10 veteran moves we want to see after 2026 NFL Draft

The heavy lifting is complete, but that won't stop NFL teams from sniffing around talent well into the summer.

In fact, with the 2026 draft now in the books, and some notable organizations still facing glaring roster needs, it's reasonable to expect a mini rush of transactions ahead of OTAs.

Here are 10 ideas to find new homes for potential trade candidates and some of the top remaining free agents.

A.J. Brown ➡️ Patriots

This one seems borderline inevitable. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported before the draft that Brown is likely to be dealt to the Patriots after June 1, when his contract becomes easier to trade. The Eagles spending a first-round pick on USC wideout Makai Lemon and then using their second-round selection on Eli Stowers, whom many project as a tight end-receiver hybrid, supports that expectation.

Still, a deal isn't done until it's done. New England would be wise to stay aggressive here, ensuring that another contender, such as the Rams, doesn't swoop in to steal Brown away. The 28-year-old still has much more to offer than it seemed at times during a frustrating 2025 campaign. Reuniting with Mike Vrabel and stepping in as Drake Maye's No. 1 receiver could help him get back to the Pro Bowl production he enjoyed upon first landing in Philly.

Brandon Aiyuk ➡️ Commanders

It seems like it's only a matter of time before Aiyuk ends up with the Commanders. The 49ers have been holding out hope for a trade, delaying the receiver's release despite having voided his guarantees last season, but there's no reason to think another team will bite if they haven't already.

This probably shouldn't be viewed as a home-run move to upgrade Washington's cast of playmakers, as we haven't seen Aiyuk on the field since he went down with a major knee injury in October 2024. But considering his likely modest price tag once he becomes a free agent, the former Pro Bowler is certainly worth a gamble. Aiyuk knows Jayden Daniels from their days together at Arizona State, and his route-running skills would fit nicely alongside Terry McLaurin and third-round rookie Antonio Williams. For better or worse, there may be nothing general manager Adam Peters loves more than signing former 49ers.

Jauan Jennings ➡️ Raiders

Efforts to set the foundation for a proper rebuild under new head coach Klint Kubiak are off to a promising start. The Raiders were among the most active teams in free agency, and they followed up their spending spree with an excellent rookie class headlined by a potential franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza. My only issue with the impressive draft haul is that it didn't include a significant investment at receiver.

Perhaps the need at the position has become a little overstated; superstar tight end Brock Bowers should operate as the No. 1 target regardless. But Las Vegas' group of pass-catchers remains too thin to properly support the development of a young quarterback. Jennings, who's still unsigned after seemingly being unable to find the free-agent market he expected, would be an answer to that problem. Kubiak worked with the former 49ers wideout in San Francisco, so he should be well aware of the value Jennings can provide in terms of inside-out versatility, contested-catch prowess, and run blocking.

Kayvon Thibodeaux ➡️ Seahawks

Arvell Reese, selected by New York with the No. 5 overall pick, may well start his career as an off-ball linebacker, but the Giants likely won't be able to resist taking advantage of his pass-rush upside off the edge. And with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter already leading the way in that spot, there's probably no sense in having Thibodeaux play out his fifth season only to walk as a free agent next March.

The Seahawks should be at the front of the line among teams looking to capitalize on the availability of the former first-round edge rusher. After opting to prioritize needs at running back (Jadarian Price) and safety (Bud Clark) in the first two rounds of the draft, Seattle curiously didn't make a single addition to its pass-rush group during the event. Thibodeaux could replace what the team's rotation lost with the departure of Boye Mafe in free agency, and it may not cost the Seahawks much more than a mid-round pick.

Kenny Moore ➡️ Bengals

Moore is seemingly on the way out of Indy after nine seasons, as he and the organization have reportedly agreed to seek a trade. It remains to be seen whether another team would be willing to part with draft compensation to pick up a $9.5 million salary for a cornerback who turns 31 in August. With that in mind, a release might be the most likely outcome.

