FOX Sports Digital
It's not often that you get two blockbuster NFL trades in June, but that's what Monday brought us — and it still seems likely that there are some more moves to come. A.J. Brown was widely viewed as the top trade candidate available following free agency, with the Philadelphia Eagles trading him to the New England Patriots on Monday. However, that deal was usurped by the Los Angeles Rams' acquisition of two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who didn't seem to be available prior to Monday's deal. So, with those two stars finding new homes this week, who are the top names still available? We're offering up five names, and none of them are nearly the caliber of Garrett or Brown. The NFL trade market was hurt by Wednesday's news that the Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat won't get moved, too. Still, these five players could provide some value to their new potential homes, even if they're traded for just a mid-to-late-round draft pick years from now. But now is the time to be aggressive, to address a concern before it's glaring in September and get a new player in the building in time to learn his team and scheme ahead of training camp. Here are the five best remaining trade candidates, and picking the top potential landing spot for each: Kayvon Thibodeaux is only 25 and playing this year on his fifth-year option, making $14.8 million. But the New York Giants are loaded at edge rusher, with Brian Burns and second-year star Abdul Carter already getting the majority of the snaps last season. Throw in rookie Arvell Reese into the mix as well, as he'll likely have some pass-rush usage, even if he's primarily a linebacker. Thibodeaux has missed 12 games over the last two seasons, totaling only eight sacks (including 2.5 last year), but a team needing help at edge would be hoping to get the player who had 11.5 sacks in 2023. His salary is a lot for a rotational edge rusher, so unless they really want expensive protection against injury, a trade makes a lot of sense for the Giants. POTENTIAL LANDING SPOT: New England Patriots, where former Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is now a defensive analyst. Can the San Francisco 49ers find a taker for Brandon Aiyuk? The 28-year-old hasn't played since injuring his knee in October 2024, and the 49ers were able to get his 2026 guarantees voided, but he still has injury concerns and a massive contract. San Francisco has the same dead money against their cap if it cuts him or trades him — $33 million, split over this year and next. He wants to go to the Washington Commanders, reuniting with his former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. But even giving up a future seventh-rounder for Aiyuk means committing to paying him $26 million this year, and he wouldn't command that as a free agent, so the Commanders might be content to wait the 49ers out until...
