The NFL‘s Nov. 5 trade deadline is just around the corner, and we’ve already seen plenty of player movement. While the AFC’s arms race — featuring veteran wide receiver trades involving Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, and Diontae Johnson — has stolen the spotlight, teams have also bolstered depth at other positions.
Although the NFL may never achieve the trade deadline frenzy that occurs in the NBA or MLB, there has been a consistent uptick in swaps over the past decade-plus. Whether it’s due to younger general managers who are more comfortable with trades or because teams are more willing to take on salary (or dead money in the case of clubs trading players away), midseason deals are on the rise.
Who else could get moved at the 2024 NFL trade deadline? Let’s have some fun and predict 12 more deals that could go down.
Steelers Find WR Partner for George Pickens
- Steelers acquire: WR Jakobi Meyers
- Raiders acquire: 2025 fourth-round pick
The Pittsburgh Steelers were involved in ultimately unfruitful trade talks for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk earlier this year and are still searching for a pass catcher to complement George Pickens. Now that the Steelers are 6-2 and have a functioning passing attack with Russell Wilson under center, their need for another WR is even more apparent.
Jakobi Meyers should be on Pittsburgh’s radar heading into the deadline. The Las Vegas Raiders wideout’s prowess in the short and intermediate ranges of the field could be a perfect complement for Pickens’ downfield ability. Meyers has lined up in the slot on roughly 40% of his snaps this season but can also play on the perimeter.
Jakobi Meyers comes down with the TD!
📺: #KCvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/MjQhOBMC6M— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
Even better, Meyers wouldn’t be a one-year solution for the Steelers. They’d owe the 28-year-old a little over $3 million for the rest of the 2024 campaign, but they’d also have him under contract for $11 million in 2025.
General manager Omar Khan wouldn’t have to worry about signing a free agent pass catcher next offseason or trying to find another hit in the draft. Pittsburgh would already have its top two WR slots filled for roughly $13 million.
That’s why we’re projecting a 2025 fourth-round pick to go back to Las Vegas. Having already traded Adams, the Raiders might have to be convinced to give up Meyers. At the same time, Meyers’ affordable contract makes the price tag worth it for the Steelers.
Mr. Williams Goes to Washington
- Commanders acquire: WR Mike Williams, 2025 seventh-round pick
- Jets acquire: 2025 sixth-round pick
Mike Williams feels as good as gone. The New York Jets are trying to trade the veteran receiver, who no longer has a defined role after Gang Green acquired Adams to play alongside Garrett Wilson.
Williams, who tore his ACL while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, slowly worked his way into the Jets’ starting lineup this year. His defining moment for New York came in Week 6 when his incorrect route led to a game-ending Aaron Rodgers interception. Williams was active for the Jets in Week 8 but didn’t receive a target on 36 offensive naps.
Let’s send Williams to the Washington Commanders, who still need another option to pair with WR1 Terry McLaurin. Noah Brown stepped up to catch Jayden Daniels’ game-winning Hail Mary in Week 8, but he’s not the most exciting option as the club’s WR2. If Williams stays healthy, he can become a downfield winner for Daniels, who already throws one of the NFL’s most beautiful deep balls.
First-year Commanders GM Adam Peters knows that, despite his team’s 2024 success, Washington is not one player away from a championship — that’s why it’s hard to see him sacrificing Day 1 or 2 capital for midseason reinforcements.
A late-round pick swap for a player like Williams could make more sense. The Commanders can probably even convince the Jets to assume some of Williams’ remaining $3.7 million salary.
Cowboys Add Former First-Round RB
- Cowboys acquire: RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- Jaguars acquire: 2025 fifth-round pick
Few teams need a running back upgrade more than the Dallas Cowboys, who were forced to rely on an Ezekiel Elliott-Dalvin Cook tandem when regular starter Rico Dowdle was sidelined by an illness in Week 8.
Entering Week 9, the Cowboys rank 22nd in EPA per rush, 23rd in rushing success rate, and 32nd in yards per carry. They’re dead last in explosive runs — only 3.3% of their attempts have gone for 12+ yards. Conversely, 16.4% of their runs have gained zero or negative yardage, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL.
A myriad of factors beyond the identity of the running back determine whether a team’s rushing attack is productive, but Dallas needs another option in the backfield.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could be open to trading Travis Etienne Jr. as their 2024 campaign falls apart, and Jerry Jones might be intrigued by the idea of adding a former first-round pick. Etienne has missed the past two weeks with a hamstring injury, so he’d need to get healthy for this deal to work.
The Clemson product missed his 2021 rookie season with a Lisfranc injury but surpassed 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2022 and 2023. This year has been more of a struggle, as injuries and Jaguars RB2 Tank Bigsby’s breakout have tempered Etienne’s production.
Still, he’d represent a significant improvement over the Cowboys’ incumbent running backs. The Jaguars already exercised Etienne’s 2025 fifth-year option, so Dallas would have him under contract for $6.143 million next season.
Bears Trade Pending Free Agent RB
- Colts acquire: RB Khalil Herbert
- Bears acquire: 2025 seventh-round pick
The Chicago Bears don’t seem to have a use for running back Khalil Herbert. The pending free agent has fallen behind D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson on the club’s depth chart and has played fewer offensive snaps than Travis Homer in 2024.
