Madden NFL 23, the NFL's only officially licensed simulation video game, has worked toward building up its franchise mode. The last few entries in the series have focused on answering fan feedback in terms of what the community felt was missing from the premier single-player mode.
Though franchise mode still has many flaws and holes, it's in better shape than it has been in a good amount of time. Those diving into Madden 23's iteration will look to build a contender, whether through free agency, the NFL trade, or cleverly working out how to trade for players. It's good to know which possibly acquirable players are worth negotiating a trade for.
Updated January 18, 2023 by Jerrad Wyche: Trades in the NFL happen annually, with some being predictable while others seemingly come out of nowhere. Every roster can get better, so good owners in real life and in Madden 23 should do their best to always look to acquire talent that will elevate the overall talent pool of a team.
Players get traded for a variety of reasons and for a ranging amount of assets. As the old saying goes one man's trash is another's treasure, there could be stars in the making sitting behind Hall of Fame players that could use a change of scenery or simply an opportunity to showcase what they're capable of.
12 Jonnu Smith, TE (Patriots)
It's become very clear by this point that the New England Patriots partially reached free agency the year they signed both Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry to play tight end for them. Since that point, Henry has seen a majority of the work at the position and there are weeks where it feels like Smith is rarely even on the field.
When building a stable and reliable offense it's good to have a mix of tight ends with different skill sets. Smith fits into a place where he can split out and run routes from the slot, giving the player a bigger option in the slot that can convert short yardage gains and provide mismatches depending on what defensive lineup an opponent comes out in.
11 Jordan Love, QB (Packers)
There were a few weeks during the 2022 season when it was unclear what the rest of the Green Bay Packers season was going to look like. Was aging veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in their long-term plans or did it make sense to finally give Jordan Love a crack at starting for that roster?
Those issues were resolved and it's very clear Rodgers has at least a few more good years left in the tank. This means that Love is a viable trade target for teams looking to infuse new talent at the most important position in professional sports. In the worst-case scenario, he can function as a suitable bridge player until a better option comes around in a Madden 23 franchise rebuild.
10 Elijah Moore, WR (Jets)
Is Zach Wilson going to be a New York Jet in 2023? The team has stated they have no plans of removing him from the roster, but his teammates are clearly over the BYU product. Elijah Moore is a part of a receiving core that now includes Garrett Wilson, a rookie that's flashed superstar potential in his first season.
It's clear the offense has a hard enough time scoring points, let alone feeding all of their talented skill position players. Teams like the Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, or any other roster lacking deep receiving talent would find it in their best interest to kick the tires on what it would take to send the former Ole Miss player out of New York and onto a team that could hopefully maximize his talents in Madden 23.
9 Jamaal Williams, RB (Lions)
Any Detroit Lions fan with a pulse will say that they'd love nothing more than for Jamaal Williams to spend the rest of his career in the Motor City. He has an infectious and charismatic personality off the field, but he also happens to be the most effective and consistent runner the organization has had in years. Williams brings a special energy that helps uplift the team and keep them engaged in the game.
The 2023 NFL running back free agent class is loaded with names, so being able to trade for a guy like Williams and hopefully extending him for a fair price could help alleviate the pressure of trying to find depth at the position in a year where the market for the position might be hectic.
8 Tony Pollard, RB (Cowboys)
Now, it's hard to say if the Dallas Cowboys would be willing to move on from Tony Pollard, but it's worth a shot. This running back has shown flashes of brilliance in the brief instances where he spells starting running back Ezekiel Elliott. The two are a solid tandem, but there are plenty of people around the NFL that feel Pollard could start for other teams.
Detractors of Elliott also believe that Pollard deserves a fair share of the starting role based on his outstanding production and efficiency. Anyone looking for talent at the running back position shouldn't be afraid to kick the tires on Pollard.
7 Darius Slayton, WR (Giants)
The New York Giants are home to one of the weirdest wide receiver rooms in the NFL, and it seems like Darius Slayton is the odd man looking in. Despite not being overly productive, Slayton has managed to prove his worth as a rotation guy at the position and is capable of solid games.
