The halfway mark of the NFL season is approaching, and front offices around the league can now better gauge where their teams stand in the race for the Lombardi. Ascending organizations may be looking for reinforcements to push them into playoff or even Super Bowl contention, while those with a growing loss column could opt to “blow it up” and allocate resources to a substantial retooling in the offseason. With the trade deadline less than a week away, let’s take a look at potential moves that could come to fruition in the coming days.
Most likely trades
Panthers give Bryce Young a WR1
Candidates: Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy, Arizona Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown
With the Carolina Panthers’ playoff hopes dwindling by the week after an 0-6 start, the team’s primary focus should now be on rookie passer Bryce Young and what the organization can do to develop him as it advances in its rebuild. Young has struggled so far — through seven weeks, he ranks 26th in touchdowns (six), 27th in yards per game (193.4), and 29th in passer rating (78.7). But while his play raises some cause for concern, particularly the below-average athleticism which has failed to translate from the college game, his struggles can mostly be attributed to the dire environment around him. Young’s primary receiving options, a 33-year-old Adam Thielen and rookie Jonathan Mingo, have failed to consistently separate past the underneath level. This can make it rather difficult for Young to operate downfield; he currently ranks 31st in air yards per attempt (5.0) and 30th in completions of 20 or more yards.
Supporting Young with a quick separator would do him wonders, speeding up his processing and enabling him to access the intermediate and deep levels, thus accelerating his development into the potential Pro-Bowl quarterback the Panthers invested in this past spring. Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy makes a lot of sense here: a very good separator who has failed to live up to his potential in Denver and could be available with the Broncos seemingly in a fire sale.
Arizona Cardinals wideout Marquise Brown could also be an option, a dynamic field stretcher capable of adding a whole new layer to the Panthers offense. Both receivers – young, able separators – fit the Panthers’ timeline, and could potentially be available in exchange for second or third round picks.
Raiders trade for D-Line help
Candidates: Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter, New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche.
The Las Vegas Raiders may have invested in their defensive line this past offseason, yet the unit has failed to take a leap. Seventh-overall selection Tyree Wilson has been a non-factor, recording a lone sack and only three pressures through seven weeks, and third-round pick Byron Young has failed to establish himself as a frequent player on the rotation, being a healthy scratch in three of the Raiders’ six games. Only former All-Pro Maxx Crosby has elevated his game, resulting in the unit ranking 31st in QB knockdowns (8) and 30th in pressure rate (15.8 percent). The Raiders are now 3-4 and coming off an underwhelming 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears and thus, a front office currently on a short leash after an underwhelming 2022 may view it imperative to make a move and strengthen the roster prior to the deadline, with the defensive line being a prime candidate for an addition.
The most obvious name to look toward would be Minnesota Vikings linebacker Danielle Hunter, a three-time Pro-Bowler currently on track to become a free agent in the offseason. The Vikings are in the midst of a retooling period with notable names Za’Darius Smith and Adam Thielen also offloaded this offseason, and thus could be tempted to part ways with a day two pick.
The Raiders could also look at acquiring Patriots linebacker Josh Uche, a fearsome speed rusher coming off a career year with 11 ½ sacks in 2022. Uche has been an important part of the Patriots defense, yet Belichick has shown he is not afraid to let go of key pieces for the right price, and with the team now up against the tide in a stacked AFC after a 2-5 start, Uche could be the latest in a long line of former Patriots stars to leave Foxborough for greener pastures.
Trades that make the most sense
Bills acquire secondary reinforcement
Candidates: New York Giants cornerback Adoree Jackson, Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson
The star-studded Buffalo Bills defense has faced much adversity over the last three weeks, losing two defensive linchpins for the season in linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback Tre’Davious White. In a star-studded AFC (and an apparent season-long race with the Miami Dolphins for the AFC East title) the Bills can’t afford to stay put, and thus general manager Brandon Beane could be proactive in strengthening his defense prior to the trade deadline.
An addition at linebacker is possible, with Devin White and Devin Bush potential names to look out for, yet a move for a cornerback makes more sense, a premium position which the Bills are now particularly thin at with 2022 first round pick Kaiir Elam failing to develop. The obvious pick would be former Trojan Adoree Jackson, a seven year vet known who’s been a sturdy presence in the secondary his entire career. Now at 2-5, the Giants could be sellers at the trade deadline, and with the clear connection between franchises — current Giants general manager Joe Schoen served as the assistant GM in Buffalo for five years and head coach Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator for four — a Jackson move to Buffalo is certainly plausible. The 28-year-old has struggled this year, although he hasn’t been helped by defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who runs man coverage at one of the highest rates in the league and repeatedly leaves Jackson on islands to win rep after rep. A move to a more zone heavy and talented defense could resurrect his near Pro Bowl form earlier in his career.
Another name to look out for is Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, now in the final year of his contract and a player who could be on the market with mixed reports on him and the Bears making progress toward an extension. Through seven weeks, Johnson has allowed a stellar 22.2 passer rating when targeted, and would be an outstanding addition for the Bills defense.