Herbert, 26, remains underrated as a pure runner. The former sixth-round pick finished ninth in attempts per broken tackle (10.2) and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (2.1) in 2023, suggesting he can generate his own yardage.
The Indianapolis Colts struggled to run the ball while Jonathan Taylor was sidelined by a high-ankle sprain. From Weeks 5 through 7, Indy ranked 19th in EPA per rush and 24th in rising success rate with backups Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson leading the way.
Herbert would be an upgrade over those options, while his decisive running style would work behind the Colts’ excellent offensive line. Taylor has previously dealt with ankle injuries, so Indianapolis needs a viable insurance plan.
Bryce Young Lands in a New Home
- Rams acquire: QB Bryce Young
- Panthers acquire: 2026 fourth-round pick
There’s no arguing that Bryce Young has gotten off to one of the worst starts for a young quarterback in NFL history. But if anyone can fix the broken Carolina Panthers signal-caller, it might be Sean McVay.
The Los Angeles Rams will eventually need a successor for Matthew Stafford, who looks as good as ever in 2024 but will turn 37 years old in February. Young hasn’t come close to delivering on his No. 1 overall draft pick billing, but he’d theoretically get more time to process while working behind Stafford in L.A.
This was an excellent ball by Bryce Young to Jalen Coker. One thing that stands out to me here is that 9 is showing poise vs. pressure. Again, another thing that was missing from Weeks 1-2. pic.twitter.com/AJZlwtDy3u
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) October 28, 2024
Young’s affordable rookie deal also means the Rams would only be paying him backup quarterback money. Carolina would absorb Young’s prorated bonus earnings as dead money. Los Angeles would have Young under contract through 2026 for roughly $11 million.
Four unknown teams reportedly reached out regarding Young’s availability after Carolina benched him heading into Week 3. The Panthers have maintained they won’t trade Young, but teams who want a lottery-ticket quarterback could make attractive offers until the deadline. Carolina is trending toward drafting another QB early in next year’s draft, so they will likely move Young during the offseason if he’s not traded over the next week.
Vikings Try To Replace LT Christian Darrisaw
- Vikings acquire: OT Cam Robinson
- Jaguars acquire: 2026 fifth-round pick
Editor’s note: This trade actually happened on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The Vikings acquired Robinson and a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.
The Minnesota Vikings’ outstanding offensive line has helped propel the club to a 5-2 start, but the front-five continuity evaporated when left tackle Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL in Week 8.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell rolled with backup David Quessenberry for the rest of Thursday night’s loss, and Minnesota could have trouble finding a new blindside protector on the trade market. Only two offensive linemen have been traded over the past three deadlines, and one — Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the Jets in 2021 — was a pure salary dump.
The Jaguars’ Cam Robinson might be the best available option for the Vikings. He’s a pending free agent due roughly $9 million for the remainder of the season. Jacksonville is out of the playoff race at 2-6 and has potential left tackle replacements in Walker Little and Anton Harrison.
While Minnesota might have to restructure another veteran contract to fit Robinson on its books, he would make sense as a Darrisaw fill-in. If the Jags aren’t willing to move Robinson, the Cleveland Browns’ Jedrick Wills Jr. could be a last-gasp option for the Vikes.
49ers Bolster Pass-Rushing Plan
- 49ers acquire: EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
- Panthers acquire: 2025 fifth-round pick
Jadeveon Clowney seems to be getting better with age. He picked up new moves with Baltimore Ravens pass-rushing coach Chuck Smith in 2023 and has maintained a 13+% pressure rate with the Panthers this season.
Did we mention Clowney also ranks No. 1 among edge defenders in run-stop win rate?
Let’s send Clowney to the 49ers, where defensive line coach Kris Kocurek will determine how to keep getting the most out of the mercenary pass rusher. Nick Bosa ranks 10th among EDGEs with a 19.2% pass-rush-win rate, but he needs help. No other 49ers defensive end ranks among the NFL’s top 60 in PRWR.
Cap space isn’t an issue for San Francisco, but Clowney is only earning a league-minimum base salary. General manager John Lynch would also have Clowney under contract in 2025 for $11.8 million, $2 million of which is fully guaranteed.
Za’Darius Smith Joins an NFC Contender
- Falcons acquire: EDGE Za’Darius Smith
- Browns acquire: 2025 seventh-round pick, 2026 seventh-round pick
The Atlanta Falcons are in first place in the NFC South after taking down the Buccaneers in Week 8. Moreover, injuries to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans could make the Falcons even more likely to buy at this year’s trade deadline. With a clear path toward the NFC South title, general manager Terry Fontenot might try to add additional talent over the next two weeks.
Atlanta already bolstered its EDGE group when it acquired Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots in September. However, the Falcons rank dead last in the NFL with just six — yes, six! — sacks through eight games. The underlying metrics aren’t much better. When not blitzing, Atlanta ranks 28th in pressure rate (25.6%).
NFL Network recently reported that several teams have called on Cleveland pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, while ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he expects the 32-year-old to be traded before next week’s deadline.