Teams like the Chicago Bears need an injection of competition and talent in their receiving rooms and it's unlikely the Giants would ask for much in return. Heck, he could be available in free agency if the team cuts him as players approach the first week of the regular season in their franchise mode.
6 Tyler Huntley, QB (Ravens)
Being dynamic at the quarterback position is something that's grown to be essential, despite being considered a risky bet a decade ago. Sure, the Baltimore Ravens love having a promising athlete similar to that of Lamar Jackson as their backup quarterback, but Tyler Huntley could be super fun to use in Madden 23.
Teams like the Seattle Seahawks or the Detroit Lions don't necessarily have "a guy" at quarterback, or a young rookie waiting in the wings. Trading for Huntley in franchise mode may be nothing more than a bridge quarterback solution, but that bridge could be really entertaining in terms of what he provides as a pure athlete behind center.
5 Rhamondre Stevenson, RB (Patriots)
In real life, the rumblings around the league are that the New England Patriots are willing to move on from running back Damien Harris. In the world of Madden 23, though, Harris is the highest-overall running back on the roster and the Patriots would be unlikely to move on from him.
Rhamondre Stevenson on the other hand is a complete running back that could likely be taken if the trade partner could provide some talent to the Patriots' receiving corps, offensive line, or defensive front seven. Then again, the Patriots could be the Patriots and Damien Harris could very well be the easier backfield member to get via trade.
4 Chase Claypool, WR (Bears)
Two things are true in the NFL, Tom Brady will never retire and the Pittsburgh Steelers know how to draft wide receivers. They're a team that continuously finds talent at the position and can move on from guys with the confidence of knowing they can find an applicable replacement. Rookie wideout George Pickens has showcased his talents during the 2022 NFL preseason, meaning that he could line up across from number one receiver Diontae Johnson on Sundays. This left Chase Claypool in an interesting position. His size and athleticism make him a rarer talent and he's proven he can produce, and the Chicago Bears traded for said talent during the 2022 season.
The big knock against him has been his health, but that's a risk worth taking. Steelers fans and critics alike know how bad the offensive line situation was, and it didn't get much better for him going to Chicago. It's not unthinkable to believe that's the area to offer when trying to land Claypool in a trade.
3 Tyler Lockett, WR (Seahawks)
With Russell Wilson now calling the shots as a member of the Denver Broncos, the Seattle Seahawks are left with a pair of talented wideouts who must now catch passes from either Geno Smith or Drew Lock. With DK Metcalf recently signing an extension and being in the prime of his career, it's unlikely anything short of a record-setting haul would have him leaving Seattle.
Tyler Lockett on the other hand is an aging deep ball threat who could fetch a decent amount of value on the trade market. Seattle's trade partner would get a leader and consistent producer, and Seattle would add more assets to a war chest they're looking to spend on a competitive rebuild of the team.
2 Javon Hargrave, DT (Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted uber-talented defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the 2022 NFL Draft. He enters a team that's already home to two of the league's best at the position. Those players in question are decorated veteran Fletcher Cox and underrated upstart Javon Hargrave.
The interior defensive line isn't an area most players look to invest in, but the best teams know that games are won in the trenches. Hargrave can defend the run and comes packed with the explosiveness to also rush the quarterback in between the tackles. The overall rating of Cox and the youth of Davis make them practically unmovable, but Hargrave is someone that can be pried away from the Eagles.
1 Kareem Hunt, RB (Browns)
Reports have recently stated that Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is seeking an extension with the team. He's gone as far as "holding in" in an attempt to protect himself and tell the organization he doesn't want to play for the money he feels he's worth more than. Who knows how this unfolds in real life, but he can be a difference-maker in Madden 23. His mix of pure running ability and the threat he provides as a receiver make him a true every-down back.
Both contenders and rebuilding teams would welcome his services and thanks to the Browns having a mass of talent at the position, a trade for Hunt wouldn't be as impossible as it seemed a few seasons ago.
Madden NFL 23 is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.