But Moore can still be an impact player in the nickel. The Bengals, who finally took significant steps toward upgrading their defense, headlined by a blockbuster deal for Dexter Lawrence, should be all over this opportunity. Moore slotting in alongside DJ Turner and Dax Hill would be an excellent way to round out the cornerback room.

Bobby Wagner ➡️ Bengals

The Bengals starting their draft by spending a second-round pick on Cashius Howell makes sense. His contributions in the run game might be limited, but the Texas A&M product should provide instant impact when it comes to getting after the quarterback off the edge. From there, I was really hoping that Cincinnati would address its glaring need at linebacker. Unfortunately, the team made no such move.

I don't want to get too carried away with expectations of additional spending from this notoriously conservative front office. But if the Bengals stay aggressive in filling a few more holes, such as adding a solid nickel corner and a veteran linebacker, the defense can be a suitable complement to their star-studded offense. Wagner remains a steady force in the run game heading into his age-36 season. He and Lawrence would be monumental upgrades for a unit that finished the 2025 campaign with bottom-four outputs in EPA/rush and rush success rate, according to TruMedia.

DJ Reader ➡️ Giants

The Lawrence trade leaves the Giants with a significant void to fill in the middle of their defense. Moving a veteran defensive tackle for the No. 10 overall pick brought undeniably great value, but a next-man-up strategy won't suffice in replacing one of the league's most unique talents on the inside. John Harbaugh, fresh off an 18-year run in Baltimore, would never stand for his team fielding a bad run defense.

The Giants passing on top interior linemen over the first two days of the draft is probably a sign that they've got something in the works with the best veteran available. Reader has long been one of the NFL's premier run-stuffing nose tackles. His ability to clog up the middle on early downs would go a long way toward creating more favorable situations for Carter, Burns, and Reese to get after the quarterback.

Keenan Allen ➡️ Falcons

The Falcons made a meaningful investment at receiver during draft weekend, adding an electric playmaker in Zachariah Branch with their third-round pick. Considering his usage at Georgia, though - often limited to screen plays and other gadget-receiver duties - Atlanta could probably use another reliable possession target to round out what is still an underwhelming group.

Allen fits that description. The 34-year-old proved last season that veteran savvy can go a long way toward extending a receiver's career. Upon reuniting with the Chargers in 2025 after one disappointing season in Chicago, Allen recorded 777 yards and four touchdowns on a team-high 81 receptions. That kind of production, unspectacular as it may be, could make him the perfect short-term option to complement Drake London.

Tyreek Hill ➡️ Chiefs

I'm no doctor, so I couldn't tell you whether Hill has a chance of playing next season. After dislocating his knee and suffering multiple torn ligaments in a gruesome injury in September, the 32-year-old is bound to be in for a long recovery. But let's assume he's able to continue his pro career. A reunion feels like the perfect move for all parties here.

As much as I love the draft class assembled by the Chiefs, who used early picks to shore up their defensive line and secondary, their lack of investment at receiver is a little jarring. There's no world where this team, which has regularly been let down by its receiving corps, can afford to run it back and hope for the best. Signing Hill at this stage is obviously a gamble, but it wouldn't cost much. Despite no longer being the player he was during his six-year stint in Kansas City, Hill is plenty familiar with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, which could make him an important addition to what's been an uninspiring group of pass-catchers since he left in 2022.

Brian Thomas Jr. ➡️ Rams

I was not a fan of the Ty Simpson pick. Even if you can accept the value of the draft capital spent to plan for the future, there's a much stronger argument to be made for using the No. 13 overall pick to add a difference-maker who can maximize a Super Bowl contender right now. What if the Rams have their sights set on doing both?

Jaguars fans are probably tired of the Brian Thomas Jr. talk at this point, but there was likely a reason that his name was attached to trade rumors in the first place. The current staff didn't arrive until after his impressive rookie campaign, and the encore performance was a major disappointment. With Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington at receiver, and Travis Hunter still firmly in the mix as a two-way player, could Los Angeles dangling a first-round pick in the loaded 2027 draft entice Jacksonville to move on? Thomas would serve as a true field-stretcher alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, making the Rams' offense even more of a nightmare to defend.

Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.