Every year, major trades reshape the NFL landscape and completely change the direction of franchises. Teams constantly evaluate their futures, especially when rebuilds begin or roster turnover starts taking place. Several NFL trade candidates could eventually find themselves on the move during the 2026 season, even if no deal appears imminent right now.
3 NFL Stars Who Could Be Moved
Outside of the ongoing A.J. Brown speculation, a few other stars stand out as players worth monitoring closely. De’Von Achane, Garrett Wilson, and James Conner each find themselves in situations where a trade could eventually make sense for both sides.
De’Von Achane
Despite Miami Dolphins GM John Eric Sullivan shutting down trade rumors surrounding De’Von Achane, it is clear Miami is heading toward major roster turnover and a rebuild that could take time. There is not much to like about the current roster, which creates the possibility that Miami could eventually move Achane for premium draft capital.
Achane has become one of the most explosive offensive players in football because of his dynamic speed and elite versatility. His impact goes far beyond his rushing production since he creates major mismatches as a receiver out of the backfield. During the 2025 season, Achane recorded 1,350 rushing yards along with 488 receiving yards.
Many fans viewed him as the entire Miami offense once Tyreek Hill suffered a season-ending injury last season. The Dolphins’ offense often went as far as Achane could carry it, which speaks volumes about how special he truly is. Few running backs can become the focal point of an offense the way he has.
Miami would likely demand massive draft compensation in any potential trade. Contending teams needing running back help could view him as the missing piece for a playoff push, especially if injuries happen during the season. Achane also enters the final year of his four-year rookie contract, which could eventually influence Miami’s long-term plans. Among current NFL trade candidates, Achane could easily become one of the biggest names to watch.
Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson has appeared in trade rumors for quite some time, and the situation surrounding the New York Jets still feels uncertain. The organization continues trying to figure out its quarterback position while rebuilding key areas of the roster. Throughout most of his career, Wilson has rarely had stable quarterback play, which has made his production even more impressive.
Wilson remains one of the most dynamic receivers in football because of his route running, quickness, and ability to separate from defenders. Even with inconsistent quarterback play, he produced at a high level almost immediately after entering the league.
The star receiver recorded a 1,000-yard season in every year of his career except 2025. That season ended early after he suffered an MCL sprain and later aggravated the injury, limiting him to only eight games before the Jets shut him down for the remainder of the year.
New York will likely find its franchise quarterback sooner rather than later, but questions remain about how long Wilson wants to wait through another rebuild. Front offices always listen when teams call about elite talent, and the Jets could eventually receive an offer too difficult to ignore. Wilson is still only 25 years old and has plenty of elite football ahead of him.
James Conner
James Conner enters the 2026 season coming off a serious ankle injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Injuries become much tougher to overcome for older running backs, especially since the position usually carries a short life span in the NFL.
Even with the injury concerns, Conner remains one of the league’s most respected veterans because of his toughness, leadership, and consistency. Before the season ending injury in 2025, he produced back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and continued playing an important role in Arizona’s offense.
The Arizona Cardinals may eventually decide to move toward a younger backfield after selecting Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Love carries superstar potential and looks capable of becoming the centerpiece of Arizona’s rushing attack moving forward.
Conner also enters the final year of his contract, which makes him one of the more realistic NFL trade candidates on this list. A contending team could view him as a valuable veteran addition for a playoff run. Even at this stage of his career, Conner still offers physical running ability, leadership, and reliability in big moments.
The NFL trade market can change quickly once injuries happen or playoff contenders become aggressive near the deadline. Achane, Wilson, and Conner each face different situations, but all three stars could realistically find themselves involved in trade discussions at some point during the 2026 season.
