The NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and the hours leading up to it promise plenty of anticipation and potentially landscape-shifting moves. This season has already been hectic: the Bears acquired defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Titans, the Seahawks landed guard Quenton Nelson from the Colts, and the 49ers picked up defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, also from Indianapolis. That is a combined 15 Pro Bowl selections changing teams, and the list grows when counting deals for Jacoby Brissett, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Joey Porter Jr. Last year, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were both traded on deadline day, a reminder of how wild the final hours can get.
Among the buyers, the Kansas City Chiefs sit at 5-2 and could target a wide receiver, offensive line help or a cornerback. Patrick Mahomes has not completed a pass 20 or more yards downfield since Week 4, when Tyquan Thornton was injured, and Kansas City's receiving group has been among the least productive units in the league. Former first-round pick Xavier Worthy has struggled to produce, and Rashee Rice has functioned more as a quick-game, yards-after-catch option.
The Minnesota Vikings could shape how chaotic this deadline becomes. Carson Wentz will start on Monday night with Kyler Murray sidelined by a hamstring injury, and Murray has struggled even when healthy. Minnesota has leaned on its defense during a 6-1 start and could pursue a new quarterback, though availability and price remain open questions. Adding a running back is another option given one of the league's weakest ground attacks. The New York Giants, a surprise 5-2-1 NFC East leader despite starting three quarterbacks, are eyeing running back and defensive line help. Cam Skattebo missed Week 9 with a hamstring injury and Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on injured reserve, and coach John Harbaugh has spoken about the value of a bell-cow back.
The 6-1 Buffalo Bills could use defensive reinforcements across the board, particularly at safety, a need for several years, and at cornerback, where options beyond Christian Benford have been inconsistent. The Jacksonville Jaguars, 6-2 and winners of five of six, have a fearless general manager in James Gladstone and were reportedly seeking defensive tackle help even before DaVon Hamilton's season-ending injury; tackle depth is also a concern after Anton Harrison's season-ending injury. The 7-1 San Francisco 49ers, already fortified by Buckner, could add more after key rookie defensive lineman Gracen Halton suffered a season-ending broken ankle Sunday, with the receiver room also ravaged by injuries.
On the selling side, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is the headlining name of this deadline. The three-time Pro Bowler remains an elite rusher with a terrific nose for the end zone; he led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns last year, though Indianapolis' abysmal offensive environment has limited him this season. Teammates Josh Downs, who has requested a trade, Grover Stewart, in the final year of his deal, and Keenan Allen could also be available.
The winless Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly made clear they have no plans to trade quarterback Justin Herbert, or anyone else, but edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, in the final year of his rookie contract, would attract suitors, and 35-year-old Khalil Mack is on a one-year deal. The Philadelphia Eagles, for whom nearly everything has gone wrong, could move cornerback Riq Woolen and defensive lineman Moro Ojomo after already trading Cam Jurgens. The Arizona Cardinals, who have already dealt Harrison, offer safety Budda Baker, edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Roy Lopez.
Several teams could go either way. The 4-5 Dallas Cowboys have already added Porter but still struggle on defense, and injured receiver George Pickens, playing on the franchise tag, looms as a fascinating question under Jerry Jones. The Cincinnati Bengals, who traded the No. 10 overall pick for Dexter Lawrence, must decide whether to push in further behind Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The New England Patriots need help at running back, offensive line, receiver and edge as Drake Maye plays behind a patched-up line, with TreVeyon Henderson ill and Rhamondre Stevenson hurt Sunday. The 2-5-1 Washington Commanders look like sellers with candidates including Stefon Diggs, K'Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong and Andrew Wylie, though the injury-crushed supporting cast around Jayden Daniels complicates the picture.
Five more names are worth monitoring: Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, Jets quarterback Geno Smith, Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr., Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler, and Titans safety Amani Hooker, who has five interceptions this season, including three off Burrow in Week 8.
