NFL trade deadline: Top players at every position who could be dealt, including Justin Fields and Miles Sanders

The NFL trade deadline is right around the corner and there’s usually more talk than action at this time of year. However, that wasn’t true last year. The Washington Commanders traded away their two star pass rushers, the Minnesota Vikings added a replacement for Kirk Cousins ​​in Joshua Dobbs, and the Seattle Seahawks added Leonard Williams.

The October trade market was already red-hot, with Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and Cam Akers already dealt to new teams. There are plenty of other big names that could be traded in the coming weeks. Some are looking for a change of scenery, while other players are in the final year of their contracts and will not be re-signed by their current organization. Where will Haason Reddick end up? Could former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young be on the move?

Below, we’ll break down the top three players at each position that could be moved before the November 5th deadline. It’s important to note that including a player on this list is not a guarantee that his team will want to move him. There is speculation here about possible sensible steps.

QB

1. Justin Fields
2. Gardner Minshew
3. Bryce Young

Could Fields be traded again? Perhaps. I would be a little upset if I led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-2 record while completing a career-best 66.3% of my passes and totaling 10 touchdowns compared to one interception. Minshew could also be moved after coming on for Aidan O’Connell. He’s a borderline starter who didn’t have the best situation in Vegas. Then there’s Young. I have a hard time believing the Carolina Panthers will trade him after mortgaging the future of the franchise for the former Alabama star. But it is possible. It would probably be beneficial for him.

RB

1. Miles Sanders
2. Khalil Herbert
3. Alexander Mattison

Chuba Hubbard is the No. 1 prospect in Carolina and Jonathon Brooks is about to make his NFL debut. If you’re looking for a running back to trade, Sanders could be at the top of the list of targets. Herbert has only received eight appearances this season and would be better off playing for another team. In two of his three full NFL seasons, he posted more than 740 yards from scrimmage. Then there’s Mattison. The Las Vegas Raiders could trade him away and move forward with Zamir White in the backfield.

WR

1. T-shirt Higgins
2. DeAndre Hopkins
3. Diontae Johnson

The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to get out of a 2-4 hole, and Higgins will be a key part of that. In the last two games, he has caught 16 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns. I don’t think it’s “likely” that the Bengals part ways with Higgins, but what if they lose a few in the next few games and a team approaches Cincinnati with decent compensation and a new contract for Higgins?

Hopkins is a WR1 who could be on the move. The Tennessee Titans are one of the worst teams in the NFL and Hop’s contract is expiring. However, he is suffering from a torn MCL, which could impact his trade value. A few weeks ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke as if this would be Johnson’s only season in Carolina, as he is set to hit free agency this offseason. As the Panthers continue to lose by double digits, he could be on the rise. Interested, Patrick Mahomes?

TE

1. Daniel Bellinger
2. Harrison Bryant
3. Austin Hooper

Bellinger hasn’t recorded a reception since Week 3 as the New York Giants have clearly turned their attention to rookie Theo Johnson. This is a young tight end who could attract some trade interest. Bryant signed a one-year deal with the Raiders this offseason, but Brock Bowers is headlining the TE room in Sin City. Could a team be interested in trading for the former unanimous All-America tight end who won the John Mackey Award in 2019? Hooper is a versatile, experienced tight end who hasn’t given up more than two balls in a game this year. He could also be available for a late election.

OT

1. Cam Robinson
2. Walker Little
3. Andrus Peat

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already dealt Roy Robertson-Harris, and they may not be done yet. I wonder if one of their tackles could be swapped for Robinson or Little. Both players are in the final years of their contracts. Personally, I think it would be wise for a team to pick up the phone and ask how much it would cost to move Little. Peat is a reserve lineman on a one-year deal in Las Vegas and his versatility could stand out for an offensive line-needy team.

OG

1. Nate Davis
2. Daniel Brunskill
3. Will clap

Davis, who signed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears last offseason, was a completely inactive player last week. The Bears would certainly listen to offers from the veteran guard, who has 67 starts to his name. Brunskill is an interesting case. He was demoted from his starting role with the Titans this offseason and has played just 24 offensive snaps in 2024. Brunskill has played all five positions along the offensive line in his career. Clapp is a backup guard for the Buffalo Bills. He started 21 of 65 career games for the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers.

DL

1. DJ Jones
2. Adam Butler
3. Quinton Jefferson

Jones is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with Denver in 2022. He has recorded two sacks each of the last two years. Jones is expected to turn 30 in January and could attract trade interest. Butler is another veteran defensive lineman in the final year of his contract who could contribute to a team that needs some depth at interior defense. Jefferson is a veteran backup defensive lineman in the Cleveland Browns’ deep unit. In five games this season, he has recorded six combined tackles and one sack.

EDGE

1. Haason Reddick
2. Josh Uche
3. Za’Darius Smith

Reddick is still in the middle of his long resistance, but now he has Drew Rosenhaus on his side trying to broker a deal. The Detroit Lions would be a perfect fit, but keep in mind that Reddick is also looking for a new contract. The New England Patriots could look to release players in the final year of their contracts, and that includes Uche, who recorded 11.5 sacks in 2022. The Browns’ Smith is someone who could also catch the attention of prospects looking for help in pass rush.

L.B

1. EJ speed
2. Devin Lloyd
3. Jamin Davis

The linebacker trade market likely won’t be at its best, but Speed ​​is in the midst of a career year and has recorded 60 total tackles in his first six games played. He leads the league with 44 solo tackles and is in the final year of his contract. Lloyd, who was selected by Jacksonville with the No. 27 overall pick in 2022, has struggled this season. But he is only 26 years old and could benefit from a change of scenery. Davis was drafted as a linebacker but played defensive end for Washington this year. The former No. 19 overall pick was a healthy inactive in Week 6.

CB

1. Jaycee Horn
2. Greg Newsome II
3. Jonathan Jones

I really don’t know if Horn would be available via trade, but there would be a lot of interest if he were. The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, but Horn has only played more than six games in a season once in his career. Newsome is another Brown who could be unloaded. Like Horn, he is scheduled to play on his fifth-year option in 2025. In 2023, he recorded a career-high 14 passes defended. Jones is a veteran who has spent his entire career with the Patriots. He is in the final year of his contract and could be an asset to a contender.

S

1. Budda Baker
2. Trevon Moehrig
3. Andre Cisco

Jonathan Gannon’s defense is struggling and the Arizona Cardinals could look to trade their star safety who is in the final year of his contract. Baker has made six Pro Bowls since being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Moehrig is a young safety in the final year of his rookie contract. Last season, he recorded a career-high three interceptions and eight passes defended for the Raiders. Cisco praised the performance of his teammates in London last week after the loss to the Bears. He’s also in the final year of his rookie contract and could be another Jaguar on the move.