Among the many fascinating parts of the NFL offseason is the inevitability that potential trades will routinely command a large spot in the news cycle.

For various reasons, a player may feel underpaid or misused and request a move. From the team’s perspective, a big contract on a rebuilding roster or an impending salary-cap crunch can be the impetus for a trade.

Either way, a handful of star defenders could be dangled in trade talks throughout the 2024 offseason.

The following choices are subjective and not necessarily an indication that a player would like a trade. However, they all could be viewed as a major upgrade for the acquiring team—one that, on paper, is likely a playoff contender in 2024 and preferably beyond.

Trade offer: DeForest Buckner for 2024 second-round pick (No. 49)

Since the Indianapolis Colts have plenty of cap space, they certainly don’t need to trade DeForest Buckner. He’s been a consistent top performer during his four seasons in Indy.

Buckner is, however, entering the final year of his contract.

If the Colts are leaning toward not extending the defensive tackle, they should entertain the idea of maximizing a return for him. Buckner would be worth at least a Day 2 selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and the Cincinnati Bengals—aggressive as it would be—can afford that.

Now, to be clear, this is a highly unlikely trade. But it sure would be a massive, much-needed upgrade for Cincinnati.

Last season, the Bengals yielded an NFL-worst 6.0 yards per play and an ugly 4.7 yards per carry. They already lack depth on the interior of the defensive line, and top starter DJ Reader is about to hit free agency.

Bringing in a player of Buckner’s caliber could quickly turn around a defense that was a strength for Cincy in 2022.

Trade offer: Haason Reddick and 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 188) for 2024 second-round pick (No. 59) and 2024 fourth-round pick (No. 127)

Jon Greenard as a free agent or Haason Reddick in a trade?

That’s one version of a big offseason question for the Houston Texans, who benefited from Greenard’s breakout campaign in 2023. He’d notched 10.5 sacks in three previous years before racking up 12.5 last season.

Greenard will turn 26 this offseason, but he’s set to command a hefty raise, and we’ve seen one-year wonders before. Reddick, who will be 30 in September, is theoretically on the wrong end of his prime but boasts four straight years of 11-plus sacks. He’s every bit a proven edge-rusher.

Thanks to C.J. Stroud’s low-cost rookie deal, the Texans have a massive win-now opportunity. Reddick fits the billing.

Houston has both the draft capital and space to land and absorb a new contract for Reddick, especially since the year remaining on his contract offers additional cap flexibility via an extension. Pairing him with rising star Will Anderson Jr. is an enticing thought, to say the least.

Trade offer: Jonathan Allen for 2024 second-round pick (No. 41) and 2024 fifth-round pick (No. 168)

Are the Washington Commanders going to embrace an even larger teardown? And exactly how discontented is Jonathan Allen?

Those answers will shape the reality of this hypothetical.

Nevertheless, both questions are fair to ask. Washington dealt edge-rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young near the 2023 trade deadline, and Allen’s frustration hit a breaking point with an understandable midseason rant after an ugly loss to the hapless New York Giants. He recently said he doesn’t want to be part of another rebuild, either.

All of that context may lead to Washington dangling Allen in a trade, and the Green Bay Packers should quickly pick up the phone.

Despite the team’s surprise playoff bid, Green Bay’s defensive line lacked bite for much of 2023. Four different teams rushed for 200-plus yards on the Packers, which is just miserable.

Flipping a second-round pick for Allen—an immediate, unquestioned upgrade—would be a sensible move rather than hoping a Day 2 pick quickly pans out. Green Bay has quarterback Jordan Love in a low-cost contract and can open the needed cap space for Allen by moving on from oft-injured lineman David Bahktiari.

Trade offer: Patrick Surtain II for 2024 first-round pick (No. 29), 2025 first-round pick and 2025 fourth-round pick

You want a blockbuster? This would qualify.

If he’s not already the NFL’s best cornerback, Patrick Surtain II isn’t far removed from that label. A first-team AP All-Pro selection in 2022, he’s easily the most talented player on the Denver Broncos.

Given that reality, the idea of trading him might seem ridiculous. But as Denver leans into a rebuild, its financial situation is miserable—and that’s before the looming departure of quarterback Russell Wilson wrecks the books even further in 2024.

Look, the Broncos should not be eager to trade Surtain. They also could receive a massive haul in return from the Detroit Lions, who enjoyed a stellar year despite a real issue at corner.

Detroit ranked 31st in yards allowed per pass attempt and yielded 28 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions.

Surtain would probably cost no less than two first-round picks. But if the Lions are ready to chase a Super Bowl, he’d be a championship-worthy splash at their largest position of need.

Trade offer: Khalil Mack for 2024 third-round pick (No. 100)

Despite the overall youth on the Los Angeles Rams, they notched 10 wins and made the playoffs. The defense was basically average, but that was quite a bit better than expected.

The immediate impacts of rookie pass-rushers Byron Young and Kobie Turner—they posted nine and eight sacks, respectively—played a key role in L.A.’s surprise ascent. But the Rams didn’t have a whole lot of edge-rushing depth behind Young and Michael Hoecht.

Khalil Mack could provide that solution.

Besides, at this point, he’s a luxury for a cash-strapped Los Angeles Chargers team needing a facelift to begin Jim Harbaugh’s tenure. Mack has an expiring deal but costs nearly $40 million against the cap in 2024.

Mack’s contract means the compensation would be lessened, but the L.A. franchises would be quality trade partners.