Every AFC team’s most valuable trade asset

With the new NFL season beginning, expect to see some big moves in free agency and via the trade market. With that in mind, we are going to take a look at every team’s most valuable assets and what they would cost in a trade. We are going to ignore quarterbacks and contract situations, otherwise, they will dominate this list to the point of boredom!

There were a few candidates here, with Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kincaid amongst the most valuable trade assets. We feel with Rousseau’s age, 23, and production through his first two years in the league, he could be viewed as a future star pass rusher by the rest of the league. Given previous trades for pass rushers, it would take at least two first-round picks to acquire him.

Hill has been traded before and it cost the Dolphins a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a 2023 sixth-round pick, per ESPN. He is now two years older but is playing the best football of his career so would cost at least that much again.

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The Patriots’ roster is devoid of star players, although Matthew Judon certainly has a caser. Outside of that, there weren’t too many candidates here aside from the uber-talented Gonzalez. The 2023 first-round pick was given an 80.8 ranking by Pro Football Focus, which is excellent for a rookie. It would take a first, a second, a mid-round pick or two plus a serviceable veteran to acquire him.

We debated between Sauce, Quinnen Williams, and Garrett Wilson here, but ultimately, Gardner is the best CB in football according to PFF (and us), able to win games by himself. He is borderline untouchable. Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Rams for two firsts and a fourth back in 2019, per ESPN, we think there would need to be another early-round pick to get Sauce.

Hamilton is arguably the best safety in football despite only playing two years in the NFL. He is a lock-down cover guy and a physical monster if you dare step across his path. Safeties are not valued like other positions in the NFL, so a package of a first and a second plus a veteran could be enough to get him, but that seems on the low end.

At his best, Chase is one of the best wide receivers in football, especially with his connection with Joe Burrow that goes back to their college days. Chase can make something out of nothing and has been a key part of the Bengals' recent success. Given his age, an positional value, it would take at least a couple of firsts, plus some mid-round picks to pry him away from the Bengals.

Named the PFF Defensive Player of the Year for 2023, Garrett is everything you’d hope for from a number one overall pick. He’s a huge physical presence able to get to opposing QBs with shocking regularity. To get him out of Cleveland would take a massive haul, probably including three first-rounders, plus a veteran pass rusher and possibly another valuable player.

Rinse and repeat for the Steelers as their best player, much like Myles Garrett, is a dominant pass rusher. Watt is a freak, equalling the sack record in 2021 with 22.5 and coming close again last season with 19, per ESPN. He’s a year older than Garrett, but that shouldn’t affect the deal too much, requiring multiple firsts to get him out of Pittsburgh at least.

There are arguments for others on the Texans roster, but we think Tunsil is amongst the elite offensive linemen in football, and so does NFL analyst Brian Baldinger who was described as “special” recently. Offensive tackles don’t get traded much, but given his value to the team, any package for him would need to include a first, a starting caliber LT and some lower-round picks.

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The Colts roster isn’t loaded with talent, but they were impressive in 2023, at least in part due to a bounce-back year from Nelson and the offensive line. At his best, there aren’t many guards better than Nelson, in both pass and run blocking. A package to acquire him would be less than some other positions, perhaps a couple of second-round picks and a replacement level guard.

Allen is a game wrecker coming off the edge for the Jags, ending the 2023 season with 17.5 sacks, which is a Jaguars franchise record, per Statmuse. In comparison, Bradley Chubb cost a first-round pick, but Allen is a better player, meaning it would need to be a first, plus a second and some late-round selections to drag him away from Duval County.

Simmons struggled with injuries in 2023, but outside of that, he has put together an incredible five-year career in Tennessee as a disruptive interior pass-rusher and run-stuffer. Given his recent injury struggles, his value may have decreased, so perhaps a solitary first-round pick would be enough to get him.

Surtain has been linked in several trade scenarios in recent times, including a deal to the Eagles. In that scenario, the Broncos receive DE Josh Sweat, a first-rounder, and a fifth in exchange for Surtain, per Sports Illustrated. That seems high for us as Sweat is a good player, but swap the first for a second and that feels about right.

We were tempted to put Trent McDuffie here, but ultimately Jones is the better player and one of the few elite defensive tackles in football. He is coming off back-to-back double-digit sack seasons and would take no less than two first-round picks to get him out of KC, even that might not be enough.

The Raiders are lacking in talent across their roster but they do boast one legitimate superstar in Adams. Adams was traded from the Packers two years ago for a first and a second, he is a little older now, so maybe remove the first and add another second-rounder in there and you could have a deal.

The Chargers' two best players last season were Keenan Allen and Khalil Mack but both are a little old to be valuable in a trade scenario. Slater is young (24) and is steadily becoming one of the best tackles in football. PFF graded his 2023 season as 76.6, so there is still room to grow. The Chargers wouldn’t take less than two first-rounders and a starting LT to let him go, though.

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