There could be a handful of veterans traded before or during the 2020 NFL Draft, including Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, Jets safety Jamal Adams, Bucs tight end OJ Howard and Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton just to name four, but one who seems the likeliest to be traded is Washington Redskins Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams.
The 31-year-old sat out last season because he had an issue with the Redskins' medical staff. Williams is one of the best left tackles in the NFL and that's a bit of a glaring hole on the Skins, but it's fairly obvious he will never play with Washington again.
The Redskins are largely going toward a youth movement regardless. Washington will take Ohio State defensive end Chase Young at No. 2 overall on Thursday – the team has rebuffed all offers for that pick.
What would Williams be worth via trade? Probably not a first-round pick but perhaps a second-rounder – or even a package of later picks if they essentially equate to a second-round selection.
Reports are that the three teams most aggressively chasing Williams are the Cleveland Browns (who have been linked to him since last season), Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets. Left tackle might be the No. 1 hole on the Browns, although they could fill that with the No. 10 overall pick tonight.
Cleveland does appear to be all-in for a Super Bowl run in 2020, though, and could prefer an accomplished veteran like Williams to protect Baker Mayfield's blindside instead of a rookie or moving free-agent signing Jack Conklin from the right side to the left. Cleveland won't give the No. 10 pick for Williams but does have the No. 41 pick in Round 2.
Minnesota is known to have called the Redskins about Williams last month. The Vikings have a solid left tackle in Riley Reiff but could move him to guard if Williams is acquired. Williams already has experience protecting the blindside of Vikes QB Kirk Cousins, formerly of the Redskins. Minnesota has picks No. 22 and 25 in Round 1 and then No. 58 in Round 2.
The Jets are the likely long shot of this group if Williams has any say as they aren't close to contention unlike the Browns and Vikings. The Jets talked to the Redskins in March but apparently thought the No. 48 overall pick was too rich for him. New York could look offensive line at No. 11 overall tonight but more likely receiver.
While the Eagles have been reported by some as a possible trade partner with Washington, Pro Football Talk is now reporting there's "zero truth" to that. We expect Williams to be a Cleveland Brown by Friday night.
