Trading places.
It's the defining feature of the NFL offseason, when free agency, the draft and trades take centerstage. Unlike other leagues, player movement tends to settle down once the NFL season begins. For the most part, the trade deadline is dull and lacks the truly jaw-dropping deals that light up social media.
The NFL deadline changed some of that in 2025 when players like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were shockingly dealt by the New York Jets. However, that is the exception and not the rule. Does it signal a changing of the guard? A new philosophy taking over NFL front offices?
Maybe.
If nothing else, contracts will expire after the season and players will hit free agency like they always do. That opens the door for some trades to take place ahead of the trade deadline, which is set for Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET. It leaves plenty of time for teams to make things happen – especially with some big names facing some uncertain futures.
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Anything can happen between now and then, but here are 13 names that could shake up the NFL trade deadline in 2026:
QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, barring a miracle, won't be a playoff contender this season. They already have Gardner Minshew and drafted Carson Beck. At some point, Arizona will want to see what they have in the youngster before potentially selecting a new quarterback in next year's draft. That makes Brissett expendable, especially when injuries inevitably complicate another team's situation.
QB Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings
Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy block Wentz's path to playing time. A team interested in Brissett could also have some interest in Wentz as a veteran quarterback that might be capable of stabilizing a team for a few weeks.
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor is on an expiring contract and could be a big trade deadline chip for Indianapolis. It remains to be seen how much, if at all, the Colts improved this offseason and the team is famously without a first-round pick in the upcoming draft. Taylor almost certainly wouldn’t fetch that kind of haul, but adding draft capital should be a priority. At the very least, paying a soon-to-be 28-year-old running back over $15 million per year isn't raising the team's ceiling to a Super Bowl contender as currently constructed.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, playing on an expiring contract, could be on the move before the trade deadline.
RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Conner’s name has been in trade rumors ever since Jeremiyah Love’s name was called during the 2026 NFL Draft. There’s no reason to believe that will change anytime soon.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Kamara could’ve been on the move last season, but threatened to retire if a deal happened. Will he have a change of heart with Travis Etienne Jr. potentially taking over his role on the team? A contender might believe that Kamara has enough left in the tank to make an impact if he’s open to the idea.
WR George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
There is no extension coming for Pickens this season, as Stephen Jones already made clear. The receiver’s future is clearly undefined in Dallas, opening the door for a trade. It would take a significant monetary commitment to keep Pickens, CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott with the Cowboys, leaving Pickens as the potential odd man out. Perhaps he could become a trade piece for a star defensive talent if one becomes available. Maxx Crosby, anyone?
WR Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
The arrival of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs added some depth to the Patriots’ receiver room. Boutte is set to be a free agent after the season and he is likely expendable before being due for a raise.
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is all-in on KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, investing some premium draft picks in the rookies. It leaves Tillman as an intriguing trade piece given his size and speed. Buried on the depth chart and playing on a movable contract, the 26-year-old is a worthwhile risk for a team in need of receiver help – even with his injury history.
WR Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
If Tillman isn’t getting a one-way ticket out of Cleveland, could it be Jeudy? The factors are the same for the 2020 first-round pick and it might make more sense to trade Jeudy, given his place atop the depth chart. His contract is more costly than Tillman’s though and that could complicate any potential move.
EDGE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Crosby was already traded once this offseason, until that fell through. He said his goodbyes to Vegas and Raider Nation, meaning a second trade would be a piece of cake. The star defender can easily rebuild his value by the trade deadline and open the door for the Raiders to strike again. If he is going to be dealt again, the trade deadline makes the most sense in terms of timing.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was going to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens before the deal ultimately fell apart.
EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
Already boasting Brian Burns and Abdul Carter off the edge, New York also added Arvell Reese in the 2026 NFL Draft. Thibodeaux found his name in trade rumors during the draft and that likely won’t quiet down as he approaches free agency at the end of the season. It remains to be seen if anyone is willing to meet New York's asking price.
LB Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins
Miami has traded just about everyone this offseason, so why stop now? Brooks is set to be a free agent after the upcoming season and is coming off a career-year. His contract is easily digestible for any acquiring team and Brooks doesn’t figure to be part of the Dolphins’ plans for the future.
S Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
The 30-year-old safety is no different from any other Cardinals’ veteran on this list. Arizona’s window to contend is still some time away, meaning Baker is unlikely to be part of the team – or at the height of his effectiveness – when that day comes. The Cards can move on from Baker and acquire some draft capital while allowing the star to chase a ring.