Both Jackson and Johnson could be available for mid to late-round picks.
Cowboys trade for a workhorse back
Candidates: Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner
What would be more Dallas Cowboys-esque than Jerry Jones stealing headlines at the trade deadline by acquiring a star running back? With the Cowboys running game failing to find its footing to start the season, it’s certainly a possibility — through seven weeks, Dallas ranks 22nd in rushing yards per attempt (3.9) and 18th in expected points added through the ground (-6.33), down from 2022 where they ranked 18th and 11th in both respectively.
In 2022 and years prior, the Dallas offense hummed with the balance of a short yardage bruiser in Ezekiel Elliot and Pro-Bowl caliber change of pace weapon Tony Pollard splitting carries. Yet with the team refusing to re-sign Elliot this offseason, Pollard is now the lone primary back, seeing the highest carry share of his career (16 per game) in his least efficient pro campaign at 3.9 yards per carry.
To improve the rushing offense and free Pollard up to his 2022 form, the Cowboys may look to a trade deadline addition, with not much of a better fit than perennial Pro-Bowler and prospective Hall of Fame running back Derrick Henry. Now 29, Henry is approaching the twilight of his career, yet has maintained himself in good shape, currently on pace for another 1000 yard season despite running behind a sub-par Titans offensive line.
A move from the Titans side is also likely, with the team now clearly in a selling position after the Kevin Byard trade. With Henry on big wages and the team in a retooling period, a move is certainly on the cards, and would make sense for a second or third round pick.
If a trade for Henry fizzles, look for the Cowboys to turn to Arizonal Cardinals running back James Conner, a seventh-year player who has rushed for over 700 yards every year since his breakout 2020 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Conner is a tough, physical runner who also adds value in the pass game, and could be a more than suitable alternative to Derrick Henry.
Longshots
Chiefs add a WR1
Candidates: Arizona Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown, Tennessee Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins
The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-1 and sitting at the top of the AFC West, yet could probably still hit another gear considering their wide receiver play has been subpar this season. With Marquez Valdes Scantling and Kadarious Toney failing to cement themselves as an integral parts of the passing game, MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes has had to rely on rookie second round receiver Rashee Rice as his primary receiver, leading him to post the third worst passer rating (101.0) and passing success rate (51.6) of his career.
Mahomes does have the best tight end of all time in Travis Kelce to rely on as his primary pass catcher, yet Brett Veach, the team’s general manager, should see a prime opportunity to add a true game breaker to push the team into clear AFC dominance, similar to what the Los Angeles Rams did when they acquired Von Miller near the trade deadline in 2021. A tier one bonafide star is probably off the table, yet the move for a well respected WR1 like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown or DeAndre Hopkins could certainly be on the cards.
Brown has proven to be productive with Pro-Bowl caliber players like Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray at quarterback, and could be available as the Cardinals continue to amalgamate assets in their ongoing rebuild. As for Hopkins, the move to Tennessee prior to the season has clearly been a lose-lose for both sides, with Hopkins averaging the fourth-worst yards per game of his career (62.7) and the Titans offense ranking 30th in pass yards per game (173.2).
With an alien at quarterback, a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer at tight end, and one of the best offensive minds in the game’s history calling plays, the Chiefs may view it pointless to spend resources on a luxury addition. With that said, the move would most certainly enable them to shrug off the Dolphins and other contenders at the top of the AFC and march on towards another Super Bowl berth.
Lions acquire a star defender
Candidate: Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II
The Detroit Lions have been a phenomenal story this year, yet last Sunday’s 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens proved they still have some way to go before reaching the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles’ level in the NFC. General manager Brad Holmes was hired from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, where he helped general manager Les Snead revolutionize NFL roster construction with the “screw them picks” strategy through the acquisition of stars like Brandin Cooks and Jaylen Ramsey with first round picks. Now leading a weak division and the two seed in the NFC, Holmes could see this trade deadline as an opportunity to make a Ramsey-like transaction and solidify the Lions as Super Bowl contenders.
With the offense humming under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s masterful play calling and eighth-year quarterback Jared Goff’s impressive play, a move on the defensive side of the ball makes the most sense, as the Lions defense has impressed but not played to elite standard. Holmes could opt to strengthen the defensive line and add another star rusher opposite to Aiden Hutchinson, yet a move in the secondary seems most likely with the Lions backline currently banged up and so far ranking 29th in air yards conceded (951) and 26th in first downs given up through the air (88).
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is the name to look for, an All-Pro caliber defender who would immediately elevate the Lions defense. Reports out of Denver have listed Surtain as “untouchable,” yet that could clearly be a negotiating tactic by a team looking to acquire as many assets as possible for Sean Payton’s incoming scorching and complete reshaping of the team.
The trade would almost certainly require multiple first round picks, but the Lions should move heaven and earth to do it. Surtain is that good. With Surtain leading the secondary, the Lions would cement their transition from a feel good team into one of the major powers in the NFL.