The NFL‘s Oct. 31 trade deadline is just around the corner. Teams have become far more aggressive in player acquisition in recent seasons, and the total number of pre-deadline trades only increases each year.
Which players could be on the move at the end of this month? Today, we’re examining trade candidates in the NFC East, where two teams are obvious contenders, and two clubs are pondering their future.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
NFC East Trade Candidates
Dallas Cowboys | EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.
The Dallas Cowboys are still contenders, even after getting dominated by the San Fan Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. As such, they probably won’t be trading away any of their primary contributors as the season rolls along.
But if Jerry Jones and Co. think they need more depth at a specific position — running back, offensive line, cornerback — they could conceivably deal from a place of strength.
MORE: Tracking Every NFL Injury Week 6
Pass rusher Dante Fowler Jr. could hit the trade market in that scenario. The Cowboys rank first in pass-rush win rate this season, and Fowler has executed when on the field. But he simply hasn’t received many chances.
Fowler has played just 93 snaps in 2023, fifth among Dallas edge rushers behind Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstong, and Sam Williams. DC Dan Quinn likes having waves of pass-rushing threats, but Fowler could theoretically become a trade piece if the Cowboys need help elsewhere.
New York Giants | S Xavier McKinney
The New York Giants are going nowhere fast. They’re already 1-4 and appear on track to lose another game when Tyrod Taylor replaces the injured Daniel Jones against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.
Big Blue has several interesting players who could attract other teams, but Xavier McKinney might be the most intriguing. The fourth-year safety won’t get an in-season extension from the Giants, so general manager Joe Schoen could think about trading McKinney before potentially losing him to free agency in the spring.
The Giants might be able to get a mid-round pick for McKinney, who is earning just $1.75 million. An acquiring team could offer him a new deal as part of a trade, but the 24-year-old could also make sense as a rental.
Philadelphia Eagles | RB Rashaad Penny
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the NFL’s two remaining winless teams, so they won’t be moving any of their key assets before the deadline. But Rashaad Penny, who hasn’t been able to work himself into Philadelphia’s backfield plans, could be on the move if other teams are searching for RB options.
Penny inked a one-year, $1.35 million deal to join Philadelphia this offseason, but he’s been a healthy scratch in three games, missed another with an illness, and received just four total touches. D’Andre Swift has taken over as the Eagles’ lead back, while Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott play complementary roles.
MORE: NFL Week 6 Power Rankings
Penny has typically been effective when healthy. He led the NFL with 6.3 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns in six 2021 starts, and he posted 6.1 yards per carry last season before suffering another injury.
If a team loses a running back in the coming weeks, Penny could likely be had for next to nothing.
Washington Commanders | EDGE Chase Young
Chase Young’s career has been interrupted by injuries, but the former No. 2 overall pick is finally delivering on his draft billing.
Through five weeks, Young is fourth in the NFL with 27 pressures. He has the same number of pressures as reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa despite rushing the passer 30 fewer times, per PFF.
Young is set to be a 2024 free agent after the Washington Commanders declined his fifth-year option. The Commanders have already heavily invested in defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, while Washington might prefer to extend fellow edge rusher Montez Sweat over Young.
Washington could probably get far more return in exchange for Young now than it could have over the summer, so good on the club for waiting and allowing Young to raise his stock. If the Commanders keep losing games and falling further behind the Eagles and Cowboys, don’t be surprised if Young is on the move.