"In my mind Diontae Johnson and Za'Darius Smith are gonna be traded before the deadline..
The Rams are only a game out in the NFC West and I don't expect them to move Cooper Kupp"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PhIPBmYAu2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2024
While Smith’s sack totals have fluctuated over the past few seasons, his pressure rate has mostly remained steady, sticking between 14% and 17% each season since 2022. He’d give Atlanta more juice off the edge instantaneously.
Smith is also under contract for just $4 million in 2025, so he could help the Falcons get after passers even after Judon hits free agency next offseason.
Lions Trade for EDGE Help Afer Losing Aidan Hutchinson
- Lions acquire: EDGE Arden Key
- Titans acquire: 2025 seventh-round pick
The Detroit Lions have one of the NFL’s best rosters, so much so that their only genuine need heading into the 2024 trade deadline was created by an unprecedented string of injuries.
Aidan Hutchinson, the league’s leading contender for Defensive Player of the Year honors, fractured his tibia and fibula in Detroit’s Week 6 win against the Cowboys.
Hutchinson was hurt while reaching 7.5 sacks, the most in the NFL at the time. Entering Week 6, he ranked first among edge defenders in pass-rush win rate (34%). Hutchinson had generated pressure on a league-league 23.6% of his pass rushes, nearly five percentage points better than second-place Micah Parsons and more than double the league-average rate.
Hutchinson isn’t the only Detroit edge rusher who’s suffered a severe injury this season. Marcus Davenport, whom the Lions inked to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million in March, went down with a season-ending triceps injury in Week 3.
No single player can replace Detroit’s lost EDGE production, but the Tennesee Titans’ Arden Key might be able to help. The 28-year-old has always been a valuable rotational rusher, posting at least 4.5 sacks each season from 2021 to 2023 while playing for three different teams. Key is a little light (240 pounds) for the Lions’ system, but he plays with a tenacity that Dan Campbell will enjoy.
Detroit would owe Key a little less than $1 million for the rest of the 2024 campaign. The Lions would also have him under contract in 2025 via a de facto $7 million option.
Texans Fortify Defensive Line Instead of WR
- Texans acquire: DT Calais Campbell, 2026 seventh-round pick
- Dolphins acquire: 2026 sixth-round pick
The Houston Texans might be interested in acquiring a wide receiver after losing Stefon Diggs to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8. But with Nico Collins returning from injured reserve shortly, and options like Tank Dell, Robert Woods, and John Metchie III already on the roster, Houston could target other positions at the deadline.
That might include defensive tackle, where the Texans could afford to add one more body to a group that includes Folorunso Fatukasi, Denico Autry, Tim Settle, and Mario Edwards Jr.; Settle injured his calf in Week 8, while Edwards is suspended until Week 11.
The 2-5 Miami Dolphins have no reason to hang onto 38-year-old Calais Campbell for the rest of this year, while Campbell would likely welcome a move to a contender.
He wouldn’t come to Houston simply to offer experience — Campbell is still good! He led the Falcons with 6.5 sacks in 2023 and is getting after quarterbacks at the same rate as Clowney this year. Campbell ranks 12th among DTs with 14 stops — tackles that result in negative EPA — in the run game.
Packers Bring in Veteran CB for Playoff Run
- Packers acquire: CB Jonathan Jones
- Patriots acquire: CB Eric Stokes, 2026 sixth-round pick
The Green Bay Packers remain a draft-and-develop organization, but they can afford to make at least one move before next week’s deadline.
General manager Brian Gutekunst’s most logical area for improvement is at the corner, where the Packers have benched former first-round pick Eric Stokes and shifted ex-slot CB Keisean Nixon to their boundary.
Nixon is best inside, so a perimeter cornerback could make sense for Green Bay. The Patriots have already traded pass rusher Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs and are reportedly willing to deal away more veterans. Could Jonathan Jones be an option for the Packers?
Jones is due nearly $5 million for the rest of the year, but Green Bay could partially defeat that cost by sending Stokes and his remaining $1.25 million salary to New England.
Ravens Make Another Deal After Grabbing Diontae Johnson
- Ravens acquire: S Jevon Holland
- Dolphins acquire: 2025 sixth-round pick
The Ravens struck Tuesday to acquire Diontae Johnson from the Panthers, but they might not be done adding before next week’s deadline. As The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec noted, Baltimore still has 11 selections in next year’s draft, assuming they receive four projected compensatory picks.
Let’s give John Harbaugh’s club some help on the defensive side of the ball, where the Ravens rank 27th in yards per pass (7.0) and 29th in EPA per dropback (0.13). Baltimore finally saw enough of safety Marcus Williams heading into Week 8, benching the veteran after he’d allowed a career-high 147.3 passer rating in coverage this season.
PFN’s Adam Beasley argued that Miami should blow up its roster if fall to 2-6, which would involve trading pending free agent safety Jevon Holland. He went out with a knee injury in Week 8, but if he’s healthy, Holland could take over as Baltimore’s new deep safety. While the Ravens still have offseason addition Eddie Jackson on the roster, Holland would represent a significant upgrade.