It’s that time of year when NFL teams need to decide whether they want to push for the playoffs or start prioritizing next year’s draft and roster. In other words: Are you a buyer or seller?
The Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Cowboys and Seahawks have already decided they’re in the race for the NFC. The same can probably be said about the Dolphins, Ravens Chiefs and Jaguars in the AFC, each of which leads its respective division with at least five wins.
But teams such as the Rams, Colts and Commanders (they’re all 3–4) might be contemplating how to best move forward with their respective seasons. They’ll need to decide soon given the league’s trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon.
As for the likes of the Bears, Broncos, Cardinals and Panthers, they are among a handful of teams that—given the projected path forward this season—have likely decided to part with some of their roster at this year’s trade deadline.
Here’s one player each team should either trade or acquire before Halloween, starting with the NFC and then heading into the AFC.
NFC TeamsArizona Cardinals
Player they should trade: WR Marquise Brown
Quarterback Kyler Murray might not like seeing his close friend and favorite target leave, but the one-win Cardinals need more assets to rebuild one of the worst rosters in the league. Brown could potentially gain the Cardinals a Day 2 draft pick given a handful of contenders are in need of a wide receiver. But the 26-year-old has struggled to make an impact in Arizona since the team sent a first-round pick to the Ravens for him last year. Brown has 32 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns. This current Cardinals regime (with both a first-year coach and GM) didn’t trade for Brown, nor did they draft and re-sign Murray. It’s time to move on.
Atlanta Falcons
Player they should acquire: QB Justin Fields, Bears
With the Bears potentially having two high first-round picks next year, they might be willing to trade Fields. If that opportunity arises, the Falcons should jump for the quarterback, who would instantly be an upgrade over the struggling Desmond Ridder. Fields could be the missing piece for an offense that features Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London. But I'm not sure how I feel about Arthur Smith coaching Fields, given he has failed to unlock the passing game since he arrived in Atlanta two years ago. Fields, 24, has thrown for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.
Carolina Panthers
Player they should trade: DE Brian Burns
With the Bears owning the Panthers’ first-round pick, Carolina should seriously consider trading Burns, one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. It’s doubtful that the Panthers get another offer of multiple first-round picks for Burns (they should have taken that offer from the Rams last year), but he’ll certainly command a hefty trade package from many potential suitors. And the Panthers need to start the bidding war for Burns because they have to go all in acquiring help for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Burns, 25, has four sacks this season.
Chicago Bears
Player they should trade: WR Darnell Mooney
As mentioned above, the Bears should consider trading Fields. Even if they don’t, expect Chicago to be a seller ahead of the trade deadline. They already traded wide receiver Chase Claypool, and Mooney could be next. Mooney’s speed hasn’t made an impact since his impressive 2021 season when he recorded 81 catches for 1,055 yards. A different team might be more equipped to utilize Mooney’s skill set. The fourth-year wideout has 14 catches for 184 yards and one touchdown this season.
Dallas Cowboys
Player they should acquire: S Jeremy Chinn, Panthers
Chinn might not be available to play until December due to his quad injury, but the Cowboys can afford to wait for the versatile defensive playmaker. Chinn is capable of playing linebacker and safety, two areas of need for a Cowboys defense that has had a few notable injuries this season. With Chinn sidelined, it might not cost Dallas much to trade for a player who could help come the postseason. Chinn, 25, has one sack and 23 total tackles this season.
Detroit Lions
Player they should acquire: CB Patrick Surtain II, Broncos
After how poorly the Lions played vs. the Ravens, it’s evident that they need a splash move to hang with the Eagles and 49ers in the NFC. If Surtain is available, Detroit should pay the hefty price to acquire the All-Pro. He would provide immediate help for an area of need (Lamar Jackson picked apart the Lions’ banged-up secondary last week) and be a cornerstone piece for years to come. Surtain, 23, has 27 total tackles and one interception this season.
Green Bay Packers
Player they should trade: DE Preston Smith
With a three-game losing streak, the Packers might be thinking about selling before the trade deadline. Smith, a ninth-year veteran with two sacks and 22 total tackles this season, could help many contending teams in need of a productive pass rusher. Trading Smith would give Green Bay a valuable draft pick and more cap space to pay a few pending in-house free agents (such as Rashan Gary). The Packers also have depth at the position thanks to their 2023 first-round pick: rookie edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.
