Ranking the 5 worst NFL trades of 2023 feat. Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys

The offseason prior to the 2023 NFL season was one of the craziest in league history, with some historic trades taking place.

The likes of Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Rodgers and D.J. Moore moved to new teams prior to the season. Both Ramsey and Rodgers battled injuries during 2023, whilst Moore was fantastic with the Bears, possibly making the Carolina Panthers regret trading him in the first place.

However, for all the potential success a trade can make, there's just as much chance the deal can be a bad one for both player and team.

Ranking the 5 worst NFL trades of 2023

#5 - Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers

Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers v Kansas City Chiefs

The 49ers gave up a third-round pick to the Washington Commanders for DE Chase Young, and many thought this was a steal if he could stay healthy.

However, after only joining the team in November, Young played just nine games for SF, starting none and only amassed 2.5 sacks before being released at the end of the season. Giving up great draft capital for that return had to hurt the 49ers.

#4 - Za'Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans (Imagn)

The Browns were in the market for an edge rusher to pair with superstar Myles Garrett during the 2023 offseason, so when they acquired Vikings DE Za'Darius Smith some believed he could help unlock the defense's potential.

In reality, Smith was an expensive cap hit with little production, totalling just 5.5 sacks throughout 2023. However, the Browns must have liked what they saw from Smith as they signed him to a two-year, $23m contract this offseason.

#3 - Allen Robinson to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Syndication: The Enquirer (Imagn)

Despite the low trade value - swapping seventh-round picks with the Rams - the Steelers' acquisition of Allen Robinson didn't work out for either party.

Robinson played and started all 17 games in 2023 (the most in his career) but could only amass 34 receptions for 280 yards and zero touchdowns. Having seen a dramatic decline in form since his days with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, the 30-year-old Robinson is now with the New York Giants and it may be his last chance to succeed at an NFL team.

#2 - Trey Lance to the Dallas Cowboys

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers (Imagn)

The former number three overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trey Lance found opportunities hard to come by with the San Francisco 49ers. Stuck behind Jimmy Garoppolo and then Brock Purdy in the pecking order, Lance was sent to the Dallas Cowboys prior to the 2023 season.

However, he was named the third-string quarterback heading into the year and was a healthy scratch all season. They've already declined his fifth-year option making him a free agent after this season and many would argue the Cowboys threw away decent draft capital for no return.

#1 - Darren Waller to the New York Giants

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (Imagn)

A few years removed from his back-to-back 1,000 seasons in 2020 and 2021, the Giants traded a compensatory third-round pick to acquire TE Darren Waller during the 2023 offseason.

However, for the third season running, Waller was unable to stay healthy, playing in just 12 games and totalling only 552 yards and one touchdown. Despite being made the highest-paid tight end in the league at the time back in 2022, Waller announced his retirement from the NFL in June 2024.