2021 NFL Draft: Five NFL stars who could be traded during the draft

2021 NFL Draft trade target Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys, Jonathan Taylor comp (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Draft trade target Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys, Jonathan Taylor comp (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Michael Thomas, 2021 NFL Draft
2021 NFL Draft trade target Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

As we move closer and closer to the 2021 NFL Draft, what teams might be looking to unload an NFL star via trade during the draft?

The last few offseasons, we’ve watched NFL stars change uniforms through the trade process at a high rate and that could very well carry into the 2021 NFL Draft. While we’ve become accustomed to seeing our favorite players in new jerseys, the idea of trading them instead of leaving through free agency is becoming more and more prevalent. So, who could be next?

Before the 2020 season, some of the game’s biggest stars changed helmets, and one of them came through a shocking trade. DeAndre Hopkins was moved to Arizona while the Houston Texans received a low-market value in return. In addition, Stefon Diggs was traded from Minnesota to Buffalo for a first-round pick while DeForest Buckner transitioned from San Francisco to Indianapolis for a first-rounder as well.

While these moves are the ones fresh in our minds, they are far from the first batch of stars moved for picks, especially first-round picks. During the 2019 offseason, the Cleveland Browns traded their first-round pick to the New York Giants for Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown changed teams a few different times.

The majority of these players are wide receivers, but other stars have been traded as well. For example, the Ravens acquired Calais Campbell last offseason while Michael Bennett has been a name that has been moved a few different times over the years. Even Rob Gronkowski was an offseason trade.

As we move closer to the next offseason and the 2021 NFL Draft, what big-name players could be moved this time around for high draft capital? There are already rumors circulating of some teams looking at a complete rebuild while others might just be ready to move on from a specific player. Whatever the reason, these names could be in a new home by the start of the 2021 season.