the meat of their 2022 rosters – importing fresh talent from the draft while waiting to see how the annual “Player Selection Meeting” impacts veterans throughout the league, some certain to shake free or become available as potential replacements are enlisted and depth charts modified.
However despite the myriad major trades – especially those for quarterbacks – that have already shaped this offseason, an additional one involving disgruntled Cardinals Pro Bowler Kyler Murray won’t be forthcoming. Arizona GM Steve Keim let the league know as much this week, declaring there’s “zero chance” his biggest star will be on the block, which echoed the sentiment of owner Michael Bidwill.
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Browns QB Baker Mayfield (6) seems likely to be on the move this offseason, though former Oklahoma teammate Kyler Murray is apparently remaining in Arizona.
But that doesn’t mean other prominent vets won’t be moved in the near term or even on draft night itself. Major developments could also unfold following the draft, once teams are able to reassess the landscape – which could facilitate belated transactions, whether trades or outright releases.
Here are 12 players whose situations should be closely monitored:
This quartet has much in common, so let’s lump them together. All were Day 2 picks in the 2019 draft – meaning each is entering the final year of a rookie contract – and have since blossomed into NFL stars. All but Metcalf are skipping voluntary offseason training as they angle for new deals, and Samuel has already requested a trade from San Francisco. None of their teams seems inclined to accommodate a swap, but given the skyrocketing price tags on wide receivers, it wouldn’t be a surprise if one or more opts to trade a player on the verge of getting paid in order to…