Los Angeles Rams
Player they should acquire: RB Saquon Barkley, Giants
The Rams seem committed to keeping their draft picks this year, but trading a third- or fourth-round pick might be worth it for Barkley, who would instantly help Sean McVay’s talented offense. The Rams will be without running back Kyren Williams for at least three more games. Los Angeles probably wouldn’t offer Barkley a long-term contract extension, but he might embrace the change of scenery—playing with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua would elevate the running back’s game and increase his value on the open market next offseason.
Minnesota Vikings
Player they should trade: DE Danielle Hunter
The Vikings might no longer be interested in trading their best players after the surprising win against the 49ers on . But saying no to a first-round pick would be tough for GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. (With how dominant Hunter has been this season, the Vikings can certainly squeeze a first-rounder out of a true contending team.) Sure, the Vikings can maybe earn a wild-card spot this year, but they probably can’t hang with the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Cowboys and Seahawks. Hunter, 28, has a league-high nine sacks this season.
New Orleans Saints
Player they should acquire: DE Carl Lawson, Jets
Similar to the Vikings, the Saints probably won’t go on a deep playoff run if they make it. But the Saints are in a winnable NFC South, and hosting a playoff game certainly increases their chances of advancing to the next round. The Saints have struggled offensively, but they have plenty of talent at the skill positions, and teams rarely let go of quality offensive linemen at the trade deadline. Instead, they should bolster their stout defense, one that has had slow starts in recent games. Lawson, 28, has played only 73 defensive snaps for the Jets this season (thanks to New York’s depth at the position.)
New York Giants
Player they should trade: DL Leonard Williams
The Giants would have a lengthy list of potential suitors if they decide to place Williams on the trading block. Williams has played well this season, but the Giants might not be interested in offering the pending free agent another lucrative contract. They also just paid defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence a four-year, $90 million contract extension. Williams, 29, has 20 total tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Player they should acquire: CB Donte Jackson, Panthers
Initially, I had former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard listed here for the Eagles, but that already came to fruition. Nonetheless, Philadelphia could still use help in the secondary, and Jackson could provide that as a versatile cornerback who can play inside and outside. Jackson, a former sprinter at LSU, also has the speed to keep up with the best wideouts in the league. The 27-year-old has started 65 games for the Panthers since being drafted as a second-round pick in 2018.
San Francisco 49ers
Player they should acquire: K Cairo Santos, Bears
The 49ers might have made a mistake drafting Jake Moody in the third round this year to be their starting kicker. San Francisco needs a reliable veteran kicker for the postseason, not a rookie who lacks experience kicking in crunch time. Moody will probably have a fine career, but the 49ers can’t wait for him to gain experience. Santos, an 11-year veteran, hasn’t missed a field goal attempt this season (11-of-11) for the Bears. For his career, Santos has made 85.2% of his field goal attempts (196-of-230).
Seattle Seahawks
Player they should acquire: TE Hunter Henry, Patriots
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Seahawks made a run at Burns, Hunter or the two Commanders listed below after the season-ending injury to edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu. But the price tag for those players might be out of Seattle’s range. They could also use help on the offensive side for Geno Smith, who has had issues this season with holding on to the ball too long. Henry, a pending free agent, would help Smith in the intermediate game to move the chains on third downs. The tight end has 20 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player they should acquire: RB Dalvin Cook, Jets
With the Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South, they should look for help at running back. Rachaad White hasn’t gotten the job done as the lead back, and the Buccaneers are averaging only 77.8 rushing yards per game (29th in the NFL). Cook is no longer in his prime and has struggled with the Jets, but the 28-year-old also hasn’t gotten enough touches (39 carries for 109 yards) playing behind Breece Hall this season.
Washington Commanders
Players they should trade: DEs Chase Young, Montez Sweat
I’ll make an exception here and highlight two players for the Commanders. It’s rare when a team gives up on two quality pass rushers at the same time, but having a dominant defensive line hasn’t won many games so far in Washington. Also, new ownership might not be interested in retaining players from the previous regime. Expect the Commanders to be sellers after a slow start to the season. Sweat, 27, has 5.5 sacks, and Young, 24, has five sacks this season.
