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 has increased each year.
Which players could be on the move at the end of this month? Today, we’re examining trade candidates in the NFC North, where the Lions’ early-season dominance could turn the division’s other three teams into sellers.
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 North Trade Candidates
Chicago Bears | CB Jaylon Johnson
Bears general manager Ryan Poles shipped off veterans Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn before last year’s trade deadline and already made another deal — moving malcontent WR Chase Claypool to the Miami Dolphins — this year. Chicago is now 1-5 and could be without Justin Fields (dislocated thumb) for multiple weeks, so it’s probably time for Poles to consider more moves.
Hoping to secure a Bears extension, cornerback Jaylon Johnson changed agents this summer, but the two sides haven’t yet agreed to a new deal. With Johnson heading toward 2024 free agency without a contract in hand, Chicago may prefer to trade him now rather than hope to receive a 2025 compensatory selection if he signs elsewhere.
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Johnson is clearly aware he could be dealt at the deadline, telling 670 The Score this week that he’s neither “obvious” nor “blind” to his status with the Bears.
Over the last two drafts, Chicago has added three cornerbacks: Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and Terell Smith. All have seen starting snaps during their career, and a Johnson trade would allow the Bears to move forward with a Gordon-Stevenson-Smith nickel package.
Detroit Lions | LB Malcolm Rodriguez
Malcolm Rodriguez was a sixth-round success story during his 2022 rookie campaign, and he became a Lions fan favorite following his appearance on last year’s edition of “Hard Knocks.” The Oklahoma State product played 57% of Detroit’s defensive snaps, finishing third on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss.
But the Lions’ linebacker depth chart changed over the offseason. Detroit re-signed Alex Anzalone, used a first-round pick on Jack Campbell, and saw former fourth-rounder Derrick Barnes develop into a starter during the summer.
Anzalone, Barnes, and Campbell have each played at least 180 snaps this year — Rodriguez has been on the field for just 57 plays. If the Lions want to bolster their receiving corps or defensive back depth before the deadline, they could conceivably dangle Rodriguez as a trade chip.
Green Bay Packers | EDGE Preston Smith
The Packers might not consider themselves sellers at the moment, but if they drop to 2-5 with consecutive losses before the deadline, they might be willing to trade a few veteran players.
Preston Smith will be 31 years old next month. He’s probably not a long-term fit for a Green Bay roster skewing toward younger contributors. Smith has struggled this season, but teams are always searching for pass rushers, and his league minimum salary could be attractive to clubs looking for a low-cost option.
Moving Smith would create more playing time for fellow Packers edge rushers Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare, who have played fewer than half of Green Bay’s snaps. Smith’s playtime rate sits around 65%.
Minnesota Vikings | EDGE Danielle Hunter
Kirk Cousins is not expected to waive his no-trade clause, so the veteran quarterback won’t become a trade candidate for the Vikings before the deadline. But Minnesota has other players who could entice other clubs.
Danielle Hunter has consistently been mentioned in trade rumors, with the most recent talks reportedly taking place in the spring. Instead, the Vikings adjusted Hunter’s pact again, giving the 28-year-old a one-year deal worth $17 million.
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Based on Hunter’s contract structure, an acquiring team would only be responsible for roughly $7 million after Week 7. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Hunter will have a “big market” if he’s made available, and an NFL executive told Fowler the Vikings might require a first-round pick in exchange.
Speculatively, the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Las Vegas Raiders could be among the teams hoping to make a splash EDGE acquisition.